The scent of perfumes spritzed in one’s face and the hurried madness of the crowd sets the tone for the day. Nevertheless, America loves Black Friday.

Black Friday has changed from what it used to be.  It has taken over people and the real meaning of the holidays.  Shopping can bring out the worst in some people as they show their true colors. People can become nasty, whether to cut in line to make a hurried purchase or elbow their way to the last longed-for item.

Senior Christmas enthusiast but Black Friday naysayer Dom DiPietro said,“ Black Friday gets people so wrapped up in the buying of tangible items that they forget what the holiday season is really about. Some even leave their families altogether to go shop all day when they could be spending quality time with loved ones that they haven’t seen in a while.”

People really focus too much on goods rather than the things that should truly matter, especially around the Christmas holidays.  Sadly, our society has begun to put the most important things in life on the back burner.  The holidays should be a time to recognize how grateful you are for everything life has offered, but Americans are losing sight of that.

Jillian Reich, ’18, stated (rather ironically),“Right after my Thanksgiving dinner, I headed off to the wild Black Friday shopping. I arrived early in the night when there weren’t many people, so it was not very chaotic. I went both Thursday night and Friday at 7 a.m. It was kind of sad to see all these people out on this holiday night instead of staying in and spending time with their families. I think it is disappointing that the holidays have now turned into a time when people fight over clothing and materials rather than spending time being thankful for the families and friends that they have.”

On a different note, sophomore Megan Merril exclaimed,“I love the holidays because I get to be with my family and generally people are in a better mood. My family always celebrates together, and it’s really fun to have them around and relax all day!”

Christmas celebrates the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was born in poverty. Sadly, we commemorate that sacred event with extravagant expenditures. The most important point to take away from this is never to lose track of the true meaning for the season.