Food-related gifts are popular come the holiday season. According to Packaged Facts’ November-December 2023 report on consumer and corporate food gifting in the United States, 50 percent of consumers had purchased food gifts for others over the 12-month report period, and 65 percent had purchased food gifts for themselves. The holidays of Chanukah and Christmas are particularly popular for giving food gifts, with nearly half of all food gifts purchased during these holiday seasons.
For a dedicated foodie in one’s life, a gift that tempts the palate can be rewarding. There are delectable gifts of all flavors for the culinaryminded. Explore these possibilities when building holiday shopping lists.
ASPIRING COOK
Preparing meals at home allows cooks to customize flavors to meet their personal needs. Experimenting with recipes and perfecting techniques is high on the list for budding chefs. Outfitting their kitchens with durable cooking gear, like a cast-iron skillet,
Dutch oven, immersion blender, or kitchen scale can help home cooks immensely. A variety of cookbooks that feature different cuisines can provide endless inspiration.
TEMPTING SWEETS
Cooks and bakers typically fall into two distinctive camps. Baking is an art that marries creativity with science. If a foodie delights in all things sweet, focus on gifts that cater to their sugar-laden passions. Baking essentials like a stand mixer, silicone baking mats, cookie cutters, professional-grade pans, and gourmet ingredients are sure to please.
Don’t underestimate the appeal of beautifully packaged candies, chocolates, cookie bars, or even specialty coffees and liqueurs when gifting food.
GLOBAL PALATE
Some foodies love nothing more than sampling cuisines from all around the world. While you might not be able to offer a ticket to every far-flung region, you certainly can gift flavors from these countries with a well curated gift. Think international snack boxes, a collection of sauces from different areas, unique condiments, or food baskets brimming with items from a particular country or region.
HIGH-CLASS DINING
Some food lovers seemingly have everything. In such cases, a bottle of wine or another favorite liquor as well as a gift certificate to a local four-star restaurant might be the icing on the cake for gifting.
Ultimately the best gifts for foodies are those that recognize their passion for palatetempting treats.
Cyber Monday is the final bookend to a series of shopping-centric days preceding Christmas. Along with Black Friday, Plaid Friday and Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday presents an additional opportunity to realize great deals on items shoppers may need for gifting or entertaining.
Adobe Newsroom reported Cyber Monday hit a record $13.3 billion in online spending in 2024, marking an increase of more than 7 percent from 2023. Consumers also spent heavily on mobile devices, which accounted for 54.8 percent of online sales.
Each Cyber Monday offers a chance to save big and streamline shopping. Utilizing these tips for making the most of the day can enhance success.
MAXIMIZE
• Make a list of intended purchases. Draft a list of items that you need or want and research their typical prices in advance of Cyber Monday. This enables you to quickly identify if a Cyber Monday discount is a good deal.
• Safely shop online. Scammers are in the business of taking your hard-earned money or personal data. They mimic the look of popular stores and promote deals that often are too good to be true. Before entering payment information, double-check web addressess, spelling and contact information, warns the Better Business Bureau. Check the website URL to ensure that the site is secure before purchase.
• Look for coupon codes. Check for available promo codes in advance, which can help you get deeper discounts. Utilizing browser extensions that automatically search for and apply coupon codes can streamline this process.
• Be mindful of shipping costs. Shop at online retailers that offer free shipping whenever possible. Double-check the costs of
shipping when it isn’t free to ensure that the discount is enough to offset shipping costs.
• Ship directly to recipients. In some instances, you can enter a recipients’s address at checkout and have the items arrive directly to friends or family members who live far away. This can be a great way to avoid potentially costly shipping charges.
• Shop during off-peak times. The convenience of online shopping enables shopping for gifts when it fits into your schedule. Online retailers are open all hours and seven days a week. Save Cyber Monday bulk shopping for the early morning or late evening when you can think through gifts more readily. Although improvements to internet speeds have been made in recent years, online traffic may slow down transactions made during peak hours, so this is another reason to shop during off-peak times.
Great deals can be had on Cyber Monday, and customers can maximize opportunities to save.
IDEAL GIFTS
Many people find that the great outdoors is the perfect place to spend their days. Activities run the gamut from hunting and fishing to hiking and camping. Plenty of other interests, like birdwatching or mountain biking, also maximize time spent in the outdoors.
