It’s funny how traditions change and assimilate into our lives, sometimes without our even realizing it. Take Black Friday, for instance. When I was a kid there was no way you’d find a store open on Thanksgiving Day. Didn’t happen. People made sure they lay in supplies for their Thanksgiving feast well in advance of the day. When it actually came, it was quiet and relaxing – a time for our family to reflect and enjoy being together. We watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade and my father watched the football game in the afternoon. Other than that, we made snow forts, played table games or read.
The day after Thanksgiving (Friday) was fun because we didn’t have to go to school. We played outside and ate leftover ham (my dad didn’t like Turkey much). By Thanksgiving my mother always had her Christmas preparations made – the sewing all done and gifts wrapped. Decorations went up on December 1st and came down the day after Christmas.
Somewhere in that tranquil tradition, according to a researcher who knows what he’s talking about, the term Black Friday was coined. The real meaning of Black Friday, according to my research, is this:
The idea behind the term “Black Friday” is that on the day after Thanksgiving retail stores have enough sales to put them “in the black” for the year. “Black” refers to the accounting practice of recording losses in red and profits in black. Wiki.answers
Further research reveals a very different meaning:
The term Black Friday supposedly comes from the idea that merchants count on high sales to put them in the black not the red. Or so we thought, and we’ll try to clear this up in our last word in business today. Language guru Ben Zimmer, producer of the Visual Thesaurus, has tracked down what he believes to be the source of the phrase. He writes that the term actually originated in the 1960s in Philadelphia, and at the beginning merchants hated it because of the reason it was coined.
Traffic was so bad the day after Thanksgiving, police officers had to work 12-hour shifts, so they gave the day a negative and memorable name. And that’s the business news on MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I’m Steve Inskeep. NPR
The funny thing is this – it was so subtle a change that many of us never even noticed! Somewhere along the line stores realized shoppers would go into a frenzy over posted ads for special deals and the phenomenon that is Black Friday today began. I’m very sure that in the beginning people were pretty well behaved, just eager to scoop up the deals. However, today people even camp in tents in a line the day before! How our world has changed. Some of us have resisted the change – I, for one, dislike the frantic shopping that occurs and prefer to have my items purchased ahead of time. However, I do like Cyber Monday because I can buy gifts in my pajamas from the comfort of my own home.
This Black Friday is different. I’m part of a blog hop. I’d like to offer you a gift – completely free – a download of my novel INZARED, Queen of the Elephant Riders. You can go here to get the book free through November 24.
There are many great prizes to be had on this hop. Follow this link to have chances to win some awesome Swag prizes and a Kindle! This hop is only one day – so be sure you do it today.
Just for stopping by my site and posting a comment in the comments section, you will be entered to win a $10 gift card from Amazon.com from L.Leander Books.
Tell your friends about the Black Friday Blog Hop and send them here to link up. I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving. What do you think? Do you like Black Friday shopping? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Check out INZARED, Queen of the Elephant Riders by L.Leander here:
Places to find L.Leander:
Visit my other blog:
L.Leander’s Book Reviews and Interviews
We have THREE grand prizes. Readers can visit EACH blog, comment with your email address and be entered to win. You can enter over 200 times!
The prizes are: (all prizes except Swag pack are international)
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L.LEANDER BOOKS 
Reblogged this on Happy Thanksgiving 2012 and commented:
2012 Thanksgiving suprise: Click Here View the original article here
Thanks!
Thanks for the giveaway!
by.evie at yahoo dot com dot br
You’re welcome – good luck!
thanks so much!
beccaboo97200 (at) att (dot) net
You’re welcome – good luck!
No shopping for me this year. Way too crowded.
aircdrewood(at)gmail(dot)com
I couldn’t agree with you more – good day to stay home!
Thanks for the giveaway.
kareninnc at gmail dot com
You’re most welcome – good luck!
I have friends who love Black Friday shopping. I’d rather stay home and put up Christmas decorations. To most, Thanksgiving is just a “waiting day” for the shopping season to start. I wish people focused more on the holiday. That’s what we do anyway.
My sister and her girls make a weekend of it – go to a motel after Thanksgiving dinner and shop in their pajamas – definitely NOT for me!
We don`t have Black Friday deals here (I`m an international reader), so I`m just attending giveaways like this,lol.
dita(dot)skarste(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for stopping by!
I used to do Black Friday but it no longer excites me. I’d rather just sleep in and chill.
bbabygirl1908@aol.com
Sounds good, but I do have to say I’ve shopped on Black Friday before and got some awesome deals – I just don’t like to stand in the lines any more!
Thanks for the giveaway.
parisfan_ca@yahoo.com
You’re welcome – good luck!
I am so glad to have found you on the black friday blog hop. I am always looking for new authors to read. Kim86004 (at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for the compliment – I hope you got to Amazon to download my book – it’s still free today and tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for offering such an amazing prize! Happy holidays to you!
verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks for coming and good luck!
I’ve only shopped on Black Friday once and it was years ago. I don’t have this urge to repeat the experience because of the huge crowds.
bituin76 at hotmail dot com
I’m with you. For years I did all my Christmas shopping very early. Then I could go out and enjoy the hustle and bustle without getting frustrated because I had to wait in long lines or couldn’t get what I wanted.
