Black Friday is Coming Up But ... Who Gives A Sh*t?

Black Friday used to actually mean something. It was practically a national holiday, alarms set for 4:30 AM, hot chocolate with extra whip and chocolate shavings please in hand, bundled up in your comfiest hoodie and heading to the mall with your dad, cousin, or bestie to hunt for actual deals. You’d weave through chaotic crowds, snag a BOGO sweater, and feel like you just won capitalism. Now? Black Friday feels more like that one friend who peaked in high school and keeps trying to recreate the glory days on Instagram.

Because let’s face it … Black Friday has lost its sparkle.

The Death of the “Deal”

Here’s the hard truth, most Black Friday “sales” aren’t even sales anymore. Retailers figured out a long time ago that if they hike up prices a few weeks before Thanksgiving, they can slap a big red 50% OFF! tag on something and make it look like a steal … when really, you’re just paying the regular price in a shinier package.

Those so-called “doorbusters” (remember that word?) that once made people camp outside stores at 3 AM? They’ve been replaced by “early access events” and “pre-Black Friday deals” that start in October. Because everyone’s doing sales all year long now, there’s nothing special about it. You can get 20% off your entire cart any random Tuesday if you just wait for the next “flash sale” email.

Gone are the days when you could snag something truly valuable for half its usual cost. Now, you’re just refreshing your cart, doing mental math, and realizing … this “deal” isn’t dealing.

The Quality’s Gone Too

Even when you do find something marked down, there’s a good chance the quality isn’t what it used to be. Fast fashion, mass production, and cost-cutting have turned “Black Friday” into “let’s get rid of all the cheap stuff we couldn’t sell this year.” Those cozy sweaters? Thinner. Those electronics? Made with cheaper parts.

Don’t even get me started on those “exclusive bundles.” You’re not getting a deal, you’re getting a bundle of things no one wanted individually (looking at you, mystery gift sets with two mini lotions and a loofah.)

Online Shopping Took the Soul Out of It

Okay, yes, online shopping is convenient. You can stay in your pajamas, avoid the parking lot chaos, and click your way to a new blender while watching Love Island … but let’s be honest: it’s just not fun anymore.

Remember the adrenaline rush of grabbing the last pair of boots off the shelf? The satisfaction of lugging your shopping bags to the food court and collapsing with a soft pretzel and a Dr. Pepper? That was the moment. Now, it’s just clicking through 47 browser tabs, entering discount codes that “aren’t valid on this item,” and waiting for a package that might arrive by Christmas if you’re lucky. Let’s not forget about tariffs and shipping costs … I don’t even want to get started there.

Sure, online shopping is easier, but it’s soulless. There’s no community, no excitement, no reason to get out of bed at dawn and brave the cold with your cousins. And that’s kind of sad.

Inflation and the Illusion of “Luxury”

Here’s another thing: prices have gone up across the board, but quality and value haven’t. You can’t tell me a $98 sweatshirt (that pills after two washes) should be considered a “deal” just because it’s marked down to $78. We’re living in a retail simulation.

Retailers have figured out that if they label something as “premium” or “exclusive,” they can charge luxury prices for middle-tier products. Add in some clever copywriting, “crafted for comfort” or “sustainably sourced,” and suddenly that $200 puffer jacket looks like an investment instead of what it really is: polyester with marketing.

Black Friday used to be about accessibility, everyone could score something nice for less. Now it’s about illusion. Everything looks fancy, but the only thing that’s actually getting richer is the marketing department.

Remember When It Was Fun?

If you grew up in the 2000s or early 2010s like I did, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Black Friday wasn’t about posting your haul on TikTok; it was about the experience. You’d meet your friends or family before sunrise, hit up Caribou for a ho ho mint mocha, and sprint into Walmart like you were training for the Olympics.

You’d giggle at the chaos, snag a few too many $10 graphic tees, and maybe even get a head start on Christmas shopping. There was a sense of tradition and excitement, a weird, shared energy that made it all worth it.

Now, that’s gone. The excitement’s been replaced by endless scrolling and push notifications screaming “FINAL HOURS!” even though there’s always another “final hour” the next day.

Why Nobody Cares Anymore

So why are we collectively over it? Because it’s all smoke and mirrors now. We’re smarter consumers (thank you, internet) and more skeptical of marketing tricks. We know when we’re being played, and at this point, it’s hard not to feel a little insulted.

We’re tired of being told we’re getting “exclusive access” when everyone on the email list got the same code. We’re tired of overhyped discounts that amount to 10% off things we didn’t need in the first place. And we’re definitely tired of brands acting like they’re doing us a favor by giving us a “deal” on overpriced nonsense.

The Nostalgia Hits Different

Maybe this is just nostalgia talking, but there was something wholesome about the old-school Black Friday experience. It wasn’t perfect, people got trampled and stuff but whatever I guess, the chaos was real, but it felt human. It was about connection, shared chaos, and the thrill of the hunt.

Today’s Black Friday feels more like a hollow marketing ploy than a tradition. It’s not about community or excitement; it’s about clicks and conversions. And honestly? That kind of sucks.

So What Now?

If you’re shopping this Black Friday, do it because you want to, not because you feel pressured to. Support small businesses, local artisans, or brands that actually care about their customers. Skip the fake deals and focus on intentional purchases, things that genuinely bring value to your life.

If you wake up on Black Friday and don’t want to shop at all? That’s okay too. Make some coffee, decorate your house for the holidays, or just chill. The best deal you’ll ever get is your peace of mind.

Because at the end of the day, the real steal is not falling for the hype.

If you really want to help make an impact this year, consider participating in the Economic Blackout Set for November 25th, 2025 through December 2nd, 2025. This is nationwide protest against the United States’ problematic government and severely flawed economic system. You can learn more from Blackout the System, here.

Black Friday isn’t dead, it’s just … kind of irrelevant now? The “deals” aren’t deals, the excitement is gone, and the magic has been replaced with clickbait and capitalism fatigue. Maybe it’s time to stop pretending the chaos is fun and admit that sometimes, skipping the sale is the smartest purchase of all.