Spring Klein Magazine vol 8.1 by Spring Klein Magazine (Neighborhood Publications)

LOCALLY

SPRING KLEIN MAGAZINE

WINTER 2018 VOL. 7, NO. 6

Window Anxiety? ges See pa 7 16-1

A Tasty Take On Turkey Just In Time For Thanksgiving Gift Exchange Dos And Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ts

Gift Wrap Tricks To Save Time THE HISTORY OF Black Friday

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LOCALLY

SPRING KLEIN MAGAZINE

WINTER 2018 VOL. 7, NO. 6

Neighborhood Publications LLC 9337 Spring Cypress Road, Suite #205 Spring, Texas 77379

www.springkleinmagazine.com Editor Leanne Donelson Head Writer Candy Cruz

Assistant Editor Erin Lewis Contributing Writers Josh Arcemont

Social Media Editor Madi Wheeler Graphics Photography Mike Reeves Audree Garcia, Kellie Cataldo Publisher Neighborhood Publications

The holiday season is a special and spiritual time of year. It can sometimes be easy to get lost in the more commercial aspects of the holiday season, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with shopping for gifts that will show your loved ones how much you love and appreciate them. For those who want to focus back on the spiritual side of this special time of year, the following suggestions can help in those efforts. Focus on gifts for good – Families can focus their energies on faithful endeavors and the spirit of giving that’s synonymous with the season. Do good deeds for others, embrace peace and love and share special time with others.

TABLE

of CONTENTS

6 A Tasty Take On Turkey Just In Time For Thanksgiving 8 Choosing A Charity That’s Right For You 10 Out & About 12 Take Your Christmas Celebrations Outdoors 14 Gifts To Keep Kids Engaged 16 Window Anxiety? 18 Parental Fears 20 Gift Exchange Dos and Don’ts 22 Coping With Fewer Hours Of Daylight 24 Gift Wrap Tips To Save Time 29 The History Of Black Friday

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Sing carols – Spread the holiday spirit through song. Get together with a group of friends or neighbors and go door-to-door, or hold a caroling performance at a centralized location. Select religious hymns, but also include some secular favorites. The holiday season is a great time of year to reconnect with one’s faith and spirituality. Thank you, Leanne Donelson Neighborhood Publications

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DISCLAIMER: All articles, information, website addresses and cartoons in this publication express the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Neighborhood Publications LLC or its employees.  Neighborhood Publications LLC is not responsible for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles, information website address and cartoons submitted by others. The Publisher Neighborhood Publications also assumes no responsibility for the advertising content with this publication and ad warranties, representations and endorsements made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding it’s content should be taken up with the advertiser. Neighborhood Publications LLC disclaims and denies any and all liability, therefore The publisher Neighborhood Publications LLC assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising. Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and /or misprints in this publication, the publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes. Under no circumstances shall the publisher be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish on a timely manner. This is not an official publication of your particular subdivision, (although we print more interesting information and take better photos) and your particular subdivision does not endorse, affiliate or associate itself or its affiliates with this publication. Neighborhood Publications and it’s Associate Publications/Business Interest, whether business or person, do not accept any assumed benefit of the QR Bar Code Readers/Bar Codes, etc. published in any of the Neighborhood Publications or it’s affiliate publications whether in print or electronic. The publisher is not liable for ANY DAMAGES for failure of the Post Office to deliver the magazine in a timely manner, so long as the publisher has delivered the magazine to said delivery point by the contracted date. All articles and photos in this publication are copyrighted. PUBLISHED BY: Neighborhood Publications, 9337 Spring Cypress Road, Suite 205, Spring, Texas 77379.

4 Neighborhood Publications

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Holiday Turkey MAKES 15 SERVINGS

1 fresh turkey, about 15 pounds, preferably free-range 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 quart apple cider 2 teaspoons dried poultry seasoning Coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

A Tasty Take On Turkey Just In Time For Thanksgiving Perhaps no day is more synonymous with a certain dish than Thanksgiving is with turkey. As tasty as turkey can be, this flavorful fowl doesn’t find its way onto many families’ dinner tables unless it’s Thanksgiving day. Secret family turkey recipes may reign supreme in some households, but holiday hosts with no such resources can consider this unique recipe for Holiday Turkey from Andrew Schloss’ Cooking Slow – Chronicle Books. By slow cooking the