Oh i’m staying home this black friday!!! Nothing in the sale ads could make me go today. i do like to look them over and usually can find a better deal online.thanks you for joining the hop!
miriam.whitewolf@gmail.com
I just watched a news report that said exactly that – you can often get better deals online or in the store if you do some research. Food for thought?
Your book looks really intriguing!
vitajex(at)aol(dot)com
Thank you! I hope you got to Amazon to get the free download – good through tomorrow.
I’m not a Black Friday shopper. I don’t believe that shopping should ever be a full contact sport. I spend the day baking cookies with my kiddos instead.
planterofhope(at)aol(dot)com
That sounds like WAY more fun!
I do not like crowds so BF shopping is not for me! I will be spending my day hopping and then snuggled up reading! Well that is after I decide on what new book I have just added to my to be read list! It gets longer every hop! Thanks!
I am thankful for all the wonderful books I am finding on the hop!
grapeapril75(at)gmail.com
Thanks April. Good luck!
thanks for the free book i love stories about circus’s and i love black fri more i go to my local shopping mall for a gift card giveaway angelwolfmystic@yahoo.com
You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy reading the book as much as I enjoyed writing it!
I’m not a black Friday shopper. lisarayns at gmail dot com
It’s definitely more fun to do the Blog Hop! No crowds or lines.
I just prefer online shopping. There are a lot of great deals there too.
muggledATgmxDOTcom
I love online shopping too! I’m doing more and more of it and less and less of standing in long lines waiting to check out!
Yes! You can shop while laying on bed (lazy me!)
I like to shop it but I skipped Black Friday shopping this year.
wildnmild4u at yahoo dot com
Easy for me, since I’m in another country but wouldn’t have gone anyway.
I like shopping but I hate crowds, so no BF for me 🙂
swordlily_girl[at]yahoo[dot]com
I don’t necessarily hate crowds when they’re not all trying to get the same thing.
I don’t go shopping on Black Friday. I stay home and enjoy the quiet and the leftovers. The Friday after Thanksgiving was always just a day of relaxing when I was growing up. Thanks for the chance to win
crystaley73 at yahoo dot com
That’s how it was for me, too. A time of family and enjoying the holiday. Thanks for stopping by!
That sounded like our house when I was younger, Now stores are open on Thanksgiving and Black Friday is spilling over into Thursday.
vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com
Isn’t it getting crazy? Stores weren’t open, people planned ahead and enjoyed the time off from work. In my opinion it’s gotten out of hand.
I have friends who go Black Friday shopping but it’s not for me. Thanks for the chance to win!
sqwalker2@hotmail.com
My youngest sister and her girls love the Black Friday shopping. I’d rather go when things are a bit more settled. Thanks for coming by.
So glad I followed this hop. Your book is on my kindle. I can’t wait to review it. I love unique stories–preferably historical and featuring strong and amazing women! Thank you so much for the free download and happy holidays. tchevrestt(at)yahoo.com
Thank you! I love strong women too, and any kind of history. I hope you enjoy reading INZARED, Queen of the Elephant Riders. Good luck with the giveaways!
I’m staying home to read & discover some more authors thru the blog hop…
No BF shopping for me…..ktyler13@yahoo.com
This is my first ever blog hop (hosting, that is) and I am having a great time – thanks for coming!
I’m not a BF shopper either–it’s just not my thing. Plus, it’s not like I ever have the money to really do any Xmas shopping anyway. 😦
Enjoy!
TBQ
The_Book_Queen(at)yahoo(dot)com
That’s the problem with the Black Friday ads – you are definitely tempted to spend money you don’t have!
Thanks for taking part in the hop. 😀 brendem7@comcast.net
I’m glad you stopped by – good luck!
Hi! Happy Holidays to you! No, im not a shopper on black friday. I hate crowds. Thanks for the awesome hop and giveaway! Best wishes and many blessings to you!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
Happy holidays – thank you for participating and good luck!
no BF shopping
Thanks for participating.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
I’ve had a wonderful day of writing – much more relaxing than BF shopping! Glad you came by.
Thank you for the blog hop.
Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com
You’re very welcome – it’s been fun!
Already went out and did my Black Friday shopping for today (and did a bit last night, too!) I love BF and Cyber Monday shopping! Thank you for the lovely giveaway~ gonna relax the rest of the evening just enjoying this hop. 🙂
MostlyMisha [at] gmail [dot] com
Hope you snagged some good deals! Thanks for stopping in – good luck!
This is the BEST way to spend Black Friday. Sitting at home, hopping with old friends and making new ones. I can’t handle the crowds anymore so I only do Black Friday shopping online if I do any. I tend to pick up gifts throughout the year so come November I’m finished. That way I can spread out the purchasing and not spend a fortune at the time of the year when my job is at its slowest and my paycheck is at its lowest. Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win.
reneebennett35 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I do most of my shopping throughout the year, too. I enjoy the holiday hustle and bustle because I’m not looking for anything! Good luck!
staying away from the crowds this year, thanks for hopping! – regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com
I’m with you! Good luck!
