Holiday Seasons 2022 - Edition Four

The Holiday Season is here and we're hoping you're feeling joyful. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and our company is truly thankful for your readership and our loyal advertisers, we couldn't do what we do without you!

Christmas and Hanukkah are also quickly approaching and everyone seems to be in the holiday spiri. Don't miss our Holiday Happenings page, which features festive upcoming events you'll want to attend!

Looking forward to 2023? Keep an eye out for our newest Seasons® Magazine issue, our New Year's Issue, which will be published December 14th.

Until then, enjoy the wonderful Holiday Season and remember, each day is truly a present.

How To Avoid Dry Turkey This Thanksgiving

Turkeyis the centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinners. The National Turkey Federation estimates approximately 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving each year, followed by 22 million turkeys at Christmastime. Turkey makes a pleasing picture on the dinner table. However, some people insist that turkey is their least favorite component of the Thanksgiving meal. One of the biggest complaints is turkey tends to be dry.

There are many reasons why turkey can come out dry. Turkey is lean meat, and Healthline reports that turkey has slightly less fat in its dark meat than chicken. Another reason why turkey may be dry is due to its poor breast-to-leg ratio. By the time one gets the leg meat to cook to temperature so it’s safe for consumption, the breast meat often has dried out. Seeing how many people dive for the breast meat initially, they could dish up some dry bird.

There are many ways home cooks can prevent dry turkey this Thanksgiving. Consider these turkey-tending tips.

• Brine your bird. According to ScienceBlogs, what causes a human to perceive food as juicy may actually be his or her own saliva at work. Salty foods may stimulate the production of saliva in the mouth, helping the food to feel much more moist while on

the palate. To adequately inject enough salt into the turkey meat, submerge it in a salt brine for a few days before cooking.

• Watch your cook time. It’s important to avoid overcooking the turkey, which will turn it as dry as the Sahara. Some turkeys come equipped with pop-up timers to help cooks gauge when to take them out of the oven. However, a more accurate tool is a digital

13 Gratifying Thanksgiving Facts

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends and reflect on one’s blessings. In 2022, Canadian Thanksgiving took place on October 10, while Americans celebrate on November 24. In anticipation of these holidays, here are some interesting facts about the Thanksgiving celebration.

1. American Thanksgiving is largely modeled on a 17th-century harvest feast shared by the English settlers and the Wampanoag tribe.

2. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October. It is based on European harvest festivals.

3. The National Turkey Federation says around 45 million turkeys will be eaten on Thanksgiving, which equates to about 720 million pounds of turkey being consumed (with the average turkey size being 16 pounds).

4. The Butterball hotline answers roughly 100,000 calls every year on its turkey question hotline.

5. In 1953, the Swanson Company overestimated the number of frozen turkeys it would sell for the holiday season by 26 tons. Rather than waste the meat, Swanson sliced it up, repackaged it, and created the first frozen TV dinners.

6. Thanksgiving in America may be older than many recognize. While Thanksgiving

is largely tied to the 17th-century settlers, the National Parks Service says in 1565 Spanish settlers in St. Augustine (now Florida) celebrated by having a meal to which they invited the native Seloy tribe. The Spanish served pork stew, sea biscuits, red wine, and garbanzo beans. Some say the Seloy contributed turkey, venison, and maize.

7. Thanksgiving didn’t become a civic holiday until Abraham Lincoln made it one after the Civil War tragedy. Thanksgiving was

food thermometer that can be set to go off when the turkey reaches the correct internal temperature.

• Cook the turkey parts separately. As previously noted, the breast meat will likely reach the desired temperature before the leg meat. To fix this, take the turkey out of the oven when it reaches five to 10 degrees before the safe temperature for the breast meat, around 165 F. (Remember, the meat will continue to cook while “resting.”) Let guests “ooh and aah” over the picture-perfect turkey. Then cut off the legs and return them to the oven until they are done. Arrange the properly cooked breast and leg meat together on a serving platter.

• Offer condiments. A moist dollop of stuffing, a drizzle of gravy, or a scoop of cranberry sauce can add moisture to turkey. This approach does not prevent drying out, but it can make a turkey that has dried out a bit more satisfying.

declared a national holiday on October 20, 1864.

