This week’s holiday is changing in a way that more than a few people want to resist. An increasing number of big chain stores will open on Thanksgiving with discounts on Christmas season gifts, rather than continuing a tradition of starting those promotions early Friday. That means some retail employees have to dash from the turkey table to work, and it tempts bargain hunters to trade family time for shopping.

"It seems like there’s no stopping consumerism from creeping deeper and deeper into Thanksgiving," a Time magazine article says. Kmart sales begin at 6 a.m. on the holiday and continue for 41 hours straight. Walmart and Best Buy will open at 6 p.m. Thursday, and Toys R Us jumps in an hour earlier. Target, J.C. Penney, Kohl’s, Macy’s and Sears join them at 8 p.m., while Costco, Nordstrom and a few other large chains resist the trend.

On stores’ social media feeds and in newspaper interviews, critics blast them for intruding into a holiday meant for family. “I think it’s horrible,” says Monica Hall of Newburgh, N.Y. Others express concern that employees have to work Thursday. "I don't think it's going to hurt them to be closed on a holiday like that,” comments Abigail Ingersoll of Carthage, Ind. "Give people an opportunity to spend time with their families. I don't think it's very fair, I'm sure some of their workers don't think it's very fair." Other consumers say they're torn between staying home and missing out on deals.

Blogger writes (sarcastically): "Where is it written that Thanksgiving Day must include a big meal with the people we love? Can’t we say our thank-yous at the mall food court?" – John Schneider of Bridge magazine in Michigan

Consumer researcher says: "It's kind of sad, but probably to be expected. I thought retailers would respect the [previous] 8 o’clock hour more." -- Britt Beemer, chief executive of America’s Research Group

Costco executive says: "Our employees work especially hard during the holiday season, and we simply believe that they deserve the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with their families." – Paul Latham, vice-president