With the holidays around the corner, shopper demand is clashing with supply chain problems and worker shortages. Some retailers are pursuing temporary hires; others are simply hoping their ships will come in . . . literally. Will market glitches put a damper on the season of giving and receiving?

Retailers want to move merchandise from clogged ports, into stores, and out to people’s homes quickly. But without workers, that supply chain will suffer. As a result of serious worker shortages, analysts say 2021 customers may see fewer deals, emptier shelves, and longer lines.

But even with supply chain concerns in the mix, experts predict finding workers will be the main issue this holiday season.

Still, a number of retailers have high hiring goals ahead of holiday shopping. Here are the plans of a few large retailers:

Dick’s Sporting Goods: largest number of seasonal associates in company history

Kohl’s: 90,000 seasonal workers; a rare $100-$400 holiday bonus for hourly employees

Macy’s: 48,000 holiday workers at call centers, stores, and warehouses

UPS: more than 100,000 workers and a streamlined application process

Walmart: 20,000 employees to handle freight and fill orders

But while many stores are ramping up for holiday hiring, Target plans to employ fewer seasonal workers. Instead, the retailer will offer more hours and flexibility to the employees it already has.

Red-shirted Target newbies will still help ring in the new year—Target aims for about 100,000 seasonal hires nationwide. However, that’s about 30,000 fewer than last year. Instead, Target will offer a total of five million additional hours of work during the holiday season to workers already on the payroll.

Already, hourly employees at Target are working nearly 15% more than last year. But according to Target, they keep requesting more hours.

The retail chain isn’t alone in the decision to lower its hiring goals. Global recruiting firm Challenger, Gray, & Christmas says retailers are focusing on hiring—and in some cases rewarding—people who will stay rather than temporary, seasonal workers. That sounds like a future-minded plan—not just a short-term fix for the predicted rush at the holidays.

Industry-wide challenges could last into the new year. Shortages in supply, staff, and delivery services could cause problems for those who delay shopping.

“Customers, families want to celebrate Christmas,” says Walmart CEO Doug McMillon. For Christians, that means that despite economic woes or supply chain disasters, celebrations will still center on the greatest gift ever given: Jesus.

Why? To examine wise management of supply chain issues and hiring practices and to recognize the work focus of the truth that “it is more blessed to give than receive.”

Pray: For willingness to control expectations at holidays and to remain kind; for those experiencing genuine need during the holidays; for remembering Jesus’ birth as the reason for celebrating Christmas.