Famed Whiskey Distillery Sets out to Make Jack Daniel’s Birthday a National Holiday

(BUSINESS WIRE)--As Americans go to the ballot box to vote for their party of choice this fall, the Jack Daniel Distillery is asking for support for a true independent -- Mr. Jack himself. In celebration of his 160th birthday this September, the “Back Jack” campaign will call on the U.S. Congress to make Jack Daniel’s birthday a national holiday and will seek supporters through a nationwide petition drive.

“It’s going to be a bit of a long shot, but we think there are plenty of Jack Daniel’s friends out there who are going to get behind our efforts to honor this legendary man.”

The man who pioneered the world’s best-selling whiskey was born in Lynchburg, Tenn., in September 1850, but due to the passage of time and fires, no one knows the exact date of his birth. While the folks at Jack Daniel’s typically just celebrate any day of the month, they decided that Mr. Jack’s independent American spirit, entrepreneurial success and worldwide recognition make him worthy of his own national holiday.

“We certainly realize there are plenty of very serious things going on in the country, but we also think folks should have a little fun with this particular campaign,” said Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller, Jeff Arnett. “It’s going to be a bit of a long shot, but we think there are plenty of Jack Daniel’s friends out there who are going to get behind our efforts to honor this legendary man.”

The “Back Jack” campaign will have a number of components:

Grass-roots Petition Campaign

From California to Maine, Florida to Washington state, Jack Daniel’s will ask its friends ages 21 and up beginning September 1st to sign the petition calling on Congress to establish a national holiday in honor of Mr. Jack’s birthday. Supporters can sign up at JDBDay.com; via Facebook and text message; at bars and other locations; and, in select cities, at the Jack Daniel’s campaign bus. At the end of the month, petitions will be delivered to Washington, D.C. and the rest will be up to our political leaders. Since we don’t know the exact date of his birth in September, whatever day Congress chooses will be fine with the Distillery.

Virtual and Viral Campaign

The official campaign headquarters for the “Back Jack” effort will be located online at JDBDay.com. From there, fans will be directed to a special Facebook application where they can sign the petition as well as see and share viral video, view a map of state-by-state campaign support, earn badges and improve their “delegate” status by getting friends to sign the petition. Those who aren’t on Facebook can virtually sign the petition by texting JDBDay to 68405. In addition, supporters should look for the Jack Daniel’s Birthday JAGTAG in various locations to view an exclusive campaign video through their mobile device.

Campaign Bus Tour

The “Back Jack” campaign will really get rolling in mid-September with a bus tour leaving from Lynchburg, Tenn., and traveling to Washington, D.C. The bus tour will collect signatures in 10 cities and will culminate on Capitol Hill at the end of September, where brand representatives will deliver the signed petition to Congress. Among the cities currently slated for campaign rally stops are Lynchburg, Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York and Washington, D.C.

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Consumer Reports: Avoid Return Gotchas Before Buying a Gift

/PRNewswire/ -- Even the most fool-proof gifts are subject to returns. In fact, 19% of people plan on returning a gift after the holidays, according to a recent Consumer Reports poll. But returning items may not be as easy or affordable as in years past. Holiday headaches will last long after the season is over, as return shipping costs, restocking fees and other gotchas prevail.

Most retailers have perfectly reasonable return policies, but some are better than others, according to Consumer Reports senior editor Tod Marks. "With so many stores selling the same or similar merchandise, where you buy can almost be as important as what you buy," said Marks, who pens the "Tightwad Tod" shopping blog on www.ConsumerReports.org. "However, there is good news: Most big retailers will generally accept returns on merchandise purchased between November and Christmas through the end of January."