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turkey, cooks can ensure it’s evenly cooked. (See ingredients box) Remove the giblets from the turkey and discard (or save for another use). Rinse the turkey inside and out and pat dry with paper towels. Rub it all over with salt and pepper. Refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours. During that time, the surface of the turkey will become visibly dry and the skin will tighten; this encourages a nice crisp skin on the finished bird. Remove the turkey from the re-

frigerator 1 hour before you plan to start roasting. Preheat the oven to 450o F. Put the turkey on a rack set in a large, flameproof roasting pan. Drizzle the oil over the top. Roast for 1 hour. Reduce the oven temperature to 175o F. Pour the cider into the roasting pan and sprinkle the poultry seasoning in the liquid. Continue roasting until an instantread thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh (but not touching bone) registers to 170o F. Transfer the turkey to a carving board, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for about 15 minutes (see tip). Meanwhile, skim the fat from the surface of the liquid in the pan. Put the roasting pan over two burners and bring the pan drippings to a boil over high heat. Cook until the juices reduce and thicken slightly, enough to coat a spoon, about 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning. Carve the turkey and serve with cider pan juices. Resting tip: Slow-roasted meats need far less resting time (pretty much none) than those that are traditionally roasted. The reason for resting meat that has been roasted at a high temperature is to allow juices that have collected in the cooler center time to migrate back into the dryer (hotter) exterior sections after it comes out of the oven. Because slow-roasted meats are cooked evenly and a temperature that keeps most of the juices in place, a resting period is largely unnecessary. A brief resting time does allow the meat to become a little firmer as it cools, making it easier to carve. h

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Choosing A Charity That’s Right For You Donors play an integral role in the success of charities and other nonprofit organizations. Such firms would be unable to remain operational if not for the support of private donors whose volunteering and financial contributions make it possible for organizations to meet the goals set forth in their mission statements. Recognizing the important role they play in the success of a charity, donors may be overwhelmed when faced with the decision of which charity they want to work with or donate to. The following tips can help donors make that often difficult decision. • Find a cause you can connect with. Many people are more motivated to support a charity they have a personal connection with, whether that support involves donating money or volunteering. For example, you may be more likely to get involved with a charity that raises funds for cancer research if you or someone close to you had a bout with cancer. A cause you can connect with is one that’s more likely to inspire you to do more, which is a goal of many people upon deciding to work with or donate to a charity. • Consider something local. If you intend to volunteer, then concontinued

8 Neighborhood Publications

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sider a local charity, as you might be more involved if you work with a charity that sponsors programs or routinely hosts events or functions within your community. Another advantage to choosing a local charity is that it allows donors to have a direct impact on their own communities, something that may spur donors to become more involved as time goes on. • Dip your toes in the pool. Once you find a charity that aligns with your passion and, if you plan to volunteer, your schedule, you can take steps to see how the charity is attempting to fulfill its stated mission. Even if you don’t have the time necessary to regularly volunteer, sign up for an organization-sponsored event so you can verify that the charity is doing a good job with its programs. You may notice the charity is wasting resources on nonessential expenses, a red flag that may suggest your donation of time and/or money would be better spent elsewhere. But you may notice that the charity is doing a great job and feel confident that your donation won’t be going to waste. Conduct this trial run before you decide to support or fully volunteer with a charity. • Ask around. Much like you might read a product review or ask a neighbor for a recommendation about a contractor, you also can ask around when researching which charity to work with. If you want to work with a local charity, then ask others in your community if they can recommend an organization. If you don’t have time to volunteer but want to donate, research a charity online before making a donation. Sites such as Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) and Guide Star ® (www.guidestar.org) vet charities and can prove to be valuable resources for prospective donors who want to learn about the missions, legitimacy, impact, and financial health of charitable organizations. Choosing a charity to work with is no small task. But prospective donors can take several steps to make the process go smoothly.h

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Out & About November 8-11th Nutcracker Market

Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market has become the signature holiday fundraising shopping event in Texas that kicks off the holiday season! It is a one-stop giant pop-up shop featuring over 280 merchants, offering unique items for everyone, including home décor, gifts, food, apparel, toys, accessories and more. NRG Center – Houston

November 16-17th Dickens On Cypress Creek

This annual event is comprised of 85 booths filled with crafts, clothing, collectibles, antiques, food, and entertainment. Admission is free. Cypress Creek Christian Church, 6823 Cypresswood Dr., Spring, 77379

