HOW MILLENNIAL TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING THE HOLIDAYS
The Holidays are here, time to decorate, cook for relatives, and try to survive the holidays without too much drama. While the holiday season has its spiritual glow they have changed dramatically in how we prepare for it. Whether it’s buying presents, keeping in touch with loved ones, or searching for travel plans, Millennial technology has immensely shifted the way we prepare.
When I refer to Millennial technology, I am referring to all of the technology that has happened in the past several years. Not that Millennials have created all of this technology, more that, Millennials are often affiliated with these particular technologies. Here are the few dramatic changes happening to holidays that you need to prepare for.
BUYING GIFTS IN STORE
I recently moved across the United States to the East Coast and was trying to find a blender for my new place. New to town, I thought it was easier if I would get out of the house and visit a few stores. After venturing to Home Depot, Home Goods, and TJ Max none of the stores had the blender or even ‘a’ blender to purchase. Point being, I wished I just would have stuck to Amazon got saved 2 hours of my time.
It turns out over half of the US population does some sort of shopping online for Christmas. That means a lot of traffic is being reallocated online making a lot of stores lose retail business. Sears and KMart both filed for bankruptcy in 2018 in addition to 51 Lowe stores in both U.S. and Canada close. However, the most dramatically impacted was Toy R’ Us with 735 stores closing this past year. When looking for the next holiday season, expect more store closings in 2019 as retail shifts to eCommerce.
GIFTING WITH E-CARDS
Some may be excited to hear that sending physical cards is growing at a rate of 6% each year, but will soon be overwhelmed knowing that ecards have grown an annual rate of 200%. Many people around the world are starting to prefer to send ecards out of convenience. This trend has to lead to many retail to provide ecard options. Interestingly enough, Cash Card suggests that ‘The higher your income, the more likely you are to have purchased or received a digital gift card.’
As a Millennial, I do not prefer eCards and find them lacking sentimental value. However, various sources suggest that Millennials prefer eCards, probably due to the convenience factor. My vote, stick to the physical thing.
TECHNOLOGY COMMUNICATION
“I will be coming home for Christmas.” While you would probably expect that to be the start of a text message, many Millennials, and other generations are not able to come home for Christmas. As a result, about a quarter of adults (23%) expect to Skype on Christmas, including 39% of Millennials, 21% of Gen-Xers, 19% of Boomers and 11% of Elders. Unfortunately, from the convenience of technology, a lot of people feel they do not have to come home for the holidays since they can connect in an easier fashion.
Coming together and enjoying each other’s company creates a holiday spirit. If we rely on technology to heavily we will lose what gives the holiday season it’s jingle.