Hassle-free return tactics

Because even the best gifts don't always fare well with recipients, it's best to be prepared before the purchase is made. Check privacy policies and terms of agreement, not just the returns section of a retailer's site. Consumer Reports also recommends shoppers should:

-- Get a receipt or gift receipt. Despite longer grace periods, retailers
are becoming more insistent on a receipt in order to get a refund, and
they're more inclined to turn away customers without proof of
purchase. Without a receipt, they may offer a store credit for the
lowest price the item sold for.
-- Keep packaging intact. Stores are likely to refuse a return if the
packaging materials are open or discarded. Even a missing instruction
manual, cords and cables or warranty card can give retailers reason to
deny the return.
-- Be wary online. Don't just throw it in a box and mail it back. Online
returns usually require a packing slip (typically included in any gift
order), and a return authorization number. Call ahead to ensure that
all requirements are being met.
-- Don't break seals or cut out UPC codes. Items like computer software,
video games, CDs and DVDs aren't generally returnable for another
title after the seal has been broken. If an item comes with a rebate
offer, make sure it works before removing the UPC code to redeem the
rebate.

Don't get stuck paying restocking fees

A restocking fee is a fee imposed on a consumer who returns an item. It covers the cost of processing the return, the costs associated with returning the item to the store's shelves, and any lost revenue as a result of the store's inability to sell that item as new. More products carry a restocking fee if the package has been opened, but if the item is defective before it's used, the store should not charge a restocking fee.

Typically fees range from 10 to 15 percent of the purchase price. Items more likely to have restocking fees include camcorders, TVs, digital cameras, and computers; however Consumer Reports found some not-so-hot returns policies that harbor a variety of restocking fees, including:

-- Amazon.com: 15% restocking fees for computers and fine jewelry.
-- Best Buy: 15% restocking fees on laptops, camcorders, digital cameras
and GPS navigators.
-- Bidz.com: 15% restocking fee on all items. Plus shoppers have only 15
days to return items.
-- Sears: 15% restocking fee applies to electronics products returned
without the original box, used, and without all of the original
packaging. The penalty also applies to some other products.
-- Home Depot: special-orders and some cancelled orders are subject to a
15 percent restocking fee.
-- Macys: 10% restocking fee on furniture.
-- Newegg.com: 15% restocking fee on all major purchases if the box is
opened.


The bottom line when it comes to restocking fees: Don't open the package unless there is no possibility of a return.

The best policies

Consumer Reports scanned various policies at a number of notable retailers and found the return period ranged from 30 days to as many as 180 days. Standout retailers to make Consumer Reports' list for best policies include Bed, Bath & Beyond, Bloomingdale's, Costco, Ikea, Kmart, Kohl's, Lowe's, Nike, Nordstrom, Piperlime.com, Sam's Club, and Shoebuy.com.

Some chains offer exemplary policies year round including Orvis, LL Bean, Land's End, and Zappos. All four retailers will take back unwanted merchandise, no questions asked. Zappos gives you a year to decide and asks that the goods be returned in their original packaging and condition. The others simply say you can return anything at any time for any reason.

Major retailers: what to expect

Wal-mart allows for 90 days for a full refund, except for electronics (it's 15 to 45 days depending on the gadget). Target grants 90 days for a refund with a receipt (some electronics have a 15% restocking fee). An even exchange is offered without a receipt, up to $70 worth of merchandise within a year.

Sears has a 90-day refund or exchange policy for most goods, 30 days on electronics, customized jewelry and other items including mattresses. Macy's has a number of limitations on items from furniture to jewelry.

Online retailers like Amazon.com and Overstock.com have strict limitations on what can be returned. For example, Amazon does not allow computers to be returned after 30 days and Overstock doesn't accept returned TVs over a certain size.

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When The Recession Hits Santa

/PRNewswire/ -- Parents hard hit by the recession may wonder how to explain to their children why there aren't as many presents under the tree this year.

Christy Buchanan, professor of psychology at Wake Forest University, reminds parents that "children, in their heart of hearts, don't want a lot of things from their parents as much as they want love from them and time with them. In the long run, it's love, shared time, and quality interactions that they'll remember."

