Will This Holiday Season Bring Hope or Horror?
by
Terrence Shulman
Another month is in the history books. November is gone and November arrives. The U.S. just surpassed 50 million confirmed Covid cases and over 800,000 deaths since early 2020–almost two years ago. And we’re seeing a spike again in Covid cases in almost every state. Oh, and there’s the new South African Covid varian “Omicron” which mutates beyond measure.
The 2021-2022 Farmers Almanac Weather Prediction for the United States is that the upcoming months will bring “a season of shivers.” “This coming winter could well be one of the longest and coldest that we’ve seen in years,” the publication’s editor Janice Stillman said in statement. But NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has just released the 2021-2022 winter outlook and said that The United States should expect a warmer than normal winter across the eastern and southern regions, with an equal chance for above average or below average precipitation With Thanksgiving over, Chanukah just starting, and Christmas less than a month away, the holiday season–and holiday shopping season–are in full-swing! And while I’m no longer shoplifting (hopefully) and not planning on spending too much time, energy or money on gifts, I am welcoming the distractions the holidays bring: even though I’m still addicted to politics, the polarized heat might cool a bit at least until the new year starts (at least, in part, because our hard-working politicians will be home and not in Washington, D.C.).
As long as the supply chain unclogs a bit and the continued scourge of “smash-and-grab” and “flashmob” shoplifters don’t swipe everything off the shelf, most Americans will fill ourselves with cookies and toys we snatch in stores, online, through QVC, or pirate from our next-door neighbors’ porches!
We might as well enjoy the last month of this crazy year which started off with a literal bang on January 6th because the start of 2022 likely will see the January 6th Commission hit its stride with its investigation of the ramp-up to that fateful day. Plus, the 2022 mid-term election campaign onslaught will shift into highgear.
Our democracy remains on the brink! Two-Thirds of Republicans still feel the 2020 election was stolen. The January 6th Capitol Insurrection House Investigatory Committee is heating up. Voter laws and voting procedures for the 2022 election are in major flux. Reproductive rights are up-in-the air. And the culture wars around face-masks, vaccinations, school safety, and many other issues are white-hot!
The holidays will either be a welcome distraction and salve or another round of relatives avoiding each other… or both.
We may temporarily soothe ourselves with shopping, spending, gorging ourselves with food and booze, and just ride out the next two months until the new year.
What kind of individual and collective “new years resolutions” will we make… if any?
Our nation is at on the brink of another civil war that could reach a level beyond verbal vitriol. A house (or country) divided against itself cannot stand. We need a miracle… And if ever there was a time for miracles, hopefully this holiday season is the time.
But I’m not holding my breath…
To use a common addiction-recovery concept: we are insane and out of control and need to hit bottom to surrender, shift, and embark on a fundamentally different mindset and action path.
Another aspect of the addiction-recovery journey which applies to our political times is that we must move from denial to truth. As former (deceased) New York U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan put it several decades ago: “You’re entitled to your own opinion but not to your own facts.” An obvious problem in today’s politics is we can’t even agree on what the truth is.
God, if you’re out there.. please help save us from ourselves.
Happy Holidays everyone!
HOW TO HAVE COVID-SAFE HOLIDAYS FOR ALL!
With the coronavirus pandemic continuing into a second holiday season, the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention appeared to have released updated guidance over the weekend for those looking
to celebrate safely.
But the portion of the agency’s website reflecting holiday guidance, refreshed on Friday, was taken down
on Monday.
“The content is in the process of being updated by CDC to reflect current guidance ahead of this holiday
season,” CDC spokeswoman Kristen Nordlund said in a statement. “The page had a technical update on
Friday, but doesn’t reflect the CDC’s guidance ahead of this upcoming holiday season. CDC will share
additional guidance soon.”
The page, which remained through the weekend, said the safest way to celebrate remains virtually or
outside.
“Attending gatherings to celebrate events and holidays increases your risk of getting and spreading COVID19,” the guidance read. “The safest way to celebrate is virtually, with people who live with you, or outside
and at least 6 feet apart from others.”
But for those who wish to still gather indoors when outside is not an option, the CDC recommended
bringing fresh air in.
