Jingle All the Way

November 2020

Getting ready for the holidays and keeping your family healthy.

St. Peter Herald / Le Sueur County News / Waseca County News

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Jingle All The Way

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

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Regional President Steve Fisher Regional General Manager Chad Hjellming Regional managing editor Suzanne Rook Associate editor Philip Weyhe Regional director of sales Tom Kelling Advertising Kathleen Davies, Jennifer Flowers Designer Kate Townsend-Noet © 2020. Published by the St. Peter Herald, Le Sueur County News & Waseca County News. All advertising contained herein is the responsibility of the advertisers. This publication is copyrighted by the St. Peter Herald, Le Sueur County News & Waseca County News and no content can be reproduced without permission.

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Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Jingle All The Way

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Shopping locally is now more crucial than ever

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he importance of shopping locally has been emphasized with increasing urgency in recent years. Events like Small Business Saturday and Plaid Friday have brought some muchneeded attention to the importance of shopping local, which is even more crucial now as so many small businesses try to survive the pandemic.

A poll from the trade group the National Federation of Independent Business reported that about half of all the businesses in the survey reported a 25 percent drop in sales since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, and roughly one in five businesses have seen sales decline by more than 50 percent.

If the economic climate does not radically improve, 20 percent of small businesses won’t survive.

According to NBC News, small businesses employ 60 million people in the United States, almost half of the nation’s privatesector employees. In addition, small businesses generate tax revenues that

Small businesses have experienced unprecedented setbacks due to COVID-19.

By supporting small businesses, communities can help them regain stable footing.

help communities by funding schools, maintaining parks and contributing to public safety programs. However, based on research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, even before COVID-19 spread across the world, only 20 percent of healthy small businesses had sufficient cash reserves to continue to operate if they experienced a revenue loss for two months. Some have been shuttered for much longer.

Individuals looking for everything from clothing to home improvement services to office supplies can look to small businesses to fill those needs.

• Look for small businesses for any and all of your shopping needs. Chances are items sold by big box retailers also are sold by small businesses. When the options are the same or similar, purchase from a small business instead of its big box competitor.

• Readily provide recommendations of small businesses with which you have done business. Too often people are quick to complain about places that have failed them, but those same people don’t think to say kind words about companies that went above and beyond. Share great experiences on social media or through word of mouth.

• Talk to small businesses owners first if you have an issue. It’s tempting to go directly to social media to complain about

something, but such complaints can have a dire impact. Always take issues to the manager or business owner first to see if a resolution can be reached.

A manager may not be aware of an issue at all.

Give small businesses a chance to make it right before taking things public.

• If you own a small business, rely on other small businesses to fulfill your needs. Order supplies from fellow small business owners, seek the help of local financial advisors and tax professionals and use local suppliers and

delivery personnel.

Small businesses have experienced unprecedented setbacks due to COVID-19.

By supporting small businesses, communities can help them regain stable footing. n

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Jingle All The Way

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

6 ways to stick to a holiday budget

T

he holidays are an exciting, fun and joyful time of year. And for many people, the holidays also are expensive.

According to the Motley Fool Company, a financial wellness resource, the average American spent $882.45 on Christmas gifts, food, decorations, travel, and other holiday-related expenses in 2019.

Around 56 percent of gift shoppers set a budget for holiday spending, but only 64 percent stuck to it. In addition, 21.5 percent of respondents went into debt due to holiday shopping.

Who doesn’t want to have a super holiday with delicious foods on the table and lots of presents to share with family and friends? While that’s tempting, such a bounty should never result in financial peril. These six strategies can make it easy to establish and stick to a budget this holiday season.

Budget for everything. When working out holiday spending plans, factor in all of the expenses associated with the holidays - not just the most obvious, like gifts.

Costs for gas, parking lot fees, greeting cards, postage, travel expenses, and much more should be included in your final number.

Determine how much you can spend. Money for gifts and other holiday expenses should ideally come from your disposable income. Look at your finances in advance of the holiday season and figure out how much extra cash you have for the holidays, and use that figure

to determine how much you should spend. Find ways to make up any deficit by curtailing expenses like dining out or entertainment extras. Many people plan to use credit cards to pay now and worry about the aftermath later.

Only use credit cards if you have the money in the bank and can pay off the entire bill when the balance due is in January.

Set a spending limit for individuals. Based on your numbers and how much you plan to spend overall, start allocating money to categories, including gift recipients. Come up with a spending range for each person and stick to it.

Pay in cash as much as possible. It’s easy to know what you’re spending when using cash as opposed to credit. There is some risk with carrying around cash, but that risk may be offset by the benefit of spending only what you can afford to spend.

