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Holiday shopping officially began four days ago on Thanksgiving Day and it just keeps on going… Today is Cyber Monday. And experts say it’s shaping up to be a big one.

Like Black Friday, Cyber Monday is a marketing creation, born out of the increasing use of Internet on the job. Historically, people would head back to work on Monday where the Internet connection was better and faster, and do their online shopping at their desks. But that was back in 2005. Nowadays, your handheld device has enough connectivity to let you do your shopping on the go. As a result, some suspect that the fire surrounding Cyber Monday may start to burn out.

USA Today took a look at comScore numbers, showing that Americans are expected to spend another $1.5 billion today, up 20 percent from last year. But online shopping is now taking place across a more dispersed amount of time. Consumers spent $663 million on Thanksgiving Day, up 32 percent. CBS News reports that 57 million people have already gone online to shop during Black Friday, with sales topping $1 billion for the first time. And “for the holiday season-to-date, comScore found that $13.7 billion has been spent online, marking a 16% increase over last year,” USA Today writes.

In addition, retailers are trying to cut off e-commerce sites at the pass. “In an effort to get a leg up on online retailers and each other, many brick-and-mortar retailers — including some of the biggest, such as Walmart — opened their stores as early as 8 p.m. the day before this past Black Friday, and advertised their deals online in the days and weeks leading up to the event,” reports Mashable.

In other words, you can shop anywhere, anytime, using almost any device you can get your hands on. So Cyber Monday may one day be just another day online. But if today is your shopping day, here’s a list of deals.

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When it comes to this time of year – you know, the “official” start to the holiday season – fancy feasts and festive holiday parties mean good times…and GOOD FOOD. It’s all too easy to over-indulge, making way for yet another New Year’s resolution to work off all the pounds you put on in just a few short weeks. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you plan and take a proactive approach to managing all of the temptation of holiday treats around you, you can still have a merry ole time that doesn’t involve gorging yourself.  We know it isn’t easy, but try these 10 things to help you maintain your weight and keep from stuffing yourself and still remain in the holiday spirit.

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Any awkwardness that occurred at your Thanksgiving dinner table likely had nothing on what went down at Halle Berry’s LA home yesterday. In one of the worst celebrity Holiday custody exchanges ever, Halle Berry’s fiance, Olivier Martinez, 46, and the father of her child,36-year-old Gabriel Aubry, ended up in the ER after they got into a Thanksgiving tussle at her home. Gabriel was subsequently arrested and booked in jail, and I’m going to assume when all was said and done nobody had any Turkey.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ … Gabriel showed up to Halle’s house with Nahla for a custodial hand-off. We’re told Gabriel was still in the motor court (a rich person’s word for a giant driveway) when Olivier walked up to him and said, “We have to move on.”

According to witnesses, Gabriel then pushed Olivier and threw a punch at his face, but Olivier blocked it and the punch struck him in the shoulder instead. We’re told Gabriel then pushed Olivier to the ground, and Olivier cold-cocked him in the face, and a struggle ensued, ending with Olivier pinning Gabriel to the ground.

In the struggle, Gabriel suffered a broken rib, contusions on his face, and possibly a more serious head injury. Olivier may have broken his hand and suffered neck injuries as well. There are conflicting accounts as to whether Gabriel was rendered unconscious in the fight.

Police were called and Olivier made a citizen’s arrest for battery against Gabriel. Gabriel was escorted to the ER and, ironically, Olivier went to the same ER an hour later. The two were just down the hall from each other.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ … a judge has issued an emergency protective order, which requires Gabriel to stay 100 yards away from Halle, Olivier, and Nahla.

Am I wrong for thinking, Gabriel, that’s what you get for trying to roll up on somebody for a Turkey Day beatdown?

According to TMZ’s timeline, at around 3:30 pm PST, Gabriel and Olivier were released from the hospital. Gabriel was taken into custody, while Olivier went back to Halle’s. Two hours later, Gabriel was booked for misdemeanor battery and his bail was set at $20,000. Apparently he had it because just one hour after that he was released from custody.

I have no idea how this whole situation is going to be explained, but the good thing is, sources told TMZ that Halle rushed Nahla inside the house when her dad and soon-to-be step-father starting going at it. I’m pretty sure the Berry thanksgiving was still horribly ruined but at least the little girl didn’t witness any of the brutality. At this point I’m still shaking my head at two grown a** men going at it in the driveway. Celebrities are not immune to family foolery on holidays.

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This will probably make me sound like an a—hole, but shopping bothers the bejeezus out of me. Seriously. Nothing is more of a hassle to me than shopping. Childhood memories of being trapped in the fitting room with my mom at Lane Bryant and haggling with street vendors with my aunt have scarred me for life. The trying on of clothes and testing of appliances and checking of prices and negotiation of discounts is nothing short of tedious and annoying. So it should come as no surprise that the Black Friday tradition is the equivalent to my idea of Kryponite. I try to avoid it at all costs.