November 9th-December 23rd Home for the Holidays

November 16-17th Junior League Holiday Market

A shopping extravaganza event that features a variety of items. From flower arrangements to personalized gifts to holiday ornaments, you can begin your holiday shopping early and even have time left over to buy yourself something special. The Woodlands Marriott

The annual Home For the Holidays festival in Spring, Texas, celebrates the Christmas spirit of historic Old Town Spring every weekend during the holiday season. Live entertainment including your favorite school and church choirs, cloggers and carolers perform as guests are invited to ride the 40 foot Be-An-Angel Train through town or visit Santa’s Workshop for a picture and a mug of hot chocolate. Old Town Spring

10 Neighborhood Publications

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December 8th Human Rights Walk In the Park

Be a part of a world-wide Human Rights Event and put your best foot forward to support Human Rights. Join with us, with your friends at this fun filled event of entertainment, educational speakers and walk with like-minded individuals supporting human rights around the world. 10:30 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1:00 pm, Town Green Park, The Woodlands, 2099 Lake Robbins Dr.

December 15th Holly Jolly Food Truck Festival

A wide variety of food trucks will be available. 11:00 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11:00 pm Town Green Park, The Woodlands

December 7-10th Tomball German Christmas Market

Join us for the #TGFChristmasMarket! We will have over 200 vendors, live music, entertainment, food and drinks for the family. We have a petting zoo, carnival and pony rides. Admission, Parking and Shuttle are free. Downtown Tomball

Take Your Christmas Celebrations Outdoors

It would be a Christmas unlike any other, and here are some ideas for making it happen. What if you took a completely different approach to your Christmas celebrations and dinner this year? Rather than worring about a lot of fancy décor and a huge complicated menu, you moved everything outdoors to your back yard and made your patio and outdoor kitchen and fireplace the major scene for all the holiday fun. It could be an unforgettable experience for everyone involved – the kind of Christmas adventure to be remembered for years to come. And it’s fun, different from the usual drill of cooking and cleaning up at home. To make this the perfect outdoor Christmas, we asked Steve Schell, with Texas Custom Patio’s what he thought about this idea and here is what he shared with us:

12 Neighborhood Publications

“The fireplace tends to be the center piece of the outdoor living space that we focus on and design around.

It sets the atmosphere and is the focal point. An outdoor fireplace can take your outdoor continued

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living room to the next level. It will completely set your space apart and tends to be our customers favorite room in the house. We take pride to make the outdoor fireplace to be one of the most attractive parts of your space even when not in use. But, when in use, it steals the show.” So taking Steve’s lead, here are some tips to make your outdoor Christmas the best for this holiday season: Ensure you can build a good fire. Your outdoor firplace or pit will not only provide warmth, but it also creates a wonderful atmosphere and a focal point for the group. Bring warm blankets and rugs for the ground or benches where you plan to sit. Warmth is crucial in order to enjoy an outdoor meal.

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Help set the mood by decorating. Fill paper bags with sand, insert candles, and set around the outside of your space. Also string up some white lights in nearby trees. Make the meal simple. Use your outdoor kitchen to smoke your turkey or ham and include simple side dishes of grilled potatoes, corn, squash and a salad to complete your feast. Use your china and silver cutlery. Don’t ruin the atmosphere with single-use disposables, please! Make taking in the dirty dishes a group task, and it becomes just passing inconvenience. Make sure you’ve got hot beverages to pass around. Now is not the time for chilled cocktails, but rather hot mulled wine and steaming spiced cider. h

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Neighborhood Publications 13

Select gifts that will have a longer shelf life, guaranteeing more opportunities for play.

Gifts To Keep Kids Engaged S

tore aisles are filled this time of year with every must-have gift retailers can advertise. Children often plead and beg for the hottest toys weeks ahead of the holidays, hoping to find their requests wrapped up come the big day. But once the gift wrap is torn away and kids have played with their presents for a day, some already grow bored with their new belongings and cast them aside. Certain toys are not engaging enough to warrant extended periods of play — no matter what the advertisements boast. No gift-giver wants to spend

14 Neighborhood Publications

money on a present only to have it collecting dust days later. With that said, employing these strategies can help anyone select a gift that will continue to inspire and excite children long after the holiday season has come and gone.

DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE. It’s easy to fall hook, line and sinker for ultra-popular trendy gifts. While such gifts may have popular appeal, that does not mean they’re a perfect fit for your child. When shopping for youngsters come the holiday season, choose a gift because

your child will truly enjoy it and not because it’s the trendy item of the year.

