When going shopping, henceforth and until the end of the year:

(1) Remember to bring personal audio device, so you can block out the ubiquitous annoying Christmas music. Call me Scrooge, but most of the muzak piped through the stores is grating, and even the good stuff is overdone. NPR has never sounded so good.

(2) Remember to bring pocketsfull of spare change to drop in the Salvation Army kettles. My motivation on this is wholly lacking in virtue: I just want to save myself the hassle of cashing in my change. Helping the needy is secondary at best. But the needy get helped whatever my motivation. God bless the Salvation Army.