Who needs Black Friday when you have Cyber Monday?

Did you see reporter Louis Llovio's story today about the effect (or lack thereof) that Black Friday has on small, local retailers?

While the masses descend on area shopping malls and chain stores today, other retailers are gearing up for their day in the sun - on Monday.

They're online retailers, and they're hoping that you'll all rush to work on Monday, browse to your favorite dot com, and order massive amounts of Christmas gifts.

See, a few years ago, a marketing association began calling the Monday after Thanksgiving "Cyber Monday" - a PR campaign based on the myth that the day brought in sweeping sales numbers.

A couple years ago, BusinessWeek discovered that the day wasn't even in the top 10 of most online sales for the year (in reality, it was about No. 12). The story even attempted to trace the "Cyber Monday" myth to its roots.

It might be a moot point now: the National Retail Federation says enough online retailers are behind the idea this year to offer some can't-miss discounts.

And you don't even have to worry about parking or waking up at 4a.m.

Will you do most of your holiday shopping online or in person?

Much as I like the idea of click-click-clicking my way to a stress-free holiday, I can't seem to bring myself to give up the thrill of the hunt.

-JACKIE SAUTER, Multimedia Editor