BLACK FRIDAY or CYBER MONDAY

On the East Coast of America the term 'Black Friday' can be traced back to the mid 1960s.  Some say that 'Black Friday' refers to the pattern of pedestrian and vehicle traffic as seen from the air in cities such as Philadelphia, others say it's the day in the year when many shops go from being in the red to going into profit or into the black.

While Thanksgiving is an official holiday, the day after is not.  However, many workers take this Friday as a holiday making a nice four day weekend. 'Black Friday' has become one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Coincident with the advent of internet shopping, 'Black Friday' has gained a worldwide reputation for a spending bonanza and the time for stores to finalize their Christmas displays. We also celebrate Cyber Monday, for all the online shopping deals.

There are many traditions that have spawed from Black Friday, like families that celebrate Thanksgiving together and then all head out to the mall when it opens at Midnight. Many stores will be doing the same sales online Friday as they have in the stores.

Do you plan on going shopping on Black Friday? Or will you be waiting til Cyber Monday?

BLOTTING OUT BLACK FRIDAY

Marion Pellicano Ambrose
Halloween has come and gone and it’s time to celebrate the official day of being grateful – Thanksgiving. What an important a concept to teach our children and to remember for ourselves! And yet, TV, Movies, radio stations and department stores have virtually skipped right over this special holiday and jumped ahead to Christmas!

Macy's Parade in the 1950's

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Christmas! I love to decorate and bake, wrap gifts and sing Christmas Carols, but NOT IN NOVEMBER! What ever happened to Christmas season beginning at the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade when Santa walks into Macy’s? My sister and I would sit with our Dad, just waiting for that special moment. It was only after that event that we were allowed to start decorating and playing our Christmas records. (yes, I did play records - 33RPM albums of Bing Crosby, Andy Williams and Johnny Matthis!)                                                                                                                       The next day -BLACK FRIDAY! The official beginning of the frantic search for just the right gift for everyone on your Christmas list!