"The problem is we often express love through gifts," says Buchanan, who studies parent-child relationships and teaches courses on effective parent-child relations. "We worry they won't feel loved if we don't provide material things."

She offers a few suggestions for families who are cutting back this holiday season:

-- Don't be overly apologetic for what children are not getting. Although
it's okay to acknowledge a child's desires or even disappointment,
parents are encouraged to focus on those things for which the child
and family can be grateful.
-- Parents should try to be upbeat and positive. If they are, children
are more likely to be positive. Focus on the gift of time. Think about
what the family can do together that is fun and memorable and treat it
like a gift.
-- Leading up to Christmas... Instead of going shopping, design time
around what your kids enjoy and make that special. Make plans to bake
cookies and drink hot chocolate, play a favorite board game, or shoot
hoops at the park.
-- Try to minimize exposure to commercials and marketing. The more
children see, the more they think they want and are more likely to be
disappointed.
-- For younger children who expect Santa to bring lots of presents,
small, inexpensive gifts like a ball or a game can be the basis for
fun, family time on Christmas Day. Shift the focus to a fun activity
and away from items that may be missing from under the tree.
-- For teenagers, things often become more important. But, teens are also
old enough to understand when parents explain that money for expensive
items just isn't in the family budget this year. For the items they
most want, parents can work with them on a longer term plan to save
for those things.
-- At all ages, parents should convey a confidence that things will be
okay.
-- Parents should not make promises they cannot keep. They should be
honest with children about what they can or cannot afford.
-- If a family is having to cut back, a parent can use the opportunity to
emphasize that their relationships are the most important thing.


"It comes down to communication," Buchanan says. Parents can look for ways beyond presents to convey their love for their children.

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Post Offices Open on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve

/PRNewswire/ -- All Post Offices nationwide will be open Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24 and New Year's Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31, but most will shorten retail lobby hours and close at noon. Mail delivery for Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 is not affected by the change.

Revised hours will be posted at each Post Office and commercial customers are asked to check with their Bulk Mail Acceptance Unit for Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 hours of operation.

Customers may call 1-800-ASK-USPS for information about specific Post Offices. In addition, mail should be deposited into blue collection mailboxes before noon for early pick-up on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. Customers requiring postal services later that day are encouraged to contact their local Postmaster.

Post Offices will be closed Friday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Jan. 1. Express Mail only will be delivered on Christmas Day and New Year's Day in most major metro areas. Post Offices will be open regular hours on Saturday, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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Consumer Reports Poll: 40 Percent of Adults Have Yet to Begin Holiday Shopping

/PRNewswire/ -- Many Americans have put off shopping for holiday gifts. As of December 6th, 40 percent of adults said that they have yet to hit the stores for gifts, according to Consumer Reports' latest Holiday Shopping Poll.

They also told Consumer Reports that, on average, they will be spending $699 on holiday gifts. The full poll results are available on www.ConsumerReports.org.

Over the past three holiday shopping seasons, the average amount shoppers plan to spend on gifts has declined steadily. In 2008, shoppers anticipated spending $740, on average, down from $763 in 2007. While planned spending has decreased by $64, the number of gifts shoppers plan to buy has not changed. On average, shoppers plan to buy 15 gifts, which is about the same number as in previous years.

The next few weeks may be frantic for many shoppers, as only 12 percent have finished their holiday shopping and nearly one-third (30%) do not anticipate finishing until December 23 or later. Just over one-in-ten (13%) shoppers will not finish until December 24. And finding that perfect gift may be problematic for procrastinators, as a third (34%) of consumers who have started gift shopping have found an item they wanted was out-of-stock.

"The findings clearly show that Americans are taking a pragmatic approach to the holidays. And that's a good thing," said Tod Marks, senior editor and shopping expert for Consumer Reports. "Consumers are spending a bit less, focusing on more practical gifts, and vowing to take on less debt and pay it off sooner."

