The crowds at the Black Friday sales this year weren't as massive as usual for several reasons; many stores opened on Thanksgiving and the overall popularity of Cyber Monday.

In recent years, Black Friday shopping has crept in on Thanksgiving day with stores opening their doors and offering their sales while some of us are still sleeping off the turkey.

According to CNN, some stores like Kmart opened at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving day, while other stores such as JCPenney opened at 2 p.m.

Can you call it Black Friday if technically a store opens on a Thursday?

The growing popularity of Cyber Monday is the main reason stores have had to change their Black Friday game plan. Since many of these deals can be found online, stores have switched to opening earlier and earlier on Thursday to get consumers those deals faster. Companies will continue to open earlier because consumers continue to go shopping earlier.

Many shoppers are opting to stay home and shop online instead of hitting the stores on Black Friday. As this trend becomes more popular, the Cyber Monday sale has also evolved just like Black Friday.

Not only has Cyber Monday changed the game but some companies like Cabela's World's Foremost Outfitter and Dick's Sporting Goods now have Cyber Monday sales all week long. I'm sure next year we will see more companies following suit with Cyber Week deals.

Personally, I've never had a problem with Black Friday door-busters. However, the Thanksgiving day openings bother me because I've always felt that Thanksgiving is a time for friends, family, and food, which is why I always shop on Cyber Monday. No matter how you choose to shop for deals this holiday season just remember that the holidays are first and foremost about spending time with your loved ones!

Happy bargain hunting and in the words of Effie Trinket "May the odds be ever in your favor!"