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How To Tackle The Holiday Season Sustainably To Help Protect The Planet 

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The holiday season is busy for all of us, and in the US, it’s expected that spending will hit a record high this year. According to the National Retail Federation, 2025 is set to be the first time America collectively spends over $1 trillion on gifts during the last month of the year. 

One thing that often gets overlooked during the chaos of the holidays is how much waste and planet-warming gases are emitted into our atmosphere due to increased manufacturing, traveling, one-time material use, and more. 

There are many easy ways, however, that we all can help make the holidays greener to help give our planet the gift of environmental protection. 

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Going homemade can not only become a fun holiday activity and tradition, but it helps reduce waste. Sandra Goldmark, associate dean of Columbia Climate School’s Office of Engagement and Impact, told AP that one of her favorite gift-giving options is providing an act of service for a loved one. She gave the example of how one year, her husband took the time to organize all of her passwords for her, something that may seem mundane to some, but is so personal and helpful it became one of her favorite gifts. 

“It was not something easy to wrap and put under the tree, but believe me, it was meaningful and really helped me more than any additional object cluttering up my home could have,” she told the publication.

Something more general that everyone enjoys is the gift of good food. A trend that has been taking over the holiday season in recent years is buying ingredients in bulk and packing them in Mason jars. Cookie mix, soup mix, spices, bread starters, and more can be easily packaged in cute jars which can then be adjourned with ribbon, stickers, and cute recipe labels. 

Goldmark also emphasized that by simply buying less stuff, we work towards a greater sustainability goal. “The advice starts out simple: Buy less stuff. The best way to give gifts more sustainably is to buy fewer new things.” 

Additionally, gifting experiences rather than a physical gift has become more and more popular in recent years. Concerts, local festivals, spa days, museums, zoos, etc. all are great options and it’s been shown that having experiences together work to strengthen relationships even further than material gifts. 

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“There is so much that you could do by just saying, ‘I would prefer if you just made me a nice meal or took me out for some sort of adventure,’” said Atar Herziger, environmental psychologist.

Sustainable living educator Sarah Robertson-Barnes recommends looking into secondhand gifts as they involve less manufacturing, packaging, and shipping. 

“I bet somebody has the thing that you’re looking for and they would love to get rid of it. We do have a weird cultural thing where new is better and used is gross. I suggest reframing used gifts as vintage,” she said.

Herziger said “secondhand options might be received better when they’re items that can’t be bought new, such as a family heirloom or a collectible that isn’t produced anymore.”

“Focus on items that are high-quality, long-lasting, repairable and really needed. That ensures that it’s worth investing in and reduces the chance that it gets returned. Look to buy locally, rather than ordering online, to reduce how far it travels,” Goldmark stated. 

Finally, every year millions of pounds of wrapping paper end up in landfills, and a lot of it can’t be recycled due to the fact that many pf them are made with non-recyclable materials. There are, however, plenty of recyclable wrapping paper options out there, just make sure to check labels when you buy them in store or specifically search for it if you’re ordering online. 

Gift bags have also long been reused, especially ones that are intricately designed, so when it can call for it, opt for a bag over paper to wrap up your gifts. 

Getting creative with your wrapping paper is also a great option. Newspaper and brown paper offer a unique aesthetic to your gifts while making it easy for the recipient to recycle them afterwards.

flights

Airlines Slash Routes as FAA Faces Staff Shortages During Government Shutdown

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Airports across the country are facing turbulence, and it’s not the kind that comes from the sky. Following the Trump administration’s announcement of a 10 percent reduction in air traffic at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports, airlines and travelers are now scrambling to adapt.

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US Airlines Gearing Up For Record-Breaking Air Travel For Thanksgiving 

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US airlines are expecting record breaking travel demand this year for Thanksgiving, with multiple executives across many airline companies gearing up to prepare for the influx in travel.

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Airlines Commit to Providing Meals and Hotel Rooms After Canceled Flights

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Pete Buttigieg, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, put pressure on major airlines to improve their customer service policies when passengers face flight disruptions.

In a letter to the CEOs of major airlines, Buttigieg requested they provide meals if there is a flight delay for more than three hours and hotel accommodations for overnight cancellations within the airline’s control.

