Gray Area Friday

The hype was unprecedented. The sales, not so much. The big holiday shopping weekend was decidedly mixed for retailers, online and off. Even though more people shopped, purchases were down 2.9 percent? What does that mean for you. More hype. More sales. More holiday season inbox madness.

+ The Holiday Smoothie: Alexis Madrigal on a high-end blender and the anatomy of a Cyber Monday hustle.

+ Want to buy the 12 days of Christmas? Here’s what it will cost you. You might want to consider replacing the dozen drumming drummers with a gift card.