According to the “Outdoor Participation Trends Report” from the Outdoor Industry Association, gateway activities like hiking, camping and fishing each gained more than two million new participants over the last year. There’s also been a surge in participation in such activities among seniors and youth, contributing to a more multigenerational outdoors experience. There’s also been participation growth among Black and Hispanic Americans, indicating long-term momentum toward equity and inclusion.
When it comes to holiday giving, tapping into the interests of outdoor enthusiasts is a great way to offer gifts that will be used and appreciated. Here are some ideas when making holiday shopping lists.
• FIRST AID KIT: No matter the activity, having an up-todate and well-stocked first aid kit can be a lifesaver when spending time in the outdoors. The kit should include items
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like splints and bandage wraps for immobilizing ankles or limbs in the event of sprains.
• QUALITY WOOL SOCKS: Nothing can derail an outdoor adventure faster than wet, cold or blistered feet. Wool socks are a must because they are moisture-wicking, warm and comfortable.
• INSULATED, WATERPROOF JACKET: A high-quality jacket for outdoor adventures that will be efficient at trapping heat, windproof and water-resistant is a thoughtful gift. Patagonia is a popular brand of outerwear, but retailers like Columbia and REI also merit consideration.
• TRAIL SHOES OR SANDALS: Supportive, comfortable and non-slip footwear is a given when enjoying the great outdoors. Depending on the activity, there are plenty of options from boots to hikers to trail sandals to consider.
• WAIST PACK: Packing light for short jaunts in the wilderness may include stocking a waist pack (also known as a fanny pack) with must-have items. They are lightweight, comfortable and spacious enough for the essentials without getting bogged down by a backpack or another bag.
• BUFF: A buff is a tube of lightweight, stretchy material that serves innumerable functions in the great outdoors. It can be used to shield the neck from the sun or wind, or to absorb sweat or keep hair out of the face. A buff can be useful on a hiking or backpacking trip, or just about any outdoor activity.
• HEADLAMP: Visibility is essential when enjoying the great outdoors, and many activities happen during dawn and dusk when light may be at a premium. A headlamp keeps things hands-free and sheds light on surroundings or up-close tasks, like setting up fishing hooks or field dressing game.
• SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR: A satellite communicator can keep outdoors enthusiasts safe and at ease when off the grid. Certain regions have spotty cell coverage, and satellite devices will do better at sending out messages or SOS signals should something go awry.
• HIKING POLES: Telescoping hiking poles are adjustable and lightweight, and offer extra support and balance when on trails.
Outdoor enthusiasts will benefit from gifts tailored to their love of nature, wildlife and adventure.
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Music provides the soundtrack for people’s lives. Music evokes strong emotions and can inspire and motivate individuals while also helping them calm down and reflect. Finding the right gift for a music lover this holiday season can be a worthwhile endeavor, as the world of music offers an array of gift possibilities. Whether a gift recipient plays an instrument, loves live performances or enjoys singing, there is a gift out there to hit all the right notes.
THE LISTENING EXPERIENCE
People who prioritize the listening experience will enjoy quality audio equipment. High-fidelity headphones or an upgraded Bluetooth speaker can enhance daily listening sessions, allowing individuals to fully immerse themselves in their favorite tracks. Although digital music is the go-to nowadays, plenty of music lovers are vinyl enthusiasts. For
MUSIC LOVER
them, a new record player with modern features, such as Bluetooth connectivity or record storage, would make an ideal gift. For others, a subscription to a quality audio streaming service will offer uninterrupted music on demand.
MUSIC CREATOR
Many music lovers enjoy creating their art. A gift that supports those endeavors will be cherished. Beginners may appreciate entry-level instruments, like a ukulele or a keyboard. Those already playing and creating might appreciate personalized sheet music, new guitar strings and capo, drumsticks, or upgraded software for recording and mixing sound.
DEVOTED FAN
Music fans enjoy expressing their devotion to favorite bands and other musicians. Therefore, artist merchandise can make fitting gifts. Vintage T-shirts, framed album covers, souvenirs from past shows, and any other band-related memorabilia will keep music fans happy.
LIVE MUSIC
A live show is many music lovers’ ideal experience. Tickets to a concert, solo vocal night, theater show, or orchestra performance will certainly strike the right chords with music lovers.
