Aaron Kornbau Staff Writer

With Christmas approaching quickly, consumption is in our veins. For many low income families and budgeted college students, Black Friday is a prime opportunity to get those Christmas presents for friends and family for a fraction of the price. The preparation that goes into Black Friday goes unseen, but it often costs retail workers a large portion of their Thanksgiving dinner. Workers for these companies are forced to work overtime to keep up with the holiday season’s demands. Often these workers don’t even get paid over time for their long hours. Unfortunately since the big sale season lasts from Thanksgiving till January, workers don’t get a break from the chaos of the holiday season to spend with their families. It’s hard to see this retail hype as a personal problem, rather than a solution to financial crisis. The greed of the Holiday season drives us to be insensitive to others. Thanksgiving and Christmas used to be about family and spending quality time with them, but it’s turned into a sport of who can shop to get the best gift for the lowest price. This holiday season remember challenge yourself to step back from the bustle of the holiday season to be thankful for the time spent with your family.