Track all purchases. Save the receipts and keep a running total of expenditures so you can see how your spending is measuring up to your budget. If necessary, scale back on one category if you’ve tipped the scales in spending on another.

Shop sales and deals. High-end stores may have the impressive tag, but their prices can set you back.

Instead, look for comparable gifts at discount stores and other retailers. Also, if you must use a credit card, use one that earns you a cash-back bonus for added savings. n

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Help isolated loved ones this holiday season

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phenomenon called “cabin fever” tends to set in around late autumn or in midwinter. Long hours of darkness coupled with cold, inclement weather often is a recipe for increased time spent indoors. For people who live alone, the effects of cabin fever might be more pronounced.

In addition to seasonal cabin fever, this year another factor comes into play: social distancing and voluntary quarantine as a result of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

Even those who may venture outside to socialize, particularly around the holiday season, may be hesitant or unable to do so to help prevent the spread of the virus. In these instances, friends and loved ones can mitigate feelings of isolation in various ways.

• Schedule video chats. Video conferencing apps have become the communication vehicles of choice during the era of social distancing. Different applications and services continue to evolve and help people stay in touch. Plan regular chats,

either once or twice per week with isolated or vulnerable people. Try to organize a large group chat on the holiday itself so no one has to spend Christmas or Chanukah alone.

• Drop off supplies. Even though supermarket shop-from-home and other delivery services have normalized somewhat since the start of the pandemic, treat individuals who may be isolated to some personalized attention. Put together care packages of supplies or holiday treats and deliver them in person so you can see the smiles that result from being able to visit with someone familiar.

• Send uplifting messages. Children or even adults can make personalized cards and mail them to loved ones at home or those who may be in long-term care facilities.

Send new mailings every week or two so that residents always have something to look forward to in the mail.

• Start a virtual club. A book club or another shared interest can be the catalyst for more frequent communication. A club

puts everyone on the same page and enables them to come together, via phone or video chat, for a discussion.

• Ask for help learning a new skill. Along the same vein as a virtual club, lessons on everything from woodworking to crochet to making favorite holiday recipes can be conducted online. Give an isolated individual

daily purpose and distraction by engaging him or her with online lessons.

Isolation and feelings of loneliness can affect anyone who normally suffers from cabin fever. However, this year it may be more pronounced, as it could be coupled with social distancing precautions that have already been in effect for some time. n

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Jingle All The Way

Gift Cards are the perfect gift.

How to give safely during the pandemic

Visa gift cards can be used almost anywhere Visa debit is accepted.

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to the COVID-19 outbreak, should be able to provide you with the same information as charities that have been around for years.

Prior to donating, ask for the charity’s name, address, telephone number, and mission.

In addition, don’t feel skittish about asking how your donation will be used and the percentage of each donation that goes to programs that directly help the people you’re trying to assist.

• Be vigilant before donating via peerto-peer social networking websites. It’s especially difficult to verify how donations made via texts or websites are ultimately used. While these can be convenient ways to donate, the OAGDC urges donors to be especially vigilant about vetting before donating to charities through these channels.

• Never donate using cash, gift cards or wire transfers.

Reputable charities do not ask for donations to be made in this way. The OAGDC advises donors to use credit cards whenever possible.

• The terms “COVID-19” or “coronavirus” do not authenticate a charity. A reputable name or logo does not mean the charity is actually reputable. Prior to donating, donors can confirm a charity is legitimate by contacting organizations such as Charity Navigator, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance or the National Center for Charitable Statistics.

Scammers will no doubt try to exploit the pandemic to take advantage of donors during the upcoming giving season. Savvy donors can employ various strategies to ensure their charitable donations end up in the right hands. n

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onations are the lifeblood of many charitable organizations.

Unfortunately, donations also can be the lifeblood of criminal operations designed to scam would-be donors.

The potential for charity scams could be even greater in 2020. Charities accept donations year-round, but the spirit of giving that prevails during the holiday season makes the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas especially popular times to donate to charity. In addition to being on the lookout for the usual scams, the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia warns prospective donors to beware of potential scams involving the COVID-19 virus.

Recognizing the challenges people in their communities have faced as a result of the economic fallout of the pandemic, donors may be more inclined to donate to charities purporting to help laid off workers, small businesses or others adversely affected by the outbreak.

That’s admirable, but prospective donors must recognize that their eagerness to support COVID-related charities may make them vulnerable to criminals looking to exploit their charitable nature. In recognition of that, the OAGDC offers these tips to men and women who are considering donating to charity in 2020.

• Be wary of recently launched operations.

