Bringing back the festive season
As we near the end of this year and the beginning of the new year, we start setting our sights on what we wish for the festive season and drafting our resolutions. With Christmas fast approaching the excitement is nearly tangible for all. With us being well into the festive season we begin to think through what is important for us at this time and Christmas marks a huge milestone of the festive season for many.
It has been a tumultuous year and as we look back and introspect there is much to be said about 2022. This festive season introduces something to smile about again after a rollercoaster of a year, even if its only for a couple days. This year marks the first “real” Christmas since COVID struck. As part of the COVID recovery process many people are resolving to start saving and planning ahead for their
Christmas 2023 festivities.
This month’s panel engagement was about the festive season and how our panelists intend to spend their time and their money. This engagement is just a snapshot, but we can see that a large majority of people are looking forward to reclaiming or in fact recreating ‘Christmas as they know it’ with many people upholding old Christmas traditions and hoping to bring back the ‘oldies but goodies’.
Panelist are also more cautious this year, planning out their activities with their finances in mind and choosing to plan their shopping carefully ahead of the New Year.
Enjoy reading this month’s results and infographic of how many South Africans plan to spend their Festive season and Christmas.
Festive Season!
What is important to people at this time of year...
MzansiEye panel members participated in this Christmas / Festive season qualitative engagement.
How people are planning to reclaim Dezemba...
Family time and romance once again
This festive season people want to foster familial relationships again after years of being unable to meet in person and bond as a result of Covid-19. There is a growing desire for human interaction and this reflects itself in people’s desire to spend Christmas and the festive
season at large with loved ones. Although they intend to gather this year again, unlike before, many families are struggling to make ends meet and will not be travelling to be with extended family this time around. This Christmas will be a lot smaller for some families than Christmas celebrations before the pandemic; however, families are still striving to keep the essence of the festive season alive by gathering with at least some extended family (whoever is around), despite the inability to have the entire family over for the festivities. Some people are keen to spend intimate and quality time with their
partners at the beach or away on holiday as an important priority.
Back to feasting
Families are striking a compromise this festive season. Given the current financial strain that many families are under, people are cutting down costs on food, drink and all other expenses however, they have refused to compromise on the fundamentals even with certain items falling off the menu. The common ingredients and 7 colours that make up Christmas lunch / dinner have not changed for many families, albeit perhaps at smaller scale. Those in a better financial position plan to pull out all the stops on their Christmas lunch if they can. A lot of the drinks that people intend to buy for Christmas have remained the same, specifically liquor e.g. Ciders. The new drinks that people are intending to buy are quite trendy and different to drinks that have been bought over the years. e.g. Gin, Whiskey and wine
Intentional Gifting and Dezemba outfits
People want to make memories and share gifts with friends and family. The gifts they intend to share are either clothing, shoes, electronics, or jewelry. Most South African families enjoy a meal together but do not go as far as sharing gifts under the tree. This year people are excited to share gifts with one another that they can reminisce over for years to come. After Covid, people want to create lasting memories and gift sharing helps memorialise their Christmas day as well as treat themselves and loved ones. Gifting is also a way to say thank to others for their support during the year.
Memorable getaways and exploring their own cities
After years of restricted travel, people are looking forward to going away on holiday and vacationing at local resorts as well as well-known South African sights. Our participants are anticipating exploring and travelling (mainly local travel but international travel is also on the wishlist). There is a general spirit of exploration bubbling up, which includes visiting local sites like the zoo, museums, new restaurants or simply trying new things.
A qualitative engagement.
What people want for Christmas
MzansiEye panel members participated in this Christmas / Festive season qualitative engagement.