For some, Thanksgiving just isn’t what it used to be.

Angie Krawiec, junior math education major, said she feels the increased interest in Christmas shopping right after Thanksgiving takes away the purpose of Thanksgiving.

Many rush out to get Black Friday deals the day after Thanksgiving. This year, Walmart will begin its Black Friday deals at 10 p.m. Thanksgiving night, according to an article on reuters.com.

Pastor Steve Larson of Hillcrest Covenant Church, 1515 N. First St., said the meaning of Thanksgiving has changed over time.

“The day of Thanksgiving is still celebrated, but it’s become about relatives and football,” Larson said. “I think the fact that we skip over Thanksgiving takes away an opportunity to be grateful to God and our culture.”

Sycamore Mayor Ken Mundy doesn’t have entirely positive feelings toward Black Friday.

“I’m old-fashioned, so I think [Black Friday] is pushing the Christmas shopping onto us,” Mundy said. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. We barely get through Halloween. I’m not anti-business, but I think we all need a break and to reflect on this Christmas season and what it is for.”

Associate sociology professor Charles Cappell said he feels people may make too big of a deal of Black Friday.

“I generally don’t appreciate the intrusion of the consumer fetish in the Thanksgiving holiday,” Cappell said.

Although Cappell said his family still celebrates Thanksgiving the “traditional way,” not all do. Some may rush through Thanksgiving in order to prepare for Black Friday.

Krawiec feels like, for some people, Christmas can take precedence over Thanksgiving.

“Right after you eat, you’re thinking about Christmas,” Krawiec said.

Wesley Groom, junior physical education major, agrees with Krawiec.

“Everyone goes out on Black Friday to get those deals,” Groom said.

DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen said despite Black Friday, Thanksgiving day is still similar to how it was celebrated 40 to 50 years ago.

“Hopefully people realize the Thanksgiving holiday’s meaning is to appreciate what we have,” Povlsen said.

Mundy said he would like students and community members to remember what Thanksgiving is really for.

“We have a lot of blessings and if we all put them down on paper, we’d be amazed,” Mundy said.