i think the stores are missing the big picture! It's not opening earlier that entices shoppers to come to thier stores, it's the PRICES!! If they would just start their sales later on in the afternoon like at noon and keep their doors closed in the morning, then shoppers and employees could sleep in after spending a wonderful Thanksgiving together. And instead of those crazy, sidewalk camping, shoppers setting up "Occupy Wal-Mart" at 2am, they could start lining up around 8am for the Noon sale!. Safer for shoppers and employees, avoiding the extreme weather and dark hours of the night. Mom who would love to shop the sales, Hot Springs

This is actually a very sad story. Our society has lost touch with the actual true meaning of not only Thanksgiving but also Christmas. These holidays have become a retail extraveganza and the retailers and corporate America are loving it. This is a time to reflect back on the year and give thanks for everything we have been given. But instead, the retailers have blown it into a "save more, get more" retail holiday. Thanksgiving is not "the day before black friday", it is a day to give thanks. Most people think Thanksgiving is for saving money for Christmas gifts and they think Christmas is a time to blow a lot of money on a lot of gifts. The best gift you can ever give is helping someone in need. Spend time with someone that doesnt have anyone, tell a stranger hello and to have a great day, volunteer at a soup kitchen, go visit the seniors in a retirement home, go to the VA and visit a Vet. Do something that comes from the heart, not the wallet.