Consumer Reports' survey also found that 68 percent of credit card users plan to pay off their holiday debt by the end of January. These intentions seem ambitious, but in recent years adults have become more diligent in paying off their holiday debt.

Best Holiday Bargains
-- Survey respondents told Consumer Reports that they were finding the
best deals at mass merchandisers (41%) such as Walmart and Target, and
online retailers (39%).These were followed by department stores (21%),
discount stores (16%) such as TJ Maxx and Marshalls, outlet stores and
malls (12%), and warehouse clubs (11%).
Methods of Payment
-- About three-quarters (76%) of shoppers use cash to pay for their
holiday purchases, leading both debit cards (51%) and credit cards
(48%) by a wide margin. Men (41%) are more likely than women (29%) to
use cash most often.
-- Since 2007, the amount that consumers charge on credit cards to pay
for holiday purchases has steadily decreased. Shoppers who plan to
use their credit cards told Consumer Reports that they intend to put
less on them this year, charging $636 on average versus $682 in 2008
and $723 in 2007.
Credit Card Debt
-- Credit card users paid off their credit card debt faster last holiday
season than the preceding year. By the end of January 2009, 61
percent had paid off their credit card debt incurred during the 2008
holiday season, compared to 53 percent in 2007. However, just over
one-quarter (27%) did not pay off their 2008 holiday debt until March
2009 or later.
Give, Receive & Re-Gift
-- On average, consumers plan on buying about 15 gifts. Women plan on
buying more gifts than men, 16 compared to 13. And those getting
gifts this season may actually find them useful, as 34 percent of
adults told Consumer Reports that they are more likely to buy
practical gifts this year. This is good news for the 30 percent of
adults who said they wanted to receive more practical gifts. Although
practical gifts are not guaranteed to be good, especially if they come
from an extended family member, who 15 percent reported give the worst
gifts. Parents (6%) and in-laws (7%) are less likely to give the
worst gift. Seen that gift before? Look closely, as 15 percent of
gift shoppers reported that they will practice re-gifting this year.
Online Shopping
-- The percentage of shoppers who plan to buy gifts online continues to
increase. This year, 39 percent of shoppers plan to purchase gifts
online between early December and the holidays, up from 31 percent in
2006. And when it comes to online shopping, men (44%) are more likely
than women (34%) to do so.
Post-Holiday Shopping
-- According to the Consumer Reports' poll, nearly half (46%) of adults
plan to shop in-stores between Christmas and New Years, with most
being drawn into the stores to take advantage of post-holiday sales
(81%) and 69 percent planning to shop for themselves.
Wishing the Holidays Away
-- Bah humbug! As of December 6th, about one in five (21%) adults said
they wished the holidays were over.

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Twelve Days of Holiday Safety From the American Red Cross

/PRNewswire/ -- With last-minute gifts to buy, social events to attend and family and friends to visit while the weather outside is frightful, the American Red Cross has 12 days of health and safety tips to make the holiday season safe, happy and bright.

1. Prepare your vehicle for traveling to grandmother's house. Make an emergency kit and include items such as blankets or sleeping bags, jumper cables, fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type), compass and road maps, shovel, tire repair kit and pump, extra clothing, flares, tow rope.

2. Drive your sleigh and reindeer safely. Avoid driving in a storm, but if you must, keep your gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing. Let someone know your destination, route and when you expect to arrive.

3. Help prevent the spread of the flu. Wash hands with soap and water as often as possible, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Use sanitizing wipes to disinfect hard surfaces such as airplane tray tables, luggage handles, cell phones, door handles and seat armrests.

4. Prevent hypothermia by following Santa's lead. Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing, which will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears. Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of hypothermia, including confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering.

5. Use a Red Cross-trained babysitter when attending holiday festivities. Red Cross-certified babysitters learn to administer basic first aid; properly hold and feed a child; take emergency action when needed; monitor safe play and actively engage your child; and some may be certified in Infant and Child CPR.

