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Friday Positivity - 70% of Americans are More Appreciative of Loved Ones Than Ever Before  Thumbnail

Friday Positivity - 70% of Americans are More Appreciative of Loved Ones Than Ever Before

By Good News Network

We hope this piece from the Good News Network brightens up your Friday and your holiday season! To speak to a member of our Minneapolis-based team, please book online at https://bookwithsfg.timetap.com/give us a call at 612-492-0212 or send us an email at stein@steinfg.com.

"Americans are holding their loved ones tighter as they look to close out 2020 with a sense of optimism, according to a new poll. 

A new survey of 2,000 Americans found that nearly 70% say this year has made them appreciative of their family and friends more than ever before.

As a result, two-thirds are adamant about putting more thought into the gifts they give their loved ones this year.

The poll, conducted by Groupon, aimed to discover how 2020 has impacted the holiday shopping habits of Americans and discovered 76% are hoping to get gifts for loved ones that uplift their spirits while a further three in five plan on getting more personalized gifts for others this year.

Besides gifting others with something that brings a smile to their face, 56% are planning to buy gifts that can be used after all the lockdown measures are lifted.

Since we all know the 2020 holiday season is going to look different than any other year, people are still looking forward to certain aspects of the holidays in this unconventional year.

From being home and not having to travel (44%) to watching holiday movies (41%), people are excited about the holidays this year—even if it is slightly different.

This optimism is in line with the essence of the holiday season. But, how are Americans staying so optimistic about the holidays despite the pandemic? 

Forty-eight percent say listening to music allows them to maintain their optimism while a further 38% say diving into their favorite book is a great way to keep their spirits up.

Overall, 48% of Americans stay optimistic by spending time with their immediate family and another third of people say they like to spend time outdoors.

As a way to break free from all the stress of 2020, two-thirds of those surveyed are also treating themselves to a gift when shopping for others this year.

This trend is unique to 2020, as 43% say they don’t normally get themselves a gift for the holidays. In fact, the average American plans on spending over $100 solely on self-gifting this holiday season.

TOP 5 THINGS AMERICANS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

  1. Being home (not traveling)
  2. Eating/drinking
  3. Exchanging gifts
  4. Watching holiday movies
  5. Cooking for family

TOP 5 WAYS PEOPLE STAY OPTIMISTIC

  1. Listening to music
  2. Spending time with others
  3. Watching a favorite movie/TV show
  4. Reading a favorite book
  5. Self-care (‘me-time’)

TOP 5 HOLIDAY SELF-GIFTS

  1. Dinner
  2. Clothes
  3. Staycation/road trip
  4. Wine delivery
  5. Spa day"
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Voya Financial Advisors. Nothing in the above is meant to be, nor should it be construed as, investment advice or recommendations to buy or sell any security. Individual securities, whenever mentioned, are for illustrative purposes only and may not be relied upon as investment advice. Comments concerning the past performance of [e.g. monetary instruments, investment indexes or international markets] are not intended to be forward looking and should not be viewed as an indication of future results.
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/poll-says-americans-appreciate-loved-ones-more-in-2020/