The best gifts for music lovers are those that resonate with their passion for the songs and sounds of life.
HOW TO LAND THE BEST ONLINE SHOPPING DEALS
Online shopping continues to grow by leaps and bounds. While online retailers’ share of the market has grown significantly over the last five to six years, it hasn’t fully surpassed brick-and-mortar retail in total sales. Capital One Shopping reports Americans spent $5.9 trillion in stores and $1.3 trillion online in 2024. The e-commerce share of total retail sales dollars has increased at an average annual rate of 7.42 percent since 1995.
With such a large portion of consumers shopping online, consumers may be curious about how to land the best deals. There are certain tools they can use to do just that.
Sign up for mailing lists
Although few people relish the idea of hundreds of marketing emails littering their email inboxes, stores’ and services’ mailing lists offer customers advanced notice of upcoming sales. An email account dedicated only to retailer communications can streamline this information, enabling people to receive notifications about sales and exclusive coupon codes.
Use price-comparison websites
Search engines and price comparison websites, such as Capital One Shopping, help people easily compare prices across various retailers. Additional options include Google Shopping, Pricespy, Bizrate, PriceMole, and PriceRunner.
Install browser extensions
Browser extensions work with an internet browser to streamline the discovery of coupon codes. Extensions like PayPal Honey, Rakuten or Keepa will automatically enter coupon or cash-back codes at retailer checkout to land customers better deals than having to scour each discount individually.
Leave items in a cart
Retailers may be more inclined to send discount offers via email for customers who leave items sitting in their online shopping carts. These deals incentivize consumers to purchases items left in their carts.
Agree to text alerts
Retailers want every way possible to contact you or potentially utilize your personal marketing data. Some retailers may offer exclusive deals or coupons to customers via text message. Businesses may incentivize signing up for text communications to provide tracking information or updates on orders.
Shopping online has become a way of life. Customers can utilize various methods to find the best online deals if they do a little research and utilize an assortment of free tools at their disposal.
EXPERIENTIAL GIFTS FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST
Gift exchanges are a hallmark of the holiday season. Individuals spend weeks making lists and shopping for items they believe recipients will appreciate. However, this holiday season shoppers may want to change up their gift-buying strategy to focus less on material offerings and more on experiences.
A recent survey from Get Your Guide found 92 percent of Americans prefer to receive an experience over a physical gift during the holiday season. In addition, Deloitte’s 2024 survey of more than 4,000 consumers in the United States found that spending on experiences during the holidays is expected to rise by 16 percent yearover-year, reaching an average of $735.
Experiential gifts place value on memories and emotional connections rather than objects. As people increasingly are drawn to these special moments, here’s a look at experiential gifts for everyone on a holiday shopping list.
PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS
Experiential gifts for older adults are beneficial because they won’t add to the clutter or belongings such individuals have already accumulated throughout the years. Useful ideas include memberships to museums, entry to botanical gardens, culinary tastings, travel vouchers, and subscriptions to wellness classes.
TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS
Teens are big on experiences over material gifts. According to TD Bank’s 2024 survey, Gen Z leads the trend in experience-first gifting, with 68 percent preferring experiences. Examples of good experiential gifts for this demographic include escape room experiences, concert tickets, adventure sports like indoor rock climbing, subscription services to streaming music, or movie passes.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Families already may be out and about, and parents of young children may appreciate experiences more
than additional toys and games that are already filling the house. Annual passes to zoos, museums or aquariums can keep families occupied year-round. Children might like a science or art workshop, while movie night gift cards and tickets to family shows also are viable gift options.
SPECIAL PARTNERS
Experiences can strengthen relationships and intimacy. Possible gift ideas include spa days, cooking classes for two, a weekend travel getaway, or tickets to a theater performance or concert. The Amex Trendex 2024 survey found that 38 percent of people plan to give an experience to a significant other.
Experiential gifts focus on fun, creating memories and reducing waste. Such gifts also tend to be more economical in the long run. The holidays are often filled with excess, and experiential gifts can put the focus back on joy and spending time together.
It’s unlikely that anyone aspires to be a lastminute holiday shopper. Putting off holiday shopping until the last minute can make for a stressful home stretch to the season, and there’s no guarantee store shelves won’t already be picked clean or that gifts purchased online will arrive on time. Despite how unappealing last-minute shopping can be, it’s still a fact of life for millions of holiday shoppers. As the clock winds down this holiday season, shoppers can look to these ideas for inspiration.