6. Avoid danger while roasting chestnuts over an open fire. Stay in the kitchen while you are cooking and be alert. Keep anything flammable -- such as potholders, towels or curtains -- away from your stove top. Have a "kid-free zone" of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drinks are prepared or carried.

7. Be a lifesaver during the holidays and always. The Red Cross recommends at least one person in every household should be trained and certified in first aid and CPR/AED. Your local Red Cross chapter has conveniently scheduled courses and can have you trained and certified in a few hours.

8. Designate a driver or skip the holiday cheer. When you designate a driver who won't be drinking, you help make sure a good party doesn't turn into a tragedy. A good host ensures there are non-alcoholic beverages available for drivers. The designated driver should not drink any alcoholic beverages, not even one.

9. When the weather outside is frightful, heat your home safely. Never use your stove or oven to heat your home. Never leave portable heaters or fireplaces unattended. Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas and test them once a month.

10. Cut down on your heating bills without being a Grinch. Get your furnace cleaned by a professional; change the filters regularly. Make sure heat vents aren't blocked by furniture. Close off any rooms you aren't using and close heat vents or turn off radiators in those rooms. Use either insulating tape or caulking strips to surround your windows and door moldings. Put up storm windows or storm doors to keep the cold out.

11. Don't move a muscle, until they buckle. Each person in your vehicle should have their seatbelts securely fastened before driving off. Ensure children are buckled up and their car seats are installed appropriately based on their age and size. Children 12 and under should always sit in the backseat.

12. Resolve to Be Red Cross Ready in the New Year. You can take one or more actions to prepare now, should you or your family face an emergency in 2010. Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed.

Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday from the American Red Cross.

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Holiday Shopping Tips

This holiday season the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is reminding people that cyber criminals continue to aggressively create new ways to steal money and personal information. Scammers use many techniques to fool potential victims including fraudulent auction sales, reshipping merchandise purchased with a stolen credit card, and sale of fraudulent or stolen gift cards through auction sites at a discounted price.

Fraudulent Classified Ads or Auction Sales

Internet criminals post classified ads or auctions for products they do not have. If you receive an auction product from a merchant or retail store, rather than directly from the auction seller, the item may have been purchased with someone else's stolen credit card number. Contact the merchant to verify the account used to pay for the item actually belongs to you.

Shoppers should be cautious and not provide financial information directly to the seller, as fraudulent sellers will use this information to purchase items for their scheme from the provided financial account. Always use a legitimate payment service to protect purchases.

As for product delivery, unfamiliar Web sites or individuals selling reduced or free shipping to customers through auction sites many times are deemed to be fraudulent. In many instances, these Web sites or sellers provide shipping labels to their customers as a service. However, the delivery service providers are ultimately not being paid to deliver the package; therefore, packages shipped by the victims using these labels are intercepted by delivery service providers because they are identified as fraudulent.

Diligently check each seller's rating and feedback along with their number of sales and the dates on which feedback was posted. Be wary of a seller with 100% positive feedback, if they have a low total number of feedback postings and all feedback was posted around the same date and time.

Gift Card Scam

Be careful about purchasing gift cards from auction sites or through classified ads. If you need a gift card, it is safest to purchase it directly from the merchant or another authorized retail store. If the gift card merchant discovers the card you received from another source or auction was initially obtained fraudulently, the merchant will deactivate the gift card number and it will not be honored for purchases.

Phishing and Smishing Schemes

Be leery of e-mails or text messages you receive indicating a problem or question regarding your financial accounts. In this scam, you are directed to follow a link or call the number provided in the message to update your account or correct the problem. The link actually directs the individuals to a fraudulent Web site or message that appears legitimate where any personal information you provide, such as account number and PIN, will be stolen.

Another scam involves victims receiving an e-mail message directing the recipient to a spoofed Web site. A spoofed Web site is a fake site or copy of a real Web site and misleads the recipient into providing personal information, which is routed to the scammer's computers.

