The high prices, the canceled flights, the booked-up lodging and rental cars. The summer of travel chaos still seems hot and fresh somehow.

But it's time to look forward, for there's another crunch time looming less than two months away: the 2022 winter holiday travel season.

So put away your T-shirts, break out your sweaters and get ready for the winter holidays. Here's what to know:

When should I buy tickets for winter holiday flights?

Decision-making on when to buy airline tickets seems more complicated that ever. Prices change daily, even hourly. The staffing and capacity ramifications of the pandemic are still being felt.

But October is probably the best window of opportunity. In other words, NOW.

"Typically ... travelers tend to start planning their holiday travel too late, and they miss out on some of the best prices available," said Hayley Berg, lead economist at Hopper, the planning and booking travel app. And she told CNN Travel she is seeing people waiting later than ever to seal the deal during the pandemic rebound.

"For the holidays in particular, that's a real problem because now is actually the best time to be booking your Thanksgiving and Christmas travel," Berg said.

Hopper suggested in an email to wait no later than mid-October.

It's not just a pricing issue, Berg said. She also noted another risk by waiting: "Flights may be sold out completely on the dates you want to fly."

The worst time to book? 'The last minute'

Scott Keyes, the founder of flight deals and travel advice site Scott's Cheap Flights, told CNN Travel the very best deals were actually this past summer (remember that for 2023). But don't be discouraged this year, he said.

"The second best time to be booking your flights is now -- because the worst time to book them is to wait until the last minute," Keyes said. "If you haven't booked those flights already and you're really hoping to travel over the winter holidays, try to get it booked in the next week or two."

Keyes thinks air fares are likely to get more expensive, not less, as we get closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Phil Dengler, a co-owner of the travel resource The Vacationer, uses a popular fall holiday as his guide.

"I view Halloween as the cutoff date for getting a reasonable price on a Thanksgiving flight, but aim to get booked before then," Dengler said in an email interview. "After Halloween, prices will increase considerably as Thanksgiving gets closer. For Christmas flights, you should really book before Thanksgiving, but the best deals are between now and Halloween."

The auto and travel club AAA had different pricing data for Thanksgiving air fares.

Based on booking data from 2019, 2021 and 2022 so far, AAA found the lowest average fares just seven to 14 days before Thanksgiving, with the highest prices 28 to 60 days before the holiday. However, the data also showed prices rising in the last seven days before the holiday.

So should you wait? A lot depends on personal circumstances such as your budget and how flexible you are with your flying plans, AAA told CNN Travel. If you don't have a lot of wiggle room, it might not be worth the risk to wait for a chance at a lower fare.

"Airlines have fewer flights than they did in 2019, which means fewer options for consumers," said AAA's Paula Twidale, senior vice president of travel. "With staff shortages and capacity being at its peak, you run the risk of being delayed or even missing flights, particularly if weather plays into the equation."

What are the best days to fly for Thanksgiving?

Expedia shared some insights on when to travel for Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 24):

To save money, the travel company suggested waiting until Monday (Nov. 21) to depart instead of Saturday (Nov. 19) and Sunday (Nov. 20), "as the weekend is the most expensive time to start your Thanksgiving week trip."

Average ticket prices for Monday are more than 30% lower than Saturday and nearly 15% cheaper than Wednesday (Nov. 23), it said.

As for returns, Expedia said Friday (Nov. 25) is the cheapest date. Coming back Monday (Nov. 28) instead of Sunday (Nov. 27) could save from 5% to 10%.

Hopper also suggests flying Thanksgiving Day if you can, offering savings of around $100 off peak prices. Plus planes should be less crowded.

Keyes said the Thanksgiving weekend comes with a bonus. "Thanksgiving is the hidden best week for international travel," Keyes said.

Why is that?

Christmas and New Year's are celebrated worldwide and thus come with global demand, but Thanksgiving is just a U.S. holiday, he said. Domestic flights are pricey, but not international ones.

"You find some incredible deals all throughout Europe over Thanksgiving week." He said that on one price check this week, he found cheaper fare from New York City to Lisbon, Portugal ($429 round-trip, than to Cedar Rapids, Iowa ($567 round-trip).

What are the best days to fly for Christmas?

