As promised last time, I’m going to take a break from the doom and gloom and how every single thing that’s happening is going to hurt you financially in some way and focus on some good stuff instead.
Usually around this time of year I talk about holiday budgeting and that sort of thing, but I’m not even going to talk about that today. Just the good stuff.
I know it can be hard to find the good stuff with all the bad clamoring for attention, but I guarantee you there’s some out there.
1. Gobble up that turkey. The average retail price of a turkey is significantly less than last year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. The AFBF did a survey and found that the average price for a 16-pound frozen turkey is $21.50, which is $1.34 a pound, 16% less than it was last year.
Notice, though, I said retail price. The wholesale price of a turkey has increased from last year, the third straight year with an increase. Stores are using turkeys as a classic loss leader to get you in the door to buy everything else you need for Thanksgiving, too. That means you should shop around if you haven’t bought the turkey yet (a little late, aren’t you?) The fact that the wholesale price is up means that some stores will have better deals than others.
2. Retailers are lowering prices for the holiday shopping season. Several national retailers have announced that they’re lowering some prices – mostly groceries and household items – to help out budget-conscious consumers. Of course, it’s not as simple as it sounds, but there will be actual deals if you pay attention.
The store getting the most attention this is Target, which announced earlier this month it’s lowering prices on more than 3,000 grocery, beverage and household goods to help families stretch their budgets farther. Target also donated $500,000 to Feeding America.
Lost in all this, of course, is the fact the retailer suffered a major hit after shoppers started staying away earlier this year because of the company’s acquiescence to the anti-DEI and Pride atmosphere that’s being encouraged by the current presidential administration. It wants customers to come back. Target said that its deals might not be available at all stores, and just because some items are lower in price, doesn’t mean all of them are, so be a savvy shopper.
Walmart, too, is lowering prices, including on 20 “key” grocery items, good through Dec. 25.
Both retailers, along with others, have trumpeted the fact that their Thanksgiving food basket is less expensive than it was last year. Walmart, of course, was outed by journalists who found that yeah, the food basket is cheaper, but it has fewer items and more store brands than it did last year. I haven’t seen anything that compares what’s in Target’s to what was in it last year, but the shopping tip of the day is don’t think you’re getting a deal on something that’s “cheaper” until you know exactly what you’re getting.
You’ve probably heard the word shrinkflation. That’s when the price of a product doesn’t increase, or even decreases, but you’re getting less product.
One good way to save some money this holiday season is to not take any “deal” at face value. Look at what you’re actually getting, and decide if it’s worth it.
3. Christmas tree (real ones) prices aren’t going up. The cost of a Christmas tree is not expected to increase this year. A survey found that most growers – 84% – don’t plan to raise wholesale prices and some even plan to lower them. This news comes from the Real Christmas Tree Board, which promotes real trees, as opposed to artificial ones. Still, their prediction about prices is supported by other market analysts who have less of a stake in the game. There was a good crop of healthy trees, and Christmas trees have a shelf life. They have to be cut and, once cut, have to be sold. If there are a lot, they’ll be sold for less.
The real tree industry this year is also boosted by an increase in prices for artificial trees, many of which come from China, and are subject to tariffs.
4. Plenty of toys for everyone. A survey by the National Retail Federation found that the top toys that shoppers will be looking for this year are Legos, Barbie, Hot Wheels “and a doll.” What is this, 1973? It’s nice to know that the old standards still have what it takes and everyone won’t be in a frenzy to get some hard-to-find must-have piece of manufactured crap that’ll be broken in two weeks.
But you know what else that survey says to me? Kids are easier to please than we give them credit for. I know there are still kids out there who may desperately want that ONE BIG THING. But we, as adults, can find ways to steer them away from the constant drumbeat of consumer brainwashing and give them a more balanced view of the world, materialism and how to have fun. Take it from the girl who always got Skipper, because Older Sister got Barbie. It was fine. Fine! It may be too late to change kids’ attitudes about consumerism for this year, but give your kids credit, and start on them soon for next year.
Maybe part of that change of attitude involves grownups taking a step back, too, and considering what’s important instead of giving in to the shopping and materialism frenzy.
That brings us to…
5. Shopping local is never a bad thing. Increasingly over the past decade or so, I’ve really skewed toward shopping local. At first it just seemed like “the right thing to do.” As the years have gone by, I’ve discovered the many benefits. Here are some of them:
- I think more about the person I’m buying for and what they’d like when I shop local. It’s different from going online or to a big box and grabbing something I saw an ad for, or just picking some random thing off a rack. I consider things a little more. It makes for better gifts.
- I spend less. Seriously! When I’m thinking more about the recipient and what I’m buying, I often find fairly inexpensive things that come with a lot more bang.
- I experience the holiday season in a happier way. It’s so much more relaxing and fun to shop at local stores, see and chat with people, get a cup of coffee with a friend, and all that comes with actually getting out into the community, than to rush around a crowded mall or sit on the couch alone staring at online shopping sites for hours.
- I enjoy shopping itself more. All the things I’ve listed, as well as the feel-good aspect of helping out my neighbors and community members by shopping at their store, is much more of a lift than doing it the other way.
- It helps the community. The money spent at a local small business stays in the community, with that business owner and their employees. It boosts the local economy and makes the community more vibrant.
Saturday is Small Business Saturday – sometimes called Shop Local Saturday. It’s basically the same thing. No matter where you live, there are likely promotions and events to motivate shoppers to shop at local small businesses. Keep in mind that you don’t need a special promotion to check out shopping downtown, your village center, or even that store out in the middle of nowhere that you drive by all the time and think about stopping at, but never do.
Manchester makes Small Business Saturday an event that includes a kickoff party. There’s a lot going on across the city, not just downtown.
One event in Manchester I’m excited about is the BAPOC Holiday Marketplace at the Olive Grove Event Center, 201 Hanover St. It will bring together a variety of handcrafted goods, artwork, food vendors, and specialty items, as well as music, a hot chocolate bar, and more. It sounds like a great and festive place to browse for holiday gifts you didn’t even know you were going to buy.
An event like the marketplace is about more than just shopping. It’s a chance to experience and support community, get out of your space or head and do something different.
In Nashua, the Winter Stroll is Saturday, when Main Street is closed for the festivities. The afternoon and evening includes the tree-lighting, ice skating, snow-tubing, vendors, live music, food trucks, and other events at the newly renovated riverfront Renaissance Park and other spots downtown. Of course, there are tons of local businesses open and ready to welcome shoppers and diners.
The best antidote for holiday stress is to relax and enjoy what’s going on around you, in a community that you’re part of and that’ll love you back in a way a retail box store just won’t.
If I had only one piece of consumer advice to give this year, it would be that: Don’t stress out about shopping. Get out, get local, be part of something. Make the season something to feel good about. The shopping will come, but won’t be the point. And that’s the point.
You can reach Maureen Milliken at mmilliken@manchesterinklink.com.