“When passengers do experience cancellations and delays, they deserve clear and transparent information on the services that your airline will provide, to address the expenses and inconveniences resulting from these disruptions.”

The Department of Transportation also revealed an online dashboard last week which gives passengers information on which airlines provide accommodations in case of a cancellation or delay. Buttigieg notified airline executives that the department would unveil the dashboard by Sept. 2.

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DOT officials claim that leading airlines made significant policy changes within two weeks of unveiling the dashboard. According to Buttigieg, the dashboard acts as a “tool for transparency” and is not intended to shame the airlines.

If airlines fail to keep their obligations, passengers may file a complaint.

The airlines currently listed on the dashboard include Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and United.

If a cancellation or delay were to occur, the dashboard checks if the airline will rebook the passenger on its airline or another airline at no cost. It also checks if the airline will provide meals or meal vouchers if flights are delayed three or more hours and pay for overnight hotel accommodations. It even lists if the airline will cover transportation from and to the hotel.

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Data from the Department of Transportation shows that in the first six months of 2022, roughly 24% of domestic flights were delayed, while 3.2%  were canceled. Since the start of June, more than 45,000 flights have been canceled.

The statistics became so dire that the attorneys general of 40 states banded together to write a letter to congress about the aviation industry’s inability to live up to its responsibilities to customers.

“The mistreatment of airline consumers is a bipartisan issue—one that requires immediate action from federal lawmakers. Flying is essential to millions of Americans as they go about their personal and professional lives and is critical to our local, state and national economies. Customers booking airline tickets should enjoy a reasonable expectation of being treated fairly, respectfully, and consistently under the law throughout all interactions during their experience with the airline industry.”

The upcoming holiday season will strain the current system further. Due to staff shortages, airlines have been reducing their scheduled number of flights. For their July schedules, 11 major U.S. airlines trimmed their schedules by 19,000 flights.

Buttigieg said that the department would fine airlines if they do not fulfill the obligations they claimed on the dashboard. However, it would be one small part of “a bigger framework.”

Cyber Monday Sales Drop For The First Time Ever In 2021

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This Cyber Monday, consumers spent upwards of $10.7 billion collectively on deals from their favorite online retailers. However, according to data from Adobe Analytics, this total marks a 1.4% decrease when compared to the lowest amount spent during Cyber Monday on record. 

Adobe Analytics initially began tracking e-commerce in 2012, and analyzes more than 1 trillion visits to retailer websites. This year’s tally for Cyber Monday marks the first time that the company has recorded a slowdown in spending on a major shopping day during the holiday season. 

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Last Cyber Monday wasn’t much different either, with consumers spending about $10.8 billion online. Last year was more predictable, however, as we were still in the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, and most people weren’t leaving their house or in a position to spend a lot of money for the holidays. 

Adobe is still expecting that throughout the rest of this year’s holiday season, online retailer’s will see a relative increase in e-commerce activity. More shoppers have been opting to spread out their orders when it comes to holiday shopping to make it easier to pay off certain gifts. 

Between November 1st and Cyber Monday consumers in the US alone have spent about $109.8 billion online, which is an 11.9% increase from last year’s numbers, and the previous year’s. The company is anticipating digital sales to reach $207 billion by the end of the year, which would represent a record hain of 10%. 

Adobe reported that the Cyber Monday sales stats aren’t exactly surprising either. As previously mentioned, more shoppers have been spreading out the days in which they spend their money, as opposed to waiting for “Cyber Week” (Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday) to get all their shopping done. 

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Many larger online retailers have seen these patterns, and have even gone as far as to offer Black Friday deals all autumn and winter. Adobe reported that retailers made about $8.9 billion in online sales this Black Friday, and about $5.1 billion in online sales on Thanksgiving Day. 

According to data from Sensormatic Solutions, another retail tracker, shopper traffic on Black Friday was up 47.5% when compared to last year’s numbers, however, it was still down 28.3% when compared to 2019/pre-pandemic levels. 

“With early deals in October, consumers were not waiting around for discounts on big shopping days like Cyber Monday and Black Friday,” said Taylor Schreiner, director at Adobe Digital Insights.

Adobe predicts that online retail trends will continue to fuel the market throughout the holiday season as deals on major retail websites like Amazon, Target, and Walmart continue to push “Black Friday Deals” throughout the entire holiday season.

