Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) is historically one of the busiest retail shopping days of the year. It's usually considered the "official" beginning to the holiday season. In my area, stores generally open at 5Am or 6AM and provide discounts on popular gifts for the season.
My plan is to peruse the circulars from the paper tomorrow and make a shopping plan for Friday. I need to buy:
* gifts for both brothers
* a gift for my 6 year old godson
* a gift for my aunt
* a gift for my 17 year old cousin
* gifts for the Christmas charity I support each Christmas
I'm hoping there are some good deals this year. Last year I was quite disappointed and didn't make much of a dent in my list on Black Friday.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
To Do List - Week of November 20-26
- Review budget and make list of gifts to still buy
- Start shopping for gifts
- Check dishes and glassware for holiday entertaining
- Decide menus for December holiday party
- Make a shopping list for entertaining and decorating
- Inventory pantry, then make comprehensive shopping list of necessities
- Get out ornaments and decorations
- Buy tree
- Decorate house the weekend after Thanksgiving
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Christmas Cookies!!
Every year, I host a Christmas Cookie Swap. My friends bake 3 dozen cookies each to bring to the party and everyone gets to sample some and take some home. These recipes are some of the winning ones from the last few years:
Christine's Congo Bars
1 1/4 sticks butter
2 1/3 c. packed brown sugar
3 eggs
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
12 oz. pkg. chocolate chips
1/2 c. walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 10 x 15 inch pan. Beat butter and sugar in bowl until creamy. Add 1 egg at a time, beating well after each egg. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt; blend well. Fold in chips and nuts. Turn in pan, spread evenly. Bake until top is lightly browned, about 20-25 minutes. Transfer to wire rack; let cool. Cut into bars. Congo bars will freeze. Makes 32 bars.
Kelley's Peanut Butter Blossoms
1 bag (8oz) Hershey's Kisses
1 egg
1/2 cup shortening
2 tablespoons milk
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
additional granulated sugar
Heat oven to 375F. Remove candy wrappers. In large bowl, beat shortening and peanut butter until well blended. Add the 1/3 cup of granulated sugar and all of the brown sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to peanut butter mixture. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in the additional granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately place kiss on top of each cookie, pressing down so cookie cracks around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely
Liz's Strawberry Thumbprints
2/3 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 large egg whites
3/4 cup finely chopped nuts of choice
1/3 cup strawberry jam
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks, vanilla extract and salt. Gradually stir in flour. Form dough into 1-inch diameter balls. Dip in lightly beaten egg whites, then roll in nuts. Place 1 inch apart on prepared cookie sheets. Press down center of each with thumb. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Just before serving, fill centers of cookies with jam. Or, fill centers with 1/2 teaspoon of jam before baking
Christine's Congo Bars
1 1/4 sticks butter
2 1/3 c. packed brown sugar
3 eggs
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
12 oz. pkg. chocolate chips
1/2 c. walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 10 x 15 inch pan. Beat butter and sugar in bowl until creamy. Add 1 egg at a time, beating well after each egg. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt; blend well. Fold in chips and nuts. Turn in pan, spread evenly. Bake until top is lightly browned, about 20-25 minutes. Transfer to wire rack; let cool. Cut into bars. Congo bars will freeze. Makes 32 bars.
Kelley's Peanut Butter Blossoms
1 bag (8oz) Hershey's Kisses
1 egg
1/2 cup shortening
2 tablespoons milk
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
additional granulated sugar
Heat oven to 375F. Remove candy wrappers. In large bowl, beat shortening and peanut butter until well blended. Add the 1/3 cup of granulated sugar and all of the brown sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to peanut butter mixture. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in the additional granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately place kiss on top of each cookie, pressing down so cookie cracks around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely
Liz's Strawberry Thumbprints
2/3 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 large egg whites
3/4 cup finely chopped nuts of choice
1/3 cup strawberry jam
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks, vanilla extract and salt. Gradually stir in flour. Form dough into 1-inch diameter balls. Dip in lightly beaten egg whites, then roll in nuts. Place 1 inch apart on prepared cookie sheets. Press down center of each with thumb. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Just before serving, fill centers of cookies with jam. Or, fill centers with 1/2 teaspoon of jam before baking
Top 10 Toys for 2006
Since I'm always looking for ideas for my nephews, godchild, friends, etc. I researched the top 10 toys for 2006:
1. TMX Elmo - Tickle Me Elmo
Meet Elmo T.M.X., the coolest, most interactive Tickle Me Elmo doll yet. His mission: to keep kids laughing with hilarious antics and realistic movements never before seen in a doll. Just touch his sensitive tickle spots and watch him break into peals of laughter, rolling on the floor, slapping the ground and more. The delighted smiles he puts on your children's faces prove that laughter really is contagious.
