It’s that time of year again! Christmas trees are out, lights are strung all over houses, and the stockings are hung above the fire place. It is Christmas season! The markers of the season are of course the long lines and great deals of Black Friday. Every year on the day after Thanksgiving, stores open at midnight; they offer deals and almost steals to shoppers who are trying to find the best Christmas gifts for loved ones and maybe a little something for themselves.

Black Friday originally got its name from stores trying to turn a profit for the year, or “get into the black”. The idea has spread and become one of the biggest shopping days of the entire year. This year, more than 141 million Americans were expected to go out and shop and spend 57.4 million dollars. Places like Dicks, Finish line, and Macy’s are among the many stores that offered deals of almost 50 percent off.

This year, many retailers even upped the ante by opening their doors to shoppers on Thanksgiving Day. Many Hilltoppers went out Friday night in order to find the right gift.

“The crowds were crazy,” says junior Hannah Vlk, “from the mall, to Aurora Farms, and Beachwood, there were huge amounts of people everywhere.” Junior Marina Loos had to agree.

“At the mall, there were so many people!” she reveals, “Luckily, I got some great deals.”

Others, such as senior Randy Davis, went to different places like Wal-Mart and Target.

After Black Friday, the next day of deals is the following Monday also known as Cyber Monday. Instead of giving great deals in-store, businesses give shoppers great deals on their websites. Many people who miss out on deals on Friday will use Monday as their back-up plan. While students are in school, they have found ways to get themselves a fine number of deals some students used their phones in study hall.  Even teachers got in on the shopping action, like Mr. Merkle, who was able to buy gifts for his brothers and the rest of his family.