New Cyber Monday Christmas Traditions, Local Small Business Saturday, and Amazon.com

While I don't know a lot about Internet shopping, I do know that a few years back when my leg was in a cast from toe to knee, I was able to grocery shop online and it was a godsend.

I discovered a few sites that I still patronize, because they offer reasonably priced goods, free fast shipping, easy returns, and other amenities. The physically disabled or challenged can acquire many things online without the hassle of having no transportation to consider. One friend with a double knee replacement cannot drive, because the knees will not bend enough to operate an accelerator pedal; walking to a bus stop is tedious and non-kneeling buses are is impossible. Therefore, online shopping is a boon.

However, shopping anywhere is fun for people who enjoy it and the Internet provides one more option for Christmas Shopping without enduring crowds and 3:00 AM sales.

YahooFinance tells us that Cyber Monday after Thanksgiving is the start to the Internet Christmas shopping season and that it was officially recognized in 2005 by the National Retail Federation. This is a new tradition that compares to the Black Friday Tradition began in the early 20th Century before the event acquired a name. For example, F & R Lazarus in Columbus OH sponsored a large Friday after Thanksgiving Christmas Parade that led the populace to the front doors of their store to meet Santa Claus when he dismounted his sleigh float. Lazarus may be gone, but now, we have both eventful days: Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

While I'm not a shopping fanatic, I do like to purchase Christmas Gifts and attempt to match each friend's and colleague's personality and interests. Internet shopping can provide enough options and enough time to do just that and I like it.

Some Merchants remain open on Thanksgiving and hold a 4-Day Christmas Sale on site and on the Internet, as Cyber Weekend. Wal-Mart big box store is one of these retailers. In a new move for 2010 to continue onward, Small Business Saturday was instituted during this long holiday weekend.

Small Business Saturday is a new Christmas Tradition that encourages residents and area visitors to buy locally for the holidays - and all year long. The event is successful in Austin Texas, extending throughout the Christmas and Holiday Season with focus on local small businesses and Made in America goods, but also high quality imports from friendly countries.

In Columbus, Ohio the Saturday event is reinforced by local activities like the Saturday Gallery Hop in the Short North, shopping events in German Village - especially at the Village Book Store with 32 rooms - and all over the city. Farmer's markets move indoors for the winter, with delivious offerings like homemade jams and jellies made from local crops, Amish breads, candles, dried herbs, pottery, wreathes made form natural components, and all sorts of gift creations from local crafters and artisans.

The Columbus Dispatch newspaper is known for featuring local business owners in its weekly and Sunday papers every week and this helps Saturday shopping. This is an extension of the old Saturday Markets of the 1800s and 1900s that are commemorated by our North Market in the Nationwide Arena District. It is a reminder of the days when farmers and fishermen came to town from a 50-mile radius or farther to sell their goods. Small Business Saturday adds to the tradition and keeps it alive all through Christmas and New Year's.

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Click on any item and search for additional gifts and bargains in most categories. I enjoy the rare and collectible books found under individual sales marked "used" on Amazon.com and have found many wonderful classics of literature, science fiction, poetry, and history. Yes, I'm happy with an old paperback book. With Amazon, you can search within your own zipcode or other small or regional area for gift items.