Our Christmas decorations go up about the first of December and down a week or so after New Years!
susanmplatt AT hotmail DOT com
I’ve always put mine up around the first of Dec, but as tradition has it in our house, down the 26th of Dec.
Thanks for the hopstop!
melhalp at msn.com
Thank you for coming by – good luck!
I do all of my black friday shopping online! You can get the same deals and free shipping! Thanks for participating in the hop!
xxsquigglesxx(at)gmail(dot)com
I think a lot of people don’t realize that you can get the same deals online. Why would you go through all the Black Friday hassle? Thanks for stopping by!
Camping out the night before is nothing. I saw a news report about people camping out for the entire week. I’m certain the only sane thing to do on black friday is stay home and lock the front door!
krankimom[at]comcast[dot]net
Can you believe it? Who in their right mind would camp out for a week? Each to his own, I guess. I much prefer armchair shopping (although locking the door might be a good idea!)
I liked doing my Black Friday shopping online today. It’s much easier. Thanks for participating! katieamanda1(at)yahoo(dot)com
I agree – much less stress. Thanks for stopping by!
I like Black Friday shopping, but I go in with a plan. I know what I want, and I avoid the giant deals that require a five hour wait in line. I also do some shopping online.
isabelli3619 (at) aol (dot) com
I think that’s the best plan. If you have a plan and know what you’re after it can be fun. I just don’t like the madness of people fighting over a few things on the shelves that are a ridiculous price. Takes all the joy out of the holidays for me.
I don’t shop on Black Friday.
Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks for stopping by. Good luck!
I’m definitely a stay at home kind of person, so no black Friday shopping for me 🙂
Thanks for being a part of this great hop!
~Lynne
tworeads.blogspot.com
tworeads(at)gmail(dot)com
Glad you stopped in – good luck!
I do some Black Friday shopping, but I’m more addicted to Cyber Monday. No lines, No rude people, free shipping…. how can you go wrong!
angelheart618@gmail.com
I think Cyber Monday is a favorite – you don’t even have to get dressed if you don’t want to and can shop from the convenience of your own home. But, my sis and her girls shop in their pjs on Black Friday, so go figure!
I spent this Black Friday taking my daughter and her friends to the movies and avoiding all the crowds at the mall. We saw Rise of the Guardians and it was lots of fun. Thanks for being in the hop!
jochibi AT yahoo DOT com
That sounds like so much fun – great way to avoid the crowds and have some family time!
Instead of shopping, I’m hopping! I prefer to do my shopping online.
Happy Black Friday.
mel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com
I prefer hopping too – good luck!
I only shop on Black Friday if it’s online lol
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com
Online is great – good luck with the giveaway!
I love Black Friday shopping, but this year I waited until the store was almost empty and I still got all the specials on my list. I live in a small town and even though there are a couple hundred people in Wal-Mart, most are friendly and they even say excuse me when they push you to get to what they want. I would never shop in the places they show in the news, way too scary., but in my town, I try to go every year.
proudarmymom32(at)yahoo(dot)com
I agree – I come from a rural area and it’s different there. But I’ve shopped in the city during Black Friday – never again!
Thanks for doing the hop!
gatormaryd(at)yahoo(dot)com
You’re very welcome – good luck!
I have never truly experienced Black Friday. I was thinking that maybe next year I might participate in the online sales. But I am not one for crowded places, or the crazies that i’m bound to encounter. Thanks for being a part of this great hop!! 🙂
oddball2003 at hotmail dot com
Honestly, a little is fun – if you don’t buy into the madness. It’s definitely a good start to holiday shopping if you haven’t already done it!
Thanks for participating in the hop! Happy Holidays!
sandywolters(dot)author(at)gmail(dot)com
You’re welcome, and good luck!
I only shop online.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com
Online rocks! Good luck!
I don’t remember ANYTHING being open on Thanksgiving when I was younger. I am not sure when Black Friday really came around but I tried it for the first time last year. It was not for me! I am going to try Cyber Monday this year. I only have a few people to shop for and I already know what I want to get them so I will probably just shop for me. 🙂
Thanks so much for being a part of the hop and for the giveaway!
Happy Holidays,
Marlena
charmedpoms(at)yahoo(dot)com
According to my research, it started in the 1960’s. I just watched a news report that is talking about Small Business Saturday (tomorrow) what’s next? Good luck!
I shop online to avoid the crowds.
Thanks for the giveaway!
nerdswillruleoneday@yahoo.com
Thanks for stopping by. Good luck!
Happy Black Friday and thanks for the chance to win some great prizes! I don’t really do Black Friday. I’m an online deal shopper and prefer not to mess with the crazy mass of people all trying to get a bargin!
kacidesigns AT yahoo DOT com
Same to you – and I like shopping online too! Good luck with winning!
Thanks for the great giveaway!!
red_tigergirl2(at)hotmail(dot)com
You’re welcome – good luck!
Thanks for the chance!
bacchus76 at myself dot com
You’re welcome – good luck!
Thanks for the chance to win!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com
You’re welcome – thanks for stopping by and good luck!