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Meryl Streep’s Thanksgiving Disaster You don’t have to go it alone. If your guests offer to help out on Thanksgiving, tell them “hell yes” and take them up on it. Unless your friends and family are complete jerk-faces, at least one guest will at least offer to help clean up after dinner, and everyone else should be shamed into helping. Under no circumstances should you say, “oh, no, I’ll take care of the clean-up.” That’s what they want you to do, and they will leave you with a disaster area of a kitchen and some serious grudges to nurse. That said, if your friends and close family offer to help, and you take them up on it, don’t go too far with their services. You could end up with the people you care about most preparing and serving food to the people you only invited because you felt obligated to. https://www.tausiinsider.com/the-7-deadly-sins-of-hosting-a-big-thanksgiving-dinner/?feed_id=389931&_unique_id=649244a097958

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Managing email anxiety is especially challenging for entrepreneurs when taking a much-needed break. You might be taking time off over the holidays to spend time with family, but mentally, you're back in the office because you can see your emails are piling up. Escaping the pressures of building and growing your business is almost impossible when you don't effectively manage your inbox. While the idea of deleting your inbox is a satisfying thought, I think most of us can agree that may not be the best customer service move. I don't think my clients would enjoy learning that their emails are being deleted simply because I'm trying to relax and recharge. Fortunately, we don't have to take such drastic measures. https://www.tausiinsider.com/4-things-you-can-do-to-truly-disconnect-from-work-over-the-holidays/?feed_id=377618&_unique_id=648fcf213c801

Don’t look at the camera, Uncle Ron. Photo : Roman Samborskyi ( Shutterstock ) Don’t hold your breath for a Thanksgiving miracle this year—at least, not if you’re hoping to find an   inflation-proof turkey . According to TODAY.com , this year’s meal will no doubt cost you more than any other , with rising prices and supply chain issues hitting nearly every ingredient necessary to create a successful turkey dinner. We’ve previously emphasized that planning early is the secret sauce to serving Thanksgiving on a budget. But even as we approach the final countdown to turkey day, t here are ways you can still find savings while hosting . Shop right now (as much as possible) The big day is only two weeks away, but there’s still time to avoid last-minute price hikes or stock shortages. If you haven’t yet, buy whatever non-perishables you need (like canned pumpkin or fried onions) right now. If you don’t already have a list of everything you need as a host, get on that ASAP . While y...

Photo : Sundry Photography ( Shutterstock ) The calendar says next week is Thanksgiving, which means a large portion of the country will be hitting the road to share a meal with out-of-town family or friends—kicking off the third holiday season of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. So, how many people are we talking about? The American Automobile Association (AAA, aka “Triple A”) is predicting that 54.6 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home this Thanksgiving—a 1.5% increase over 2021, amounting to 98% of pre-pandemic figures. In fact, AAA projects that 2022 will be the third-busiest Thanksgiving travel weekend since the organization began tracking these numbers in 2000. AAA defines the “Thanksgiving holiday travel period” as the five-day stretch from Wednesday, Nov. 23 to Sunday, Nov. 27, and has recently released their travel forecast for each day. These are the best—and worst—times to embark on your Thanksgiving road trip. The best and worst times to travel by...

Photo : SeventyFour ( Shutterstock ) While there’s no way to guarantee that your Thanksgiving gathering will be 100% conflict-free, setting a few boundaries with your guests ahead of the big dinner can help to at least minimize confrontations and awkward moments. Here are a few examples of topics to discuss and agree on before coming together for the holiday. Come up with a food plan Food is a crucial part of most holidays, so it makes sense that when the day’s main activities are preparing and then eating a meal, things can get heated. Between competing recipes and cooking techniques—not to mention literal cases of too many cooks in a kitchen—food-related tensions can run high on Thanksgiving. If this is a yearly problem at your gatherings, agree to a plan ahead of time. In addition to specifying who will make each dish (to avoid duplicates and hurt feelings), also sort out some sort of cooking and heating schedule to ensure that people aren’t competing for kitchen space and oven...

People traveling for the holidays will be in for some sticker shock this season. Westend61 | Getty Images The cost of everything from airfare to gas prices has gone up, CNN Business reported. Here's what you can expect. Related: 7 Entrepreneurs Who Built Businesses Off Their Love of Travel U.S. airlines just had one of the most profitable quarters of all time, per CNN — at the literal expense of their passengers. American Airlines, United, Delta and Southwest, which support 80% of U.S. air travel, earned a combined $2.8 billion in the second quarter. Gas prices are also skyrocketing. According to a recent report from Gas Buddy , the national average cost for gas is projected to be $3.68 per gallon on Thanksgiving Day, approximately 20 cents higher than it was on the holiday last year — and breaking a record set 10 years ago. Travelers renting cars will also see steep increases in cost. Per T...