Santa on Video Call

Santa Claus Is Staying Safe By Video Chatting Nice Boys And Girls For Christmas This Year

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Santa’s opting for a more “work from home” approach to speak to all the boys and girls who made it to the nice list this year. 

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Using Technology To Keep In Touch Over The Holidays 

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The holidays are obviously going to be much different this year. As most of us have already experienced with Thanksgiving, taking advantage of the multitude of digital tools out there that keep us connected with our loved ones has been the best way to keep the holidays alive this year. Since we won’t be able to celebrate Christmas and all the other holidays normally this year, it’s time to start planning some digital festivities to keep the positive spirit up!

First, choose a good medium to use to connect you with your loved ones. As most of us know at this point, Zoom is one of the best platforms for video-chatting with multiple individuals at once, however, for most users they’re limited to a 40-minute time-stamp for video calls which then prompts users to create a new room and send out the link again. On Thanksgiving, Zoom removed the 40-minute limit so that families could talk for an unlimited amount of time, and while they will likely do this again at some point for Christmas, there are other platforms one could easily use too. 

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Google Meet doesn’t require any additional software to be downloaded onto your device, you just need a Google account. FaceTime also allows for over 30 individuals to be in a call at once, so if you and your loved ones all own Apple devices this is another great option for you to connect. 

Next, make a nice set up for your device. Chances are you don’t want to spend the whole night sitting at a table or desk and talking with your family, so set it up in a comfortable spot in your home that makes it feel as though your entire family is in the room with you. If you have a smart TV or streaming box of any kind, you likely will be able to stream your device’s screen onto the television. By setting up your computer where the TV is as well, it will seem as though your entire family is at the center of your space.  

If you’re alone for the call, or can manage it with multiple people, wear headphones for the call. This way you’re able to move throughout your space and still hear everyone clearly, assuming you own wireless headphones. Additionally, most video-chatting platforms work better when the users wear headphones in terms of audio feedback. 

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For most platforms, when one individual is speaking, everyone else’s mics are typically muted, so sometimes the audio can sound really choppy when multiple people are trying to speak at once. If everyone’s wearing headphones, this problem is much less persistent. 

Make it a full on event and sync up a cocktail hour, appetizer, and dinner time with your family. By having and sticking to a schedule, it will really feel like you’re all together and celebrating at once. If you want to take it a step further, try to sync up the entire menu so that everyone is eating and enjoying the same meal. This is a great way to keep any holiday traditions alive in terms of the meal and what you and your family tend to create together. 

Finally, have fun with it. Maybe set up some digital holiday games that everyone can enjoy within their living rooms, or set up a secret Santa drop off so that everyone can open their gifts to one another on screen in front of the individuals who got them the gifts. Just because our holidays are looking different this year doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice any of the joy and spirit that makes this time of year so magical.

These Retailers Are Celebrating Black Friday Early This Year

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With the Covid-19 pandemic throwing a major wrench in the way we all shop, many major retailers throughout the country are deciding to start their Black Friday deals online and early to give consumers ample time to take advantage of the year’s biggest day of sales. And since it’s still early in the holiday season, getting all of your shopping done now will make for less stress later. 

Abbio: The week of October 23rd to October 30th Abbio kitchen is offering its customers 25% of the entire site as a part of the brand’s pre-Thanksgiving VIP sale. Just use the code ABBIOHOLIDAY25 at checkout to receive your deal. Additionally, if you miss this round of sales, from November 26th to November 30th Abbio will be offering 25% off the entire site again for Black Friday/Cyber Monday, simply use code ABBIOBF25 at checkout. 

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Best Buy: Best Buy has already started their holiday season with their daily Deal of the Day. This type of promotion is typical for major retailers like Best Buy during the holiday season, as it gives consumers something to look forward to in regard to waiting for something they want to go on sale. As the name suggests the item on sale changes everyday, but so far Best Buy has offered savings on amazing technology such as the Bella Pro Series 8-quart air fryer, Nixplay digital photo frame, Wakeman camping tent and Conair Hot Air Brush Styler. 

Dell: If you’re in the market for a new PC laptop or computer this holiday season look no further than Dell. Dell is known already for being one of the most affordable and well-functioning brands in terms of their personal computers. The company has already begun rolling out some Black Friday deals on their monitors and other various electronics; currently laptop models are on sale for up to 28% off!

