Friday, November 23, 2012
A few facts, figures and tidbits before heading out with the other shoppers.
1. Weekend weather forecast: 2. History of Black Friday: 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, black a profit. Ever since the start of the modern Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, the Friday after Thanksgiving has been known as the unofficial start to a bustling holiday shopping season. 3. Black Friday myth: Despite common belief, Black Friday is not the biggest shopping day of the year. It's not even in the top five, according to a posting on todayifoundout.com. So which day gets the prize? Typically, the last Saturday before …
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Some big box stores are now moving up their midnight hours to 8 or 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving in other parts of the country. Thanks to Massachusetts Blue Laws, that can't happen here. But should it?
First, it was more of an unspoken rule. Get your shopping done early, get it done on your day off after Thanksgiving. Then, stores responded in offering special deals to attract customers to their stores. That's when it started getting a little bit crazy. Many of the big box stores such as Target, Walmart and Sears have pushed their midnight openings even earlier, onto Thanksgiving Day itself in some parts of the country. Critics say Thanksgiving Day openings prevent employees from spending the holiday with their families, and call into question the true meaning of the holidays. Massachusetts Blue Laws prevent stores from opening on Thanksgiving, but many will be opening at midnight or at 1 a.m. on Friday. What do you think? Have we …
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Do you spend the bulk of your holiday gift budget while visiting small businesses, chain stores, or websites?
Thanksgiving isn't just a day of giving thanks, it's also the last day before the holiday shopping season starts with a bang on with early openings and one-day-only deals on Black Friday. In addition, this year is the second Small Business Saturday, a day, according to the organizers, "dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year," and this year's Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving, is expected to draw an additional ten million shoppers to their screens over last years' total. Patch wants to know where the chips fall for you. Are you saving your money for internet sales, or did you complete the bulk of your shopping on November 25th? Is Small Business Saturday the day you'll be …
Friday, November 25, 2011
The Back Bay finally has a toy store, and this weekend it's loaded with discount possibilities.
Sheri and Eli Gurock were once a stay-at-home mother and the director of admissions at a private high school, but the toy and baby gear store they started, Magic Beans, has taken off. Last Thursday, November 17th, they opened their 5th store, and its Prudential Center location is a draw for both the owners and their Back Bay neighbors. In an interview with Patch, Sheri explained why they came to the Back Bay. "Eli and I lived in the Back Bay when we were first married and have always loved that neighborhood. The Prudential Center is the best location in the city, because the weather is always good, there's an amazing assortment of shops and restaurants, and the marketing team is fabulous." The Back Bay store also brought its own unique…
42.34863
-71.08273
Prudential Center
800 Boylston St, Boston, MA
/articles/magic-beans-toy-store-opens-in-prudential-center-offers-steep-discounts-today-and-saturday
1600746
/locations/5876442
Get the most for your money while shopping smartly this holiday.
- HOLIDAY GUIDE
-
Friday, November 25, 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. 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 up a coupon …
Do you brave the crowds or enjoy the comforts of home?
Black Friday is notoriously the busiest shopping day of the year in the country, and Massachusetts, even with its famous Blue Laws, is no exception. All things considered, Patch wants to know where you find yourself this November 25th. Will you be in line, coffee cup in hand, at 11:59 p.m. Thanksgiving night outside Target or the Wrentham Outlets, or are you content to wake up and hit the stores at the not-quite-leisurely hour of 4:30 a.m.? And what about people who are staying home? Do you avoid Black Friday shopping just because of the crowds, or do you have a more philosophical stance against going out that day, like the proponents of Buy Nothing Day? This is your chance to stand up and be counted, whether as a discount dilettante or…
Monday, November 21, 2011
Local business with a sale? Savvy shopper with a good find? Upload your photo or let us know in the comments!
Daren Lechner
6:45 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Oh yeah... Pura Vida! And Happy Thanksgiving. more ›