As the holiday season gets underway in the Big Apple, there's nothing like taking a shopping trip to the city's iconic department stores as they unveil their holiday windows. And if you're working for Barbara Corcoran, you might actually get to leave with something. The Shark Tank star took her staff on a shopping spree this week, first to Saks Fifth Avenue and then to Tiffany & Co. "Showing my team how much I appreciate them!" Corcoran captioned the Instagram post. "I'm taking my office out today, and our first stop is Saks!" Corcoran says. In the video, Corcoran says her employees can pick out any shoe they want. "Hope it's expensive!" she added. Commenters praised Santa Corcoran and wished their bosses did the same. "This is awesome!!! Showing appreciation for those you work with goes a long way. I wish more bosses did things like this," one commenter said. "Leadership at its best! Appreciation goes ...

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Thanksgiving is the holiday where we are encouraged to be thankful for the good things in our lives -- health, safety, adequate food, clothing and shelter, plus all the material blessings we have. For most people, Thanksgiving is usually more of a personally-focused celebration, including sharing meals and time with family and friends. Hero Images | Getty Images But the Thanksgiving holiday season can also be an opportunity to focus on, and be reminded of, the positive aspects of our work lives. This is especially true in these more difficult economic times, where many who desire employment are unable to find work or have to settle for a job beneath their professional capabilities. https://www.tausiinsider.com/thanksgiving-is-a-reminder-to-appreciate-your-staff/?feed_id=333154&_unique_id=6475169184658

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. In an appearance on Neal Cavuto's Fox Business show, Cavuto: Coast to Coast, Butterball CEO Jay Jandrain made it clear that his company isn't seeing a lot of fallout from higher turkey prices. Maren Caruso | Getty Images Jandrain told Cavuto that his company expects "that everyone who wants a turkey will get one this year." His assertion comes after the New York Post reported that some customers are responding to a rise in turkey prices by cooking chicken this Thanksgiving. "We've shipped, actually, more product this year than we did last year," Jandrain said, "And so far, what we're hearing from the retailers is that pull-through is good, there are no shortages, and everybody should be able to get just exactly what they're looking for." According to Jandrain, 85% of people w...

Workers at the largest U.S. rail union voted against a tentative contract deal reached in September, raising the possibility of a year-end strike that could cause significant damage to the U.S. economy and strand vital shipments of food and fuel. Reuters https://www.tausiinsider.com/video-biggest-u-s-rail-union-raises-threat-of-strike/?feed_id=333095&_unique_id=6473f346ef917

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. This article originally published Nov. 24, 2015.  With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I wanted to share with you 20 quotes that really help put into perspective the power and importance of being thankful more of the time and not just on one particular day out of the year. https://www.tausiinsider.com/20-quotes-on-the-importance-of-thankfulness-and-gratitude/?feed_id=333092&_unique_id=6473e48a5272d

Photo : TravnikovStudio ( Shutterstock ) Want to do something with the kids for the holidays, but can’t afford breakfast with Santa or the Polar Express train ride? Or perhaps you’re looking for something festive to do with your friends or on a date, but tickets to the Nutcracker aren’t in the budget. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few examples of free or cheap events that take place in communities across the country throughout the holiday season. Free or cheap holiday events Check the event listings in your community and surrounding areas for activities like these: City/town tree-lighting ceremonies Though the lighting of the Rockefeller Center tree and National Christmas Tree get all the attention, there are smaller-scale tree-lighting ceremonies in cities, towns, and neighborhoods across the country. Your local government website should have the details on how to attend, but don’t wait to check: Many are happening this week. Holiday open houses Cultural insti...

The holidays often kick off a host of hot-button discussion topics -- politics, religion, sports -- but if you're looking for a less-loaded conversation starter, try "favorite holiday movie." The question should fuel a healthy debate minus the raised voices (depending, of course, on how many Die Hard loyalists are in the room). And according to a new report and infographic by StreamingObserver.com , the consensus may look different depending on your state. 20th Century Fox https://www.tausiinsider.com/heres-every-states-favorite-holiday-movie-infographic/?feed_id=332374&_unique_id=645d7a3c55250

Persistent inflation has caused millions of Americans to reel in spending, but for some, budgeting still isn't enough to make ends meet. Maskot | Getty Images In November, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there was nearly a 165,000 jump in individuals working multiple jobs — marking the steepest one-month increase since June. The dramatic rise in side hustles could be attributed to seemingly endless inflation driving up the cost of living, or it could have to do with the holiday season, which is a time of increased spending for most Americans. Related: Inflation's Coming for Your Christmas. Here's How Much More Your Tree Will Cost This Year. According to a survey by Neighbor.com, 44% of respondents reported that they're either currently working or planning to work a seasonal job this year, with 51% currently working or planning to work overtime. Additionally, the repo...

