The day after Thanksgiving used to be synonymous with eating leftovers and dropping off relatives at the airport. But in the past 40 years, it’s evolved to become a nationwide phenomenon–Black Friday. Despite the fact that black friday’s super-saver sales used to cause stampedes (and sometimes even deaths), Black Friday over the past few years has become a letdown.
Not only do many feel deals have gotten worse as inflation caused prices to go up, the amount of in-store shopping has rapidly decreased, to the point where in 2025, the amount of online shoppers actually outnumbered in-store shoppers. This is a huge contrast from the Black Friday crazes of the 90s and 2000s.
“I remember getting up at 5am for doorbuster deals,” remarked Sudhir Subramanya, DHS parent and class of 2029 rep.
Everything changed in 2005, when the first Cyber Monday happened. Every year since the internet and online shopping were made commercially available, the amount of shopping done via the web increased. Being able to access Black Friday deals from home gave people comfort, and the lack of a physical transaction may have made some feel like they weren’t spending as much money. During Black Friday 2025, a new online spending record was set in the US with 11.8 billion dollars in sales.
However, some DHS students still feel like in-person is still a good experience. Shuchi Pannala, a sophomore, expressed her thoughts on Black Friday over the past few years, saying that “it’s definitely moving towards more online shopping, but I think going in person is an experience in itself. I would much rather go in person than shop online,” she reasoned.
In-person definitely has its appeals: better sizing, better shade matching, and just the feeling of finding something perfect for you (at a discounted price, no less). That’s what attracted many across the country when they showed up to their local Target early Friday morning, excited for their completely free Black Friday swag bags, which did not meet expectations.
“All I did was go Target at 4am and the swag bag was crappy,” Olivia Lamb, a freshman, grumbled.
Many other Target Black Friday shoppers felt the same way. The swag bag contained samples of air dry shampoo, electrolyte drink mix packets, a deck of uno cards, a bag of Nerds Gummy Clusters, and a lip gloss. Chaos erupted over social media, as people were filled with astonishment by how little they received, and how cheap it was. All in all, 2025 was a mediocre year for Black Friday, and we’re all hoping next year will be better.