“Mom, why didn't I get what I wanted for Thanksgiving this year?” This question seems absurd in the modern context, but in the future it may be a question that will be asked too often. With holiday-themed advertisements in the media and Christmas discounts already visible on shelves, it's no wonder that Black Friday and the holiday shopping season are creeping ever closer to Thanksgiving. Black Friday is a popular phrase used to describe the chaotic shopping frenzy that takes place every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving. In recent years, the chaos associated with this so-called "holiday" has only increased; consumers are trampling over each other to get the best deals, and retailers are struggling to keep up with their competitors. However, this year many department stores in the United States will open their doors on Thanksgiving in preparation for Black Friday (Zilman). This unprecedented event highlights a startling change in American society. Black Friday's inevitable takeover of Thanksgiving will ruin the holiday itself and negatively impact traditional family values ​​because it will force Americans to embrace materialism in place of kindness. Thanksgiving is a traditional American holiday that dates back to colonial times. The commonly known First Thanksgiving is a story that all American children learn. Native Americans teach the Pilgrims to grow food to last them through the winter. At the end of the harvest, the Pilgrims and Native Americans gather to celebrate and give thanks for the friendship they have and for all the blessings they have received. Modern Thanksgiving, although based on the First Thanksgiving, has evolved greatly. It is traditionally celebrated by the......middle of paper......Jennifer family. “With Thanksgiving night openings, are retailers at risk more than kicking down doors?” Forbes.com. np, Nov. 14, 2012. Web. Nov. 15, 2013. Stein, Joel. “Millennials: The Me Me Me Generation.” Time.com. np, May 20, 2013. Web. Nov. 15, 2013. Tozzi, John. “The Brand of Black Friday.” BusinessWeek.com. np, November 20, 2012. Web. November 11, 2013. Tuttle, Brad. “What's on for Black Friday.” TIMEBusiness.com. np, November 20, 2012. Web. November 16, 2013Zilman, Claire. “Why Macy's caved in to opening early on Thanksgiving.” Fortune.com. np October 17, 2013. Web. November 7, 2013. "Black Friday Ads Leak Earlier Than Ever on FatWallet." PRNewswire.com. np, Oct. 30, 2013. Web. Nov. 13, 2013. “Chain Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Day.” RestaurantNews.com. np and nd Web. November 12, 2013. "10 Things You Didn't Know About Black Friday." usnews.com. np, 2009. Web. 10 November 2013.