TELL US: Does a More Politicized 'Buy Nothing Day' Change Your View of Efforts to Cool Consumer Fever?

This Friday's 'Buy Nothing Day,' same day as 'Black Friday,' has taken on a new political tinge. Does that change how you view the effort to keep the holidays from becoming one big shopping trip?

  'Buy Nothing Day,' a 20-year old tradition of reminding people that there is more to Thanksgiving and Christmas than shopping, this year has taken on even more political coloring: Buy Nothing Day/#Occupy Xmas. Last year, 2011, was the first year Buy Nothing Day was connected to the Occupy movement; both are brought to you by Adbusters, a passionately anti-capitalist organization out of Canada. The Adbusters homepage with information about Buy Nothing Day/#Occupy Xmas, is dominated by a Guy Fawkes mask, emblematic of the Occupy movement and by this quote: “Today, humanity faces a stark choice: save the planet and ditch capitalism, or save capitalism and ditch the planet.”  – Fawzi Ibrahim So here's the question: does the closer connection…

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TELL US: Should Mass. Blue Laws Be Eliminated?

Blue laws prohibit retailers from opening before midnight on Black Friday.

Black Friday is starting earlier than ever, as some national retailers have announced they will open the night of Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 22. However, here in Massachusetts, state blue laws prohibit stores from opening until midnight, according to an article in the Boston Globe.  Current blue laws prohibit retailers in the state from opening on Thanksgiving, thus preventing them from getting an early start on Black Friday sales, according to the Globe article. Some exceptions are restaurants, health care facilities and gas stations.  The laws, instituted in the 17th century, are intended to make sure holidays are properly observed, according to the Boston Globe.  Are Massachusetts' blue laws outdated? Should they be eliminated? Tell …

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Week in Review: Nov. 20 to 26

A look back at the week that was in Lexington.

It was a kind of a farm-to-table week in Lexington, with a bundle of other goings on in between.  At the Board of Selectmen's meeting last Monday night, LexHAB presented its plan to plan to site some units of affordable housing along Lowell Street on the "Arlington side" of the Busa Land, while LexFarm urged the selectmen to consider intergrated housing on the farmland.  Earlier in the day Monday, Town Manager Carl Valente congratulated Public Works Director Bill Hadley for a regional recognition and the man Lexington Police say robbed People's United Bank was arrested in Woburn. We brought you both of those stories on Tuesday. In advance of Thanksgiving on Thursday, local sparking wine expert Becky Sue Epstein shared a few holiday tips …

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Tips for Saving Money this Gift-Giving Season

Don't break the bank on gifts this year.

 The following is a press release from the Better Business Bureau on saving money this Holiday Season: Whether you are gearing up to hit the malls and shops on Black Friday, sticking close to home for Small Business Saturday, or shopping online on Cyber Monday, there is still one thing you must do first – make a holiday budget. The average American overspends for the holidays, and then faces a bleak January as credit card bills pile up. Don’t let that happen this year! Better Business Bureau and Clearpoint Credit Counseling have teamed up to offer financial tips and an online Holiday Planner Calculator to help make sure your holidays are merry and bright! Check out our holiday tips on creating a budget and sticking to it, safe shopping …

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: Nov. 25

Open houses, businesses and offices; a few local goings on and more today in Lexington.

1. Lexington Lives: The Lexington Public Schools are closed until Monday, but the Center springs back to life today as offices, restaurants and retailers reopen and get ready for the holiday rush that begins this "Black Friday." 2. Thanksgiving Tours of Historic Houses: The Lexington Historical Society is opening up its historic houses for guided tours this Thanksgiving weekend. According to the Society, Buckman Tavern will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with tours every half-hour; the Hancock-Clarke House has the same hours, with tours every hour on the hour and Munroe Tavern is open from noon to 4 p.m., with tours every hour on the hour. 3. A Daytime Entertainment Option: Looking for something to do with the kids today? The Regent …

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Lexington Businesses Looking Forward to Holiday Shoppers (PHOTOS)

Looking ahead to Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and beyond.

On this Thanksgiving eve, things like turkey, family, football and traffic, are what’s just about everyone’s minds, but the real madness begins tomorrow at midnight.  Dubbed “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving considered by many to be among the busiest days of the holiday shopping season. And last year, American Express began promoting “Small Business Saturday,” as a day when folks can “shop small” after hitting the mall. Here in Lexington, wreaths, greens and red ribbons line lampposts and buildings and retailers are looking forward to what could be a busy weekend to kick-start the holiday season. “Friday’s a mall day, and we kind of know that,” said Linda Hopkins of Seasons Four, which transformed into “Christmas City” earlier …

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POLL: Are You Shopping on Black Friday?

It's Black Friday, did you hit the stores?

Named for the color used to show that businesses have turned a profit, "Black Friday" has become a bellwether for predicting how well the holiday shopping season will be. The first official day of the holiday shopping season, Black Friday and its deep discounts offered by most retailers usually draw hordes of deal-hunting shoppers and could be a sign of a rebound in consumer spending. Others, meanwhile, prefer to beat the crowds by staying at home. So, which are you — a deal hunter, or someone who avoids Black Friday? Let us know by casting a vote in our poll. And if you are shopping on Friday, let us know where in the comment section below!

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