In Clifton, brothers Rudy and Fred Dauth are out of trees. Maybe a nice wreath, instead?

Hello again, folks!

I started to get the feeling that there might be something to the "Christmas tree shortage" when the big, stadium-lit lot that usually pops up in the shopping center in Glassboro . . . never appeared. No trees, no tree lot.

Other lots sprouted quickly around Thanksgiving, then disappeared when the trees did. In the local Facebook group, stories of paying $200-plus prices for slim pickings began to appear.

You know I'd been pretty blase about the whole supply chain crisis thing, and still am -- a shortage of my Wawa iced tea and my delayed couch delivery do not a national crisis make.

But not having a decent tree seriously threatened to harsh the holiday vibe I'm very much in need of this year. And it was happening all over the state, as our Rich Cowan reports: In Clifton, Randolph, Edgewater, Montclair and likely in your town, inventory is low and prices are high.

A lot of factors have combined to create this year's dearth of trees, as Rich's story notes. A recession years ago that meant fewer trees planted. Climate change. The current labor shortage. And, it must be noted, a general "need a little Christmas, right this very minute" feeling that led a lot of people to start decorating early.

By the time my husband went out on Tuesday to get a tree, I was worried. Would the shrimpy artificial tree stashed in the basement and sort-of-lovingly called "the Christmas twig" have to stand in? I've had worse problems, but still.

A little while later, he left a voicemail, which you have to imagine in the deeply-embedded Brooklyn accent of a guy who's lived in Jersey for like 30 years now: "Yeah, hi, good news and bad news. The good news is here's a column idea for ya for this week, the bad news is there's no friggin' Christmas trees anywhere."

At a local garden center, lots of gorgeous holiday decor but only a few trees. Other places we'd found trees over the years were cleaned out. One more place to check.

He got lucky at Round Tree Farm here in Mullica Hill, where the Griffin family has been farming since 1947. He found a good tree for a good price, and heard the story of how the destructive tornado that swept through town in September missed them so narrowly it felt like a miracle.

And after the year we've all had, any miracle is welcome in our home.

Also this week, omicron is having an effect, important recalls to know about, the Griswold house goes big-time, hold on to your cheesecakes and this year's Miss A:

MARCH 2020 VIBES: If it suddenly feels like everyone you know is either rushing for a test or suddenly positive for COVID, it's not just you: With omicron and delta both in play, New Jersey just recorded the highest one-day positive total since Jan. 13, just before vaccines began rolling out. Let's be careful out there.

CHECK THE FRIDGE, PART INFINITY: Planning your holiday meal and stocking up for the kids' school vacations? Check any Coca-Cola, Sprite and Minute Maid products. There's also even more pork products on that ham-and-pepperoni recall list now, so check the charcuterie!

MORE THAN A HOUSE: We've known Mickleton's Steve Harbaugh these past few years as the guy who does the big "Griswold House" light display, collecting toys and money for charity. He's outgrown that, and this year debuts Harbaugh Village in Mullica Hill, with all the trappings of winter.

MMM, THAT'S TASTY MARKETING: With cream cheese on the short-supply list, Kraft is offering people 20 bucks to not make cheesecake for their holiday desserts. The company expects "elevated and sustained demand" for Philadelphia brand cream cheese, Katherine Rodriguez reports.

WE USED TO KNOW HER: Hey, remember Miss America? She used to be from around here but moved away and is kind of hard to reach and almost unrecognizable now? But she persists. Amy Kuperinsky reports.

Finally, congratulations to Bruce Springsteen and his family on The Boss's $500 million deal for the sale of his publishing, announced this week. Talk about creating generational wealth! It's becoming a pretty common move for Rock Stars of a Certain Age, and who can blame them? Music sales aren't what they used to be, and nobody can tour forever. Except the Rolling Stones. Duh.

That's it for this week! I'm taking some time off over the holidays, and hope you can, too. I'll see you back here on Jan. 8 and we'll try to figure out the new year, together.

P.S.: Who's feeling like Indian food for dinner this week? Check out Pete Genovese and Jeremy Schneider's list. It can't all be Christmas cookies!

P.P.S.: Santa called, and he told me to tell you a subscription to NJ.com makes a great gift -- for someone you love, and for the hardworking non-elves who bring you the news every day.