Thanksgiving is this Thursday. The holiday marks the official start of the holiday season, and thus, a period of weeks during which there are sales and promotions online for shoppers of all sorts, especially during Black Friday. Most stores, restaurants, and government buildings will be closed this Thursday, resulting in many having to organize themselves in the coming days to have all they need.
Here's what you should know about stores and businesses on Thanksgiving:
What's closed
© Eugene GologurskyGovernment offices, post offices, courts, and schools will be closed on Thursday, the same as the U.S. stock markets and banks. Services like FedEx, UPS, and other delivery services won't be working on Thanksgiving, although some services may be offered at different locations for emergencies.
Some of the largest stores in the country will be closed, including Walmart, Macy's, Kohl's, and Target. Local grocery stores might be open on Thursday for any last-minute shopping. Check with your preferred store.
Black Friday sales
© GettyBlack Friday is also this week, an exciting moment for many shoppers who are looking to get a head start on any holiday purchases. In years past, people used to line up outside of stores in order to shop for the best deals. Nowadays, while there are plenty of in-store benefits, a lot of deals are available online.
Its history began in the 1950s, when police in Philadelphia first used the term to describe the chaos that occurred one day after Thanksgiving, when shoppers and tourists flooded the city ahead of a football game that was taking place on Saturday. Policemen had to work extra-long shifts to account for the influx of people and their excitement in shopping. In the '80s, the term began to be used across the country after stores remarketed it, with it quickly catching up and becoming the phenomenon that it is today.
© Getty ImagesAs technology has developed, so have Black Friday sales, with different retailers developing their own rules. For example, Amazon's Black Friday sales kicked off last Thursday, with deals concluding on December 1st. Best Buy, Walmart, and Target have similar deals.
Black Friday deals are available for all types of items, but there are a few that make for particularly good deals during this season, like tech gadgets, home appliances, and other kitchen products. Cars are also on sale during this date, making it a good opportunity for these kinds of large investments.
© Getty Images
