I walked into Walmart a couple of weeks ago and almost threw up. No, it wasn't something I ate for lunch. It was all the Christmas stuff. Honestly, I really like Christmas. Years ago I even endured the process of bleaching and dying my hair, beard, and eye-brows to be Santa Claus. It is a great holiday, but heck, I haven't yet enjoyed the most wonderful evening of the year... Halloween. It's the only night of the year I can legally scare the heck out of kids and not get into trouble. I know, some of you right now are trying to figure out how to turn me into the local police for making some little boy or girl squeal with fright and delight at the same time. It's Halloween... get over it.

I am amazed by the number of inquiries I am already receiving from people wanting to know which restaurants will be open on Thanksgiving. Some of the calls and emails are from people who will be visiting our area during the Thanksgiving and don't want to end up having to buy their holiday meal at Snappy Mart. So local restaurant owners/managers, please tell the Chamber of Commerce office if you will be open on Thanksgiving, and if reservations will be required. We will gladly share the information, and hopefully send business to your doorstep.

It seems that Kathy and I will have all three of our sons and one girlfriend staying at our home during the Christmas season. So that means my "honey-do" list will begin growing longer with tasks that must be completed before their arrival. I'm certain I will need to help get the extra bedroom in order for the large blow-up mattress. I will need to find the extra leaf to the dining room table. A commode in one of the bathrooms hasn't worked since we moved in, so I will need to prod the rental people at Smith Realty to get that fixed sooner, rather than later. I will need to make certain my outdoor grill is in prime working condition for the ribs, sausage, burgers, corn on the cob, and other grilled items. There are lots of little things to do, and only so many weekends left. Of course there are the essential things I will need to get before they arrive. Items like toilet paper. You know what I mean... six adults go through a whole lot more toilet paper than two people. We have to be ready.

Then there is New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. During my younger years, those two days would occasionally blur together. Now days, we sleep right through the midnight hour unless the neighbors fire off a bunch of fireworks.

So, what does all this babbling about holidays have to do with business here in Grant County?

If the success of your business depends on sales during the holiday season, what are you doing right now to attract customers and clients? If you are a restaurant, are you planning to market your holiday specials through local media, as well as the Chamber of Commerce and the Visitors Center? If your company is going to invite the public to attend a holiday open house, are you placing it on various community calendars through-out Grant County and are you creating ads for the radio and newspaper? There is a reason why Walmart already has the Christmas items on the shelves in their stores. They understand planning, marketing, staffing and inventory control. They definitely get ready for their busiest time of the year. So the question is... are you ready?

As you read what I wrote within the beginning of this article, it's not just about businesses being ready, but are you ready personally? Have you planned for family activities? Have you come up with a budget for holiday spending? If the Chamber of Commerce can assist you, call us at 538-3785 or send an email to sterry@silvercity.org. The holidays begin in just a few short weeks. We hope your holiday season is great!