American Express Canada has released an Amex Trendex on social, gifting, and travel trends for the upcoming holiday season.
The company said Canadian-specific data reveals the country desires a holiday season with meaningful experiences. Canadian holiday trends includes plans to gift loved ones an experience over something material, looking to in-person events over dating apps for romantic connection, and an eagerness to travel to be with family or take time to focus on themselves.
Key Amex Trendex findings for Canadian holiday trends:
- Many Canadians plan to attend entertainment events this holiday season, with the most popular being: Going to or hosting a holiday party or gathering (61 per cent); Visiting holiday festivals or markets (40 per cent); Taking in holiday shows and performances (29 per cent);
- When it comes to holiday gatherings, 17 per cent of Canadians plan to host or co-host more compared to previous years;
- About a fifth (18 per cent) of Canadians currently dating or open to dating say they typically date more during the holiday season than other times of the year, with three quarters (75 per cent) of all respondents believing it to be a romantic time of year;
- Nearly four-in-10 Canadians buying for a significant other (40 per cent) or children (37 per cent) plan to gift them an experience;
- This increases with a gift exchange between friends, with 73 per cent preferring to share a fun experience or trip over a traditional exchange;
- Top experiential gifts include entertainment (62 per cent), travel (50 per cent) and food and drink (48 per cent) related experiences;
- Canadians are eager to begin shopping for loved ones this holiday season, with 19 per cent having already started, increasing to 69 per cent reporting they will start by November;
- And when it comes to gifting, Canadians are generous compared to global counterparts, with plans to spend $567.01 on their children (3rd highest) and $679.89 on family members (5th highest);
- When it comes to gifting, 57 per cent of Canadians actively seek out small businesses when purchasing holiday gifts;
- On the receiving end, most Canadians prefer to receive sentimental gifts (69 per cent), gifts from a small business (64 per cent) or live experiences (67 per cent) over physical gifts;
- Nearly three-quarters (73 per ent) of Canadians travelling this holiday season are prioritizing it more than in previous years. But consensus is split on their travel plans: Over half plan to travel to visit family for the holidays (58 per cent); Over half of Canadians report focusing on themselves this holiday season (57 per cent) with 43 per cent taking a trip elsewhere, outside of visiting family for the holidays;
- Among those not travelling, 37 per cent have family or friends visiting them; and
- Unlike those eager to begin holiday shopping, only one-in-five (20 per cent) of Canadians have already booked their trip.
Related American Express Articles:
- Gifting with purpose: Amex Survey Reveals Canadians Plan to Shop more Thoughtfully this Holiday Season