Home Depot: If you have a handy individual in your life you’ve most likely shopped at Home Depot for gifts before, or maybe you just need to pick up some new materials for a home improvement project and you don’t want to break the bank. Either way, Home Depot is already offering a multitude of holiday sales, their biggest has yet to come, however. From November 6th to December 2nd Home Depot will be offering deals on holiday decorations, appliances, tools, and more. You can even pre-order your Christmas Tree now to make it less stressful for you come December!

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Lowe’s: Keeping up with the home improvement theme, Lowe’s is also offering a bunch of holiday deals this year. Like Best Buy, Lowes has begun offering one-day Cyber Steals to motivate customers to check their website everyday for what the daily deal might be. So far the savings have reached up to 40% on select appliances and home renovation items!

Macy’s: Macy’s is known for being one of the go-to establishments on Black Friday, and this year they’re carrying that energy into their online Black Friday deals; which will officially begin on November 16th. Macy’s will have sales in every single one of their departments as usual. 

Target: Target will begin offering their Balck Friday deals throughout the entire month of November with discounts on home goods, clothing, accessories, electronics, and even groceries. Starting on November 29th customers will be able to preview the stores weekly Black Friday Now deals that will last for the entirety of the holiday season. Also, this year Target is introducing price-adjustments from November 1st to December 24th on any item that’s advertised as a Black Friday deal but offered at a lower price online or in store. 

Walmart: This retail giant normally always starts their Black Friday deals early in the season to ease some of the pressure of the actual day. Walmart is starting their deals on November 4th and will progressively add more and more as time goes on until it’s actual Black Friday.

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Is Blue Monday a Myth?

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After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, there never seems to be much to look forward to in January – especially Blue Monday, known for being the “most depressing day of the year.” This cheery title is given to the third Monday of the first month, which this year falls on the 20th, and is taken on with glee by marketing companies across the globe. But while January may not be your favorite part of the year, that doesn’t necessarily mean there is any truth to the Blue Monday theory.

So what are the perceived “reasons” for Blue Monday? After the excitement of the holiday season, many people are now fully back in the swing of normality with no escape from the office anytime soon. The weather’s cold and dark, you may well be fighting off a cold, you may be short on money, having spent it all on gifts last month and whatever was left has been spent in the January sales, so you can’t afford to cheer yourself up with some retail therapy. You may have already given up on your resolutions and you’re now feeling guilty, sounds cheerful, right?

These all seem like reasonably notable factors, but it is fair to say each variable can change dramatically from person to person. For example, the weather varies a lot around the planet, one individual may have done a better job of planning their finances than another, and many people maintain their New Years resolutions well past January.

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In reality, Blue Monday has no real factual basis. The term was originally used in relation to the first month of the year by psychologist Cliff Arnall in 2005, as part of a marketing campaign for now defunct Sky Travel – the idea was to sell more vacations by encouraging people to avoid the “blues” by planning a new adventure instead. The intention was never to make people feel depressed about what is, in reality, a fairly arbitrary date, but instead to inspire them to book a trip and have something to look forward to.

There may be an unintended, damaging side effect of the Blue Monday concept as well. With so much talk about how January as a whole is “depressing”, it has been noted that some individuals that already struggle with low mood may find their symptoms worsening – almost as if they are “expected” to feel grim and gloomy about the date in question. Many people worry about the buildup to Blue Monday, and may find themselves putting in extra effort to get through the day, or feeling pressured to act a certain. The combination of a number of negative factors along with an anticipation of pessimism have, for some, turned Blue Monday into a day to be feared.

Since 2005, Blue Monday has evolved from a run-of-the-mill marketing promotion, to becoming an established piece of the modern cultural lexicon. Today, Blue Monday strikes a curious balance – for some, it’s simply a gloomy day in an unexciting month, for other it provides new reasons for people to talk about mental health, and for a number of businesses it provides fresh marketing opportunities just after the holidays.

Whether there is any truth behind the Blue Monday theory or not, it’s safe to say that January can be quite a struggle for many people. So what can you do to stay positive in the most miserable month of the year?

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Take inspiration from the source
Since Blue Monday was originally conceived as a marketing opportunity for a travel company, there’s no reason why it couldn’t still have the desired effect. By booking even a small vacation you will give yourself something exciting to spend your time looking forward to, and you can easily distract yourself with all the planning.