8. The Pilgrims did not refer to themselves as “pilgrims.” They used the word “separatists” as they were separating themselves from a larger belief system.

9. In addition to Canada and the United States, Grenada, Liberia, the Philippines, Saint Lucia, and the Netherlands celebrate their own versions of Thanksgiving.

10. Each year, the American president “pardons” a turkey from slaughter on Thanksgiving. This tradition dates back to when Abraham Lincoln’s son was upset that his family’s turkey that was going to be killed for Thanksgiving dinner.

11. According to the U.S. Calorie Control Council (CCC), an average American may consume 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat on Thanksgiving Day.

12. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual tradition. People line the parade route in New York City or tune in to watch the parade on television. It originated in 1924, and the famed balloons were added in 1927.

13. Apple pie is the pie of choice for Thanksgiving, even though pumpkin pie is prevalent this time of year.

Simple Ways To Involve Kids In Holiday Decorating

Millions of people across the globe feel that the holiday season is a magical time of year. Though those people come from all walks of life, it’s likely that no group is as taken by the unique spirit of the holiday season as much as children. Whether they’re looking forward to Santa’s arrival or preparing for a school holiday pageant, kids have much to be excited about come December. Parents can channel that enthusiasm by involving kids when decorating around the house this holiday season.

Make Homemade Ornaments

The options are limitless when making holiday ornaments with children. From simple ornaments made from pine cones picked up outside to more complex projects designed for children nearing adolescence, parents can look to the internet to find design ideas and directions for hundreds of ornaments.

Let Kids Lead The Way When Decorating The Tree

Families that celebrate Christmas can let kids lead the way when decorating their Christmas tree. Kids are likely to spend the weeks leading up to Santa’s arrival gazing in awe at the tree, and knowing they decided where to place the various ornaments on it might make the season even more special for youngsters.

Take Kids Along When Choosing Lawn Ornaments

It’s not safe to involve children when installing lighting displays, but kids will get a kick out of choosing inflatable lawn decorations and other items to place around the yard. Take kids along when buying new items

and then seek their input when placing Frosty, Santa, and his reindeer friends around the yard.

Include Kids In Culinary Decor

Many celebrants cannot imagine a holiday season without gingerbread houses and cookies. These traditions provide another great opportunity to involve children in holiday decorating. Set aside some time to make homemade gingerbread houses, which can be used as decorations before they’re ultimately eaten. Cookies may not have the shelf life of a typical gingerbread house, but kids can pitch in and decorate cookies prior to a holiday party or family meal.

The spirit of the holiday season can be seen on the faces of children each December. Inviting kids to pitch in when decorating for the holidays can make the season even more special for its youngest celebrants.

There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays

Christmascarols and festive songs help make the holidays complete by setting the mood for the festivities to come. Songs resonate differently with people during the holiday season. For example, some celebrants find certain holiday tunes or lyrics especially poignant. Those who might be missing home or planning on visiting friends and relatives who live far away during the holiday season often find the words to "(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays," are an accurate portrayal of the sentiments of holiday traveling. Composed by Robert Allen, with lyrics by Al Stillman, "(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays" was published in 1954. The best-known recordings of the song are by Perry Como, who recorded it twice - once in 1954 and then again in 1959 with a different musical arrangement. The first version reached #8 on the Billboard magazine chart in the United States.

The Carpenters recorded another popular version of the song for their 1984 album, "An OldFashioned Christmas."

Nora Jones and Cyndi Lauper also recorded a duet version of the song in 2011.

Learn The Meaning Behind The Menorah

Themenorah is perhaps the most recognizable symbol of Chanukah. Displayed in homes, and often in windows, each year, the menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum that symbolizes Chanukah and much more.

Menorahs have been part of the Jewish faith since ancient times. Isaiah 42:6 indicates that the menorah is a symbol of the nation of Israel, and its mission is to be a “light unto nations.” After being liberated from slavery in Egypt, the Jews were commanded by God to make the original menorah, which at the time featured seven branches. The seven arms were believed to refer to the seven days of creation. The menorah was lit every evening and cleaned every morning. The wicks were replaced and fresh, consecrated olive oil was put into the cups to keep the flame alive.