But doesn’t every girl want to be a glamazon like Tyra or RuPaul? Or even an online style maven like Karla Deras or Patrice Grell Yursik? Not I. According to my mother I have always been a stubborn goat about shopping, baby dolls and dress up. She’s the complete opposite – she’s the type that likes to go to the mall just to walk around and look at people. For her Black Friday is like a perfect trifecta: crazy acting people, low prices and shopping. Me? I’m more likely to identify with some e card picture that everyone is posting on Facebook, lamenting the fact that Black Friday pressed-ness has taken over the ‘thankful’ spirit of Thanksgiving. What is it about price manipulation on electronics that whips people into such a frenzied state? Are your kids really going to be using the stuffed animals and gadgets you’re fighting other soccer moms for six months after Christmas? Is it really that serious? Maybe I’m lazy, but can’t you just cop it on Amazon and have it delivered to your door? What is the real root of the desire rush out and buy things you’ll have to return anyway?

The whole shebang must have some appeal other than ‘low, low prices.’ People must enjoy throwing ‘bows over overpriced Bose systems. Maybe the cardiovascular exercise shoppers get from powerwalking/racing other customers for the last of the Vikram 5 finger shoes helps them work off grandma’s pecan pie. Maybe folks just dig the camaraderie that comes with standing together thirstily waiting for Best Buy to open. Or maybe some people just love the thrill of the hunt. Whatever it is, it’s disturbing the balance of the holiday season schedule. For the first time in my life stores have been putting out the Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. At this rate Black Friday will get pushed back to July by 2025. Insanity. STOP THE MADNESS.

Something about huddling in the cold and dark just to get a product, whatever it is, makes me feel claustrophobic, like I literally cannot breathe. Even if you get that $50 sweater for $40, it was probably made for $2 overseas by someone making $0.50 a day.  I’m not here for the shoving and the trampling that in the end make people like the Waltons even richer. I’m not here for the desperate commercials aimed at making people feel like they have to spend all their money on holiday presents just to feed the Black Friday machine. What I am here for, though, is forgoing the mall and taking some extra time to hang out with my grandparents. I’m here for reading to my god-brothers and little cousins and learning how to make auntie’s famous oyster stuffing. Thanksgiving is for family, food and friendship, not fisticuffs over the Fall deals at Filene’s.  And if I end up having the urge to blow some cash on Christmas/Kwanzaa/Hannukah gifts, best believe that I will be doing it from the comfort of my home on Cyber Monday.

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Newark Mayor Cory Booker is joining the ranks of the millions of people who use food stamps to pay for their groceries — at least for a week. This past Sunday, Booker challenged one of his Twitter followers, a 39-year-old mother from North Carolina, to join him on a seven-day food stamp experiment. The challenge came after a back-and-forth discussion following a tweet by Booker that said: ‘An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics’ Plutarch ancient Greek historian (c. 46 – 120 CE),” reports UPI. The follower, who is a self-described “Daughter of the American Revolution (DAR), fighting against any and all forms of socialism/communism,” took issue with the tweet.

The University of Bridgeport, which is holding the “UB SNAP Food Challenge” next month, offered to referee the Booker challenge, which will happen December 4 through 11.  Booker plans to document his efforts on various social media platforms.  According to the rules, reports BET,  it has been stipulated that each person has a total budget of $35 to spend on food and beverages, which is $5 per day or $1.66 per meal. They also can’t accept food from outside sources, such as family, friends and work, and cannot use food that’s already in the home, excluding condiments and spices.

It has been estimated that there is a likelihood that half of all adult Americans between the ages of 20 and 65 will use food assistance at some point.  Today a record number of people — nearly 50 million – will use food stamps to pay for their Thanksgiving dinners. According to United States Department of Agriculture data, 36 percent of participants in the food stamp program are white, 22 percent are African American, 10 percent are Hispanic, two percent are Asian, four percent are Native American, and 19 percent are of unknown race or ethnicity.

Typically, food stamp recipients get $133 a month per person. Besides holiday meals, many recipients are using their stamps typically to purchase foods with poor nutritional value. The federal food assistance program SNAP pays $1.7 billion to $2.1 billion for purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages every year, reports The Los Angeles Times.  But the government doesn’t reveal details on what people spend their food stamps, notes the Washington Post.  Food stamps can be spent on goods ranging from candy to steak, says the newspaper.

While we don’t know what Booker will buy with his stamps, we do know this seems to be another move by Booker to take a hands-on approach to governing. You may recall that during Hurricane Sandy the Mayor invited  people without power over to his house. Mayor Booker’s hands-on approach was actually greeted with boos and a near pepper spraying last night when he stepped in to cast a vote to fill a city council spot with someone that other members and people in attendance didn’t agree with. You can watch the mayhem below (h/t Slate).

