GREENVILLE — Hordes of customers will be descending on stores during the next three days, buying Christmas gifts and just about anything else they can get their hands on, during the busiest shopping period of the year.

Retailers are offering deep discounts on merchandise, with big sales starting today, continuing on Black Friday and extending into Small Business Saturday.

The Herald-Banner is offering its biggest edition of the year today, filled with sales circulars from local and area stores, allowing readers to choose among the best deals out there.

Several individuals who posted on the Herald-Banner’s Facebook page said they intended to do their shopping, locally on Saturday.

Small Business Saturday is intended as a way for consumers to show their support for smaller and locally owned retailers and to help boost the area’s shopping community.

Tim Drennan said he does a lot of shopping locally and encouraged others to do the same.

“All the big box stores and so-called specialty shops in the high dollar shopping districts have the very same stuff that everybody buys, everybody gives, and everybody gets for Christmas,” Drennan said. “Be original. You can find the best gifts at small stores, craft malls, antique shops and second hand stores if you use your imagination and choose carefully.”

“Having a small, local, business ourselves we prefer to give locally and to the small businesses and hope in turn, they will do the same,” said Toni Capilla Walker. “We can all benefit from the support.”

But not everyone is planning to endulge their shopping urges, according to responses to a post on the Herald-Banner’s Facebook page.

While many said they support shopping at local merchants on Small Business Saturday, others indicated they may be skipping on the Black Friday madness, while there was some opposition expressed to starting the sales on Thanksgiving.

Karla Sherrod Lindamood indicated she would not be shopping today.

“Absolutely not,” Lindamood said. “Thanksgiving is a time to be spending with family and not shopping.”

“Thanksgiving is meant for family,” echoed Kristen Chambers. “Not shopping. I will be with my family.”

On the other hand, Jamie Ismael said, “Deff going shopping on Thanksgiving day. WALMART HERE I COME!!!!!”

Courtney Brianne Jackson said when she shops, she will probably be going to Rockwall or Frisco, but she won’t be shopping on the day after Thanksgiving.

“No Black Friday shopping for me ever,” she said.

Patricia Gager is also staying close to home Friday.

“I tried the Black Friday thing once many years ago... it was not a fun experience,” Gager said. “Besides, there is not gonna be anything for sale worth me getting trampled over.”

Katie Rawlings said she was tired of all of the bashing being done about shopping in Greenville.

“Good grief! Why would anyone want to put a business here when all anyone ever does is complain either about the lack of or the type of business we have,” Rawlings asked. “There are plenty of small businesses, cute boutiques and such that need our business and I plan to shop Saturday to show support. Maybe if we’d start spending more locally we’d get more locally. Just a thought!”