After the Second Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and desecrated by the Romans, there remained only enough sealed, consecrated olive oil left to light the menorah for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, giving the Jews enough time to make new consecrated oil. This became known as the Chanukah miracle.

While the original menorahs were seven-branched, the Chanukah menorah, or Chanukiah (Hanukkiah), became a nine-branched version lit only during the holiday. According to the Jewish holiday site Breaking Matzo, celebrants light a new

candle or wick on each night of Chanukah. The ninth night, called the Shamash (“helper” or “servant”), is used to light all the other candles or oil lamps. To be kosher, the Shamash must be placed on a different level than the eight other candles.

After both temples were destroyed, a new tradition developed in which Jews did not replicate anything from the destroyed temples. As a result, menorahs used in many Jewish services, apart from Chanukah, no longer had seven branches. Six-branched menorahs became popular in some synagogues. However, the Jewish Virtual Library indicates that some rabbis have gone back to seven-armed menorahs for regular services because the modern ones are electrified and, therefore, cannot possibly be duplicates of the original Temple menorah.

Lighting the Chanukah menorah gives celebrants the ability to embrace the holiness of the holiday and take a small part in Jewish history.

Let Your Holiday Season Shimmer

By Natalie Almeida

This holiday season, Shimmering Solstice at the Old Westbury Gardens is back again for yet another light show! The event begins on November 25, 2022 and will run on select dates through January 1, 2023, with admission beginning at 5:30pm. Please visit their webstie for all ticket times. Visitors will have the opportunity to walk the grounds amongst an extraordinary display of lights throughout the Walled Garden, Rose Garden, South Lawn, and Allée.

Shimmering Solstice is entirely exclusive. It’s not the kind of event that can be moved or replicated because it is original and custom made for Old Westbury Gardens. It enhances the landscape that many have grown to know and love right here on Long Island. Maura McGoldrick, Director of Horticulture at Old Westbury Gardens who organized the event said, “What sets us apart from other shows and holiday experiences is that it really is an extension of our growing season. The show would not exist anywhere else. It’s a true celebration of the landscape.” Because Shimmering Solstice was created speci cally for Old Westbury Gardens, it will captivate the original landscape and architecture in a whole new way.

Old Westbury Gardens and Lightswitch, a company consisting of lighting, media and visual designers, teamed up again this year to design and create Shimmering Solstice. Howard Werner, Principal at Lightswitch said, “The show is about experiencing the gardens and its beauty at night and also in the winter and as opposed to how people normally see it in daylight in the spring, summer and autumn.” Lightswitch has managed to capture the gardens in a fresh new light while still retaining its original beauty.

Old Westbury Gardens is known for its pristine gardens and is only open to the public from April through October, therefore, Shimmering Solstice will take place during the gardens’ off season. This serves as a way to show the property in the winter months despite there being no owers. “In the rose garden, although the blooms are gone, the vines and the structures are still there. So, we envisioned a way to activate that area that’s reminiscent of the blooms of summer with the use of lighting effects using LED products and pixel mapping. It’s ablaze with dynamic color.”

The preparations for Shimmering Solstice took about a year; the planning started a week after last year’s show came to an end. The team was well prepared, making sure there was nothing that they couldn’t have available. They wanted to give guests a whole new experience and were ready to come back even better than before. There will be new interactive areas for both children and adults. In one display there will be an opportunity where visitors are welcome to hug a tree where the lights and audio react to the motions of each hug. There is also an interactive statue where with the use of a controller, the touch and motion elicited activates the color on the statue itself.

The grand nale is a projection show on the south façade of Old Westbury Gardens. Its goal is to reimagine parts of the rst show while still including parts that are entirely new. There will be surprises that are never before seen, which will be scattered throughout the 10 minute show. The nale takes you through the four seasons on Long Island. Although the same concept remains, the direction of the show has for sure been modi ed.

This year you will also nd music added to the walk through, but it’s certainly the kind of experience you can still enjoy while strolling and talking. For adults it’s a perfect date night opportunity or for a night out with friends but be sure to bring your family and loved ones as it is truly a beloved event for all ages. Be sure to visit Old Westbury Gardens for a magical light show this holiday season! Shimmering Solstice is sponsored by Catholic Health, one of Long Island’s leading health care providers.

