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 well NW? 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 …
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 …
Friday, November 25, 2011
Share the savings with the rest of us in Patch-land.
It's Black Friday. If you're reading this, perhaps you were up early scouring the stores for sales. Or maybe you had your eye on a new television or appliance and knew just what pre-dawn line to wait in. Share your steals and deals by leaving a comment below. We want to hear what you scored so maybe we can share in the savings.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
The deals are out there to be had, but is it worth fighting the crowds?
Black Friday is less than two days away, and while I plan on going shopping that day, I'm not scouring the circulars or hunting down the best deals ahead of time. It's a Thanksgiving tradition in my family to go shopping on Black Friday. But we're a part of the crack-of-10 a.m.-club, not the type to bang down the doors of the big box stores at 5 a.m. I heard some stores are opening at midnight this year, which sounds more like bedtime then shopping time to me. Largely, our shopping tradition came about because I grew up in New Hampshire, where the nearest mall was an hour and a half away. So when we were in Boston to visit my aunt, uncle and cousins for Thanksgiving, the opportunity to shop at a mall (or even two!) was enticing to my mom. …
Monday, November 21, 2011
Ten ways to make your shopping experience better.
- HOLIDAY GUIDE
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Monday, November 21, 2011
It’s time to start planning your Black Friday, that special day after Thanksgiving when retailers gear up to offer their best. Better Business Bureau past experience tells us that all deals are not created equal and the fine print is often the most important thing. Before you head out the door for a block buster and get caught up in the frenzy, the BBB offers the following tip sheet to help you save time and money. Tip 1 – Know before You Go. In the coming weeks many retailers will release their Black Friday deals online, in social media and other publications. Research where the sales are and make a list of your gift priorities to compare prices and plan your day of deals. Since many advertisements will begin before the actual sale, build…
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 ›