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Do you feel like the holiday season is getting longer and longer each year? You are not wrong. This year's holiday deals have started earlier than ever, and while inflation and supply chain issues are to blame for the record-breaking dates this year (think early October), the early bird has always gotten the worm. For this year, we're going to assume you have a few things in place: a website, some products and an "x" number of customers that you wish to grow to "y." Having spent the last decade immersed in the world of marketing and ecommerce, I've identified 13 key areas to invest in right now that can generate the best ROI for your ecommerce businesses in preparation for a holiday frenzy. Related: 3 Predictions and Tips for Attracting Customers This Holiday Season 1. Optimize your website speed The faster your website loads, the happier your customer will be. And ju...

Photo : Tatyana Soares ( Shutterstock ) Real Christmas trees don’t work for everyone. You might have destructive pets, toddlers, a small apartment, or a small budget. You might have allergies to trees or the mold spores they can bring in with them. You might just like to do things differently. Whatever the reason, there are lots of ways to craft your own tree and make it unique to you. Here are some ways to make a Christmas tree out of almost anything. Make a floating ornament tree To make a suspended tree out of ornaments and fishing line, you’ll need those and some removable hooks . If you have textured ceilings or a space that won’t accommodate temporary, stick-on hooks, you can use ceiling hooks and anchors for this project. ( If you go that route, you’ll also need a drill.) Keep in mind that the stick-on hooks are designed to hold about half a pound and the screw-in type will hold up to 20, so if you plan to use heavier ornaments, the screw-in variety will work better. The...

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Jim Beam knows that everyone needs a hug. Preferably from another person, but sometimes we have to make do with what we have. So this Christmas, the bourbon whiskey maker is providing a substitute in the form of a pair of tartan pajamas (and its soothing spirits). Jim Beam On Wednesday, the Kentucky distillery announced its uniquely strange new product , the "Kentucky Hug" Holiday Pajamas. Here's how Beam explains the name: A "Kentucky Hug" is a well-known term among bourbon lovers and Jim Beam fans alike, and this holiday season, the brand is turning the phrase into a reality with a limited-edition holiday pajama set equipped with a built-in "hug simulator" so you can send a cozy hug to anyone you're missing this season. Beam explains that its unisex, small to XXL PJs simulate the sensati...

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. There may still be a prolonged supply chain shortage, but there are plenty of holiday tips and tricks for ecommerce brands to win this time of year. More often than not, most tips floating around tend to focus on different types of acquisition strategies to get consumers to your site. However, I'm here today to offer up one overlooked piece of advice: look to your most loyal customers to reach your goals. Your most loyal customers will be turning to you during the holidays, and you should be doing the same for them as a merchant. Remove any friction while creating new opportunities for your loyal customers to share their favorite products with friends and family. With everyone in the spirit of giving, there is no better time to promote, package and offer products as gifts. A great way to flip your marketing funnel and build from your most loyal customer base, we've seen brands executing this ...

Photo : Golubovy ( Shutterstock ) While wrapped presents are a big part of the joy of holiday gifting, all that disposable wrapping paper can seem pretty wasteful, not to mention expensive. Bringing in some reusable alternatives that actually look nice can add some sustainable and cost-effective beauty to your holiday gift-giving routine. The best alternatives to paper can even be a part of the gift itself. Here are some of the best ways to upgrade your wrapping skills with a sustainable twist. Towels Using cloth napkins, dish towels, or tea towels as wrapping can be both festive and reusable. During the Christmas shopping season, you can often find good bargains on these, and you might be surprised at how little you’ll spend on something that it’s hard to imagine anyone having too many of. Dish towels can be found in sets, as well as cloth napkins, making this practical, multi-use “wrapping” even more cost effective. Leftover fabric If you’re a crafter, you probably have leftover...

Photo : Koldunov Alexey ( Shutterstock ) A live Christmas tree would seem to be a fine project for somebody with a brown thumb. You only have to tend it for a month, and then it’ll get chucked to the curb. But it’s important to keep your tree fresh and happy during that time, lest it turn into a fire hazard . Unfortunately, bogus “hacks” abound that will actually make your tree more likely to lose their needles. Let’s separate the myths from the actual good advice. Don’t put anything in the water It seems like everybody has their own special recipe for “preserving” their Christmas tree. But if you talk to the experts on keeping cut trees alive—like the horticulturists at cooperative extensions, and the National Christmas Tree Association—they all agree that the best thing to put in your tree stand is plain water. Nothing added. Take this study , for example. A forestry specialist placed fresh cut Christmas tree branches into water treated with a variety of things that are suppose...