Put The Finishing Touch On Chanukah Celebrations

Challah is a special bread within Jewish households that is cooked to herald the Sabbath and celebrate various holidays. Jewish scholars indicate that the history of challah can be traced to the scripture story of manna, or bread, that God sent to the Israelites in the wilderness. Also, during the days of the Temple in Jerusalem, Jews presented dough as an offering to priests, who used it to bake their own bread. Challah can be sweet or savory, and leftovers can make for a delicious French toast base for breakfasts and brunches. Anyone can learn how to make challah for their holiday celebrations. Traditional challah is made with eggs and a shiny egg wash, but this plant-based version uses potato water starch in the recipe. Bake up a loaf or two with this recipe, courtesy of “Plant-Based Gourmet: Vegan Cuisine for the Home Chef” (Apollo Publishers) by chef Suzi Gerber.

Challah

Makes 2 loaves

3 Yukon Gold potatoes or other butter potatoes

(about 1 1⁄2 pounds), peeled and cubed

1⁄3 cup safflower oil or avocado oil

1⁄3 cup sugar

5 cups all-purpose flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 teaspoon kala namak (Indian black salt)

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 packet active instant dry yeast (approximately 1⁄4 ounce)

1⁄2 cup Homemade Butter (see below), softened and cut into cubes

1⁄3 cup oat milk

Directions:

1. To make “potato water,” combine the potatoes with 31⁄2 cups cold water in a large pot, bring to a boil, and keep at a boil for 20 minutes, uncovered. The liquid level should reduce to about 2 cups.

2. Drain the potatoes, and reserve the liquid.

3. Combine 11⁄2 cups of the potato water with the safflower oil and sugar in a mixing bowl or a large measuring cup with a pour spout (reserve the remaining potato water). Whisk until sugar is completely dissolved.

4. Combine the flour, cornstarch, kala namak, turmeric, and sea salt in a stand mixer and whisk to combine. Make sure there are no salt clusters for the yeast to come in contact with, then slowly add the yeast.

5. Change the mixer attachment to a dough hook, and slowly add the potato-water mixture to the dry ingredients while mixing. This slow pour should take about a minute.

6. Add in the softened butter, 1 cube at a time, until fully incorporated.

7. Knead the dough hook on medium-high (number 6 on standard home machines) for 10 minutes, keeping an eye on the elasticity of the dough. Pinch and pull the dough to check its elasticity: When ready, it should stretch like a rubber band and reach about 10 inches without breaking.

8. Let the dough rise, covered, for 45 minutes at room temperature. It should double in size.

9. Portion the dough into 2 equal blocks. Divide each block into thirds

to form a traditional straight braid, or into 4 sections to form a round braid. Roll the pieces into equal-sized ribbons that are at least 18 inches long. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and braid the ribbons directly on the parchment, tucking the ends under and pinching them together.

10. Cover again and let rise a second time, for 30 to 45 minutes. The dough should dramatically increase in size, eliminating any gaps in the braid.

11. Preheat the oven to 375 F.

12. While the bread rises, combine the remaining potato water (about 1⁄2 cup) with the cornstarch in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, whisk often until a thick gel forms, and then remove from the heat.

13. Slowly add the oat milk to the gel, whisking until the gel is thin enough to paint.

14. Brush a generous and even amount of the starch-and-oat-milk wash onto the risen bread right before placing in the oven.

15. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, rotating once halfway through. Remove once the crust is smooth and dark and the bottom is strong. When you thump the bottom with your finger, it should sound hollow. The internal temperature should be 190 to 200 F.

16. Paint the loaves again with more of the wash and let cool. Store in zip-top bags. Keep for 3 to 5 days (if they last you that long!) at room temperature, or up to 6 months if frozen.

17. If you over-proof or let the finished loaves sit out uncovered or past 5 days and they get hard, it’s French toast time.

Fire Safety Protocols To Keep In Mind When Holiday Decorating

How To Pet Proof Your Home When Decking The Halls

the interior and exterior of a home is a beloved holiday season tradition in millions of households. Such decor makes it easy to dive into the festive nature of the season. Many people could not imagine a holiday season without decorating their homes, and it’s vital that celebrants do so safely. Fire safety is especially important during a time of year when string lights and potentially dried-out trees feature so prominently. These fire safety tips can ensure this holiday season is safe.

