Christmas fever

 Winter has already started and the world captured the Christmas rush - people rushed to stores in time to make a bargain for the largest seasonal discounts of the year. In many western countries already in full The spirit of Christmas - Christmas markets opened, started the season sales, the streets are decorated, and many people privechayut Santa Claus...

 "Black Friday" - the first day of Christmas discounts. People took place before the opening of the store. (EPA / November 27, 2009 / Texas)

 5:00 am. A buyer who took part in the store, lay down to rest. (EPA / November 27, 2009 / Texas)

According to estimates the National Retail Federation, this year the first three days of sales will make a purchase 134 million Americans. (EPA / November 27, 2009 / USA, New York)

Only one supermarket "Harrods" on the first day sales are usually "take on board the ship" for a total of about 250 thousand people. (EPA / November 26, 2009 / England, London)

Toys are ready for sale. New Year's Eve time - traditionally busy season for manufacturers and sellers. (EPA / November 30, 2009 / Germany)

Shoppers at a supermarket in a "black Friday". During the sales shops not only reduce the price of everything - from toys to flat-panel TVs, but also increase the work - all to attract thrifty buyers. (EPA / November 27, 2009 / USA, California)

hoppers at a supermarket in a "black Friday". During the sales shops not only reduce the price of everything - from toys to flat-panel TVs, but also increase the work - all to attract thrifty buyers. (EPA / November 27, 2009 / USA, California)

Christmas decoration in a shopping mall. (EPA / November 23, 2009 / Thailand)

View of the area where the Christmas market opens. (EPA / December 1, 2009 / Germany, Dresden)

A special Christmas bread. Renowned baker Rüdiger Zopp times that for Christmas he bakes the bread 6-7 tons. The recipe he keeps closely guarded secret, even he own employees. (EPA / December 1, 2009 / Germany, Dresden)

Ready toys in a factory for the production of Christmas decorations. (EPA / November 20, 2009 / Poland)

100 000 sq. km. m, which grow trees for the holidays. (EPA / December 1, 2009 / England)

Storefront. Vendors are trying all means to attract customers. Last year's season of sales for the trade industry was the worst in a decade, but this year the world had begun to get out of the economic crisis, and the retail industry expects a slight improvement, and not in the mood of consumers. (EPA / November 26, 2009 / England, London)

Showcases with promising discounts. Sellers, for which last year was a year of unprecedented high discounts this year will try to keep the discount within reason. (EPA / November 26, 2009 / England, London)

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Morning "Black Friday". According to one version, "Black Friday" is so called because it has traditionally provided the customer flow shop profitability - puts them in a "black area" (from the black ink, which fixed the surplus in the papers). (EPA / November 27, 2009 / USA, California)

Santa Claus and an angel opened Christmas Fair. (EPA / November 26, 2009 / Germany, Dresden)

The buyer is considering Christmas toys. China is a major exporter of Christmas decorations. (EPA / November 26, 2009 / China)

Opening Christkindlmarkt - Christmas Fair. Organizers expect that up to Christmas to visit her two million people. (EPA / November 27, 2009 / Germany)

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Silliest songs

Silliest songs

Silliest songs. Thirteen-year-old Rebecca Black's slightly silly stream-of-consciousness song "Friday" became a YouTube sensation. Like Black's hit, some of the ditties on our shortlist of the silliest songs became one-hit wonders, while others are relegated to obscurity.

'Bike'
Combine psychedelic with an offbeat British sense of humor, add a cloak & a homeless mouse, and you have Pink Floyd's "Bike." Long live Syd Barrett.

'Mairzy Doats'
A novelty song from the years of World War II, it made the charts several times, once all the way to No. 1. Spike Jones did a version.

'Lumberjack Song'
It starts out as a linear narrative about lumberjacks from a famous comedy troupe, but when the lyrics go to "I cut down trees / I skip and jump / I like to press wildflowers," that's when things go hilariously awry.

'Fish Heads'
One of the members of this comedy rock duo was on this legendary outer-space TV show. Their big hit was about what fish heads can and cannot do, including play baseball, wear sweaters or drink cappuccino in Italian restaurants with Asian women.

'All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth'
It's one of the best Christmas novelty songs ever, done by a legendary entertainer. Find out how he got his stage name.

'Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh'
Maybe it's a genre. Allan Sherman won a Grammy for this camp complaint song, which employs a classic melody.

'They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha, Ha'
Critics can't decide if the singer of this novelty song is crooning about a lost lover or his dog. How did it do on the charts when it was released in 1966?

'Monster Mash'
Quite possibly the most popular silly song ever, this ubiquitous Halloween party song was created by a band that featured this legendary singer.

'Gitarzan'
One of the most successful silly songwriters ever, he had chart success with a serious religious song before the 1969 novelty ditty about a man who lives in a jungle. He is said to have had some help composing 'Gitarzan.'

'Earache My Eye'
The song-skit by an often under-the-influence comedy team features a character that's a cross between a theatrical rock star and a musical chameleon.