Black Friday becomes Black Thursday

As those who have followed this holiday blog over the past two years may recall, I take a dim view of crass Christmas commercialism, and particularly the abject feeding frenzy known as “Black Friday” – that morning after Thanksgiving when millions rise in the pre-dawn darkness to stand in line outside retail outlets before engaging [...]

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Bellingham Lighted Boat Parade 2008

The rain let up, it wasn’t too cold, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. All around, it was very festive. Particularly impressive was the towering Christmas tree with the star at top.

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A Victorian Country Christmas, Puyallup, December 3-7, 2008

What: All shopkeepers in Victorian attire – Singing nativity and strolling musicians – Two stages with live entertainment – Visit with Santa – Ride the Christmas Train &/or the Old Cannery Train – Ride the Christmas Carousel – Christmas kitchen with demonstrations – Christmas Market featuring 70 vendors of unique, handcrafted items – – Holiday [...]

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Semiahmoo Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade, Blaine, Dec. 6 2008

What: Lighted Boat Parade  Reception for spectators and boaters at Semiahmoo Resort 4:30-7:30: RSVP here Where: May be viewed from 9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy. Blaine, WA [map] When: Vessels leave Blaine and Semiahmoo Marinas at 4:30 p.m. Lights on in Semiahmoo Bay at 5. Return to marinas by 6:30. semiahmooyachtclub.com

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Friends of the Bellingham Public Library Booksale, December 3-6, 2008

What: A lot of high-quality used books, including children’s books, at low-low prices. A great place to do some frugal Christmas shopping, or just pick up some titles you’ve been looking for. Where: Bellingham Library, Main Branch, 210 Central Ave., Bellingham, WA [map] When: Wed, December 3, 3:00pm-6:00pm (preview sale – double marked price) | [...]

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Bellingham Holiday Port Festival & Lighted Boat Parade

What: Live Christmas Music, Gingerbread House Contest, horse drawn wagon rides, children’s art activities, free hot cider and cookies, visits w/Santa (photographer available), Lighted Boat Parade (4:30pm-6:00pm, Saturday). Bring a non-perishable food item for the Bellingham Food Bank and receive a FREE photo keychain from Artiem Photography. Where: Bellingham Cruise Terminal (Alaska Ferry), 355 Harris [...]

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Black Friday Video Clips, 2008

Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream NY [contains profanity] South Center, Tukwila, WA Best Buy Unknown Location Salt Lake City Richard Simmons greets Black Friday Shoppers @ Macy’s, Herald Square, NY Honolulu, Hawaii, Wal Mart Baltimore, MD, Wal Mart

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Black Friday, 2008: a real Christmas horror story

All that glisters is not gold, Gilded tombs do worms enfold. – William Shakespeare Man trampled to death in Black Friday rush NEW YORK, Nov. 28 (UPI) – A male worker at a New York Wal-Mart was killed Friday when anxious shoppers trampled him in their rush for Black Friday bargains, witnesses say. Witnesses to [...]

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“A Christmas Carol” @ McIntyre Hall, Mount Vernon, Nov. 14-30

What: A Christmas Carol. That timeless Christmas classic, with special effects by ZFX Flying and music by the “Starry Night Chamber Orchestra” (a Skagit County based ensemble made up of local professionals and assorted imports) Mr. Brian Young returns this year as Ebenezer scrooge, accompanied by a host of local talent.  Musical direction: Sharon Peterson.  [...]

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The Christmas Workshop 2008 is Open!

Over the next couple of months visitors to Simplify Christmas (yes, visits have remained consistently high, even through the spring and summer months of 2008) will notice some fairly dramatic changes in the organization and appearance of the site as I prepare for the official start-up date of November 1st. The first big change is [...]

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