Decorating

• Buy the safest lights. It might be tempting to buy the most inexpensive lights, especially given all the extra costs already associated with the holiday season. However, safety should be the utmost priority when buying new lights. Testing laboratories such as CSA, Intertek, and UL-certified products to ensure they’re safe for use. Products that aren’t certified should be avoided.

• Use lights and cords where they’re intended to be used. The packaging on lights will indicate if the product is intended to be used indoors or outdoors. It’s vital that individuals decorating their homes with lights pay attention to these labels. Never decorate a home's exterior with interior lights and vice versa. Extension cords made for indoors also should not be used outdoors and vice versa.

• Be especially careful with candles. Candles should only be burned when adults are in the room and should always be extinguished before leaving the room or going to bed. When burning candles, place them on heat-resistant surfaces that are beyond the reach of curious kids and pets. Never place candles within arm’s length of Christmas trees or houseplants, including poinsettias.

• Ask an electrician to inspect your exterior outlets and circuits. Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets are designed to prevent electric shocks and reduce the risk of electrical fires. Most areas now require new homes to be built exclusively with GFCIs, which are recognizable because they feature two buttons between the outlets. But older homes may not be equipped with GFCIs, particularly with exterior outlets. GFCI installation is not an especially expensive job, so homeowners should ask an electrician to inspect their interior and exterior outlets and replace non-GFCIs with GFCIs.

• Do not pinch light cords. Stringing lights can be a hassle, but cords should never be pinched in doors or windows or beneath interior and exterior furniture. Doing so increases the risk of damage to the cord, increasing the likelihood of fire.

• Avoid overloading circuits. Overloaded circuits pose a significant fire hazard. When plugging in lights, choose outlets that aren’t already occupied by devices and other electronics. If need be, unplug appliances like televisions and devices while lights are on and plugged in.

Theholiday season is a special time of year. Many factors combine to make the holiday season so unique and festive, including all the effort people put into decorating their homes. Much thought is given to holiday lighting arrangements and which tree to buy, but it’s equally important to consider pets when decorating. Many common household pets are naturally curious, and that curiosity can make it difficult to decorate safely come the holiday season. But various pet-proofing strategies can ensure holiday decorations and displays aren’t compromised by four-legged friends this season.

• Secure the Christmas tree. Much like other residents of the home, pets may be mesmerized by a glowing Christmas tree. Pets may sniff around the tree or investigate it closely, increasing the chances it tips over. That poses a significant safety hazard and underscores the importance of using a sturdy stand. Fastening the tree to a wall, much like one might do with a television that isn’t mounted, adds a further layer of protection from tip-overs.

• Block off the base of a live tree. Live trees need water to stay green and keep their needles throughout the season. That water could prove enticing to thirsty pets. Drinking water from a tree stand could increase the risk of the tree tipping over and the water could upset the stomach of pets if the tree were treated with pesticides prior to being brought home. When decorating with a live tree, make sure the base of the tree where the water will be is blocked off. A small fence around the tree could keep curious pets away. The room where the tree is located should be locked or inaccessible when pets are home alone.

• Inspect and conceal light wires. Wires can become frayed over time, and that could pique pets’ curiosity. Lighting wires should always be inspected prior to decorating and frayed or damaged wires should be thrown away, even if it means replacing lights. If wires are still sturdy, conceal them along the base of the wall using a cable concealer, which prevents pets from chewing on them.

• Avoid lighting candles. Candles should not be lit in homes with pets. Even candles on shelves that are seemingly beyond pets’ reach can be hazardous, as pets, especially cats, have a way of accessing spaces they seemingly shouldn’t be able to reach. Use electric candles in lieu of traditional ones.

• Speak to a vet about seasonal plants and flowers before bringing them into the home. Pet owners can speak with their veterinarians before bringing poinsettias, holly, and other seasonal plants and flowers into their homes. Some pets could suffer allergic reactions if they eat certain seasonal plants, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and speak to a vet before including live plants and flowers in decorative displays.