FOCUS ON THE PLAY FACTOR. Too often shoppers get caught up in toys’ appearances. Instead, think about how the toys will work with imaginative play. The more a child can envision himself doing with a particular toy, the more likely he or she will exhibit a continued interest in that toy. continued

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LOOK FOR MINIMAL BELLS AND WHISTLES. Kids often find toys that leave more room for imagination more interesting than toys that are loaded with gadgets. Children prefer to make up their own stories and create modes of play that are more about what they like rather than the “right” way to play or win.

CHOOSE GIFTS THAT GROW. Shoppers want to select gifts that are age-appropriate for children so they will be safe during play time. But shoppers also should look for toys and activities that can be modified and grow with the child as he or she ages. A game that gets progressively harder through levels or a toy set that can be supplemented as kids grow older may make good gifts. Musical instruments also can grow with a child, as the instruments become easier to master with practice.

FIGURE OUT THE CHILD’S INTERESTS. Toys that cater specifically to a child’s interests will be the most warmly received. It may take going the extra mile to find a gift that matches a child’s interest rather than picking up the first trendy gift you see, but the results will be well worth it.h

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Neighborhood Publications 15

Window Anxiety?

Do your windows suffer from social anxiety because they do not measure up to their friends and neighbors? Are they feeling depressed because they are misunderstood and frustrated with their current window treatments? Our certified window therapists can diagnose and treat your windows, so they can be happy and well adjusted. All window treatments including shutters, shades and blinds can be motorized and automated to Alexa or other smart home platforms. Automation and motorization are the leading trend in window treatments and is no longer for those with an unlimited budget. Motorizing window treatments used to be expensive and uncommon. As motorization has become the standard in window treatments, prices have fallen making motorized window treatments affordable for everyone. In the past, automating window treatments cost thousands of dollars and was so complicated the average person had to become an expert to operate their window treatments. As technology has advanced in all aspects of life, it has also advanced in motorized window treatments decreasing prices and simplifying the process, so it is easy for anybody to use. Automated window treatments can operate through digital assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google

Home or as part of a smart home platform like Savant or Control14. Whichever platform is used, automated window treatments can be operated through voice control or through an app on a phone or tablet. These window treatments can be programmed to raise and lower at certain times of the day to meet personal preferences, temperature and light control needs. Motorized window treatments have evolved from expensive, loud and complicated to affordable, quiet and easy to use. The technology of the motors used to operate motorized window treatments was previously dependent upon batteries that needed to be changed on a regular basis. Motors have advanced to a rechargeable lithium ion battery that will run up to a year per charge. Attaching the charger to the motor wire for 8 hours fully charges the motor to operate the motorized window treatments. Motors are programmed to operate the window treatments individually or in groups. Automated window treatments are motorized and operate through a digital assistant like Amazon Alexa or smart home continued

16 Neighborhood Publications

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Motorization starting at $300 per window

platform like Savant. The automated window treatments linked to a digital assistant like Alexa can then be operated by voice control or through an app on a phone or tablet. When linked to a smart home platform like Savant, automated window treatments operate through the associated software. Preferences also known as scenes are set

to raise and lower the window treatments based on temperature, time of day and privacy across all automation platforms. For more information or a free in-home appointment about all window treatments including shutters, shades and blinds, motorizing and automating to Alexa or other smart home platforms, call Spring Shutters and Blinds at (832) 698-9789. h

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Neighborhood Publications 17

Spruce Up Before You Put The Spruce Up!

Parental Fears Tips from Master Josh Arcemont What do you think would happen is we took 100 teenagers from all over the country and put them in a room, shut the door with no instructions and left them alone? I’m pretty confident that in a short period of time they would start to divide themselves into groups. Ask yourself this question. Which group do I want my child to be in? If you’re like most parents your very first reaction is to hope they’re going to be in the right group. So many parents feel powerless over which group their child will be influenced by and a lot of parents really worry about this. So how do you really preempt it? You make sure they will be in the right group and make the right decisions before they ever enter those difficulty teenage years. The time to start working on this is when your child is between the ages of 5 to 12, and the number one thing that is really going to contribute to your child making those really good decision is confidence, and here’s why. When your child has the self-confidence to really know right from wrong and to stand by their decisions, they are going to be immune to peer pressure. The reason why is because peer pressure preys on a child’s lake of belief in themselves. Peer pressure preys on the belief that in order to be accepted, they need to do what everyone else does, but the antidote for peer pressure is self-confidence. So the real question is how do we cultivate that confidence in our children. I want to give you a quick little idea that can help you right now start giving your child a boost of confidence. At the end of the day focus on what your child did right. Ask your child what he or she enjoyed doing today. Find the areas they did a great job with and shine a bright light on it. People say energy goes where our focus goes, and if we focus on what your child is doing right, and what they are good at, not only will they continue to do more of that but they’re going to feel good about themselves and they will start having that confidence. If you know someone who might benefit from hearing this message, please feel free to share this article.

