Halloween's Over, Thanksgiving is up next then it's Black Friday

What? It's still October 31 and the little ghouls and goblins are busily noshing their way through the mountain of candy they collected in the neighborhood and from the local merchants and you're talking turkey!

Thanksgiving Day in Canada is linked to the European tradition of harvest festivals. A common image seen at this time of year is a cornucopia, or horn, filled with seasonal fruit and vegetables. This represents the "Horn of Plenty", which was a symbol of bounty and plenty in ancient Greece. Turkeys, pumpkins, ears of corn and large displays of food are also used to symbolize Thanksgiving Day.

But, if you live south of the 49th then you've still got another kick at the bird as they say. (although I'm not sure who they are.) This year, Canadians celebrated back on the second Monday in October while the American Thanksgiving takes place on the fourth Thursday in November. The Friday following this holiday is called Black Friday and its an extremely busy shopping day and a holiday in many states.

Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days in the USA. There are two popular theories as to why the day after Thanksgiving Day is called Black Friday. One theory is that the wheels of vehicles in heavy traffic on the day after Thanksgiving Day left many black markings on the road surface, leading to the term Black Friday.

The other theory is that the term Black Friday comes from an old way of recording business accounts. Losses were recorded in red ink and profits in black ink. Many businesses, particularly small businesses, started making profits prior to Christmas. Many hoped to start showing a profit, marked in black ink, on the day after Thanksgiving Day.

Regardless, they are holidays that are enjoyed by the entire family and lets face it any day off work is a bonus. 

Just make sure you don't get too caught up in the shopping buzz because even if its a bargain, it still has to be paid for eventually. Better to shop with cash and when you run out, you're finished shopping.

Happy Holiday and remember to give Thanks!