Holiday Happenings

PATCHOGUE RIVER

CHRISTMAS PARADE

Sunday, November 20th 6:00PM

Patchogue River Patchogue, NY

This beloved event started 27 years ago by Mr. Dick Blakeslee of the Oar Steak and Seafood Grill. Come down to Patchogue and enjoy free public viewing of this parade at Sandspit Park (Davis Park Ferry Terminal) and FINS (Watch Hill Terminal), as well as all the waterfront restaurants. This year’s theme is “A Winter Wonderland”!

THE POLAR EXPRESS & A VISIT WITH SANTA

Saturday, November 26th 3:00PM

Patchogue Theatre Patchogue, NY

Come watch a screening of The Polar Express, followed by photos with Santa! After the movie, the stage will transform into a magical Christmas scene, where children can meet with Santa Claus and parents can capture the special moment!

CUTCHOGUE HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR

Saturday, December 3rd

11:00AM-3:30PM

Multiple Locations Cutchogue, NY

Enjoy a day on the North Fork this Holiday Season! This 8th annual event will include 6 stops; 3 homes, 2 wineries and 1 brewery, with each home featuring a special treat: wine from a local vineyard and/ or appetizers from a local restaurant! The tour ends with a lovely tree lighting and a portion of the event’s proceeds is donated to a local charity. Additionally, they will be collecting unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots.

57TH HOLIDAY FINE

ART & CRAFT FAIR

Saturday, December 3rd & Sunday, December 4th 11:00AM - 5:00PM

Art League of Long Island Dix Hills, NY

This Fine Art & Craft Fair is back and this year they will showcase an eclectic variety of one-of-a-kind art and craft work, created by 60+ artists. Visitors can expect to find gifts for friends and loved ones on their Holiday Shopping List!

CHRISTMAS MARKET

Saturday, December 10th 10:30AM - 3:30PM

Village Gazebo & Bayman Park Babylon, NY

The Babylon Beautification Society is pleased to host this outdoor Christmas Market, which will feature over 85 craft vendors, food and beverages, classic and current holiday music, Dickens Carolers and Santa Claus at the Gazebo.

2022 JINGLE BELL RUN

Saturday, December 10th 10:00AM Hofstra University Hempstead, NY

The Jingle Bell Run is chosen as one of the Most Incredible Themed Races! Participants dress to impress in the best holiday attire for this holidaythemed timed 5K Run/Walk for Arthritis. Come celebrate the season by giving!

BRUNCH WITH SANTA, BEACH-SIDE!

Sunday, December 11th 11:00AM or 2:30PM Seatings

Gatsby On The Ocean Wantagh, NY Head to Gatsby On The Ocean for this special holiday event. Santa and his Elf will meet and greet guests, take photos with attendees and give a gift to each child! Parents will enjoy this

waterside event as well! Fun for the whole family.

GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA: IN THE CHRISTMAS MOOD

Friday, December 16th 8:00PM

Jeanne Rimsky Theater Port Washington, NY

The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful of all dance bandleaders back in the Swing Era of the 1930s and 40s. Today, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is the most sought after big band in the world for both concert and dance engagements. You’ll want to attend this musical Christmas event that’s sure to be unforgettable!

LONG ISLAND

GINGERBREAD HOUSE COMPETITION

Saturday, December 17th 10:00AM - 12:00PM

Benner’s Farm Setauket, NY

This workshop consists of several gingerbread activities that incorporate the spirit of the farm during the holidays! Each child will go home with a gingerbread home and many crafts made on the farm.

For 65 years we have been changing the lives of our guests through experiential satisfaction, wholesome homegrown activities, and family-focused traditions. One of our greatest strengths lies in the ability to help guests foster a healthier holistic mindset. We’ve seen it, day after day, as guests check in and then check out, their demeanor is uplifted, their spirits brighter, and their hugs with their kids are a little bit tighter.

The History Of Black Friday

BlackFriday 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 Friday 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. According to the National Retail Federation, Black Friday really hasn’t been the most lucrative day for retailers over the years. In fact, greater profits and larger crowds are often seen on the last Saturday preceding Christmas.