2. Playstation 3
3. Barbie MyScene Bling Bling Styling Head
The MyScene Bling Styling Head is all glitter and glam. The Barbie styling heads have been popular for the last couple of years, and this one is no exception. The showy accessories, makeup and jewelery that come along with the sultry styling head makes the My Scene Bling Styling Head a must for the young fashion divas in the making
4. Butterscotch My Furreal Friends Pony from Hasbro
5. Wii from Nintendo
6. Power Rangers Megazords
7. Lego Mindstorms NXT
8. Speed Stacks Stackpack from Play Along
9. Digi Makeover
10. Bratz Forever Diamondz
1. TMX Elmo - Tickle Me Elmo
Meet Elmo T.M.X., the coolest, most interactive Tickle Me Elmo doll yet. His mission: to keep kids laughing with hilarious antics and realistic movements never before seen in a doll. Just touch his sensitive tickle spots and watch him break into peals of laughter, rolling on the floor, slapping the ground and more. The delighted smiles he puts on your children's faces prove that laughter really is contagious.
2. Playstation 3
3. Barbie MyScene Bling Bling Styling Head
The MyScene Bling Styling Head is all glitter and glam. The Barbie styling heads have been popular for the last couple of years, and this one is no exception. The showy accessories, makeup and jewelery that come along with the sultry styling head makes the My Scene Bling Styling Head a must for the young fashion divas in the making
4. Butterscotch My Furreal Friends Pony from Hasbro
5. Wii from Nintendo
6. Power Rangers Megazords
7. Lego Mindstorms NXT
8. Speed Stacks Stackpack from Play Along
9. Digi Makeover
10. Bratz Forever Diamondz
Christmas Is Busting Out All Over Retail
note: I thought this was an interesting article about the term "Merry Christmas" itself ...
IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A lot like Christmas at Wal-Mart. Everywhere you go, the retail giant's greeters will wish shoppers a "Merry Christmas" instead of last year's generic "Happy holidays."
The pendulum is swinging back to the less politically correct message that embraces Christianity. Macy's, the largest U.S. department store chain, will also have "Merry Christmas" signs in all departments. All its windows will display Christmas themes, and the theme in New York's Herald Square will be "Oh, Christmas Tree."
"What's next?" asked Lynn Altman, cofounder of New York brand consulting firm Viverito & Altman. "There could be some backlash [again]. It's interesting."
Wal-Mart explained its about-face this way: "We, quite frankly, have learned a lesson from last year. We're not afraid to use the term 'Merry Christmas.' We'll use it early, and we'll use it often." Wal-Mart's move comes a year after religious and other groups boycotted retailers for downplaying Christmas.
That sits well with Bob Marley, who launched the Coalition to Save Christmas in Massachusetts. "Good. I'm glad," he said on being informed of Wal-Mart's move. He said Target had called him this week to say it had hung a banner reading "Merry Christmas" over its main doors. "They're worrying," he said of the major retailers.
John Fleming, Wal-Mart's executive vice president of marketing, said the retailer, which recently lowered prices on toys and electronics, will be pitching Christmas almost as much as "value" to holiday shoppers.
Employees at Wal-Mart and at Macy's are being encouraged to consider wishing customers holiday greetings that are appropriate to their race or religion, including "Happy Kwanzaa" or "Feliz Navidad."
Altman warned it could be a polarizing practice to try to guess people's religious profiles for marketing purposes. Still, she said, "Merry Christmas" has a certain brand value. "It is reaching out to a certain consumer in a place that hits close to home."
by Nina M. Lentini, Friday, Nov 10, 2006 5:00 AM ET
IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A lot like Christmas at Wal-Mart. Everywhere you go, the retail giant's greeters will wish shoppers a "Merry Christmas" instead of last year's generic "Happy holidays."
The pendulum is swinging back to the less politically correct message that embraces Christianity. Macy's, the largest U.S. department store chain, will also have "Merry Christmas" signs in all departments. All its windows will display Christmas themes, and the theme in New York's Herald Square will be "Oh, Christmas Tree."
"What's next?" asked Lynn Altman, cofounder of New York brand consulting firm Viverito & Altman. "There could be some backlash [again]. It's interesting."
Wal-Mart explained its about-face this way: "We, quite frankly, have learned a lesson from last year. We're not afraid to use the term 'Merry Christmas.' We'll use it early, and we'll use it often." Wal-Mart's move comes a year after religious and other groups boycotted retailers for downplaying Christmas.
