A different type of holiday

Julissa Fuentes, staff writer

Thanksgiving is all about the harvest and the gratitude we give towards our family, friends, teachers, classmates, neighbors, God and more. Black Friday, a major shopping event following Thanksgiving, is all about stores offering highly promoted sales that open very early like at midnight, or sometimes start their sales on Thanksgiving. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, many stores chose to close for the holiday unlike in previous years and some even began their sales online earlier. 

This year’s holidays may not be the same but we can make the best out of it in a nice, safe way. Many people invite their families and friends over to celebrate Thanksgiving. But for this year, it was recommended to change it up a little by coming up with new ways to celebrate and be thankful to our families and friends under quarantine. The most common suggestion was to have a virtual dinner with your family and friends. Others chose to send letters, thankful cards, or little notes. Little things can always make that special someone feel great and that they’re not alone. 

However, Black Friday was expected to be a little different as well. During the past years, stores have been packed with people shopping for low prices. It’s the only time when prices are on sale for the upcoming holiday season, Christmas. This year however, due to the global pandemic, it may be the same except for people wearing masks and staying 6 feet apart from each other. According to many stores like Walmart, Target, Best-Buy & Sam’s Club, Black Friday is not canceled. 

Many of the stores claimed they would make it safe by setting up a plan to make Black Friday happen in both stores and online. Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Kohl’s, Sam’s club and many more will close on Thanksgiving but will reopen on Black Friday.  According to an article in Good Housekeeping, “This year you’re going to want to call ahead and confirm that they’re going to be open on the big day. If you are going out, you can assume most stores will have COVID-19 safety protocols in place and limits on how many people will be allowed in the building at once, so endless lines and door-buster stampedes are going to be a thing of the past. As always, make sure that you’re shopping safely and wearing a mask!” 

Stores are going to make sure Black Friday is going to be safe. But it’s our responsibility that we follow rules and make sure we are safe as well. If you did go out, you should have worn your mask and stayed 6 feet apart from others. The more we stay safe, the better we’ll get through this pandemic and we’re able to see each other again. Also don’t forget to send letters, & cards to your friends, teachers & neighbors. It would be nice if you do and it’s never too late to tell someone you’re thankful for them. It will make you and others feel great. While Thanksgiving may have looked different this year, hopefully you still managed to make it memorable.