Readers speak out on holiday shopping sprees

While concerns about the economy were near the top of folks’ lists this election season, predictions show holiday spending is expected to jump for 2024.

 

International financial services company Deloitte’s 2024 holiday retail survey (bit.ly/4eM3IGZ) found that shoppers are more optimistic and plan to increase their spending by 8% compared to last year.

 

Another interesting shift is toward experiences. Consumers surveyed are favoring experiences over goods with spending on experiences expected to increase 16% this year.

 

So, will you be spending more or less this year?

 

Editor’s note: The majority of responders said they would be spending less or the same as previous years. No responders said they were spending more.

 

Comments: Let us know how you feel about getting/giving gifts of experiences rather than goods, and if you’ve ever gotten an “experience” gift.

 

• We give the grands a few fun gifts but we give everyone a big check or deposit to their trust.

 

• Experience gifts and consumables are the only gifts I give and hope to receive.

 

• Prefer experiences. My partner and I are gifting each other a holiday vacation this year in place of other gifts.

 

• Sí, está bien. Prefiero las experiencias. (Google Translate: Yes that’s fine. I prefer experiences.)

 

• Mixing experiences with gifts can be fun, or gifting things that could be used for certain experiences, like clothes and items for traveling.

 

• I prefer to choose my own experience

 

• Experiences are my favorite gifts to receive!

 

Holiday movies run the gamut from Santa-centric animations to romance to action.

 

With the upcoming Holiday Movie Night planned for Daniel Island on Dec. 5, we wondered what are the area readers’ favorite movies.

 

Tell us at surveymonkey.com/r/Christmas_Movies or use the QR code by Sunday, Dec. 1, at 5 p.m.

 

Also, share with us any holiday movie-watching traditions you have – family in jammies, specific holiday movie snacks, Hallmark movie marathons, etc.

 

And don’t miss the island movie night at Smythe Park. See the DIPOA website for more information at dicommunity.org.