Hopper had advice on when to travel for Christmas (Sunday, Dec. 25):

For departure, it said travelers can save $120 off peak prices by departing the Monday (Dec. 19) or Tuesday (Dec. 20) before Christmas. Leaving on Christmas Eve could save people about $100 this year, Hopper estimated. The site said avoid flying out Thursday (Dec. 22) or Friday (Dec. 23), as those will be the most expensive travel days.

For returns, the Tuesday (Dec. 27) or Wednesday (Dec. 28) after Christmas Day could save you $40 per ticket. It said avoid coming back on Monday (Dec. 26), New Year's Day or Jan. 2, the most expensive return dates.

Some other tips from the experts

Have your ducks in a row: "Preparation is the best way to reduce stress when flying over Thanksgiving and Christmas," Dengler said. "If possible, book a nonstop flight early in the morning" on a lower-volume travel day. He also advised not checking a bag if possible.

Treat yourself: If you fly several times a year or more and value a low stress level, Keyes suggested getting a credit card that includes "compelling perks." That includes access to special airport lounges that get you away from the crowds and offer free food, drinks and even massages.

Avoid the rush: If you're driving, Twidale said leave early in the morning before rush hour or after 8 p.m. If you need a rental car, reserve it early to lock into the rate and pay in advance to save money. If you're flying but driving to the airport, book parking spaces. She also suggested enrolling in TSA Pre-check to bypass long security lines.

Hotels: Berg said if you're headed to a big city (think New York, Chicago, etc.), you are likely to get a better deal if you wait until just a few days before your arrival date to book the room. The caveats: This is for people who aren't dead set on a certain hotel or specific neighborhood. And for smaller cities, she said people should still book earlier as choices are limited.

Humans aren't the only ones coming down sick ahead of the holiday season.  

"Just like people get the flu, birds get the flu. Some strains are a lot worse than others. In this case, it's really bad. It kills the birds," said David Anderson, an economist at AgriLife. 

Across the country, avian flu outbreaks are taking a toll on the turkey and chicken industry, leaving farmers scrambling as they try to protect their birds. 

"We started off the year as normal at our normal time with 600 birds. They had not even left the rooting barn yet; the bird flu came into the area," said Cathy Cabalo, the owner of Cabalo's Orchard and Gardens. "When we're looking at 600 turkeys, that are bread and butter to the season, we didn't dare let them outside."

As of November 1, 43 states had at least one confirmed infected flock according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture — with Iowa being one of the hardest hit states in recent weeks. Officials estimate that nearly 48 million birds in the U.S. have been affected so far. 

Out of the 585 flocks confirmed to have cases of Avian flu, 333 are backyard flocks – with the CDC advising folks raising their own birds to do so with caution. That means wearing protective equipment like goggles and masks especially when handling sick or dead birds. 

SEE MORE: Bird Flu Spreading Across The Country, Detected In At Least 29 States

The avian flu is not just an American problem, in the U.K, poultry farmers have been ordered to keep birds indoors as the country has recorded its largest spread on record more than 200 cases. In Japan, 40,000 chickens were ordered slaughtered following positive tests. 

As case numbers rise, businesses are struggling to keep up with holiday demand. 

"Between Avian influenza and high feed costs, right there you have the recipe for higher prices. We see right now at the store, whether wholesale or retail prices," said Anderson. 

Greg Schmidt is the manager of Tower Chicken Farm. 

"My supplier lost over 100,000 birds just in the month of August," said Schmidt. 

Add in inflation and shoppers are feeling the pinch in their wallet. According to Auburn University, turkey prices are 25% higher than they were this time last year — with turkey production estimated to decline 6.4% in 2022. The price of a 15 pound turkey is now nearly $21 compared to $15 last year. 

"Right now we're seeing a little bit of a shortage in the bigger sizes," said Scott Podd, co-owner of Ray's Butcher Shop. 

And if you are looking for a big bird for your Thanksgiving table, industry experts warn that the sooner you purchase or order your holiday bird, the better off you'll be adding that last minute shoppers might find themselves out of "cluck." 

Newsy is the nation’s only free 24/7 national news network. You can find Newsy using your TV’s digital antenna or stream for free. See all the ways you can watch Newsy here. 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Birdie Hansen stumbled nose-first into her small business during a time when most businesses were standing still.

"It was just a little hobby that I was doing around when everyone was doing their sourdough starters," she said

Her pandemic project turned into Effing Candle Co. in Kansas City, where she and her husband make cozy candles with a big sense of humor.