Make a charitable donation
Donations don’t have to be financial – in fact, almost anything can be donated. It’s likely that your home is looking a bit more cluttered after the holiday season, but this provides you with the perfect opportunity to give the things you no longer need to someone that might find a better use for them. The positive feeling that comes with helping others is sure to brighten up a gloomy month.

Learn a new skill
Even if you missed out on making a New Years Resolution, it doesn’t mean you can’t find an excuse to try something new. Taking on a new challenge and achieving goals will give you a sense of triumph and positivity, whilst also keeping you busy during the quieter months.

Reconnect with an old friend
With the busy Holiday season out of the way, January is the perfect excuse to catch up with friends in a more relaxed environment and with time to socialize. Plus, it may not just be you that is feeling low this month – by reaching out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, you could help to perk up their month as well.

Holiday Cookies

How To Avoid Overindulging During The Holiday

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The holiday season is meant to be a time of overindulgence on all things Christmas. There are twinkling lights everywhere, huge trees with piles of presents underneath, and of course food as far as the eye can see. So many individuals create a New Year’s resolution to get fit after all of the amazing homemade meals they eat during the holiday’s. However, since many gym memberships are eagerly taken out then forgotten about from January 16th on wards, it just seems like taking some preventative measures during the holiday’s might be the easiest option.

1 – Make sure you eat a healthy breakfast

While the appeal of a huge cooked breakfast can be a great way to start your Christmas Day, why not opt for something healthy such as fruit, porridge or even Greek yogurt? By eating a healthy breakfast you should feel less inclined to over indulge for the rest of the day.

2 – Do some exercise

Instead of standard forms of exercise like heading to the gym or doing a workout video (although you can if you really want) why not go for a family walk? Head out and about in your hometown and see what’s happening in your area. Or if you have a games console, why not have a dance competition? Even better, play some Christmas songs loud and dance to your heart’s content. Not only will the exercise be good for keeping you feeling healthy, it can also help keep your stress levels down too.

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3 – Be Mindful Of What You Eat 

This is definitely not something you want to hear over the holidays, but it may be an idea to think twice about that fourth bowl of ice-cream or some more stuffing balls. By chewing slowly you not only get to enjoy your food more, savoring the taste of each mouthful, but your body will also be able to tell you that it is full, stopping you from feeling bloated later.

4 – Be prepared

If you have long breaks between activities, such as traveling to a relative’s house or even during a church service, make sure you pack some healthy snacks to keep you going. You can also keep a bowl of them at home too. I do not mean boring food either; fruit and nuts can be a great way to keep you going until the main event.

5 – Take a nap

It is a well known fact that a good night’s sleep can help you maintain your weight. A sleep deprived body produces higher levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that can increase your appetite. If you are unable to get a good night’s sleep in the lead up to the day, try taking power naps and making sure you are as refreshed as everyone else.

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6 – Fill up before you head out

An old one but a good one. If you are heading out to a party or event, make sure you eat healthily before you go. This should reduce your temptation for any of the sugary or fatty foods that may be offered as well as reducing your need for a takeaway on the way home. An added bonus is that if you are pleasantly full you should soak up a bit more alcohol, meaning your hangover may not be as lethal the next morning.

7 – Choose your drinks wisely

Many alcoholic drinks have hidden calories but these can easily be avoided without ruining your favorite beverage. Opt for the low-calorie or slimline options when having a mixer or even try some of the low-calorie alcoholic drinks that are now available on the market. As always it is a good idea to try and alternate between alcohol and water to reduce the potential of a hangover the following day.

8 – Stop picking!

Food will most likely be everywhere and it is easy to pick up bits here and there. However, if you are hungry, stop what you are doing and have a plate of food. Not only will it help you keep track of what you are eating it can also curb any emotions created by being hungry.

9 – Enjoy yourself

It may seem like I’m suggesting not allowing yourself to have any fun this holiday season, but that’s not the case. To make sure you have the best of everything why not start as you mean to go on; preparing a healthy Christmas dinner and being mindful of things such as the way you cook your vegetables, the type of meat you choose and the desserts you have to offer, allows you to have all the fun without any of the worry.