The following report is from Study Finds:
“Virtual” Thanksgiving dinners may be here to stay. A survey of 2,004 Americans who celebrate Turkey Day explored how people are looking to spend the upcoming holiday. It turns out more than half (57%) will still rely on celebrations through video calls in light of the ever-changing health guidelines.
Though last year’s restrictions got in the way of usual celebrations for 62% of Americans, two-thirds are hopeful that this year’s Thanksgiving will look more like a typical holiday.
The survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Jennie-O, also finds 57% of people are making their Thanksgiving plans earlier than usual this year.
Never Too Early For Holiday Planning
One in three “early birds” (35%) say they started thinking about the holiday preparations in September. Fifty-five percent intend to visit multiple small gatherings for food and festivities this year as well. However, the average person is only visiting two dinners, just to keep things safe.
In addition to family Thanksgiving, 42% plan on hosting or attending a “Friendsgiving” celebration, which is an increasingly popular tradition for Gen Z (56%) and millennials (59%). However, 65% of people expect the more exciting, adventurous dishes to be at the family dinner. One habit people picked up during the pandemic is cooking more dishes at home than in the past. Of the two-thirds that are cooking more meals, 87 percent are confident they can make a good holiday dish this year.
Many will be putting those skills to the test, as nearly half of all families (48%) will be having “dinner table competitions” this year.
As expected, however, the most feared Thanksgiving food to cook is the turkey (37%). Overcooking the bird (49%) and not knowing how long to cook it (37%) are two big issues people encounter when making the Thanksgiving feast. Remembering to thaw the bird properly (35%) also creates difficulty.
Thanksgiving last year was interesting, as many families were unable to gather and celebrate. And while we’re all clambering to get back to normalcy, we know people are still cautiously preparing for the upcoming holiday season. It’s important to have the right products, prep tools and resources to help with all turkey challenges and make it a breeze to plan for a gathering of any size.
Nicole Behne, vice president of marketing at Jennie-O, in a statement
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27
While I do think this survey is not quite big enough to capture the full-scale of the fear in of itself, we can inquire and infer from other sources of economic data – that show the people are simply just too afraid to go out and shop, and travel. Will there still be plenty of people that travel this year? I suspect, yes, but we shall see what transpires post-Halloween, as temperatures get even colder, and cold and flu season really starts to kick-in.
Also, I must say, I absolutely despise when people refer to Thanksgiving as “Turkey Day,” or some other ridiculous term. But, it’s rather congruent with the times: people are unthankful these days. Moreover, that’s why this celebration and holiday gets overshadowed by Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s not about turkey: it’s about giving thanks to God for all that he has blessed us with, and then some.
[1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.2 Timothy 3:1-5
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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People at Amazon are working the holidays during peak Season ((Amazon’s main time for sales and deliveries next to prime day/week) I believe its from Thanksgiving Day to Christmas (I noticed that there is a vacation freeze from 11/21-12/24 meaning people might not be able to take the holidays off), even though there is a possibility that it may start a few days earlier). Some people are working during the holidays anyway. The fear mongering is out of control.
I knew they were hiring more workers, but I was unaware of their new holiday hours.
I agree Jacob, that term “turkey day” is so irreverent to what thanksgiving USED TO stand for. What is it now? Watching football, stuffing yourself sick and falling into a hibernation like slumber with a Budweiser in your hand, but not after having two big slices of apple pie, eat like a pig, drink like a fish, hoot and holler like a moron at a bunch of spandex wearing meatheads chasing a ball while John Madden blabbers about turducken.
Then comes Black Friday. Charge into the store like a stampede of caffeinated elephants, punch, kick, pepper spray, zap with a stun gun, maybe even threaten at knife or gunpoint to get a 40 inch TV at 70 percent off.
God bless America? NO WAY!!!
How do people still actually think that things will get back to normal?