For many people, Thanksgiving officially marks the start of the holiday season. In the weeks to come, our calendars will be filled with parties, family get-togethers and traditions that celebrate this very special time of year.

Whether it’s with turkey and the trimmings or family time and football, it is my hope that while we celebrate we also pause and remember to be grateful for our health, family, friends and other blessings that we feel most thankful for.

For many people, the day after Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday shopping season. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday are the most popular shopping days of the year. For many people, however, holiday shopping comes with a great deal of stress and I thought the following information might be helpful.

For helpful shopping tips, check out these links:

New York State’s Consumer Guide to Holiday Shopping

Black Friday Safety Plan

Support local businesses on "Small Business Saturday" - Nov. 30th

Cyber Monday Shopping Tips

Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday!