Abundance of things to do and buy from today until the end of the year
According to our friends at Google, “Instead of the 32 shopping days we had last year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, we’re looking at only 26 days this year. That’s almost a full week less of peak shopping time.” Google also reports, “Holiday shopping isn’t just big in the U.S., U.K, and regions typically classified as Western markets. Black Friday is becoming bigger and bigger in the Middle East and North Africa as well.”
All month long we have been barraged with “early” Black Friday promotions, courting us to open our wallets sooner rather than later, and forego waiting until the big day on Friday, November 29th this year. But we all know that the real deals are yet to come, so we have collected resources to help you get the best bang for your buck.
And speaking of bucks, or at least reindeer, the holiday season is nothing without family television favorites such as “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer,” so we are also providing a schedule of your favorites and ours in holiday television and movies.
Hungry? Whether you are looking for a place to eat or looking for a place for last-minute takeout food, we have your taste buds covered. We tracked down all the restaurants that are open on holidays when most others are not.
Before we dive in, bookmark the Christmas TV Schedule, as we found the master of all holiday programming calendars.
Now fasten your sleigh belt, because here we go!
The Holiday Highlights
“Will & Grace Kick-Start Thanksgiving”
“Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
“Friends: The One With All the Thanksgivings”
What to Buy and What to Skip On Black Friday
Toys For All The Good Girls and Boys
Home Alone: Tune in or stream it/
Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade” (9 a.m., ABC)
The Calendar
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving this year is on November 28th.
Britannica gives a good overview of the history of Thanksgiving, Country Living shares their memorable Thanksgiving movies and we have written the article A Timeless Thanksgiving Tradition.
Football
- Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions (12:30 p.m., Fox)
- Buffalo Bills at Dallas Cowboys (4:30 p.m., NBC)
- New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (8:15 p.m., NBC)
Black Friday
Black Friday this year is on November 29th. The Balance gives a good background on why it is called Black Friday and Blackfriday.com and CNET have comprehensive guides.
Small Business Saturday
The Small Business Saturday takes place November 30th this year. The idea is to shop small and shop local by supporting your main street retailers. What better way to give back to your community this holiday shopping season than to shop within the community itself!
American Express provides a good guide on Small Business Saturday.
Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday this year is on the 2nd of December. Reader’s Digest gives a good overview of the history of Cyber Monday and Tech Radar has a comprehensive guide.
Chanukah
Chanukah begins Sunday night, Dececmber 22, 2019 and continues through Monday, December 30, 2019.
Chabad gives a good overview of Chanukah celebrations.
Christmas Eve
A good article on Christmas customs.
Good Christmas overviews: Christmas TV Schedule and Hallmark Channel.
Christmas Day
Good Christmas overviews: Christmas TV Schedule and Hallmark Channel.
Good Housekeeping’s guide to stores that are open on Christmas Day.
Trip Savvy’s guide to restaurants that are open on Christmas Day.
Kwanzaa
For seven days beginning on December 26 and lasting through January 1, African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa.
New Year’s Eve
The history of New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The restaurants that are open on New Year’s Eve.
New Year’s Day
The restaurants that are open on New Year’s Day.
The Shopping & Shipping & Strategies & Suggestions
Online Deals
There are plenty of good deals around. Here are a few good sources: Real Simple’s guide, Rakuten, GMA and Clark.
Recycle/Reuse/Repurpose/Reinvent
One Green Planets take on reusing and repurposing.
Consignment is key. With clothing, accessories, and shoes, consignment shops are keen on offering great deals, supporting local charities and use keep in mind the promise of sustainability.
Used Stuff is The next big trend in Christmas shopping. LA Times talks about the vintage trends.
How a booming resale business could lead the future of sustainable fashion, the story of Refinary 29.
Handmade Gifts
Christmas gift ideas from Country Living
Handmade gift ideas from Good Housekeeping
Memoirs and autobiographies from LifeBook Memoirs
