Friday, November 23, 2012
A few facts, figures and tidbits before heading out with the other crazed shoppers.
1. BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING FORECAST: Friday: Partly sunny. Milder. Highs in mid/upper 50s. Saturday: Mainly cloudy with a few rain showers — it may end as a few wet snow showers in the Worcester hills. Highs in the upper 40s early then temps crash into the upper 30s by night. Sunday: Cold and windy. Clouds and sun. Maybe a flurry. Upper 30s to near 40 for highs. 2. BLACK FRIDAY HISTORY: The term “Black Friday” was coined in the 1960s to mark the kickoff to the Christmas shopping season. “Black” refers to stores moving from the “red” to the “black,” back when accounting records were kept by hand, and red ink indicated a loss, and black a profit. Ever since the start of the modern Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, the Friday after …
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
This Friday's 'Buy Nothing Day,' same day as 'Black Friday,' has taken on a new political tinge. Does that change how you view the effort to keep the holidays from becoming one big shopping trip?
'Buy Nothing Day,' a 20-year old tradition of reminding people that there is more to Thanksgiving and Christmas than shopping, this year has taken on even more political coloring: Buy Nothing Day/#Occupy Xmas. Last year, 2011, was the first year Buy Nothing Day was connected to the Occupy movement; both are brought to you by Adbusters, a passionately anti-capitalist organization out of Canada. The Adbusters homepage with information about Buy Nothing Day/#Occupy Xmas, is dominated by a Guy Fawkes mask, emblematic of the Occupy movement and by this quote: “Today, humanity faces a stark choice: save the planet and ditch capitalism, or save capitalism and ditch the planet.” – Fawzi Ibrahim So here's the question: does the closer connection…
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Blue laws prohibit retailers from opening before midnight on Black Friday.
Black Friday is starting earlier than ever, as some national retailers have announced they will open the night of Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 22. However, here in Massachusetts, state blue laws prohibit stores from opening until midnight, according to an article in the Boston Globe. Current blue laws prohibit retailers in the state from opening on Thanksgiving, thus preventing them from getting an early start on Black Friday sales, according to the Globe article. Some exceptions are restaurants, health care facilities and gas stations. The laws, instituted in the 17th century, are intended to make sure holidays are properly observed, according to the Boston Globe. Are Massachusetts' blue laws outdated? Should they be eliminated? Tell …
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
It's Black Friday, did you hit the stores?
Named for the color used to show that businesses have turned a profit, "Black Friday" has become a bellwether for predicting how well the holiday shopping season will be. The first official day of the holiday shopping season, Black Friday and its deep discounts offered by most retailers usually draw hordes of deal-hunting shoppers and could be a sign of a rebound in consumer spending. Others, meanwhile, prefer to beat the crowds by staying at home. So, which are you — a deal hunter, or someone who avoids Black Friday? Let us know by casting a vote in our poll. And if you are shopping on Friday, let us know where in the comment section below!
YiayiaOnline
9:39 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
Things should remain as they are. For those who like to shop. I hate standing in line for anything and do most of my shopping online but would not take away any one else's right to bargain hunt or whatever. more ›