As the holiday season approaches, many families throughout not only the St. Louis area, but the country, will begin planning for the biggest shopping day of the year. While consumers are faced with the decision to take part in traditional Thanksgiving celebrations, employees of many national retail stores including Macy’s, Wal-Mart and Sears, along with many smaller, local companies have no choice but to report for their shifts.

“I’m extremely excited to work Black Friday because of all the chaos,” said Michael Kors employee Anthony Lupo. “Even though there’s masses of people, it’s still fun.”

It’s 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. While some are finishing up dinner with their loved ones, others are looking to purchase the latest, greatest half-off gadgets, toys and clothes to use as Christmas presents are already crowding around the door, anxiously waiting to get inside. Employees wade through the herd of people to, hopefully, clock-in on time.

“As you’re wrapping up Thanksgiving dinner, I’m getting up to head in and prepare for the biggest day of the year,” Alex Penny, assistant manager at OfficeMax in Wentzville, said.

FHN senior and Plato’s Closet employee Madison Harris doesn’t mind working her long Black Friday shift. Along with stocking shelves, hanging up clothes and cleaning up after customers, Harris will interact with many more people than she would in a regular shift.

“I love being face-to-face with people,” Harris said. “It’ll be more fast-paced than usual and that’s what I really like about working on busy days such as Black Friday. After a while, it does get a little tiring.”

In a petition on Change.org against opening outside of regular hours on Black Friday, one user who identifies themselves as “C M” writes how a corporation that opens early now should lead the way in returning to normal hours on Black Friday.

“What bothers me is how the entire idea of Black Friday has changed from a few nice after-holiday sales, to mobs of people camping out at wee-hours of the morning, salespeople worked to the bone and companies scrambling to one-up each other so they can get the most of the feeding frenzy,” the user said. “The sad irony of it all is that this day of utmost need and greed comes after the holiday that’s meant to take the time to reflect on what we have, to be thankful for it, and to enjoy times with our families.”

But as another year passes, they spring to their cars, to their ignition give a crank and away they all drive like the down of a thistle. Of course, with their trunks bulging with all their new gadgets and toys to wrap up and give away at Christmas.