All is calm...
New ways to shop
Although many of us want this to be an extra-special Christmas, there’s also the feeling that we don’t want any of the normal stress we might typically associate with the season. It’s one of the reasons Christmas meal kits – containing everything you need for the big day delivered direct to your door – are expected to be a big hit this season.
Meanwhile, both Morrisons and Tesco have launched their own version of Christmas in a box, containing all the festive favourites you love from turkey to mince pies.
We’re likely to see even more of a Christmas ‘freeze’ this year too, as people look to frozen foods for convenience – something that only continues a trend that’s been going on since the pandemic began when frozen food sales soared.
At the other end of the scale, lockdown did lead to something of a home-baking boom and it’s expected some of us may carry that on into Christmas, seeking out new recipes for Christmas classics or home baking some of the foods we would normally buy in.
A shift in the way we give
As the pandemic has made many of us want to show our appreciation for family and friends even more, it seems lots of us are putting extra thought into the presents we plan to give.
Experts predict this will lead to a trend for more handmade and
A study from eBay found of people plan on putting
thought into their presents, such as personalising them personalised gifts. It’s also thought this year’s gifts could be closely linked to the fact that many of us have embarked on a new hobby or activity this year with an anticipated rise in gifts especially related to baking and gardening. What’s more, it might not be just our nearest and dearest we want to treat in this more thoughtful Christmas. April Preston, Director of Product Development M&S Food says: “Community and charity will be top of mind for customers. We are all feeling more altruistic and will want to thank
At letterboxhamper.com, gifts such as this gin hamper, right, are posted directly to the recipient of consumers have taken a new hobby or interest
those who provided support, care and services over the year. This might be a charity Christmas card with a special message, and we predict a resurgence in sending cards as people want to give handwritten thanks.”
April also expects to see an increase in giving small gifts as a token of appreciation, for example to our neighbours, our grandchildren’s teachers or other local heroes.
According to YouGov, 64 per cent of people want to buy local products as a result of coronavirus, either to keep businesses afloat or in recognition of the lifeline service these shops offered during the height of the pandemic. And it’s expected this trend will continue into Christmas.
Many of us are expected to show our support for smaller, independent companies by attending the growing number of virtual Christmas markets going on around the country to make up for the fact these often artisan businesses can’t sell in person this year. Bath, Edinburgh and York are among just a few of the cities now hosting their usual Christmas market online.
And we’ll be keeping our posties busy by ordering more letterbox gifts, that can be sent direct to our loved ones, meaning they can still get a present from us even if we can’t give it to them in person.