Page 15 - 12-5-22

RURAL-URBAN RECORD, December 5, 2022 Page 15
Countdown ~to~ Christmas

ucation. Consider donating to or opening up an account to Experiential gifts for seniors seeking, a hot air balloon ride may be more suitable. Hot
help fund college costs. Different plans have different annual air balloon rides provide a truly stunning way to experience
contribution limits and tax deferments, so it’s a good idea to Holiday shoppers know that, seemingly every year, there’s idyllic settings and a calm way to take to the skies on a beau-
speak with a financial professional to figure out which ave- one person on their shopping list who’s hard to shop for. Se- tiful day. Rides tend to last around an hour, but companies
nue is right for you and your gift recipient. niors may fit that bill, as many have already accumulated a typically offer various packages and may even let shoppers
Retailer gift cards lifetime’s worth of goods and gadgets. That’s why experien- customize rides for their loved ones.
Teenagers always enjoy some extra purchasing power, so tial gifts can be such a good fit for seniors come the holiday · Theatre tickets: The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t been
gift cards to their favorite retailers are likely to be a hit. If season. easy for anyone, but seniors were among the groups most
you’re not sure where the teen on your list shops, consider a Experiential gifts are wildly popular. In its 2021 Winter vulnerable to serious infection if they caught the virus. As
gift card good for any store in a local mall. Holiday Shopping Report, the market research firm Mintel a result, many seniors strictly adhered to social distancing
Shopping for gifts for teens can be a little easier if shop- revealed that nearly half of individuals surveyed for the re- guidelines prior to getting vaccinated. Now that seniors are
pers get a nudge in the right direction. eligible to be fully vaccinated and even receive two rounds of
port felt that experiential gifts are superior to tangible items.
Seniors who already have everything they need might be booster shots, a trip to the theatre can reignite their passion
for live entertainment and make for a memorable night out.
Work-related resolutions to even more enthusiastic about experiential gifts, which may · Cycling tour: Modern seniors are among the most phys-
encourage them to get out of the house or pursue passions
consider in the year ahead they’ve long had a passing interest in. This holiday season, ically active demographics. A 2020 study published in the
Journal of Medical Internet Research found that, within
shoppers can consider these experiences as they look for
something new and unique for the seniors on their shopping months of the pandemic being declared, adults age 65 and
New Year’s resolutions run the gamut from kicking bad lists. older averaged 100 more minutes of physical activity than
habits like smoking to finding more time to exercise to · Biplane flight: Few experiences are as exhilarating as a the next closest cohort. A cycling tour can make for a perfect
learning a foreign language. Many resolutions are about flight in an open cockpit biplane. Biplane flights are unique gift to active seniors. Tours may be designed to visit local
self-improvement, and that desire to live better can ex- to each company that offers them, but some planes can ac- places of historical significance, idyllic natural settings or lo-
tend into the professional arena. commodate two passengers (in addition to the pilot), mak- cal eateries. Wherever the tours ultimately end up, they’re
New Year’s resolutions can be just as beneficial to a ing this an ideal gift for senior couples who aren’t afraid of sure to put a smile on active seniors’ faces.
person’s professional life as they can in that same in- a bird’s eye view. The length of a flight depends on shop- Experiences can make for the perfect holiday gifts for se-
dividual’s personal life. With that in mind, professionals pers’ budgets, but no matter how long seniors are in the air, niors who have it all.
can consider these work-related resolutions this Janu- they’re sure to return to the ground having enjoyed a truly
ary. unique experience.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!
· Hot air balloon ride: If riding shotgun with a pilot in a tiny
· Make a concerted effort to change careers. The num- plane is more adventure than your favorite senior may be SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!
bers are in regarding satisfaction at work, and they’re not
very promising. According to Gallup’s State of the Glob-
al Workplace: 2022 report, 60 percent of workers report
being emotionally detached at work. Perhaps more trou-
bling is that 19 percent report being miserable at their
jobs. Professionals who are not engaged at work can
resolve to get the ball rolling on a career change in the
year ahead. Look into what that might entail, whether it’s
simply applying for new jobs in your field or going back
to school to facilitate a career change, and take the nec-
essary first step.
· Rebalance your work and family life. A 2015 survey of
1,000 full-time professionals in the United States found
that 77 percent felt they had experienced burnout at their
jobs. Rebalancing work and family life can make more
time for things outside of work, including family. That can
lead to greater life satisfaction, including a renewed vig-
or for your career.
· Resolve to communicate more effectively with your
team. Even professionals satisfied with their careers
can take steps to make their work lives better. There are
many reasons why workers feel stressed and burned
out, and some may find communication with their man-
agers is lacking. Managers can make a concerted effort
to improve lines of communication with their staff. Doing
so can improve productivity and create a better working
environment for all.
· Find ways to be more productive. Remarkably, a
2019 study by Rescue Time found that, in a given work-
day, workers’ average time of productivity is just two
hours and 28 minutes. By making a concerted effort to
be more productive, workers can get more done in a typ-
ical eight-hour workday, thus paving the way for a better
work-life balance. Spend less time surfing the internet,
avoid checking your phone for texts and other distrac-
tions, and make a daily schedule of tasks to tackle. Each
of these steps can help you be more productive in a giv-
en workday.
When making New Year’s resolutions this January,
professionals can resolve to find ways to make their www.jmcarpentryltd.com • Fredericksburg, Ohio 44627
workdays better.

Happy Holidays

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