Tips

Here are some tips you can use to avoid becoming a victim of cyber fraud:

* Do not respond to unsolicited (spam) e-mail.
* Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail.
* Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files
may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders. Virus scan the attachments
if possible.
* Avoid filling out forms contained in e-mail messages that ask for personal information.
* Always compare the link in the e-mail to the link you are actually directed to and
determine if they actually match and will lead you to a legitimate site.
* Log on directly to the official Web site for the business identified in the e-mail,
instead of "linking" to it from an unsolicited e-mail. If the e-mail appears to
be from your bank, credit card issuer, or other company you deal with frequently,
your statements or official correspondence from the business will provide the proper
contact information.
* Contact the actual business that supposedly sent the e-mail to verify if the e-mail
is genuine.

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Poll: Georgians Cautious with Spending This Holiday Season

/PRNewswire/ -- Georgians are planning to spend money carefully this holiday season, and overwhelmingly, they don't want to rack up enormous credit card bills in the process, according to a new poll from Georgia Credit Union Affiliates (GCUA).

The Georgia Credit Unions' Holiday Spending Poll of 1,000 credit union members from across the state revealed that 52 percent plan to spend less than they did last year, while 45 percent plan to spend the same as last year and only 3 percent plan to spend more. Concurrently, 76 percent of Georgians polled plan to pay for all or most of their purchases with cash, and only 12 percent are planning to use a credit card to make their purchases, the poll showed.

These results mirror the findings from another recent GCUA poll that found 46 percent of Georgians are spending less overall now compared to one year ago, with an additional 41 percent spending the same as they did a year ago. Only 13 percent are spending more overall now than at this time last year.

"Clearly, Georgians are concerned about their financial well-being, so they are looking to spend money more vigilantly now than in previous years," said Mike Mercer, president and CEO of GCUA. "It's one thing to spend money, but it's another to spend money wisely. While Georgians will still spend money to enjoy the holiday season, they're not going to take on more debt to do it; instead, they are looking at their finances with an eye toward the future."

Of those polled, 59 percent plan to spend less than $500 on gifts this holiday season, while 31 percent plan to spend between $500 and $1,000. Meanwhile, a small pocket - 10 percent - plan to spend more than $1,000. Additional details and charts of the poll results are available at www.georgiacreditunions.org.

Credit unions throughout Georgia this year are marking the 100th anniversary of cooperative financial institutions in the U.S., and the 75th anniversary of the Georgia Credit Union League. Last month, credit unions in Georgia celebrated "A Century of Good Advice," which included the release of a poll on the savings and spending habits of Georgia consumers and the debut of a short online video.

The poll results and video are available at www.georgiacreditunions.org.

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National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony to Be Broadcast Nationally For the First Time on Public Television Beginning December 4th

/PRNewswire/ -- The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation announced today public television stations nationwide will broadcast the 2009 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony across the country for the first time. In partnership with WETA, Washington, D.C.'s flagship public broadcasting station, public television stations will begin airing the 60-minute lighting ceremony on Friday, December 4th and continue throughout the holiday season. Viewers are invited to check their local public station schedules for exact broadcast dates and times.

In addition, the public will be able to view the lighting ceremony live, as it happens, on Thursday, December 3rd at 5:00 p.m. EST/2:00 p.m. PST at www.thenationaltree.org. The public is also invited to visit the interactive site now and throughout the holiday season to experience all the behind-the-scenes festivities of the event from the story of the first National Christmas Tree to the one-of-a-kind ornaments made each year by ordinary Americans to hang on 56 trees -- one for every U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia. Visitors to the site may also create their own customized, interactive e-card for the holidays.

A first-time lottery for free tickets to the ceremony saw approximately 37,000 people submit their names for a chance to attend the tree lighting. Celebrity performers who will help celebrate at the ceremony will be announced next week.