Operations that were formed in response to the pandemic may be viable, but the OAGDC also warns that many have been formed by scammers looking to exploit the outbreak for their own gain. Be especially wary of crowdfunding campaigns.

• Ask questions. The OAGDC says that any charity, even those formed in response

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Jingle All The Way

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Holiday gifts for four-legged family members

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oliday shoppers who are busy making lists and checking them twice should make sure they don’t overlook the family pet.

Christmas has gone to the cats and dogs, as a greater number of people include their companion animals when selecting gifts each year.

A study by OnePoll conducted by Rover. com, the nation’s largest network of dog sitters and walkers, found that 95 percent of pet owners have bought holiday gifts for their pets. Gifts can range from everyday needs, like food and treats, to more lavish extravagances like spa treatments.

Pet owners who plan to get their pets gifts this year may want to consider some of the emerging pet trends as they browse wares and services. The Balance, a business, career and industry information site, says pet industry trends point toward these segments seeing growth.

Natural pet products Just as people are interested in protecting the health of the planet and their own personal health, so, too, are they extending this concern to companion animals. Natural

pet products, which can include natural flea and tick remedies, holistic foods, organic items, and all-natural grooming products, can make great gifts.

Specialty pet services

Mobile pet grooming Mobile pet grooming has become the norm in many areas.

Mobile pet grooming can reduce the potential stress on animals, and tends to be very convenient for customers, particularly seniors and others who have mobility issues.

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• tests to detect pets’ DNA and trace breed and ancestry, • interactive puzzles to keep pets engaged and banish boredom, • stylish storage baskets for pet toys, • hidden cat litter or dog crate items that camouflage commonly used pet items, • heated pet bed for cozy nights and mornings, and • signature vests, coats and sweaters to look good and remain comfortable.

The American Pet Products Association says the demand for high-end pet grooming and other services is substantial. In addition, personalized training, behavioral consulting, portrait photography, dog sitting, and upscale spa treatments like pet Reiki and massage are booming.

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Beyond these growing trends, pet owners have a bevy of other ideas from which to choose. Here are just a few different suggestions:

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Pet gifts are popular this time of year, ensuring all members of the family have a treat to open. n

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Unique ways to support small businesses during the pandemic

mall businesses have faced unprecedented challenges in 2020. As the COVID-19 pandemic wore on throughout the year, small businesses continued to confront the economic fallout wrought by the virus.

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the number of active business owners in the United States plummeted by 22 percent in the early stages of the pandemic. Though many businesses managed to hang on as the pandemic continued through spring, summer and fall, such businesses need their communities to continue to help them stay afloat.

Consumers have not been immune to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unemployment figures skyrocketed across the globe, and in April retail sales dropped by 14.3 percent from the previous month according to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau and Deloitte Insights. But consumer spending gradually increased in various industries over the summer of 2020. As consumers loosen their purse strings and begin spending more, they can embrace some unique ways to help small businesses in their community.

• Support struggling industries. Consumers may not typically give much thought to whether an industry is struggling before

spending their money, but doing so can help small businesses that have had an especially difficult time during the pandemic. Supporting locally owned businesses in these industries can infuse some much-needed cash into their operations.

• Think twice before buying from big box online retailers. Amazon has become such a go-to consumer resource that many shoppers forget they can comparison shop right on Amazon.com. And some consumers may be unaware that they can support small business when shopping via Amazon. When shopping for books via a site like Amazon, purchase books from independent sellers, who are often small book stores in local communities across the country.

• Purchase gift cards. Pandemic-related restrictions have been lifted in many places, but that doesn’t necessarily mean consumers are confident enough to visit their favorite stores and restaurants in person. Gift cards can be a great way to support local businesses even if you’re still hesitant to patronize them in person.

Small businesses continue to face an uphill battle as they confront the economic fallout of the pandemic. Consumers can show their support for locally owned businesses in their communities in various ways. n

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Jingle All The Way

PAGE 7

Happy Hollydaze!

Saturday, Nov. 28 The Le Center Chamber invites families to join the COVID friendly Hollydaze Car Parade! Drop your wish list off to Santa and receive a Chamber Holiday Bag. (first 75 cars) Parade starts at 6 p.m. Line up at the Le Center Middle School parking lot. For more details see the Le Center Chamber Facebook page.

For up to date local holiday events check out the following local chamber websites!

St. Peter - www.stpeterchamber.com New Ulm - www.newulm.com Mankato - www.greatermankato.com LeSueur - www.lesueurchamber.org LeCenter - www.cityoflecenter.com Waseca - www.wasecachamber.com

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Jingle All The Way

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

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