What better way to spend Thanksgiving weekend than going on a shopping spree! It is no surprise that malls around Frederick and even Montgomery county were packed this year, full of people eager to take advantage of the Black Friday sales. Every year stores all around the world ranging from Walmart to Urban Outfitters have great sales for the week of Black Friday. However is Black Friday shopping worth the crazy crowds? Would shopping online be a better option? 

Junior at Oakdale High School Reese Hauptman participated in Black Friday at the Francis Scott Key Mall this year. “I went to Hollister, H&M, and Dick’s.” 

One might think that the earlier you go you would avoid crowds; however, that is not always the case. She continued, “It was crowded, I went at 1 but it was still crowded, it was for about the whole week.” 

Similarly to Hauptman, Senior Gena Foehrkolb also started her shopping early and found herself in a similar situation. “I started at two and it was still so crowded, the traffic going to Montgomery mall was insane.” It seems that Francis Scott Key wasn’t the only mall that was full of shoppers. 

It’s never a guarantee that sales will be good at stores, especially more expensive ones. “I went to Aeropostale and I got the jeans I’m wearing now for 25 bucks which is really good because normally I pay like 60,” Hauptman claims. 

That’s a great deal for good quality pants, but Aeropostale wasn’t the only store feeling generous. “Urban had this deal it was like buy one get one 50% off for anything in the store and that was really good,” she commented.

Even after all of that success, would online shopping still be a preferable option? “I wanted to try on the clothes so I am glad that I did it in person. It’s definitely easier to gauge the best size choice when you can try the clothes on in person. I was going to wait until Cyber Monday to shop online but I didn’t end up doing that, but I am glad I went in person.” Hauptman shares.

Looks like Black Friday is popular for a reason. If you’re willing to put up with long lines and large crowds for a couple days the deals may be worth it to you!