The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is presented by the National Park Foundation and National Park Service. Alex Coletti Productions will produce the 2009 ceremony. Other supporters include General Electric, Guest Services Inc., Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Washington, D.C., Hudler Carolina Tree Farms, the W Hotel Washington, and the Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C. For more information visit www.thenationaltree.org.

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Wal-Mart Price War Sets Grim Tone For The 2009 Holiday Season

/PRNewswire/ -- American retail chains panicked last holiday season as they stared at overstocked shelves and wondered, "How will we sell all this stuff?" Their response to the collapse of the economy--namely, to markdown everything in sight and cross their fingers--was a last-minute act of desperation. Because they spent the past year ruminating about worst-case scenarios, however, many retailers now face a new problem as the holidays actually approach, says Stevan Buxbaum, executive vice president of Agoura Hills, Calif.-based Buxbaum Group, the consulting and turnaround investment firm.

"Retailers were so nervous they over-constricted their inventories," explains Buxbaum, who looks for comparable store sales to be in the flat to negative 1% range for the season. "They are now scrambling to stock up. The problem is that we have a worldwide supply chain. Much of the inventory comes from Asia and can sit on a boat for up to six weeks before it gets here. Beefing up inventories in time for the holiday season will be virtually impossible."

And that means parents hunting for hot-sellers like Disney's Netpal laptop or the Zhu Zhu Pets Hamsters might have a tough time fulfilling their kids' holiday wishes. "The best inventory--all the stuff that turns out to be the most desirable this year--will be gone by December 7," Buxbaum predicts. "From then until Christmas, shoppers will be picking through all the remaining merchandise."

Amid dismal holiday sales forecasts, meanwhile, Wal-Mart has embarked on a price war in which it plans to slap discounts on new groups of products every week until the season is over. The world's largest retailer is now selling 100 different toys for $10 each, and will make especially aggressive markdowns on books, DVDs, video games and other entertainment products. "The online price-war in best-selling books between Wal-Mart, Amazon and now, Target, speaks volumes about the cutthroat nature of retail in 2009," Buxbaum says. "Wal-Mart has fired the first shot across the bow and it is only October.

"In general," he continues, "consumers are still focused on price and value. The winners will be those chains that have the guts to slash prices the most. Eking out a profit in this environment requires highly rationalized SG&A (selling, general and administrative) costs and lower overhead. Wal-Mart is No. 1 in that regard, followed by the warehouse clubs and Target. Everybody else is in the rearview mirror."

The top 1% of richest Americans might unwrap a MacBook Pro or find a Lexis SUV parked in the driveway. But the vast majority of shoppers will not be maxing out any credit cards this year at the likes of Nieman Marcus, Buxbaum says. "We have gone from the 'aspirational' shopper--people who spent beyond their means for the sake of status or the sheer thrill--to the 'desperational' shopper," he observes. "Now, most people are just trying to find value."

That said, certain trends hint at the types of products that will go over best with budget-constrained and newly circumspect shoppers, Buxbaum says. Rave reviews of the new Windows 7 operating system, which Microsoft radically simplified after consumers railed against its feature-packed Vista predecessor, show the rising importance of simplicity and practicality in consumers' harried lives.

"Wired magazine talks about the rise of 'Good Enough' tech," he says. "Take digital cameras. People don't want another $1,000 camera. They're saying, 'Heck. I never figure out what 90% of these features do anyway, and I'm not Ansel Adams.' Personally, I use about 1% of the features on my Blackberry. People's lives are so complex, they want to simplify them. They don't want all this stuff that they neither need nor understand."

Even though devices like Apple's all-in-one iPhone or Amazon.com's Kindle e-book reader are expensive, they continue to sell because they help people reduce clutter and bulk. "If you simplify my life by putting four different devices, or thousands of books, into one device, that's convergence," Buxbaum says. "People are interested in convergence, not complexity."