It’s a business that’s been growing, despite the odds, but as many small businesses can relate, success hasn’t come easily.

"The cost of our materials have definitely gone up this year, our wax our fragrances. Shipping is more expensive. Labels have gone up. Like everything that we touch has gone up in price," she said.

What consumers are feeling in terms of inflation, small businesses feel too. Inflation right now is at 7.7% and, according to Deloitte, that’s reflected in the holiday spending outlook.

Holiday spending is expected to stay stagnant at $1,455 per household, but consumers plan to buy less gifts—nine compared to 16—and will pull back on non-gift spending by 12%.

While low-income earners plan on spending 25% more than last year, high-income earners will most likely spend 7% less.

"Every day was a teachable moment for the last two and a half years," said Larry Wigger, an associate professor of supply chain management at the University of Missouri Kansas City.

Wigger had a lot to talk about in his classroom lately. He says inflation has been made worse by the lack of labor and supply chain disruptions of both the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

"Just when we thought we were gonna recover it, set everybody back again," he said.

Wigger says that it will most likely take big shifts in society until we get back to how things were before the pandemic, including growing interest in blue-collar jobs and figuring out long-term supply solutions. In the meantime, there are opportunities for businesses to get creative to weather the current climate.

"Rethinking how you source your stuff, being creative about your hiring, and really thinking through your job descriptions," he said.

Getting creative is exactly what Birdie has been doing at her candle company.

What has worked in her favor is making sure her products come in a variety of price points, offering big discounts on imperfect products, and online gifts with purchases and free shipping minimums to entice buyers. She also hopes consumers keep small businesses like hers in mind when deciding where to spend this holiday season as every dollar continues to mean so much.

"We are just the ones out here making a product that we love, for consumers that we love," she said.

WASHINGTON —

President Joe Biden on Monday expressed alarm about growing antisemitism in the United States and around the globe and vowed to fight back against the scourge.

Speaking to guests gathered for a Hanukkah reception at the White House, Biden said “silence is complicity,” and added that it’s imperative that hate, violence and antisemitism are condemned by the nation.

“This year’s Hanukkah arrives in the midst of rising and emboldened antisemitism at home — and quite frankly, around the world,” Biden said. “I recognize your fear, your hurt, your worry that this vile and venom is becoming too normal.”

The president added: “I will not be silent. America will not be silent.”

The holiday celebration comes during a spate of antisemitic episodes. Former President Donald Trump hosted a Holocaust-denying white supremacist at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. The rapper Ye expressed love for Adolf Hitler in an interview. Basketball star Kyrie Irving appeared to promote an antisemitic film on social media. Neo-Nazi trolls are clamoring to return to Twitter as new CEO Elon Musk grants “amnesty” to suspended accounts.

“Today, we must all say clearly and forcefully: Antisemitism and all forms of hate and violence in this country have no safe harbor in America,” Biden said.

The Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish civil rights group, tracked 2,717 antisemitic instances of assault, harassment and vandalism last year, a 34% increase over the previous year and the highest number since the New York City-based group began tracking them in 1979.

Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, recently hosted a White House discussion on antisemitism and combating hate with Jewish leaders representing the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox denominations of the faith. At the event, Emhoff, who is Jewish, said he was “in pain right now” over rising antisemitism.

Among those invited to Monday’s White House event were Holocaust survivor Bronia Brandman; Michele Taylor, who is U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Human Rights Council and the daughter of Holocaust survivors; and Avigael Heschel-Aronson, the granddaughter of Jewish theologian Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.

Also present was a rabbi, Charlie Cytron-Walker, who managed to usher his congregants to safety during a synagogue hostage crisis earlier this year. He credited security training that his suburban Fort Worth, Texas, congregation had received over the years for getting him and the other three hostages through the traumatic, 11-hour ordeal.

At the White House celebration, he noted that antisemitism was a growing problem in America but expressed thanks that many Americans — including Biden — are speaking out.

“Antisemitism may be on the rise, but thank God that people are standing by our side,” said Cytron-Walker, who is now a rabbi at Temple Emanuel in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

A menorah has been added to the White House holiday collection this year, lit nightly during the eight-day Jewish festival of Hanukkah. White House carpenters built the menorah out of sterling silver candle cups and wood that was saved from a Truman-era renovation.

