Do you shop black Friday?

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

It's a tradition that dates from the second werewolf epidemic (mid 18th century). On the first full moon after Christmas it was customary to give a small box containing the tools you might need to fight off a werewolf: wolfsbane, silver, wooden stakes, and a hat*.



*It's largely been forgotten today, but mercury (quicksilver) was used in the making of felt hats. Quicksilver is one of the few ways to kill a werewolf.

Originally Posted by HarryT

Boxing Day is December 26th in Britain (and all its former colonies). So called because of the former tradition of wealthy people giving a "Christmas Box" to their domestic servants (and more, generally, to the poor) on the day after Christmas.

I like Nate's explanation better...

[desertgrandma]

well, we all know what comes after Thanksgiving, right?


CHRISTMAS!!

[GraceKrispy]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

It's a tradition that dates from the second werewolf epidemic (mid 18th century). On the first full moon after Christmas it was customary to give a small box containing the tools you might need to fight off a werewolf: wolfsbane, silver, wooden stakes, and a hat*.



*It's largely been forgotten today, but mercury (quicksilver) was used in the making of felt hats. Quicksilver is one of the few ways to kill a werewolf.

Now how did I miss this explanation?? I could have stopped asking my questions a long time ago!

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

that's because we're all chilled out and READING (or skiing if there is decent snow)



it's all the people that haven't discovered how good READING is for their souls! (or skiing if there is decent snow)



the way I understand it, (he didn't go far enough) the servants got this day as a holiday, having had to work on the 25th, someone even told me (this part I doubt) that some places went so far as a reversal of roles for the day.

it's my understanding that now it is a day for visiting friends that you are close to and exchanging gifts, after having spent the day before with your family.... ymmv (or go skiing if there is decent snow)

Thank you for the further clarification! I feel a bit more edified (or is that edifified?). But why do I feel this strange urge to go skiing, only if thereʻs decent snow of course? I donʻt really like to ski... (clutziness and skiing are a bit of a bad fit).

Originally Posted by BenG

The people who are shopping on Friday are too busy to answer polls. They're all reading the ads, making schedules and drawing up their plans of attack.

Methinks youʻz right!

[LazyScot]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

It's a tradition that dates from the second werewolf epidemic (mid 18th century). On the first full moon after Christmas it was customary to give a small box containing the tools you might need to fight off a werewolf: wolfsbane, silver, wooden stakes, and a hat*.



*It's largely been forgotten today, but mercury (quicksilver) was used in the making of felt hats. Quicksilver is one of the few ways to kill a werewolf.

Oh... Oopps. I'd assumed that box was for getting rid of unwanted relatives, one way or another (apparently cocklaphobia has a strong genetic component). Oh well.

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

well, we all know what comes after Thanksgiving, right?


CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas is Black Friday?

Originally Posted by pshrynk

I'm working tomorrow, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and every day up to 11 Dec, ...

Hardly surprising; one imagines that Black Friday builds up a lot of work for you.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Lady Blue

I get the distinct impression that kk is looking for a decent snow so she can go skiing.

Could I possibly be mistaken? Attachment 40168

naw!!!! ya' think!?

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

well, we all know what comes after Thanksgiving, right?


CHRISTMAS!!

nu-uhhhhhh!!!! SOLSTICE!!!!!

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

nu-uhhhhhh!!!! SOLSTICE!!!!!

okay........then Christmas????

[kindlekitten]

HANUKKAH!!!

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

HANUKKAH!!!

okay, and then Christmas??

[kindlekitten]

OH WAIT!!!! I forgot!!! ST. NICHOLAS DAY!!!

[Nate the great]

Festivus!

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

Festivus!

isn't that on the same day as solstice?

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

OH WAIT!!!! I forgot!!! ST. NICHOLAS DAY!!!

Originally Posted by Nate the great

Festivus!

and then Christmas??

[kindlekitten]

and in honour of our Dutch Friends SINTER KLAUS TAG!!!

I probably didn't spell that correctly

[Xiaopanda]

Ok, I'm Australian, so I equate "Black Friday" with the massive Boxing day sales held each year , as montsnmags has already stated.

Also, In Singapore, we have a Week of Sales (The great Singapore Sale) AND post Chinese New Year sales in February.

I avidly attend ALL of these, and have been known to trvel to Malaysia to take part in thier verson of the Great Sale, which usuall happens around this time or around Hari Raya in October.

Short answer, if there is a major discount (70%+) on offer, it's amazing what I find I need even if I never use it.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by GraceKrispy

So what significance does it have nowadays? Just being a bank holiday? No sales? No boxes now? No boxing?

Christmas Day and Boxing Day are both public holidays. Boxing Day is when all the big stores start their "sales"; it's a big shopping day (for people who like that kind of thing). It's also a big day for sport - there are always lots of football matches played that day.