Nor are American parents interested in short-changing their kids. They will continue to spend as much as they can on children and younger adults, and retailers focused on these segments will see stronger sales, especially if they have somehow managed to find a niche that enables them to avoid direct competition with Wal-Mart, Buxbaum notes. "People won't take out their frustration with the financial system and Wall Street on their nieces and nephews," he says. "But they will cut back on spending for themselves."

Sustainable or "green" products might have bright longer-term futures, but they won't set any records this year with the broad base of the American economy. "The extra cost of green doesn't fit the proposition of getting the best price," Buxbaum says. "The overwhelming thing right now is not whether something will disintegrate in a landfill--our economy is disintegrating in a landfill. You could call it the biodegradable economy. It will take a resurgence of that broad base for us to rebuild a new economy that doesn't break down."

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You can get it all done before the holidays ... even learning to play the piano

(ARA) – Shopping, wrapping, baking, cooking ... not to mention untangling those dratted lights – does it seem like there’s no way you can get everything done that you need to accomplish before the holidays?

Actually, a little smart scheduling and some stress-relieving techniques are really all you need in order to check off everything on your “to do” list this holiday season. In fact, you probably already know what you need to do. Sometimes, it just helps to have a reminder or two of how to use your time wisely:

* Take the time-eating bite out of holiday shopping by doing it online. Secure Web sites, great deals and free shipping incentives from many sellers make online the easiest way to do your holiday shopping. Just keep in mind shipping times, and shop as early as possible to allow yourself extra time in case you need to return something before the holiday.

* Use laundry baskets to organize gifts by recipient. Have one basket of small, generic gifts that can be used for unexpected gift-giving occasions that may arrive – like the surprise last-minute gift from a co-worker or acquaintance.

* Set aside one afternoon a weekend for several weekends prior to the holidays and bake and freeze holiday goodies that you plan to serve or give as gifts. Or, organize a few baking parties with family and friends, and have each person bring a few dozen of a specific type of cookie to exchange during the party.

* Don’t forget to do something for yourself, like learn to play the piano. Seriously ... you can learn how to play some favorite Christmas carols in the weeks leading up to the holidays, even if you’ve never played the piano before. And it will probably take a lot less time than untangling last year’s lights.

“The trick is learning to play the way the pros play, learning a few simple chords rather than tackling the time-consuming task of learning to read sheet music well,” says Scott Houston, host of the Emmy-winning Public Television how-to show, “The Piano Guy.”

"It's much easier for people to focus on chords and interpretation, rather than spending years trying to figure out how to read notes," Houston says. He teaches people how to play piano in a flash by reading a "lead sheet," which is like the shorthand professional musicians use to follow a tune's melody line – matching the chords that work with the tune.

You’ll find three free lessons, teaching you how to play “Silent Night,” at www.scotthouston.com/freelessons/. So dust off that piano or keyboard, and, with a little help from the Internet, learn to play at least one favorite carol in time for this year’s family gathering.

* Dedicate one area of your home – which will be off-limits to potential gift recipients – where you can create a gift-wrapping center. Over-the-door towel racks – the kind with arms that swing out – make great holders for rolls of gift wrap. Store decorative supplies like ribbon, bows and mini ornaments in clear plastic bins. Invest in a new pair of scissors and only use them to cut wrapping paper or ribbon so they stay sharp and swift.

Wrap as you go. If you wait until Christmas Eve to wrap gifts, you not only run the risk of wandering eyes getting a preview of their holiday gifts, you’ll stress yourself trying to get everything done at the last minute. Plus, it’s much easier to purchase extra wrapping supplies two weeks before the holiday, than it will be if you run out the night before the big day.

As for untangling last year’s lights, consider how much time and effort – and aggravation – the chore will cost. If it’s going to raise your stress level and take hours, it’s probably better to toss last year’s tangle, buy new and do a better job of storing them when the season’s over this year.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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