Hooray! Can you believe it – the 2022 holiday season is upon us! A time for festive celebrations, a full calendar of social events, wider waistlines, smaller wallets and thankfully more champagne! We’ve all experienced the chaos that comes with the return of Santa Claus and the mass gatherings held at shopping malls. So, why not make this year’s holiday season as easy as possible? Our Holiday Shopping Trends overview and tips here to help!
With the season of giving approaching us, we’ve curated a list of the do’s and don’ts of holiday shopping, so that your shopping experience can be easy as pie! Save time and money by following our list of holiday shopping trends and tips for gift-giving below.
Holiday Shopping Trends: How Will It be Different This Year?
As the season draws near, the holiday shopping trends are unlike anything we’ve seen before. Shoppers are no longer looking to buy a product – they want to have an experience with gift-giving. Through the trials and tribulations over the last two years, people have experienced that life is short and at any moment things could change. This refreshing outlook launched the “experience economy”, which has ultimately drawn people closer to choosing experiences over product.
So, what does this mean for shoppers looking to celebrate the holiday season in 2022? It means that the true value of gift-giving is alive because people want to feel more connected. Whether it’s in business relations, friendships, romantic relationships, or with family, there’s no denying that the power of gift-giving can bring you closer to those you care about. Personalized gifts and experiences make people feel positive emotions – which is a great way to build and sustain relationships!
Internet Shopping is Growing
It’s 2022 and it’s no surprise that internet shopping is the current wave. Not only is this service simple and convenient, it will save you tons of time! (Something which is truly precious during a busy season). Personal online and mobile shopping experiences allow you the freedom of sitting back and allowing others to do the work for you. Consider your loved one’s favorite goodies, type it in the search bar, and chances are you’ll find it on the net! Another fantastic benefit of international shopping is that you can send a gift anywhere in the world. No matter how far your loved one’s are, you can celebrate a special occasion with them by sending a gift to their doorstep. Gift Basket Overseas, offers a wonderful gift-delivery service that saves you the trouble of packaging, customs and duty-free hassles.
Recipients want a human touch
As we mentioned before, holiday shoppers are looking for something a little different this year. The importance of family, connection and appreciation is highlighted, and everyone is yearning for a human touch. Practicing gift-giving as a love language is a wonderful way to make your loved ones feel closer and more connected to you. Put extra thought into your gifts. Personalize a gift basket to suit their taste.
6 Do’s and Don’t of Holiday Shopping:
Holiday shopping can be a daunting task. Whether you’re collecting your holiday season gifts in the beginning of November or late December, a guideline of what to do (and what not to do) can make your shopping experience that much easier! Scroll down for our list of Holiday Shopping Do’s and Don’ts.
Don’t Buy for Everyone on Your List
It’s usual for most adults to begin with a list of people to buy for as the season comes closer. Your list might include a few people that you’re unsure about, like your child’s teacher or a colleague. These names don’t fall into the categories of family or friends, so why not consider a heartfelt gesture such as a home-made gift or personalized note. Before whipping out your card left, right and center; think of thoughtful ways you can spread holiday cheer without cutting them off of your gifting list.
Do: Set Limits
Although we’d all love to feel like Santa Claus handing out an abundance of gifts, it is important to set limits on what you can and can’t afford. Consider buying a gift that the entire family can enjoy. Events such as music concerts or tickets to a sporting event are a great way to save and bring the family together. You might find that purchasing one big-ticket item can cost less than buying individual presents.
Don’t Miss Out on Deals
Before heading to the mall, shop around and look for deals on the internet. It’s common for gift-giving services and online retailers to offer discounts and coupon codes during the holiday season. All you have to do is sign-up to their email newsletter, or visit their website to receive exclusive discounts during the holiday season.
Remember: Some retailers offer last-minute deals as the holidays get closer – so if you’re willing to risk it, you could get lucky!
Do: Keep a Budget
Regardless of seasonal shopping trends and discount deals, this time of the year is always expensive. So before swiping your credit card, we recommend that you first establish a total budget for the holidays. Jot down a list of your expenses, including the people you need to buy gifts for and how much you intend to spend in total. You can be as strict or as lenient as you would like with your total expenditure, but having a number in mind will help you save and spend consciously.
Don’t Be Cheap, Be Frugal
Now don’t get it twisted – there is a difference between being cheap and being frugal. Being frugal means that you’ll consider all of your options to find the most affordable price for a gift, whereas being cheap means that you’re willing to compromise on the quality of a gift for the cheaper price.
Holiday Shopping Hacks: How to Save on Holiday Shopping
Considering some of this season’s holiday shopping trends, it’s easy to feel the festive spirit and throw yourself into the joy of giving a gift, but remember, holiday shopping doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. As you begin this season of giving, keep these tips in mind to make the holidays pleasant and affordable.
Start off early: Save yourself the stress and start your Christmas shopping early. Prices usually skyrocket when the school year closes – so the earlier you start, the better.
Manage Your Budget: Keep track of your spending in a notebook. This helps you know exactly how much you have to spend.
Make Good Use of Your Bonus: Spend your end-of-year bonus wisely and stay clear of credit cards as much as possible. And remember, it’s always a good idea to put a percentage of it aside for the longest month of the year: Janu-worry.
Tis the season to be Jolly
Yes, it is the season of joy, and something that never goes out of trend is laughter. So we’ve decided to leave you with a little something sweet: a list of holiday shopping jokes to pass around the dinner table! Enjoy!
- “If anyone is Christmas shopping for me”
“I’ll take a size large in student loans.”
- A woman is taken to court
The judge asks, “What were you charged for?”
The woman replied, “Doing my Christmas shopping too early.”
When the judge asked her how early, she said, “Before the store opened.”
- I asked my wife what she wanted for Christmas. She told me, “Nothing would make me happier than a diamond necklace.” So I bought her nothing.
- What is cheaper and more effective than a psychiatrist?
Going shopping at a mall.
We hope you enjoyed reading this blog on the Do’s and Don’ts of holiday shopping! With this season’s unique holiday shopping trends, we are guaranteed you’ll find a gift to fulfill all of your loved one’s Christmas wishes! Browse our list of Christmas Gifts and personalized gift baskets to make your seasonal shopping as easy as possible!
You’ve learned a ton about holiday shopping trends and tips! Now what?
- Read more blog posts on our website.
- Shop for gifts and browse our online catalog here.
- Shop our Holiday Gift Baskets.
- If you have any questions or concerns, our customer service team is happy to assist us. Contact us today!
Born and raised in her beloved mother city Cape Town, Amy-Paige Cox is a writer, poet and plant mom. A hopeful romantic with a penchant for adventure, she loves exploring the world, all the while documenting her ever-changing perspectives with pen and paper.