2024 Holiday Gifting: The Experiential, the (non) Essential...and the Entertaining

Season’s Greetings!

Hope you’re all hanging in as we approach the end of the year-- getting close! I hope 2024 was a good (?!?!) year for y’all, and if that’s a stretch, how about “interesting” or “a learning experience?” I can definitely relate to those descriptors. I’m ready to move into 2025 with a healthy balance of optimism, resilience, and gratitude, especially for your readership and support!

To celebrate the Present-palooza that is the month of December in the US of A (a.k.a US and A, IYKYK) I’ve decided my intriguing holiday recap needs to be an annual tradition—I know you’ve all been waiting for it!

[Pause for observation: You do have to stop and marvel at the contradiction between US consumers' well founded economic concerns and our gifting obsession. I find myself both admiring our evergreen desire to give to those we love, and scratching my head as to whether people actually spend their hard earned bucks on this stuff. Humans are fascinating, no?]

As you'll see, I’ve switched it up from my usual categories for this edition to:

1)  Experiential Excellence – because we must be entertained at all times in all ways

2) Shamelessly Superfluous – for the human who needs nothing

3) AI or Real? these gifts may or may not be real, but if not, they’re grounded in actual reality!

OK...Now for the examples.

1. Experiential Excellence

Wickedly Wacky

I’ll start off with a softball. As if we weren’t still rolling in Taylor merch, Wicked crashed onto the scene just intime for holiday spending. While I found many pink and green collabs/tie-ins that I’d predict will be UN-Popular, these caught my eye because they’re simple and cute:

Wicked x Lush: Bath bombs, Bubble Wands and Broomsticks, Oh My! I’m personally all over having Elphaba’s broomstick in my shower because it’s so clearly ergonomically friendly(!)—perhaps to exfoliate your feet?? These guys are just cute. Not much more to it.

Wicked x Absolut: The Cocktails Straight From Oz kit helps you create enchanting cocktails like the Absolut Kahlua x Ozpresso Martini, the Malibu x Popular Pink Punch, and of course, the Absolut Ozmopolitan. The brand has (smartly) positioned the collab as not only experiential but inclusive. As noted by their Senior Brand Director: "We hope to bring together friends to join in the excitement of the cultural phenomenon of WICKED and the film's enduring lesson about the power of inclusion." Well done.

Christmas Cheesy

I’ll admit I felt more than a twinge of pride to learn about my Sweet Home town’s singular holiday experience: the Aldi Charcuterie Chalet. This pop-up venue (open now!) features beautifully arranged charcuterie spreads to inspire at home culinary experiences that make every bite a celebration. You have to hand it to Aldi, riding the “affordable luxury gastronomy” trend to make us proud to shop discount. My personal faves: the Holiday Sweater board and the iconic Millennium Park Bean made of Cheese. #chicagorocks

2. Shamelessly Superfluous

Jell-O Lounge Chairs

This one kinda gets me right here: my grandma was famous for her fluffy, fruity Jell-O molds. This nostalgic collection of jiggly chairs comes (of course) in the colors of JELL-O’s top flavors: strawberry, orange, lemon and lime. A cute brand building touch: each chair comes with a built-in JELL-O cup holder. I give this one points for fun and nostalgia, and (more than a) pop of color.  And I learned something new—this idea apparently fits with the trend in "Dopamine Décor": surrounding yourself with art, objects and furniture that makes you happy. For us Practical Pigs, the décor seems best aligned for a kid’s bedroom, a designated drug trip chamber or if there’s just an extra room lying around.

Infrared Recovery Attire

This high-tech collab takes the self-care lifestyle to the next level. Hologenix, a pioneer in textile innovation, teamed up with Decathlon, an international sporting goods retailer, to introduce an activewear collection designed with infrared technology to enhance athletic performance and recovery. Per the press release, “Celliant’s revolutionary technology converts body heat into infrared energy, promoting increased local circulation and cellular oxygenation.” The shirts are crafted from a blend of partially virgin polyester and recycled plastic bottles.

The spin doctors, I mean PR peeps, say the partnership underscores both companies’ "commitment to enhancing athletic performance and accelerating recovery time." My cynical spidey sense says this may have been more a publicity stunt than an actual commercially viable product launch. It appears to be sold only in Europe and online; Decathlon US stores are all closed, and I could not find pricing anywhere. You Tell Me.

3.AI vs. Real

For this last category….let’s play a game. No, I’m serious. Here’s how it works:

Below is a list of 5 gift examples I found especially creative, wacky or absurd.  

Now, you tell me (reply in Comments): Which ones are AI-generated vs. Actual Gifts?

(No pix because that would give it away.)

Your reply can look like this:  1. AI 2. Real 3. AI 4. AI 5. Real.

You may be wondering if there's a prize--just my gratitude for your readership and engagement!  

#1. Smart Ice Bath: An ultra advanced take on the cold plunge tub designed to maximize efficiency. The design is streamlined and modern, it’s large enough for people over 6 feet, and it cleans itself. It even comes with guided audio tracks and breath work routines… all for a mere $8,495!

#2. Fashion Stylist Smart Mirror: A mirror equipped with AI that analyzes your outfit and provides brutally honest feedback, paired with suggestions for improvement. It’s like having a snarky personal stylist.

#3. Personal Jeeves: An AI-generated hologram of a butler that greets you, manages your schedule, learns your music preferences, and orders your coffee exactly how you like it. Think Tony Stark’s J.A.R.V.I.S., but sassier. #yourjeeves

#4. 'Mystery Box of the Absurd' Subscription: Receive monthly deliveries of quirky, avant-garde items like a hand-knit cactus cozy or a tiny, functioning replica of a vending machine

#5. Pet Facial Recognition Photo Booth - An absurdly specific luxury: a photo booth for pets that uses facial recognition to capture their "good side." Perfect for those who treat their pets like influencers…you know who you are.

BONUS EXAMPLES

In the Holiday Spirit, here are a few more goofy gifts I could not resist sharing:

Kaia Naturals' Limited-Edition 'Brightening Underarm Affair' Gift Set: Designed to tackle your underarm concerns (should I have them?) to brighten, hydrate and deodorize. Barely a hint of tongue in cheek. My take: Targeted Skincare meets Fear of Offending in Crowded Elevator.

Homesick Scented Gotham City Candle: This tall, dark and handsome collection lets you  “surround yourself with the dark, brooding mischief of Gotham City” in your home. Notes of Smoke, Violet, Suede and Leather evoke “the city’s protector vigilantly watching from the shadows.”  [insert arms crossed + strong steely silence.) Sold.

The ‘Unofficial’ Taylor Swift Book and Crochet Set: Includes everything you need to make a Taylor Swift Amigurumi Doll and Guitar – 5 Colors of Yarn, Crochet hook, Safety Eyes, Fiberfill Stuffing, and Instruction Book that guides fans to create crochet projects inspired by Taylor herself (no, she does not actually crochet, but she lifts up those who do.) And for team Beyonce, don’t worry, they’ve got you covered too...look it up.

What Do You Think? I'd love to hear your examples of a wacky, unnecessary, or adorable gift you’ve seen!

Happy Everything, and see you in 2025!

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I’m Elizabeth, and I help marketing leaders use strategic consumer and business insights to fuel brand growth. DM me to talk about Insight-Driven Strategy, Innovation & Trends.