The Most Popular Day To Get Engaged

ChristmasDay is the most popular day to get engaged. According to the 2020 WeddingWire Newlywed Report, more couples who were married in 2019 got engaged on Christmas Day than any other day during the year. Christmas Eve was the second most popular day to pop the question, while the Sunday before Christmas Eve came in fourth (New Year's Day rounded out the top three). The appeal of Christmastime proposals helped make December the most popular month to get engaged, as more than 19 percent of couples who married in 2019 got engaged in the final month of the year. July proved the second most popular month to pop the question, as 9 percent of couples who wed in 2019 reported getting engaged in July. Tradition still has a place in wedding proposals, as 84 percent of proposers reported asking on bended knee, while 65 percent acknowledged asking parents' permission prior to popping the question.

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.

Seasonal

Toast The Season With A Literary-Inspired Cocktail Sips

Come the holidays, many people engage in various customs and rituals that make the season even more special. One person may bake dozens of cookies to share with friends and family, while another may go caroling with the church choir. Reading familiar stories and watching classic Christmas movies also are part and parcel of many celebrations. For example, “A Christmas Carol,” a novella by Charles Dickens that was published in 1843, is a mustread and must-see for many people each holiday season. The story is the tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by various ghosts, each of whom teaches Scrooge an important lesson about living life to its fullest. Many local theater companies put on productions of the classic Dickens tale around the holiday season. Holiday celebrants and fans of “A Christmas Carol” can raise a toast to Charles Dickens by enjoying one of his favorite cocktails, the “Sherry Cobbler,” courtesy of Margaret Kaplan’s “How to Drink Like a Writer: Recipes for the Cocktails and Libations that Inspired 100 Literary Greats” (Apollo Publishing). While Dickens did not mention the Sherry Cobbler in “A Christmas Carol,” the beverage does make an appearance in another of his works, “The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit.”

Charles Dickens’s Sherry Cobbler Serves 1

2 orange slices

1 tablespoon sugar

4 ounces amontillado sherry Berries (in season) for garnishing Maraschino cherries for garnishing

1 lemon wheel for garnishing

Directions:

Muddle orange slices and sugar at the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add sherry and ice and shake. Strain ingredients into a Collins glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with seasonal berries, maraschino cherries and a lemon wheel. Serve with a generosity of spirit.

Craft An Entire Day Around Tree Shopping

Though retailers may begin playing holiday tunes shortly after Halloween, for many people, no date on the calendar marks the beginning of the holiday season better than the day they pick up their Christmas tree.

There are many different ways to acquire a Christmas tree. Some people prefer ar tificial Christmas trees that can be stored and taken out each year. Others make a yearly expedition to a tree lot or a Christmas tree farm to find the perfect fir or spruce. His torians believe a man named W.V. McGallard planted 25,000 Norway spruce seedlings at his Mercer County, New Jersey farm in 1901, essentially establishing the first commercial Christ mas tree farm. By 1908, customers could visit the farm and choose trees for $1 each. Mc Gallard helped cre ate an entirely new industry that now accounts for 350 million trees being grown and sold in the United States every year.

Selecting a Christmas tree may not take more than an hour or two, but there are ways for families and other tree shoppers to maximize their time spent looking for a tree.

• Bring refreshments. Cou ple Christmas tree shopping with picnicking if the weather is amenable. Pack some fold able chairs into the vehicle (sitting on the ground on a blanket may be too cold) and bring along thermoses of cof fee or hot cocoa. Snacks like granola bars, Christmas cook ies, or other filling treats can keep everyone satisfied and energized while they shop for a tree.

• Pair tree shopping with a trip to see lighting displays. Find the tree lot or tree farm and then scope out potentially scenic spots to view holiday lighting displays near by. Neighborhood Facebook or other social media groups often tout homes that put up eye-catching displays. Ask around for addresses and plan

your own tours.

• Plan a night out. Every one may be tired and hungry after a long day of Christmas tree hunting. Plus, it’s typical ly a good idea to wait some time for boughs to open before decorating. Use this opportuni ty to dine out and return home ready to decorate. Make it a regular occurrence that Christ mas tree shopping is followed by a family meal at a favorite restaurant.

• Watch a classic film. Many different holiday movies are broadcast this time of year and each enhances the Christ mas spirit. While putting up the tree, play a favorite film in the background. What better way to enjoy decorating your own tree than by watching Charlie Brown adorn his meager ever green at the same time?

Make a day of selecting and putting up the Christmas tree each year. Doing so can en hance the holidays and make for an entertaining way to spend time together as a cou ple or family.