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Gift Exchange Dos and Don’ts Chanukah, Christmas and New Year’s Eve are right around the corner. That means neighborhoods, buildings and stores will soon be awash in holiday splendor. Social schedules will be full, and men and women everywhere will shuffle to complete their holiday shopping. Grab bags are a staple of this season of giving, and the following are a few dos and don’ts to ensure participation in gift exchanges is fun and friendly for all involved. DO set a gift amount limit. Holiday grab bags are more about having fun and exchanging a little something with friends and family members than walking away with amazing prizes. Establish a spending limit so everyone receives a gift of roughly the same value and no one feels slighted or left out. DON’T exceed the spending limit. It can be tempting to spend more to make your gift appear more impressive. But overspending defeats the purpose of the gift exchange. Grab bags typically are anonymous, so being overly generous

20 Neighborhood Publications

will not win you any style points. DO make it a game. Tossing gifts in a bag only to have others reach in and grab one is certainly effective. But the concept can be even more fun if you make a game out of it. Try passing wrapped gifts around in a circle to a holiday song. When the music stops, the gift you are holding is the one you open. Experiment with your own variations to make gift exchanges more fun. DON’T let anyone see the gift you bring. The idea is to keep things as secretive as possible so as not to sway the selection of presents. DO ensure your gift is unisex. Unless you know specifically that only men or women will be opening the presents, select items that will appeal to both genders. Food, gift cards, music, or home staples make great grab bag gifts. DON’T forget to consider ages as well. Gift exchanges may include both children and adults, so include gifts that appeal to all ages when necessary. When the exchange has ended, allow participants to swap

gifts if they want to. DO expect some grab bag gifts to be gag gifts. Such gifts are entertaining and may make up the majority of the grab bag gifts. Keep your sense of humor and you’re likely to enjoy grab bags a lot more. DON’T regift items to use as grab bag picks. Should the person who gave you the gift participate in the grab bag, he or she can trace that gift back to you and may be offended. DO make sure everyone is aware that there will be a grab bag gift exchange, as there needs to be an equal number of gifts to participants so everyone gets a treat. Hosts may want to have a few extra wrapped gifts around just in case someone forgets to bring their contribution. Gift exchanges in the form of grab bags, auctions, swaps, and other games make for fun additions to holiday festivities. They also can be a part of any family or friends gathering to add excitement and entertainment to the occasion. h

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Coping With Fewer Hours Of Daylight

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Academic Programs Offered: Daylight saving time comes to an end each fall, at a time when the hours of available sunlight already are beginning to decline. Some people are more accustomed to darkness than others. Norwegians, Swedes and people living in Alaska and the upper reaches of Canada near or above the Arctic Circle may go through a period when winters can be especially dark. Fairbanks, Alaska, gets just three hours and 42 minutes of sunlight on the winter solstice. Those in Barrow, Alaska, will endure a period of 67 days of darkness, according to Alaska.org. Residents of Seattle, which is even further north than cities such as Fargo, North Dakota, or Portland, Maine, deal with more darkness than those living outside the city may know. Although much of the rest of North America doesn’t experience such profound periods of darkness, when the darkness of fall and winter arrives, it can be difficult to maintain a positive outlook. Borrowing some of the coping mechanisms relied on in northern latitudes can help many people to see the dark in a different light.

