Thanksgiving: Do Shopping And Feasting Go Together?

A new tradition is starting for some families this Thanksgiving.

In addition to feasting, football and family, some folks are adding shopping to the holiday activities.

Some retailers are getting a jump on the traditional Black Friday frenzy by opening their stores on Thanksgiving.

Will you be one of the people out looking for bargains on Turkey Day? Or will you be like members of groups such as Say No To Shopping on Thanksgiving and keep the holiday free of commercialism?

The Thanksgiving shopping syndrome got really rolling last year when Walmart opened its doors at 8 p.m. Thursday. This year the retailer will allow customers in starting at 6 p.m.

Their competitor, Kmart, decided to go one better. They are opening at 6 a.m. Thursday and staying open for 41 straight hours.

The Dollar Tree outlets are opening at 7 a.m. or 8 a.m., depending on location.

The Gap will sell goods from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Old Navy is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and after a dinner break from 7 p.m. to midnight Friday.

Best Buy will join Walmart with a 6 p.m. opening. They're followed by Kohl's, Macy's, Sears and Target, which kick off their holiday shopping season at 8 p.m. Thursday.

More store openings can be found in this Huffington Post story.

Stores that open on Thursday say past online shopping trends have convinced them that consumers are willing to shop on Thanksgiving.

Not all retailers are buying it. Those waiting until Friday point to surveys showing only 38 percent of consumers plan to venture out on Thanksgiving rather than wait for Friday.

Among those stores is Nordstrom, which will be closed on Thanksgiving and opens on Friday morning, albeit as early as 5 a.m. at some locations.