Shopping for the holidays, a different kind of family tradition

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Many stores began their Black Friday sales on Thanksgiving, and many people were lined up and ready to shop hours before the doors opened.

“My mom and I always go Black Friday Shopping. We’ve been doing it since I was in middle school,” said Brandi Slawski.

Forget the turkey. Forget the football. For some people the holiday weekend is all about shopping.

“We’ve been doing this for a number of years now. We normally get here around 6:30 in the morning and we’ll stay in line over 12 hours just to get the hot items that are on sale,” said Anthony Thomas.

Black Friday has traditionally been when the holiday sales kick off, but for the last few years, many stores have moved that up to Thursday.

“They moved it to Thanksgiving and now we do it on Thanksgiving,” said Slawski.

Not everyone is a Black Friday pro. First timer and first in line at Best Buy, Alberto DeSilva wasn’t sure what to expect.

“There wasn’t actually too many people here. It didn’t pick up until about 2:30 this afternoon,” DeSilva said.

For many the excitement of the search for savings is the draw.

“The hustle and bustle of it all, having everyone out, and you kinda get hyped up and get ready. So your energy is flowing, you meet so many different people that you talk to while you’re in line. I think it’s great. I do it every year,” said Thomas.

A different type of tradition that still brings people together for Thanksgiving.