• GIFT CARDS: Gift cards may never earn a distinction as the most sentimental item to give a loved one during the holiday season, but they are surprisingly sought-after. In fact, a survey from the National Retail Federation found that 54 percent of participants identified gift cards as the most-wanted gift of the 2022 holiday season. Chain retailers, small businesses and restaurants are among
FOR LAST-MINUTE HOLIDAY SHOPPERS
the many establishments that sell gift cards, so shoppers are bound to find a card to please anyone on their shopping list.
• FOOD/BEVERAGE: The holiday season is a popular time to indulge in some great food and wash it down with a favorite wine or another adult beverage. That makes food and beverages a great holiday gift. Shoppers can take a loved one out to a favorite restaurant, prepare a homemade treat or purchase a favorite dish from a local specialty grocery store or eatery. Pair the food with an appropriate beverage and this accessible lastminute gift idea is sure to be a hit.
• TICKETS: Tickets to a movie, sporting event, live theater performance, or concert are another gift idea that likely won’t be gobbled up by early bird shoppers. People of all ages enjoy experiences, and a 2022 survey from the travel booking platform
GetYourGuide found that 50 percent of survey respondents indicated they would enjoy tickets to a concert or show.
• BOOKS: Books make an ideal holiday gift for everyone from young kids to grandparents. Traditional print books are small enough that they can likely arrive on time even if they’re purchased just a few days before Christmas. E-book sellers enable gift givers to pick the perfect time to notify loved ones they have received an electronic book. Audiobooks, which can be downloaded to a smartphone or given as a CD, make an ideal gift for loved ones who spend a lot of time behind the wheel.
Last-minute holiday shopping can be stressful. However, various sought-after items can be secured at the last minute, ensuring gift givers’ loved ones have a happy holiday season.
FUN FOR FAMILIES
The day and evening before Christmas is a time of much anticipation for young children, particularly those awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus. What children do not realize is their parents have been working hard behind the scenes for many weeks to help maximize the holiday magic, and Christmas Eve often is the final push to get everything done before the big day (and man in red) arrives.
Keeping children happy and entertained on Christmas Eve can free up time for adults to check off their to-do lists and savor some of the holiday spirit themselves. Here are some traditions to explore on Christmas Eve that are entertaining for kids and adults.
• Bake some cookies. Santa is going to want a fresh batch of cookies to refuel for a long night of delivering presents. Therefore, having children prepare and bake some cookies can be a Christmas Eve tradition that keeps little ones occupied. When cooled, and after sampling one or two themselves, kids can feel pride placing a dish of cookies out for the jolly old elf.
• Decorate gingerbread houses. Christmas Eve is a great night to decorate gingerbread houses. Families who do not freshly bake the panels for the gingerbread houses can rely on pre-made kits available at various stores. It’s a smart idea to have some extra icing available, especially if kids are anxious to “glue” on extra candy embellishments.
• Attend evening services. Most churches hold Christmas Eve services, with some offering a Midnight Mass for parishioners. Spending time at these services enables families to slow down and celebrate their faith.
• Do a Christmas pajama reveal. It’s traditional in some families to buy matching PJs to wear to bed on Christmas Eve and then lounge around in them on Christmas morning. Whoever is in charge of wrapping gifts can set apart the Christmas PJs by wrapping them in a different patterned paper. Then everyone opens the pajamas at the same time for the big reveal.
• Leave out reindeer food. Kids can have a fun time putting together a batch of special reindeer food. After all, Santa isn’t the only one doing the heavy lifting delivering gifts; his reindeer probably get hungry, too. Reindeer food can be made using a few different ingredients, namely oatmeal, shredded carrots and glitter. Children can decide where to toss this reindeer food, with some opting to make a path along the front lawn leading toward the house.
• Watch a holiday classic. Choose a Christmas movie and gather the family around to watch it. Some options include “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Elf,” or “A Christmas Story.” Set up a popcorn bar nearby where everyone can customize their popcorn with different add-ins, like chocolate candies, cheese or seasonings. Christmas Eve traditions can be fun for kids and families as they anticipate all the festivities to come on Christmas morning.
