MEEKER | Supply chain shortages, fewer truck drivers, manufacturing glitches, toy shortages, slow-down at USPS, workers quitting everywhere … what else can go wrong?
For myself, I am already planning for food and gift shopping to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is easy to feel these holidays spring up on us and get overwhelmed. If you haven’t noticed, Christmas arrives on the fourth Saturday of December so it’s going to be a short jaunt from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas in 2021.
Hopefully, we learned from COVID to expect the unexpected. Last year everyone stockpiled yeast and toilet paper. But this year we may be struggling to find toys or get holiday gifts shipped on time.
Thus, acting like a Boy Scout–“being prepared” — can be a great asset in these still complicated, ever-changing times filled with many unknowns.
I love the Christmas holidays–the music, the tree, lights, food, cards, gift searching and special time with family and friends. I’m one of those people who starts planning early and have already been bugging family for gift wish lists this year. Yes, it is only October, but I don’t want my cards or gifts to arrive late.
Orders for the grandkids’ custom puzzles based on photos of them have been placed (don’t tell!) and an early draft of our Christmas card is underway. Catalogues have been gathered to help with gift ideas and I am already on a roll.
One of my joys is selecting an amaryllis for my mother who now resides in assisted living in Virginia. She doesn’t want much and suggests “disposal items.” The arrival of a growing plant in early December gives her something to watch and tell me about when we chat. While planning, I have a fun time sorting through all the possibilities to find this year’s favorite version for her.
Last year our holidays were compromised due to having COVID. The entire month of December was missing the usual joys. It took us two days to get the Christmas tree up and decorated because we were so fatigued. Thankfully, I had ordered Christmas cards early, so was able to mail those bit by bit.
Mailing and shipping may be challenging again in 2021. If you, like me, need to wrap and ship gifts to your grandchildren, start shopping and ordering. If you’re a card sender, like Santa, get going on your list of the naughty and nice.
Not to overlook the onset of winter! Like squirrels, we have been hoarding food and our larders are full in preparation for more staying at home and cold conditions.
I bet many of you talented bakers in Meeker have already started planning and making holiday treats. How else do all these folks produce cookies and candies for the November craft show and early in December celebrations? I am duly impressed.
My Dad was a stickler about timeliness. All our clocks were set 10 minutes ahead of the actual time, which we all knew, but it was a perpetual reminder to be timely.
Once he drove our family to an out-of-town wedding, including potential travel complications, to arrive before the bride marched in. We were so early the staff were still placing candlesticks in their holders. A disgruntled teenager, I complained to my dad that it was embarrassing to be so early.
He just said, “You didn’t want to be late, did you?”
By KAYE SULLIVAN | Special to the Herald Times