“If celebrating indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible,” its holiday celebrations
guidance stated. “You can use a window fan in one of the open windows to blow air out of the window. This
will pull fresh air in through the other open windows.”
Here is what the CDC recommended before the page became inactive.
For “safe celebrations”:
- Host a video chat party with family and friends to share in the celebration.
- Plan a special meal with people who live with you inspired by the holiday or event.
- Have an outdoor celebration with everyone at least 6 feet apart.
- Watch virtual events and celebrations.
- Drive or walk around your community to wave to neighbors from a safe distance.
- Take a food or gift to family, friends, and neighbors in a way that does not involve contact with others,
- such as leaving them at the door.
- Throw a virtual dance party and collaborate with friends and family on a playlist.
- Celebrate outside with neighbors and friends.
- Attend a virtual ceremony or celebration.
For making in-person celebrations safer:
- Get vaccinated when you are eligible.
- Know when to wear a mask.
- If you are not fully vaccinated and aged 2 or older, you should wear a mask in indoor public places.
- In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings.
- In areas with high number of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings
- and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.
- Outdoor activities are safer than indoor gatherings.
- Have conversations ahead of time to understand expectations for celebrating together. Do not attend or host a gathering if you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19.
- If celebrating indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible. You can use a window fan in one of the open windows to blow air out of the window. This will pull fresh air in through the other open windows.
- Thinking of traveling for the holidays? Here are some recommendations:The CDC recommends that those who are not fully vaccinated delay any travel plans.
- If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, here are the CDC’s Domestic Travel or International Travel recommendations for unvaccinated people.
- If you will be traveling with unvaccinated people, such as children younger than 12 who are not eligible for vaccines, follow recommendations for unvaccinated people and choose the safer travel options.
- Everyone, even people who are fully vaccinated, will still be required to wear a mask on public transportation.
ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS BY STAYING SAFE FOR YOURSELF, YOUR LOVED ONES, AND EVERYONE!
Holiday Shopping 2021:
What To Expect, Early Sales And Tips To Find The Best Deals
The Holiday 2021 sales have already kicked off but this year, it’s especially important that you plan ahead to avoid the well-known shipping delays and stock issues impacting shoppers. Read on for tips to make your holiday shopping a success.
Shipping and Stock Issues for 2021
As we all remember, holiday shopping last year in 2020 had plenty of challenges and many of those same issues are still causing problems a year later. The supply chain issues that have been going once since the pandemic began have not resolved. Not even close.
According to an article from WRAL TechWire, “Manufacturers are wrestling with bottlenecks at factories and key ports like Long Beach California and all points in between. Furthermore, labor shortages in the U.S. have made it difficult to get stuff unloaded from ships and onto trucks.”
In addition, the United States Postal Service is implementing new service standards which will involve longer first-class mail delivery times for some mail and cuts to post office hours.
Plus, just to make things even more interesting, there is a global shortage of computer chips which could keep consumer electronics prices higher until the middle of 2023, WRAL TechWire wrote.
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Individual retailers are getting creative this year. Target, Costco, Walmart and Home Depot have all chartered their own container ships, in an effort to avoid delays, according to Today.com. For consumers, this means that early shopping and deal hunting are the best ways to ease your stress regarding product availability and help you stay within your holiday shopping budget.
Shopping Trends 2021
The biggest trend for 2021, as you can probably guess, is shopping early. Shoppers are also highly interested in free shipping offers, online shopping, curb-side pick-up and of course, finding the best price.
RetailMeNot.com conducted a consumer survey of more than 1,000 US consumers and found that holiday shoppers are getting an extra-early start this year.
According to the survey:
- 83% of holiday shoppers indicate they’ll get started before Thanksgiving and 30% say they’re starting even earlier than they did last year.
- 52% off respondents indicated that they were shopping online more and 32% responded that they were shopping on mobile more.
- 41% off those taking the survey shared that they feel nervous that gifts getting shipped to them will not arrive before the holidays.
- Consumers will be splitting their holiday shopping about 50/50 between in-store and online shopping.
- Shoppers feel very strongly about getting free shipping for the holidays.
- Shoppers plan to spend 15% more than they did last year — $885.76 on average, up from $766 in 2020 and $738 in 2019.
