Written by Bernie Carr
Just a quick post today, as I can’t help but wonder whether this Thanksgiving will be more challenging than in previous years.
DHS just released a new terror warning
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) just released a new terrorism warning. Although they stated they are not aware of any threat to any specific locations, the DHS indicated:
Through the remainder of 2021 and into 2022, domestic violent extremists (DVEs), including racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists and anti-government/anti-authority violent extremists, will continue to pose a significant threat to our homeland. Of note, DVEs and those inspired or motivated by foreign terrorists and other malign foreign influences will continue to exploit online forums to influence and spread violent extremist narratives and promote violent activity. The ongoing global pandemic continues to exacerbate these threats. Further, foreign terrorist organizations and DVEs continue to attempt to inspire potential followers to conduct attacks in the United States, including by exploiting recent events in Afghanistan.
Source: DHS.gov
Supply chain issues
We’ve been discussing shortages and supply chain issues for a few months now. Many people are seeing empty shelves due to the trucker and dock worker shortage (among other reasons).
Everything will cost more
Supermarket News stated that Thanksgiving food shopping will be harder this year. There will be fewer promotions and deals:
The combination of fewer deals and more out-of-stocks will push shoppers to substitute items across key Thanksgiving categories — such as buying fresh desserts in place of frozen ones — go to other stores to find the products they want, IRI said. The researcher added that it’s seeing early indications of that scenario popping up in other Thanksgiving-related categories — including cranberries and stuffing — as the holiday approaches and demand spikes.
SOURCE: Supermarket News
Inflation has just reached a 30-year high, and food prices alone rose 0.9%.
You may have to find substitutes for your favorite Thanksgiving items, and expect to pay more.
Flights may be cancelled or delayed
Millions of people fly to be with family or friends during Thanksgiving, but this year there may be a good chance their flights will be delayed or cancelled. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been warning about staffing shortages since June – even to the point of asking office workers to volunteer at airports. With the vaccine mandates being enforced, the TSA and airlines may face even more staffing shortages while dealing with the busy holiday travel season.
Even driving will cost a lot
If you choose to drive instead of fly to visit your family in another city or state, you’ll feel the pain at the pump with gas prices at their highest level in years.
Virus triple threat
In addition to the above, COVID-19 is still very much around, and now severe colds and flu are back to also cause misery.
What can you do?
To address our original question, “Will Thanksgiving 2021 be tougher than previous years?” It does seem so.
A lot of people are anxious and worried about the future. But can only worry about things we can control. All we can do is be flexible and adapt to the new reality. We may have to get more creative in stretching the food budget as well as in making substitutions.
Continue to be aware of what’s going on but don’t let it overwhelm you. Now is the time to learn a few new skills. And of course, we all need prepare as best as we can for hard times ahead.
We are an affiliate of Amazon.com, which means we received a small commission if you click through one of our Amazon links when you shop, at totally no cost to you. This helps keep the lights on at the blog. Thanks!
Bernie Carr is the founder of Apartment Prepper. She has written several books including the best-selling Prepper’s Pocket Guide, Jake and Miller’s Big Adventure, The Penny-Pinching Prepper and How to Prepare for Most Emergencies on a $50 a Month Budget. Bernie’s latest e-book, FRUGAL DIY has just been released on Amazon. Her work appears in sites such as the Allstate Blog and Clark.com, as well as print magazines such as Backwoods Survival Guide and Prepper Survival Guide. She has been featured in national publications such as Fox Business and Popular Mechanics. Learn more about Bernie here.
Photo credit: Pexels Pixabay
Seems like everything is challenging the past few years. All we can do is try to hang onto what’s most important as our standard of living drops. For people who haven’t tried it yet, apps like Zoom are easy to use and can help you keep in touch with family if you can’t afford to or don’t want to travel. If I can learn it, anyone can 🙂
To address some of the shortages and price increases, we sat down and figured out what each person really felt made the Thanksgiving meal special. We discovered what everybody really wants is turkey, stuffing with gravy, pumpkin pie and cranberry jelly. So we’re going with the cheapest vegetable available, whatever bread or rolls we can make, and just having the one dessert. Simpler to prepare and clean up and we won’t have tons of leftover food to freeze and use up. After years of making all sorts of sides and putting out an elaborate meal, it was interesting to find out there were only a few traditions we really care about.
Looks like it’s time for us all to have the mindset that some things won’t be available and start planning Christmas right now. I think last-minute shopping isn’t going to work out this year. It’s a big change for a lot of people not to find just what they want, or maybe it’s there but not at a price they can afford. Time to encourage each other to focus on what really matters so we still have good memories even if the holidays look different this year.
I was feeling sorry for myself not finding some presents and ornaments I wanted, then I looked back at old photos and realized my great grandmother’s Christmas was beautiful and fun and spiritual but she didn’t have a big box store to shop at, or money during the Great Depression to put a pile of presents under the tree. She decorated with what was around the house and outdoors, made sure the kids all had something under the tree and in their stockings, and the adults either exchanged very small gifts or did without. They enjoyed the kids’ excitement, Christmas carols, getting together for coffee and whatever pastry or bread they could afford, and just enjoying the sights and sounds of the season. That’s something I’d like to bring back at my house. Everyone have a wonderful holiday!
Hi Mme Homebody, Having a family discussion on what’s important is a great step toward making everyone’s holiday feel special in spite of having to tighten the belt financially. Also good to get the presents done now, whether homemade or store bought. I agree with you, looking at past Christmas celebrations does show it doesn’t have to be all about material things. We can all still have a meaningful holiday experience by simplifying and focusing on what’s important. I appreciate your comment!
I did the Thanksgiving food shopping this weekend (13th). Turkey was $0.49/lb. I checked my wife’s records (yeah she actually keeps a year’s worth of receipts in monthly order. OCD) it was the SAME as last year. There was a one bird limit. That’s fine, I went back on Sunday and bought another and put it in the freezer. Yes, other items were more expensive than 2020. Sausage was up $0.65. Most veggies were up between $0.15 to $0.20. I did find most everything but had to store hop. All three stores had missing items but at least one store would have the missing items. Example: We normally buy Hot Sausage, but none were to be had in 3 different stores (Walmart, Winn Dixie and Aldi’s). I got the Mild and will add Cayenne Pepper to taste…no biggie.
Yes, this husband goes food shopping and does pretty good after “training” from my wife of 25 years. She’s at home dealing with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
Hey FLAPrepper1, That is interesting, the prices vary widely by state. Glad turkey prices are affordable in your area. That’s great you do food shopping, sorry to hear about your wife’s chronic illness. Thanks for the comment!