While the White House has borrowed menorahs of special significance in the past, Biden said the addition was needed.

“This year we thought it was important to celebrate Hanukkah with another message of significance, permanence,” Biden said. “The very promise of America is that we all are created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our entire lives.”

Hide Transcript
Show Transcript

SHEREE: I THINK KINGS ISLAND IS TRYING TO BE PROACTIVE. THAT IS JUST THE WEATHER WE WILL BE FACING AT THE END OF THIS WEEK. KEVIN: I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE TO CANCEL WINTERFEST IN THIS CASE. WE ARE TALKING WHEN CHILLS THAT ARE 20 AND 30° BELOW ZERO. IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE IT HAS BEEN THAT COLD. WHEN CHILLS WILL STAY BELOW ZERO THROUGH CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON. LIFE-THREATENING COLD WILL BE OF ALONG DURATION. LET’S BREAK DOWN THE STORM. WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR POWER OUTAGES TOO, WITH GUSTS THAT CAN GET UP TO 50 AT TIMES. WHEN YOU HAVE TEMPERATURES A FEW DEGREES ABOVE ZERO, IT IS EASY TO GET WIND CHILLS THAT ARE GREATER THAN 20° BELOW ZERO WHEN YOU ARE TALKING WIND SPEEDS OF THIS MAGNITUDE. THE OTHER WORRY CONTINUES TO BE THAT THIS -- DISRUPTION TO TRAVEL AS WELL. THE BIGGER PROBLEM IS, DO NOT EXPECT BIG IMPROVEMENTS DURING THE DAY ON FRIDAY, BECAUSE OUR TEMPERATURES WILL BE BETWEEN ZERO AND FIVE ABOVE. ROAD TREATMENT IS LESS EFFECTIVE WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT TEMPERATURES THAT COLD. THE IMPACTS WILL BE HIGH ON FRIDAY EVEN THOUGH THE WORST OF THE WEATHER IS LIKELY TO MOVE IN WHILE WE GO TO BED THURSDAY NIGHT AND THE SNOW WILL BE OVER BY THE TIME YOU WAKE UP ON FRIDAY, BUT THE EFFECTS WILL LINGER THROUGH THE DAY. ON THURSDAY, A LITTLE RAIN AND WIND. THE WEATHER IS ESSENTIALLY QUIET UP UNTIL THURSDAY. WE WILL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY TOMORROW. SHOWERS THURSDAY MORNING. THURSDAY EVENING, IT IS STILL RAINING. WE WILL LIKELY BE IN THE MID 40’S. A STRONG COLD FRONT COMES THROUGH BY 10:00 P.M. A QUICK TRANSITION OVER TO SNOW AND HERE IS THE PROBLEM. BY MIDNIGHT, TEMPERATURES ARE CRASHING TO THE TEENS AND SINGLE DIGITS. I THINK OVERNIGHT THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY, IT WILL BE IMPRESSIVE WITH THE SNOW AND WIND. IT WILL GET NASTY PRETTY QUICKLY. THE SNOW WAS GONE BY THE TIME YOU WAKE UP FRIDAY MORNING. RIGHT NOW, SNOWFALL AMOUNTS IN THE 1-3 INCH RANGE, WITH SOME AREAS POSSIBLY SEEING AS MUCH AS FOUR. LOOK AT THESE WIND CHILLS AT 7:00 FRIDAY MORNING. TEMPERATURES 25-30 DEGREES BELOW ZERO. THAT IS DANGEROUS COLD. IT MAKES 33 FEEL WARM. TEMPERATURES IN THE 20’S IN THE SUBURBS IN MOST LOCATIONS. A NICE WARM UP TOMORROW AS WE GET CLOSE TO 50 BY AFTERNOON. 48 FOR A HIGH. HERE IS A LOOK AT YOUR DAY PLANNER, PRETTY NICE FROM START TO FINISH AROUND THE AREA. HOPEFULLY YOU ARE TRAVELING TOMORROW VERSUS THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY. 40° ON THURSDAY. -- 48 DEGREES ON THURSDAY. THIS LOOKS TO BE A VERY IMPACTFUL WINTER STORM.

A powerful and dangerous winter storm will impact our region before Christmas.

CINCINNATI —

A powerful and dangerous winter storm will impact our region before Christmas.