- Shoppers are most likely to spend more money with a retailer during the holiday season if they provide free shipping, have the lowest price on a gift they need to purchase and provide the best sales and discounts throughout the season.
- Top shopping items this year include apparel, gift-cards, toys and small electronics.
See the full survey atRetailMeNot.com.
8 Tips for Finding the Best Deals in 2021
For some products, simply finding the item is considered a win. Top electronics and gaming systems that are next to impossible to find, in part due to the chip shortage, will not be deeply discounted this year.
The good news is that many retailers have already rolled out highly competitive early holiday sales including Amazon, Walmart, Target and more and you can find great deals right now on top toys, electronics, clothing, items for the home and more.
Here are 8 tips to conquer the challenges of Holiday Shopping 2021:
- Shop early: Yes, there it is again. But seriously, it’s especially imperative this year that you understand the importance of purchasing sooner than later, if you actually want your gifts to arrive on time.
- Consider gift cards or vouchers: Many retailers offer online gift cards that are sent to the recipient in a matter of minutes. You’ll have no worries about late gifts or out of stock items. As we get closer to the holidays, look for restaurants and retailers that offer Bonus Cards when you buy a gift card. For example, a restaurant may offer a Bonus Card for $10 if you buy a $50 gift card. The Bonus Card will usually have a specific redemption window, but they are a nice extra if you are already buying gift cards to give as gifts.
- Amazon Gift Cards Offer: Now through December 18, first-timeAmazon Gift Card shoppers will receive a $10 promotional credit with the purchase of $50 or more in Amazon Gift Cards, while supplies last, according to a statement from the company.
- Groupon offers discounted vouchers for massages, restaurants, hair blowouts, rock climbing, martial arts classes, fitness classes, car washes, movies, paintball, distillery and brewery tours, car detailing, and more!
You can print out the voucher after purchase and the recipient can use it any time before it expires. See the current deals at Groupon.com HERE.
3. Take advantage of holiday price matching: Multiple stores will price match during the holidays and the new Holiday Price Match Guarantee at Target is especially competitive. It started on Oct. 10 and lasts until DEc. 24, 2021.
“If you purchase an item in store or online and the price goes lower at Target on or before December 24, 2021, you can request a price match. Proof of purchase is required for price adjustments,” the Target website indicates. Target will also continue matching select competitors’ pricing within 14 days of purchase.
- Sign up for discounts: Many retailers will offer a discounts up to 35% off when you sign up for e-mail newsletters, mobile apps and reward programs. You may want to get a free e-mail address just for these deals if you don’t want them flooding your inbox. Sites like Retailmenot.com offer coupon codes for many retailers.
For instance, in previous years during Black Friday week,Kohl’s has offered their best Kohl’s Cash ,promotion of the year: $15 Kohl’s Cash for every $50 you spent. Plus, if you were a Kohl’s Rewards member, they have offered high value percent off coupons to stack with the Kohl’s Cash promotions. Sign up now for the rewards programs at your favorite retailers so you get the best coupons to use during the holiday sales.
- Score free shipping: One of the best ways to save when ordering online is to make sure you do not pay for shipping. Many websites offer free shipping if you spend a minimum amount. Some stores offer free shipping with no min. purchase, like Amazon (if you are a Prime Member),Walmart (if you are a Walmart+Member) or Target (if you have a Target RedCard).
Some retailers will also offer free shipping if you have an item shipped to their store. You can then pick it up at customer service in the store or request curb-side delivery, which I have used at Kohl’s many times.
- Use online price comparison sites: Price comparison sites like Honey and Google Shopping allow you to see the price of an item at various stores so you can find the best price at any given time.
- Use your rewards card: If you are paying with a credit card, use the card that offers you rewards that you can later redeem for travel, gift cards and more. And of course, make sure you pay your balance in full each month so you don’t incur any interest.
- Be flexible: This year, you may not be able to find every item on your gift list. If you have a back-up plan and can be a little flexible, you’ll be able to snag the better buys when you see them. The less flexible you are regarding specific brands and popular products, the more you may have to pay, if you can find the items at all.
HAVE A SAFE MONTH AND REMEMBER: LIFE IS WHAT WE MAKE OF IT!