[quote]By Ashley Walker
Social Media Editor
Graphic by Drew Danko[/quote]

REI, an outdoor clothing outlet, is closing its doors this Black Friday to show their employees that there is more to be thankful for than 50 percent off at Target. “REI believes that being outside makes our lives better. That’s why this Black Friday, we’re closing all 143 of our stores and paying our employees to head outside,” president of REI, Jerry Stritzke, posted on the homepage of the company’s website.

The company is promoting the hashtag #OptOutside to remind its customers about the essential truth of the importance and beauty of nature, while “the rest of the world is fighting it out in the aisles.”

Every year it seems like people are persistently bashing Black Friday, calling it ‘a disgrace to Thanksgiving’, yet majority of them are the people waking up at 2 a.m. to buy that Keurig they’ve always wanted. As ironic as it already seems, many use Black Friday as a head start to shopping for other religious-affiliated holidays, where gift giving is an optional tradition, not a necessity.

REI joins GameStop, Costco, Staples, Sam’s Club, Petco and a few other companies on their quiet night in. While the list of major stores closing for the day is very short, the list of stores opening before it’s even dark out on Thanksgiving day is incredible. So, what message does this send about the value of family compared to the value materials?

“I think Black Friday imposes a negative message towards society because it takes away from family time during the holidays,” senior Kayla Cruz said. “More stores should close on Black Friday because people are giving up their family time to go get those ‘special deals’ when in reality they have every single day to shop. The holidays only come around once a year and they should be spend with the people you care about,” she added.

Instead of showing thanks for all the money you have by spending it on items for yourself, donate to charity on Giving Tuesday. Maybe, sit down with your family on Nov. 30 for Cyber Monday and pick out your holiday gifts then considering the fact that all those “door buster” Black Friday deals will be available all throughout December.

Companies like REI remind society that there is more to be happy about than materialistic things like that fancy Michael Kors watch or new Beats headphones. The holidays are the time for family and friends and giving thanks for all the people and things you are lucky enough to have.