9 Days of Christmas

Nov. 28 – The day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, when you have time off from work. It is the official start of the Christmas season as well as of Christmas shopping. Stores are usually opened earlier and they close later. Black Friday is the second single biggest shopping day for retailers and it got its name in the old days. On this day so much shopping was done that it would turn the tables for a lot of stores and put them in the black.

Dec. 6 – It is the first Saturday in December. Weekends are important for shopping, because it means free time. The early Christmas shopper will have done already halfway of the shopping list. The average shoppers are just starting yet.

Dec. 7 – The first Sunday and weekend Christmas shopping can be done. But notice that stores close usually earlier on Sundays.

Dec. 13 – The second Saturday and just one full week left to Christmas. Where did all the time go and where did the year go? You are starting to hear the omnipresent question, 'Finished all your Christmas shopping yet?' Your Christmas shopping has to gain speed otherwise panic will kick in and you are running out of time to enjoy some Christmas entertainment with your family.

Dec. 14 – The second Sunday in december. You are well advised to go to church if you haven't been attending regularly. You won't look like a 'Christmas only attendant' this way. You need to start sending out Christmas greeting cards this week.

Dec. 20 – The third Saturday in december, but last Saturday before Christmas. It is unbelievable that there are just a few days to go before Christmas. Prepare your supermarket shopping list for Christmas Eve as well as Christmas dinner plannings. It is also the Single Biggest Shopping Day of the year. The mall will be absolutely crazy and you won't find any sales person anywhere.

Dec. 21 – The third Sunday and just three days left to Christmas. Check that Christmas toys and Christmas presents are still undiscovered. It is time to make final plans for the family dinner on Christmas Day.

Dec. 22 – The first Day of Winter. My goodness!! And you still have shopping to do!!? Do the last minute planning and get as many jobs as possible done. Finish all your Christmas and supermarket shopping. Pray for a miracle to find the needle in a haystack and get hold of a salesperson assisting you in 95% of your Christmas shopping. Delegate the last preparative jobs to family members. Check a last time the plans for Christmas Dinner.

Dec. 24 – Finally Christmas Eve. Downtown is glorious and all the Christmas decorations make it so brilliant and charming. Go to Midnight Mass. Christmas is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!!