As this year wraps up my 15th in the trucking industry, I’d like to take a few moments to pause and reflect on how the years may seem to endlessly advance but the base formula for expedited gift shopping and giving remains unchanged. In my first four years in trucking, specifically in the world of expedite, it was evident that the recruiting side of things typically came to a slowdown as the ramp-up to Christmas built to a heightened crescendo. But while recruiting drivers and owner operators will traditionally hit a holiday snag, the fact remains that the rest of the commercial trucking community will continue to put the proverbial pedal to the metal and accelerate to the tune of quicker and more timely deliveries in order to maintain that holiday shopping momentum.

During the holidays, many of the folks we love and hold dear are busy working to help maintain an economy that is largely based on buying and selling. Most folks don’t tend to consider much beyond the customary exchanging of funds in order to conclude a holiday gift-buying transaction. But what doesn’t usually populate into a person’s brain is just how intricate a system exists that makes gift buying and giving such a joyous routine for many.

When we contemplate how the process works, and we see it from a 30,000-foot view, the easy way of breaking it down would be to start with the construction/building process of any consumer good and finish with its delivery by one of our esteemed truckers out there braving the traffic and weather elements to ensure the buying public is able to spend their hard-earned cash on Christmas presents and the like.

But when we really dig down past the crust of what is the logistics chain of command, from development to delivery, there are a whole lot of people we should be thanking and wishing a happy holiday to simply for the work they do that makes everyone’s season bright.

To the Real Elves:

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to those who are responsible for the building, the piecing together, of each toy, trinket, bauble, and ball. From toy dolls and action figures to air fryers and automobiles, the folks who go to work each day and piece together the items that bring us all joy and happiness. We wish all the best to you and yours and thank you for your dedication to the craft of production.

To the Movers and Shippers:

A Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to those who handle the shipping, warehousing, and every intricate logistical piece to this holiday puzzle. These are the folks who work tirelessly behind the scenes, the ones who coordinate the processes from shipping to delivery. We wish all the best to you and yours and thank you for your efforts to get gifts from point A to point Z, and all the points in-between.

To the Real Santas:

And Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to the road warriors out there. The folks on the frontlines who are doing the dirty work, spending days away from their family and friends during the most special of all holiday seasons, the ones who are routinely braving the snowy roads and icy conditions to ensure the gifts on every wish list make it to their ultimate destinations. We wish all the best to you and yours and thank you for your hard work and dedication to keeping things rolling. Literally.

To the Support System:

Finally, a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to my friends, family, and colleagues. This past year has been an absolute adventure and the culminating Christmas gift I’ve been fortunate enough to receive is that of an opportunity to share this holiday season with you ALL. Thank you, and be blessed.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Brandon Baxter