Ready, set...shop!

It gets earlier every year. I’m fairly certain that in a year or two we’ll just skip dinner all together and gather for shopping. Somewhere, Sam Walton would be smiling.

This year, the traditional Black Friday is really more of a late Thursday ritual. Many major centers of commerce are opening around 8, 9 or even 10 p.m. Thursday. In my opinion, it's ridiculous that they are cutting into a family holiday! But then, I’m not much of a shopper any of the other 364 days, either.

This year, we introducing a new tradition in Small Business Saturday, asking Americans to consider the economy around them and support small, family-owned and operated businesses instead of large box stores. Companies like American Express have incentivized their cardholders to support small business by offering cash-back for such purchases.

On Monday, those like me who do not care to hoof it around a mall are welcome to partake in Cyber Monday, or the online version of Black Friday. Instead of sleeping on sidewalks and tromping through stores all day long on zero sleep, you can wake up, stay in your fluffy jammies and click away.

So this year, how will you kick off the holiday shopping season? Tell me in the poll at the bottom of this article.

If I’ve forgotten methods you prefer, add them in the comments below. I am anxious to see how you all feel about it. Now, enjoy that turkey sandwich with a side of leftover stuffing. That's the very best part of this holiday, anyhow!