It has been nearly 10 weeks since I have been back home on Long Island, and I will have to wait another three until I see my family again for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is a day to spend time with family, friends and other loved ones. Until recently, it was one of my favorite holidays. The food, the family and the football made the day very special. In the past few years, however, American consumerism has overtaken the day that should be filled with giving back and reminding ourselves how lucky we are to be surrounded by the people we care about.

It is ironic that the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, is the complete juxtaposition of what Thanksgiving is all about. We go from being thankful for everything we have to, often literally, killing each other at shopping malls and other retail locations. More recently, our patience has dwindled to the point that people run to stores just minutes after their Thanksgiving feast is over. In reality, these purchases are hardly for our families, but rather, for ourselves. People use the sales as an excuse to splurge on luxury goods like that brand-new smart TV or new gaming console.

Aside from the fact that Black Friday shopping is wrong and against everything the holiday stands for, it ruins the day for the millions of retail workers who cannot spend Thanksgiving the right way with family. On Thanksgiving day, stores open as early as 6 p.m. In my house, we do not even start eating at 6 p.m. So, some employees are not even able to attend their Thanksgiving dinner. Despite seeing some family for the first time in months, many workers have to leave early in order to serve the consumers that are hungry for something else: a bargain.

While I do not agree with Black Thursday shopping, I understand it. People enjoy spending money, and this may be the only time of year they can afford the TV that is 25 percent off. I do believe, however, that there is an excellent alternative. Retailers across the nation should use Black Friday as an additional online shopping day, similar to Cyber Monday. It is a win-win scenario, as retail workers do not need to work until 2 a.m., and people still get their goods. Arguably, it is even better for the consumer who does not need to get off the couch after stuffing his or her face with turkey but can still save some money.