Give Something That Means Something This Cyber Monday

by Melissa Lanier, volunteer contributor

This year I invite you to join me and do something different by taking part in “Tearful Tuesday,” which, if you didn’t know, is the day after ‘Cyber Monday.’ That’s the day when MOST people return to work from the Thanksgiving holiday and sneak-shop from their desks. Tuesday, however, is the day you get the bills and realize you’re broke now and Walmart owns the deed to your home. 

In fact, it’s a race to keep up with retailers cashing in on record sales that start over the week of Thanksgiving and last through Christmas. Powerhouses Walmart and Amazon came to play this year with ‘Pre-Black Friday’ sales that started almost a full week before the turkey even made it to our plates.

Today’s ‘new normal’ has store employees shuffling off to work earlier every year on a day that is now synonymous with shopping deals, but remember we didn’t meet ‘Black Friday’s’ little brother until 2005, when some savvy marketing agents looking to capitalize on the yearly spike in online sales introduced us to 'Cyber Monday,' who appears to be growing up and may soon overshadow his big brother.

In fact, online sales are expected to break last year’s records by 17 percent. Amazon alone reports over 26 million items sold that day were purchased at 306 items per second. Mobile sales are booming and here to stay with promotions like Walmart’s rollback of ‘Cyber Monday’ deals to start the Saturday after Thanksgiving this year.

So this Cyber Monday, when you're clicking away for something to put under the tree, consider this: the American Red Cross has released our 2013 Holiday Giving Catalog and it lays out the different ways to give this year. Sit down on Cyber Monday and look at how to really give a gift that makes a difference.

A $25 donation provides 25 children with lifesaving vaccinations against measles and Rubella. How about you organize a group project with your family and friends. $1,000 will vaccinate an entire village of people. This is just ONE way to give this year so take a couple minutes and check out the link here. If you’re tired of the hyped up sales drama: then HERE is where you’ll find true value this holiday season by giving to those who need your help. 

Happy shopping!

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Black Friday Survival Guide

by Micaela Rosinski, intern contributor

The shop doors open, an eager crowd sprints inside. If you have been out Thanksgiving night and Friday morning to try your hand at snagging deals, you have witnessed the madness that is Black Friday. The fun, friendly festivities of a celebration of thanks just hours before seem to disappear from minds as countless people flock to stores to buy the perfect gift or personal treat at the right price.

Before you take part in Black Friday, be prepared, and follow these safety tips so you are only paying for that new TV, not a hospital bill. 

Devise a plan. Before embarking on your Black Friday journey, decide which stores you want to go to. Account for weather, traffic and other obstacles that could impact your driving safety. Also create an exact list of the items you want to purchase. Make your Black Friday experience worth it, avoid purchasing that matching pajama set you will wear on Christmas then put away forever.

Prepare…for anything. Crazy events seem to occur every Black Friday. Keep a Red Cross first aid kit in your car, dress in layers and check the weather. Download the Red Cross first aid app on your smartphone for expert advice for everyday emergencies. 

Although you may still be full from the best Thanksgiving meal of your life, consider putting those leftovers to use and pack some turkey sandwiches for your group to snack on for however long your wait may be. Also pack plenty of water in order to stay hydrated.

Dress to shop. Save yourself from being the person that gets trampled at the front doors of Target. Do not wear slippers, sneakers or boots will protect your feet, keep you warm and will be comfy to run around your favorite stores to your heart’s content. Also, dress for the weather! In Texas, Thanksgiving Day could be a beautiful 65 degrees, and snow could hit later that night. If you are waiting outside, wear appropriate attire and stay warm.

Be aware of your surroundings. Thieves love the holiday season. Deter car break-ins, attacks and identity theft by keeping no personal items in the car, walking with a partner to the vehicle and keeping credit cards concealed in wallet until point of purchase. Alert a store employee if you see anything suspicious. Also, a security guard will gladly walk with you to your vehicle if you feel unsafe. 

Black Friday not your thing? Provide for others. Red Cross has devised a fabulous way to help others during the holidays in honor of someone you love. The annual Holiday Giving Catalog contains a variety of services you can support as a symbolic gift for people in your life. Holidays are a great time to reach out to others and make an impact in someone’s life!

While you are on the computer… Personally, I tend to avoid malls and shopping plazas on Black Friday. However, I find Cyber Monday to be a great invention. If you decide to partake in the virtual sale, always practice safe internet use and confirm you are purchasing from a safe and secure website (Red Cross Holiday Giving Catalog is a great safe website to do some shopping). Make the experience even better by snuggling up with your favorite blanket and a mug of hot chocolate. Now that sounds like good shopping!

Black Friday can be a thrilling experience to enjoy with family or friends. Do not get too sad if the store runs out of that camera or sweater you wanted. Remember the time you just spent being thankful for all you have! Be prepared, safe, and thoughtful of others as you set out to seize the deals. Happy shopping, and may the odds be ever in your favor! 

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Wrap-Up Your Holiday Shopping with Hope

Participating in the 2010 Red Cross Online Holiday Giving Catalog

It’s Cyber Monday! While you’re making your lists, checking them twice and preparing for this holiday season, remember that disasters don’t take holidays. They can strike at any place, at any time, leaving those affected distraught and without hope. Some 60 people at a Dallas apartment complex learned far too much about what fire leaves behind when, on Black Friday, a 4-alarm blaze demolished their holiday. In an instant, families found themselves without basic needs like food and shelter.

Victims of this disaster and others desperately need your help. Be the one to meet their need by visiting the Red Cross Holiday Giving Catalog. There, you can end your search for the hottest toy and choose to provide a hot meal for victims of disaster. Or wrap up your holiday shopping by wrapping three children in Red Cross blankets for a gift of only $18. You can help turn tragedy into hope by shopping for gifts that truly save the day.

Disasters can happen anytime and holidays are no exception. Just since Thanksgiving Day, the Red Cross in Dallas has already been on the curb with nearly 100 people who were burned out by home fires. As I write you this letter at this very moment, the Red Cross is being called to yet another fire in Dallas which will require more materials for aid and assistance. By participating in our online gift catalog this Cyber Monday, you can ensure that the Red Cross has the supplies ready to respond to every disaster, whenever they occur.

As you’re making your gift lists this season, remember to include victims of disaster who desperately need Red Cross assistance. Wrap up your shopping by choosing to give help and hope.

All of us at the American Red Cross wish you a safe and happy holiday season.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones

Red Cross Responds to 4-Alarm Fire in Dallas, Texas

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