That sits well with Bob Marley, who launched the Coalition to Save Christmas in Massachusetts. "Good. I'm glad," he said on being informed of Wal-Mart's move. He said Target had called him this week to say it had hung a banner reading "Merry Christmas" over its main doors. "They're worrying," he said of the major retailers.
John Fleming, Wal-Mart's executive vice president of marketing, said the retailer, which recently lowered prices on toys and electronics, will be pitching Christmas almost as much as "value" to holiday shoppers.
Employees at Wal-Mart and at Macy's are being encouraged to consider wishing customers holiday greetings that are appropriate to their race or religion, including "Happy Kwanzaa" or "Feliz Navidad."
Altman warned it could be a polarizing practice to try to guess people's religious profiles for marketing purposes. Still, she said, "Merry Christmas" has a certain brand value. "It is reaching out to a certain consumer in a place that hits close to home."
by Nina M. Lentini, Friday, Nov 10, 2006 5:00 AM ET
Holiday Shoppers Will Spend Almost $800 and Started At Halloween
For upcoming planning and anticipations, the NRF continues to forecast that holiday sales will increase 5.0 percent this year to $457.4 billion, and the 2006 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, found that the average consumer plans to spend $791.10 this holiday season, up from $738.11 last year. Furthermore, shoppers will take advantage of sales and discounts during the holiday season to spend an additional $99.22 on themselves.
NRF President and CEO, Tracy Mullin, said "With gas prices coming down and consumer sentiment on the rise, shoppers want to celebrate the holidays in style."
70.3% of consumers this year will shop at discount stores
48.4% at specialty stores
49.3% grocery stores
21.0% drug stores
20.5% crafts or fabrics stores
Additionally, 47.1% of consumers said they plan to shop online this year, up from 36.0 percent three years ago.
61.6 percent of shoppers plan to shop at department stores for holiday items, up from 53.1 percent in 2003. Department stores are likely to see much of their traffic from young adults, with 79.1 percent of 18-24 year-olds planning to shop at department stores for holiday merchandise, up from 72.9 percent last year and 65.9 percent in 2004.
Phil Rist, Vice President of Strategy for BIGresearch, said "Young adults see the holiday season as a time to splurge, not skimp, on gifts for loved ones."
Most holiday budgets will be allocated to gifts, with the average person spending:
$451.34 on family
$85.60 on friends
$22.40 on coworkers
$44.52 on other people like clergy, teachers, and babysitters.
The survey also found that most Americans plan to increase spending on flowers and decorations. Consumers also plan to spend $91.20 on candy and food and $30.57 on greeting cards and postage. According to the survey, 40.4 percent of consumers began their holiday shopping this year before Halloween.
While the majority of shoppers continue to say that everyday low prices and sales or price discounts bring them into stores, more shoppers this year said that other factors like customer service, product quality, and merchandise selection are the most important when determining where to shop.
For more about this report, please visit this site.
For charts and graphs, go here, and download more detailed pdf data here.
NRF President and CEO, Tracy Mullin, said "With gas prices coming down and consumer sentiment on the rise, shoppers want to celebrate the holidays in style."
70.3% of consumers this year will shop at discount stores
48.4% at specialty stores
49.3% grocery stores
21.0% drug stores
20.5% crafts or fabrics stores
Additionally, 47.1% of consumers said they plan to shop online this year, up from 36.0 percent three years ago.
61.6 percent of shoppers plan to shop at department stores for holiday items, up from 53.1 percent in 2003. Department stores are likely to see much of their traffic from young adults, with 79.1 percent of 18-24 year-olds planning to shop at department stores for holiday merchandise, up from 72.9 percent last year and 65.9 percent in 2004.
Phil Rist, Vice President of Strategy for BIGresearch, said "Young adults see the holiday season as a time to splurge, not skimp, on gifts for loved ones."
Most holiday budgets will be allocated to gifts, with the average person spending:
$451.34 on family
$85.60 on friends
$22.40 on coworkers
$44.52 on other people like clergy, teachers, and babysitters.
The survey also found that most Americans plan to increase spending on flowers and decorations. Consumers also plan to spend $91.20 on candy and food and $30.57 on greeting cards and postage. According to the survey, 40.4 percent of consumers began their holiday shopping this year before Halloween.
While the majority of shoppers continue to say that everyday low prices and sales or price discounts bring them into stores, more shoppers this year said that other factors like customer service, product quality, and merchandise selection are the most important when determining where to shop.
For more about this report, please visit this site.
For charts and graphs, go here, and download more detailed pdf data here.
The Yule Blog
The Yule Blog is a repository for all things Christmas ... including party planning, recipes, gift ideas, helping those less fortunate, etc. It will be a great organizational tool to help not only me, but also you the reader, through the holidays. Enjoy!!
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