The bounty of November holidays is here. November kicks off the holiday season, so this isn’t that much of a surprise. This article will highlight nine of these November holidays, both official and unofficial. It is important to know these holidays, if only to understand what everyone is doing. This is particularly the case on the unofficial holidays of Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
It is the case that three of the holidays are monuments to American consumerism, but almost everybody needs to buy presents for December’s big holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa). There are some great deals this month, and shoppers have the opportunity to support local businesses. Do you think the holiday season is overdone?
The Bounty of November Holidays
November kicks off the holiday season in the United States. There are two federal holidays among the bounty of November holidays. There are also three created holidays. Plus, there are four days you need to know. So without further ado, here are the important November holidays.
Nov. 1: Daylight Saving Time Ends
It is hoped that the reader in most of the United States remembered to fall back, that is, set their clocks back an hour. (Hawaii and most of Arizona skip the whole thing.) It is nice to get an extra hour of sleep, but everyone needed to set their clocks back. It would be bad to show up an hour early for required appointments.
Nov. 3: Election Day in the United States
Another big day in the United States was Election Day. It isn’t a federal holiday, but some states give workers the day off, and many schools close because they serve as polling places. This was a midterm election. Midterms usually have lower turnout than presidential elections; however, this year there were several important issues on the ballot in the various states. Many political observers also viewed the election as a referendum on President Trump.
Nov. 11: Veterans Day in the United States
Nov. 11 is a federal holiday in the United States. That means that federal government offices are closed and there is no regular mail delivery. In the United States, this is a day to honor and thank everyone who has served in the U.S. armed forces.
Nov. 13: World Kindness Day
Perhaps World Kindness Day is somewhat less well-known than the rest of the bounty of November holidays, but it is important. We should always be kind, and it is good there is a day to raise awareness of this. This is a worldwide observance, celebrated in countries around the globe, not just the United States. Nevertheless, it is included in the bounty of November holidays.
Nov. 16: National Fast Food Day
Another lesser-known November holiday is National Fast Food Day. In the United States, we consume a vast quantity of fast food. This is because we are all busy, and fast food is convenient. Ironically, this holiday is being recognized considering the next one.
Nov. 26: Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a quintessentially American holiday, even if Canada holds its own version in October. The holiday marks the English settlers at Plymouth, Massachusetts, sitting down for a harvest feast with the Wampanoag people in 1621. Now, people feast, and tend to overeat. They watch football and Thanksgiving Day parades (there are several, including the big Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City). Thanksgiving also kicks off the holiday season in the United States, and there are three created holidays for American consumers that happen right after it. This is the canonical holiday of the bounty of November holidays.
Nov. 27: Black Friday
The day after Thanksgiving is known in the United States as Black Friday. This one is a created holiday, but it adds to the bounty of November holidays. There are great deals, sometimes for this day only, to entice consumers. Many people start their holiday shopping on this day. There is also a tradition of families heading out to cut down their Christmas trees, and many tree farms say Black Friday is their busiest day of the year.
Nov. 28: Small Business Saturday
The shopping in the United States continues the next day, as Small Business Saturday is celebrated. Consumers, on this day, are supposed to support local businesses by buying gifts locally. Consumers often forget the small businesses in their towns, opting instead for the convenience of online shopping.
Nov. 30: Cyber Monday
Speaking of online shopping, the Monday after Thanksgiving and the finale of the major bounty of November holidays is known as Cyber Monday. Consumers on this day are encouraged to shop online, which keeps growing. Online sales now make up about 17% of all U.S. retail sales, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Conclusion: Weekly and Monthly November Holidays
With all that shopping, it is important to note that Dear Santa Letter Week is Nov. 8-14. Parents use these letters to see what their children want. This week adds to the bounty of November holidays. November is also National Diabetes Month and National Epilepsy Awareness Month, and some groups use it to raise awareness of erectile dysfunction. November is also known by some as Movember, when men grow mustaches to raise awareness of men’s health. The beards belong to No-Shave November.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
