For many, the days between tomorrow (Thanksgiving) and next Monday (Cyber Monday) signify an acceptable time for excessive eating, drinking and shopping, not to mention the beginning of many homes turning into gaudy wonderlands of wasted fossil-fuel-generated energy. Mmmm, turkey, Christmas lights and football…

Turkey Thursday**

272 Million
The preliminary estimate of turkeys raised in the United States in 2007, up 4 percent from 2006
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

7.2 Billion
The weight in pounds (lbs.) that the turkeys produced in 2005 together amounted to, valued at $3.2 billion
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

46 Million
The preliminary estimate of turkeys that Minnesota — the top state in turkey production — expects to raise in 2007
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

$9.5 Million
The value of U.S. imports of live turkeys during the first half of this year — 99.5 percent of which came from Canada, which accounted for all the cranberries the U.S. imported ($2.2 million)
Source: Foreign Trade Statistics

13.1 Lbs.
The quantity of turkeys consumed by the typical American in 2005, with a hearty helping devoured at Thanksgiving time
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2008 (upcoming)

144,086
Number of certified organic turkeys on the nation’s farmland, as of 2005, most of which were in Michigan (56,729) or Pennsylvania (48,815)
Source: USDA Economic Research Service

500
The number of companies, with combined annual revenue of $40 billion, in the poultry-processing industry
Source: Hoover’s, Inc.

$3.86 Billion
Forecast 2007 receipts to farmers from turkey sales
Source: USDA Economic Research Service

99 Cents
Cost per lb. of a whole frozen turkey in December 2006
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2008 (upcoming)

690 Million Lbs.
The forecast for U.S. cranberry production in 2007, essentially unchanged from 2006 and 11 percent more than 2005
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

4.5 Lbs.
Per capita sweet potato consumption in 2005
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2008 (upcoming)

114.4 Million
Number of households across the nation — all potential gathering places for people to celebrate the holiday
Source: Families and Living Arrangements: 2006

**Much of this data was compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau

Black Friday

$153
Those who plan to shop on the day immediately after Thanksgiving say they will spend more overall on their holiday purchases — $790 compared to $637 for all shoppers combined, or a $153 difference.
Source: Maritz Research

15.1%
Percentage of total 2007 holiday revenue that Black Friday sales are expected to account for
Source: BDO Seidman, LLP

Cyber Monday

54.5%
Percentage of office workers with Web access planning to shop at work on the Monday after Thanksgiving, up from 50.7 percent last year and 44.7 percent in 2005
Source: Shop.org/BIGresearch

12.3%
Percentage of this holiday’s Internet sales that Cyber Monday is expected to account for
Source: BDO Seidman, LLP

72.2%
Percentage of online retailers planning a Cyber Monday promotion — ranging from special e-mail campaigns (one-third of Internet shops) to one-day sales (30 percent) — up from 42.7 percent two years ago
Source: Shop.org/BizRate Research

Hey, folks, we’re closing down IMT until next Monday. We’ll be on the clock, but we’ll be spending that time putting the finishing touches on next week’s big Design issue. So, until Monday, might we suggest some more Thanksgiving bloggage at Turkey, Gluttony, Retail and Remainders. Happy holidays, and be safe!

Cheers.