Nov. 28 – Black Friday – the day after Thanksgiving, you have time off from work and it's the official start of the Christmas season and of Christmas shopping. You can shop three hours earlier and spend your money 'till much later. Holiday sales begin, it's the first time that some items will be available…. but I definitely won't be among the crazies up at 4am to get to the top of the line to make some wild dash for the $99 flat-screen television or the Crazy Elmo toy. (Black Friday is the second single biggest shopping day for retailers and got its name because in the days of old so much shopping was done on this day that it would turn the tide for many stores and put them in the black, or, make them profitable.)

Dec. 6 – First Saturday in December – weekends are important because it means free time to shop. The early holiday and Christmas shopper should be more than halfway through shopping list. Most shoppers (me included) realize that there is not much time left so best to have a look at what's available.

Dec. 7 – First Sunday – weekend Christmas shopping can be done but stores close the usual earlier time on Sundays.

Dec. 7 – Pearl Harbor Day – it isn't recognized by most but is very important to war veterans. The President usually gives a speech to a Veterans group and lays a wreath in honor of those who died on Pearl Harbor Day and in World War II.

Dec.13 – Second Saturday – only two full weeks to go before Christmas. Is it really a whole year since last Christmas? To your disguised annoyance, you are starting to hear the ubiquitous phrase, 'Finished all your Christmas shopping yet?' Christmas shopping has to pick up speed or panic will set in. You are fast running out of time to have fun with your friends and family, there's so much to do.

Dec. 14 – Second Sunday – go to church if you haven't been attending so that you won't look like a 'Christmas only attendee.' Need to squeeze in some shopping and must start sending out Christmas greeting cards this week.

Dec. 20 – Third Saturday, Last Saturday before Christmas – Now The Single Biggest Shopping Day of the Year!!!! it's unbelievable that there's less than a week to go before Christmas.

Dec. 21 Third Sunday - First Day of Winter – four days before Christmas. Make sure Christmas toys are still where you left them undisturbed and away from little prying eyes. By now you should have finalized all your plans for your wonderful family Christmas dinner. Make supermarket shopping list for Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner preparations.

Dec. 22 – only three days to go. First Day of Hanukkah –Do last minute planning, get as many chores as possible out of the way, finish all Christmas and supermarket shopping. Delegate final preparatory tasks to family members as necessary. Go over plans for Christmas Dinner.

Dec. 23 – Your last chance to put your feet up and have a nice cup of tea. Ensure that every thing is planned and prepared as it should be and then pamper yourself a little in preparation for the busy days ahead.

Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve – downtown is glorious, everything is so splendid and magical…. I just love all the Christmas lights and the happy atmosphere. The carols at the midnight service really do make you feel 'Christmassy'.

I have special tapes that I recorded for Christmas and even my sons say Christmas isn't Christmas without Mantavani !

There's a lot to understand about Christmas. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to read about in subsequent articles on these pages.