McKenzie Maasdorp – LRHS News
(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – The holiday season approached quicker than many expected and the sales are getting better every day. Like shoppers across the country, students at Lakewood Ranch are trying to get their holiday gifts at the best possible price.
Freshman Mackenzie Wise found most of her gifts as she went Black Friday shopping.
“I didn’t expect to find any gifts I needed, but when I went to Ellenton Outlet Mall on Black Friday, I ended up buying most of the gifts I was looking for and for great prices.”
The stores in the Ellenton Outlet Mall opened at 8 p.m. Thursday night and people came rushing through the doors.
Sophomore Spencer Tucker didn’t go Black Friday shopping. He’s hoping to do his shopping a little closer to Christmas.
“Black Friday is always crazy and I didn’t feel like dealing with all of the crazy shoppers, my plan is to go shopping closer to Christmas because the deals are just as good, sometimes even better.”
Sarasota Square Mall is where junior Kirsten Schmitt did all of her shopping on Black Friday.
“I love Black Friday shopping, it’s always fun to get all of my friends together and we stay up all Thursday night shopping and buying tons of Starbucks to keep us awake.”
With only three shopping weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, many retailers opened on Thanksgiving day for the first time. The change of pace made for a different shopping experience, many people did their shopping Thursday afternoon, making the stores not as busy throughout the next day.
Senior Christina LeForge didn’t like the new hours.
“I love Black Friday shopping but I don’t like how some stores opened up Thursday night. Its Thanksgiving, I want to spend time with my family. it’s called Black Friday, not Black Thursday.”