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BE AWARE OF SAD. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is defined by the Mayo Clinic as a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons, beginning and ending at about the same times each year. Symptoms tend to start in the fall and continue into the winter, sapping energy and making a person feel moody. As with other types of depression, SAD can get worse and lead to severe problems if left untreated. Light treatment, talk therapy and medication can help continued on 26

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Neighborhood Publications 23

Gift Wrap Tricks To Save Time

Holiday shopping may be done, but that enormous pile of presents still needs to be wrapped. People have varying degrees of ability with regard to wrapping gifts. Some excel at those creased corners and perfect bows, while others are less adept at wrapping. The task of wrapping gifts may not be something to look forward to, but wrapping gifts is an essential element of the holiday season. Fortunately, there are a few tricks of the trade wrappers can lean on to make the process of wrapping gifts go as quickly and as

smoothly as possible. • Stock up on double-sided tape. Wrapping with double-sided tape helps you avoid unsightly tape lines and creates a neat finished product. • Use a toilet paper tube to preserve wrapping paper rolls and keep them from unravelling. Simply cut the tube lengthwise and snap it over the open roll of paper to serve as a handy clip to keep the paper tidy. • When you lose the edge of the tape on a roll, it can take precious time trying to find it again and then

lift a piece of tape off the roll. Use a plastic bread clip to hold the place of the edge of the tape to prevent this from happening. • Turn snack containers into handy gift wrap options. Empty potato chip cannisters can be wrapped and used to hold other food gifts or smaller stocking stuffers. Turn a foil-lined chip or popcorn bag inside out, first cleaning away any grease and crumbs, and use the bag to wrap a gift and tie off the end with a decorative ribbon. • Wooden spoons or popsicle sticks can make clever gift tags. Poke a hole in the end and tie onto your gift. • Use a piece of fabric to wrap a present if you’re not too skilled with traditional paper. Fabric can be reused and is more durable, and you won’t run the risk of tearing an edge or poking a hole through it. This can be especially useful for oddly shaped gifts. • Newsprint tied with natural cord and some pine boughs is an inexpensive, classic-looking gift wrap. • Kraft butcher paper or brown mailing paper can be used in a pinch. Stamp images on the paper to customize the gift wrap and use ribbons and bows to further dress things up. • Always work on a hard, flat surface, as working on the floor or a soft surface makes it more difficult to control wrapping paper and you’re more likely to tear the paper. • Use a gift box or cardboard to create a firm container to wrap soft gifts. • Reuse old boxes to create a greeting card. Use a piece of ribbon and a bow and your newly created card as a thank-you or gift tag for future gifts. This is a great way to recycle during a season when excess is common. h

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Neighborhood Publications 25

Continued from 22 Coping With Fewer Hours of Daylight

people who are susceptible to SAD.

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26 Neighborhood Publications

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THE HISTORY OF

Black Friday

Black Friday marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Come Black Friday, shoppers strive to get the lowest prices on gifts for their loved ones. Much of the focus of Black Friday is on finding the best deals, but it can be interesting to take a breath and learn how this phenomenon developed and how it has evolved over the years.

“Black Friday” The term “black Friday” was originally associated with gold prices and manipulation on the part of speculators Jay Gould and James Fisk. This scandal occurred in September 1869. Commodity prices plummeted 50 percent as a result, and the term “black Friday” was coined to refer to that drop. The phrase “black Friday” also became famous for all the wrong reasons in 1966. Philadelphia police used it to refer to the Fri-

day traffic jams and crowding in downtown stores from tourists and shoppers who flooded into the city in advance of the Army-Navy football game held the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year. Bigger crowds and rowdiness contributed to long hours and stressful shifts for local police.

Black Friday Reinvented The retail industry started using the term “Black Friday” in the late 1980s. Spin doctors turned previously negative connotations into positive ones by associating the phrase with stores turning a profit and moving accounting ledgers from “red to black” thanks to big year-end sales. Retailers and consumers rallied around low-cost “doorbusters” and other discounted prices. Interestingly enough, according to the National Retail Federation, Black Friday really hasn’t been the most lucrative day for retailers over

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the years. In fact, greater profits and larger crowds are often seen on the last Saturday preceeding Christmas.

Shopping Weekend Evolves While Black Friday may have been the catalyst, in recent years shoppers have made the entire weekend of Black Friday a lucrative one for retailers. Many stores now open on Thanksgiving and extend sales through the entire weekend. Small Business Saturday and Sunday promote patronizing mom-and-pop stores. Cyber Monday emerged when online shopping became a popular way to grab deals, and it marks the close of the opening weekend of the holiday shopping season. In 2017, Black Friday weekend attracted 174 million shoppers who spent an average of $335.47, according to the NRF. h

Neighborhood Publications 29

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