The holiday season is very hectic for businesses. There are lots of sales and promotions happening as customers look for good deals for themselves and their loved ones. In some cases, if the brand or company is trustworthy, it makes sense to buy all of your Xmas gifts ahead of time, say around Black Friday---if there are some genuinely good deals. You end up saving money, and you won’t have to do any last-minute shopping either if you already know what you want to get.

The downside is that you feel pressured, rushed, and usually focused on material things.

As per CNN, American consumers spent $13.3 billion on Cyber Monday in 2024. This is 7.3% higher than back in 2023. Adobe Analytics notes that American consumers spent $41.1 billion in the 5 days from Thanksgiving.

“While Cyber Monday remained the season’s and year’s biggest online shopping day, year-over-year growth was stronger on both Thanksgiving and Black Friday,” explains Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights.

Adobe predicts that in 2024 between the start of November and the end of December, holiday spending in the United States will probably spike above $240 billion. It’s predicted to be around 8.4% greater than a year ago, in 2023.

Part of this may have to do with inflation, but another factor to consider is that this year the average American may have a bit more spending money, in time for the holidays.

Investopedia reports that many United States households saw a slight improvement in their financial situation in October 2024. A report by the Bureau of Economic Analysis found that personal income rose 0.6% over that month, which is twice as much as predicted. After-tax income rose 0.4% in October after it was adjusted for inflation.

“The rebound in real income growth in October means consumers still have enough gas in the tank to pull off a decent holiday shopping season this year,” chief US economist at BMO Capital Markets Scott Anderson said.

The general trend is that US consumers have been spending more and more money on gifts and holiday-related things every year since 2009. National Retail Federation forecasters predict that American retail sales will reach nearly $1 trillion in November and December 2024, probably falling in the range between $979.5 billion and $989 billion.

What matters the most is spending quality time with your loved ones---experiences, trips, laughter, wholesome dinners, and anything that connects you deeper tend to have a bigger impact than physical things.

But even so, it’s nice to get something tangible once in a while, whether it’s something deeply practical, pure fun, or something in between.

Even a simple box of chocolates can be meaningful when you know it’s given with intent. Maybe the other person knows you incredibly well, and they’ve picked out your favorite brand or specific type of chocolate that you genuinely love.

They’ll probably know what tastes to stay away from and what kind of box designs draw your attention. In other words, even a small gift can tell you a ton about how others perceive you and what they know of you.

One of the worst things that anyone can do is to buy gifts haphazardly, without thinking, because they’re panicking at the very last moment. There is a ton of social pressure associated with gift-giving, so if you ‘fail’ to show up as expected, you feel like you’ll be judged.

Even so, the entire point of a good present is to tailor it to the other person. Slow down. Think about what you want to achieve.

Splurging on random things in the hope you’ll hit your mark isn’t thoughtful and is, arguably, a waste of money. Nobody wants to feel like they were an afterthought on someone’s shopping list or yet another chore or box to check. Cheaper gifts that fit the other person’s lifestyle, character, and values can have a much more heartfelt and honest impact.

You make people smile by showing that you care about them, not through jaw-dropping price tags. That’s not to say that there’s anything ‘wrong’ with luxury items if you can afford them, but they have to be a good fit for the intended recipient.

Which of the presents that we’ve featured in this list would you hate to receive, dear Pandas? On the flip side, which ones would you not mind, if any? What is the worst, weirdest, or most confusing gift you’ve ever gotten? How did you react? What did you do with it?

Are you done wrapping your holiday gifts, or are you still on the hunt for those last few thoughtful finishing touches? Let us know in the comments. And enjoy the holidays!