Do you shop on Thanksgiving?

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Several years ago this trend of stores opening up on Thanksgiving Day started. While the men watched football, the women could go out shopping! The stores made it sound like they were doing the little ladies a favor by giving them something to do. The opening times have creeped earlier and earlier. A friend of ours used to work for JC Penney and last year they opened at 3 pm on Thanksgiving. He had to be there at 1 which meant that he missed dinner with his family. And that is the main reason why I HATE stores being open on Thanksgiving--employees have families that they want to celebrate with too. When the stores open at 2 or 3 and employees have to be there at noon or 1 pm, well. . . they are missing the whole point of the holiday: time with family. Sure, they may get some leftovers but it isn't the same thing. All for what? The same sales that people could get starting at midnight on Black Friday like companies used to do? or at least at like 9 or 10 pm? I understand gas stations and convenience stores being open. The local liquor stores are usually open in the morning so people can get their supplies for the holiday. Even *some* of the grocery stores are open for half of the day in case people need emergency ingredients. I get that. Aside from those types of places, though, I really don't think that retail stores should be open on Thanksgiving. They are open like every other freaking day of the year. Let the employees spend some time with their families before the crazy rush of the Christmas shopping season.