What do they really want for Christmas? – Experiences over Stuff

26 Oct 2021 • 2 minute read

As we get closer to the build-up to Christmas, the stress of buying a loved one a ‘decent’ present grows. What do you get for people who have everything? Because we have everything, don’t we?

Drawers, cupboards and rooms filled with stuff, collected over the years. So much stuff we can scarcely move. Your mum already has gin, your children have toys and clothes, and no one wants another spray gift set.

This suffocating feeling has been coined ‘stuffocation’. The overwhelming dread you get from being around your heap of belongings. That is why customers are choosing to spend more of their money on doing things rather than buying things.

Experience gift cards offer your customers a new opportunity to have an experience they may never have had and memories that will well outlast the latest gadget. By giving an experience card this Christmas, you are choosing a gift with real intent with your loved one’s true interests and passions in mind. After a year of being stuck inside, away from family and friends, isn’t everyone looking for something more meaningful. The lockdowns have introduced a lot of virtual ways to keep in contact. Experience cards give the opportunity to re-connect the relationships with the people we care about the most.

A spokesperson for Buyagift said: “The mindset when purchasing gifts has changed as people are considering the emotional and environmental impacts more. As a result, we are seeing more value being placed on gifts that create long-lasting memories over gifts that can be thrown away.”

Experience gift cards are great, but we also should not leave behind anything harmful. We can not throw away memories. However, we do through away the plastic gift cards these memories are purchased on. The plastic Christmas gift cards disposed of this Christmas will still be on this planet in 400 years. Although small, they contribute to the plastic climate crisis.

It is not necessary for single-use gift cards to be harmful to the environment. Instead, plastic-free gift cards can help you contribute to a plastic-free future. The change to eco-friendly gift cards for a Christmas gift reduces the impact your brand or you personally have on the planet.  Look for cards in-store that feature the recycle, FSC and Plastic Free logos.

In recent years there has been a change in values. Consumers have become more aware of how their purchases are affecting the planet. 82% of Britain’s population are actively trying to reduce the amount of plastic waste they create with 72% of customers saying they are paying more attention to whether a business acts in a climate-friendly way. A further 80% of UK customers asked said they are planning to purchase from companies that match their ethos and take responsibility towards reducing their ecological impact on the planet.

Offering eco-friendly gift cards, such as Green Gift Cards, effectively demonstrates your company’s awareness of its environmental responsibilities. Show your customers how you are working in their best interests to fight against plastic pollution.

We are here to help you in the fight against single-use plastics from concept to purchase. So if you are interested in making the easy switch to paperboard gift cards, contact us today.