Although the holiday season is a relatively brief period, it still can consume months of time in regard to preparation, shopping and hosting. According to a SWNS Digital survey of 2,000 adults in the United States, the average American spends six weeks preparing for the holiday season. Five weeks are devoted to planning presents, meals and other essentials, while an entire week is just for decorating.

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

Charitable giving increases significantly in the months surrounding the holidays. Approximately onethird of annual giving happens in December, and 10 percent of all giving occurs in the last three days of the year, according to Charities Aid Foundation America. The surge in donations typically occurs with people’s desire to spread holiday cheer, enjoy tax advantages and help people in the

for crafty people Craft enthusiasts can be easy people to shop for come the holiday season. Shoppers can simply fuel their loved one’s passion for crafts by keeping their supplies fully stocked or introduce them to new crafting techniques. There are roughly 85 million active creatives and 30 million sewists in the United States and Canada, according to Customcy, a custom product manufacturer.

Gifts from friends and loved ones can make people feel cherished and valued. When these people are the older adults in one’s life, such as parents or grandparents, gifts take on additional meaning because they can warm the hearts of very special people. Finding unique gifts for seniors can be challenging because these individuals have been receiving gifts for many years, and many may already

Ideal gifts for those who love the outdoors 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