It’s almost that time of year again–not Black Friday, but the day before. You know, the time where families share laughs over a Turkey missing a head and other delicious fixings we love to devour on Thanksgiving. And while it can be nice to see family all together, some family members can be an irritating mess. If one isn’t letting their children drive everyone crazy, somebody is inquiring into why you don’t have a ring on your finger and a baby on your hip. It would be okay if these people didn’t make you want to scream every year, but we all know nothing will change but the year. So get your mind right and ready for these 14 interesting characters you might see on Thanksgiving day.

A group waits in line at a California job fair this summer. AP Photo/Nick Ut

The holiday season is here (as of Thursday), with droves of shoppers looking to spend their extra cash on the latest gadgets, toys and big purchases. And while the economy might seem a bit more stable when it comes to driving consumers, many still struggle with unemployment. As 7.9 percent of Americans face the possibility of unemployment during the holiday season, the craziness of the popular consumer season sparks an increase in seasonal job openings.

According to the Tribune Chronicle’s TribToday, retailers nationwide “are expected to hire 585,000 to 625,000 seasonal workers this holiday season, according to estimates by the National Retail Federation.” So if you are still in search of a job, or looking to earn a little more money for extra spending or expenses, try your hand at getting a seasonal position for the holidays.

It’s like Christmas! Or better yet, Thanksgiving.

On November 22, aka, Turkey day, ABC will present Michael Jackson: BAD25, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Michael Jackson’s BAD album, courtesy of filmmaker and friend of MJ, Spike Lee. The documentary will take a look at old concert footage, the making of the “Bad” video with Martin Scorsese, “Smooth Criminal” and “The Way You Make Me Feel” video, as well as never before seen footage in the studio with Quincy Jones. And of course, we’re going to get some exclusive tour footage, which will be amazing!

Can you tell I’m excited?

After checking out this trailer, I’m pretty sure you’ll be as well. All of this is to of course celebrate the 25th anniversary of the making of this very popular album. Makes me want to go listen to “Another Part of Me” right now…

Be sure to check out the whole shabang on Thanksgiving at 9: 30 p.m. EST. Will you be tuning in?

By Charlotte Young

Wondering where all your money went? Perhaps you spent it during “Cyber Week.” While you may be complaining that you have no money to take a trip to the mall, judging from “Cyber Week’s” performance, the recession is over in Cyber World.

The Washington Business Journal reports that in the week after Thanksgiving, online shopping sales scored a record setting level at nearly $6 billion. “Cyber Week,” which runs from the Sunday before Cyber Monday through Saturday Dec. 2, saw three of the largest online spending days ever.

Reston, Virginia-based company comScore gathered the data of the record-breaking week. Cyber Monday broke the record with the largest percent of sales during the week with a total of $1.25 billion worth of purchases. Following right behind was Tuesday, Nov. 29 with a total of $1.12 billion in sales and Wednesday, Nov. 30 came in at $1.03 billion.

According to the New York Times, Cyber Monday sales surpassed Black Friday spending by 29.3 percent. It also beat last year’s Cyber Monday spending of $1.03 billion purchases, the fourth largest online spending day on record.  Online spending has been up across this year’s holiday season with an increase of 15 percent since last year and a total of $18.7 billion of sales.

The spending demonstrates that consumer confidence is up. The New York Times report also states that unemployment decreased to 8.6 percent and small businesses created 55,000 jobs this past November. The additional jobs have popped up just as the season of giving has arrived and sale signs grace the windows of every store.

But why the huge interest in online shopping? comScore points to retailer’s free shipping incentive. In a separate annual holiday shopping survey conducted by the group, only two percent of those surveyed said that they would make an online purchase despite the shipping cost. About 36 percent of consumers revealed that not only was free shipping “very important” to their online shopping decision, it in fact was the factor that closed the deal.

It seems more and more retailers are cashing in on the survey’s observations. Along with historic online sales, retailers are offering free shipping in record levels. Although it may get difficult for the avid online shopping spenders, don’t get too caught up in free shipping and online shopping deals. Try to bring some of that money over into the New Year.

The average person more than doubles their daily calorie intake to 4,000-5,000 calories during Thanksgiving, and with Christmas around the corner, food keeps coming. For that reason, we are notorious for packing on pounds during the holiday season.

With all of the yummy sweet potato pies and juicy fried turkey floating around, it seems a bit unreasonable to restrict one’s self to the usual diet. So, to make up for that second scoop of cornbread dressing and gravy, I recommend increasing physical activity. There are plenty of fun ways to do it without doing the traditional, boring mess: