What are the origins of this fun-filled festive custom?
With the coronavirus pandemic showing no signs of easing up, it's important to reinforce a community spirit and help support small businesses. And you can start with your local retailer. Chances are you've known your high street shop owner for several years, so treat them as a friend in need.
Shopping at the same store over time instills a sense of trust and familiarity. Take advantage of this bond to offer up moral support as well as providing a source of income to the proprietor.
Supermarket queues are now the norm, with empty shelves often greeting shoppers. A local store will be less crowded (which is what you want), and has very likely avoided being a target of selfish panic buying.
If your local store has an online retail presence, use it. Purchasing merchandise on any retail company website keeps cash flow healthy and often avoids the need to venture outside of your own home.
In some instances, choosing to shop online also includes the benefit of a door-to-door delivery. When this isn't the case, check whether you can arrange a time to pick up purchases in person. This will minimize time spent outside.
Help keep a retail business flourishing by purchasing gift cards or coupons that can be exchanged for goods at a later date. Keep your friends updated on Facebook with what you're doing, and encourage them to do the same.
As a result of the new coronavirus and the spread of COVID-19, many restaurants and cafés have been forced to shut. Their survival depends on a steady turnover of revenue. Find out if your favorite eatery is still providing a takeout service.
Depending on the cost-effectiveness of such an operation, some restaurants and cafés may still be able to function by supplying takeout meals prepared to order for clients.
Restaurant takeout or delivery services can keep the business going, and provides income for delivery drivers. Incidentally, ask them to leave the bag of food outside your door, and tip through the letterbox.
To maintain a revenue stream, some businesses may start discounting goods and services. Local shops especially will seek to encourage sales.
Take advantage of any discounts offered. You're bound to pick up a bargain while putting badly needed cash into the company coffers.
Shops may also be offering additional incentives, two-for-one deals perhaps, or discounted gift vouchers. Ask, and keep the tills working.
Consider using the plastic more often (but just as sparingly) when shopping. Why?
No matter how small the amount, try as much as possible to pay by plastic. Limiting the amount of cash you use can help limit the spread of those germs. And besides washing your hands on a regular basis, it's a good idea to wipe down your card with a sanitizing fluid after use.
Panic buying has emerged as a reliable feature of the coronavirus pandemic. But contrary to conventional wisdom, stockpiling items such as toilet paper and hand sanitizers does business no good at all.
Initially, authorities said that panic buying was not the result of any shortage, with false online rumors being blamed for the rush on toilet paper and face masks.
Now, supermarkets are reporting stock shortages across the board, with supply lines under severe strain and unable to keep up with demand. Buy only what you need, so businesses can carry on functioning, albeit at a restricted capacity.
Most people should have got the message by now. Don't put others at risk if you're sick, or showing telltale symptoms of the virus.
Facing the public on an almost daily basis, many shop owners and small business owners are already in the frontline of the pandemic. The last thing they need is for their employees to fall ill because an infected customer went out when they shouldn't have.
Shopping for essential items will pose a challenge for anyone suspected of carrying the virus, and certainly for those confirmed as having contracted COVID-19. Consider using a delivery service if there's something you really need.
While much of the world is now in lockdown, there aren't many places left open to tip employees for services rendered, especially in cafés and restaurants. But in those places that are still open, tip a little more than usual.
The income of staff working in the hospitality trade has fallen drastically. In some cases, it has ceased altogether. Being more generous with tips can help ease the financial burden. A heavy tip can also be seen as a gesture of solidarity.
The business world has taken a huge hit as a result of this global pandemic. But a tip does help others and contributes towards the spirit of goodwill and sense of appreciation in the community. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)
They're not going away and only getting longer and longer. But queuing for goods is now a way of life for the foreseeable future. Spare a thought for those businesses working at a dramatically reduced capacity while still trying to meet the huge demand for everyday household goods.
Some items are bound to be sold out, or remain out of stock for days, even weeks. In a normal situation, these would be replaced by reorder and stock rotation. But right now the situation is far from normal.
When a business can't meet your needs, demonstrate understanding, a little grace, and patience. Be mindful that they are working hard to stay open and serve the community.
Indeed, a simple thank you speaks volumes and goes a long way to spreading a little gratitude and goodwill.
See also: How the rich are avoiding coronavirus.
Next time you go shopping, make a point of thanking the employees who are hard at work stocking shelves or cleaning the floor. The are working on your behalf—and most likely working overtime to do so.
It can't be easy working in the hospitality and retail sectors right now, and small businesses especially need all the support they can get. Rather than arguing or becoming upset with employees, adopt a more positive and conciliatory tone.
The danger the coronavirus pandemic poses to our health is matched only by the dire economic consequences experienced by countries around the world as COVID-19 strengthens its grip. But there are things individuals can do to support their local business communities at a grass-roots level, simple gestures that can mean the difference between trading or going under.
Click through the gallery and find out how you can do your bit to help small businesses survive the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Think about it. Paper money and coins pass through dozens of hands and can transmit all sort of germs and nasty microbes—exactly what we are all trying to avoid doing at the moment.
How can we help small businesses survive the coronavirus crisis?
November 28 is Small Business Saturday
LIFESTYLE Covid-19
The danger the coronavirus pandemic poses to our health is matched only by the dire economic consequences experienced by countries around the world as COVID-19 strengthens its grip. But there are things individuals can do to support their local business communities at a grass-roots level, simple gestures that can mean the difference between trading or going under.
Click through the gallery and find out how you can do your bit to help small businesses survive the ongoing coronavirus crisis.