Christmas Shopping: What Do People In North Carolina And South Carolina Really Want?

Author Phil Harris

November 8th, 2023 11:01 AM

The National Retail Federation says that the average American plans to spend $875 on gifts, holiday food, and decor in 2023. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Whether you’re ready for it or not, the Christmas shopping season is here. Now the questions begin: Who do I need to buy presents for? What should I get for them? How much should I spend? Where should I buy it? It’s enough to make even the savviest of holiday shoppers throw up their hands and say, “Screw it, everyone’s getting gift cards this year!” And you wouldn’t be wrong. More on that in a bit.

The National Retail Federation says that the average American plans to spend $875 on gifts, holiday food, and decor in 2023. That’s up a bit from last year. If you are willing to brave the malls, big box stores, and small retail businesses this holiday season, you’re actually in a really good place to do it. According to a study from Bankrate, Charlotte is one of the best U.S. cities for holiday shopping. Based on factors such as affordability and retail accessibility, Detroit, Boston, Philadelphia, Charlotte, and Baltimore offer the most bang for your Yuletide buck. But that still doesn’t answer the question about what Christmas gifts to buy.

Career site Zippia looked at Google search data to determine how people in each state will likely go about their Christmas shopping. Two words: gift cards. In fact, 18 states, including North Carolina, have a gift card as their most uniquely sought after gift. After that, tech gifts, such as video game consoles, topped the list in 11 states.

Gift cards are sort of vague. There are so many to choose from. As you might guess, gift cards from major retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Lowe’s, IKEA, REI, and Old Navy all showed up on the map. However, a few states showed more interest in gift cards from food-related businesses. For example, Minnesota has a Chipotle craving. Wisconsin is loving McDonald’s. Nebraskans want to eat good at Applebee’s. And New Hampshire could use a jolt from Starbucks.

Here in North Carolina, the go-to Christmas gift is also food-related but somewhat surprising: a gift card from Krispy Kreme. I guess we’re nothing if not humble and loyal to our homegrown brands. Meanwhile, the Palmetto State goes a little more upscale for the holidays. No gift cards for y’all. The most-searched Christmas present in South Carolina is “gourmet food gifts.” Sounds like someone is getting fancy artisanal cheese straws and heirloom stone ground grits under the tree. You can see the rest of the state-by-state results HERE.

Phil Harris is 50% of "Phil & Mel in the Afternoon" on K104.7. He has been with the station since 2013 and on the air in Charlotte since 2000. Before coming to the Queen City, Phil worked for radio stations in Pittsburgh, Austin, and Seattle. In addition to the weekly "Throwback Threesome" music video feature, Phil writes about things that matter to Charlotte sports fans and pet owners. He happens to be both.

10 Unforgettable Christmas Experience Gifts

Physical gifts can be cool for a moment, but the memories they create are what truly last a lifetime. This holiday season, why not do your friends and family a favor by skipping the usual physical presents? Maybe consider giving a unique Christmas experience instead?

An experiential gift is just as thoughtful as something you can hold in your hand. The difference is that it won’t end up gathering dust, getting re-gifted, or donated. That’s because experiences, whether it’s a subscription, an activity, or a class, let people give people memories. Whether the giftee does it on their own, with their family, or even with you, it offers opportunities for learning and exploration.

The possibilities are limitless with Christmas experience gifts.

If you’re searching for an exciting experience for adults or children, ther are lots of choices. You could start with something as simple as covering the dinner tab for a couple. Another option is going big by planning a fantastic trip as the ultimate gift for your spouse. For kids and teens, they can dive into fun activities. These can be learning to play an instrument or mastering the art of making their favorite dessert.

Another advantage of opting for experiential gifts is that they make ideal last-minute presents. They can be conveniently purchased online. And if all else fails, a gift card is always an option.

Let’s face it: most of the stuff we buy just because we like it or think we need it tends to fade into the background pretty quickly. This is especially true when they’re given as gifts. We’ve all had those times when we eagerly tore into a physical gift at Christmas or a birthday, only to realize it didn’t quite live up to the hype. It’s even worse when you know that time and money were spent on something you’re not too thrilled about.

Experiences can enrich our lives, contributing to personal growth and opening our minds to new horizons. Meanwhile, dust collectors, especially the ones from distant relatives, don’t quite measure up. You know that feeling, right? It’s like saying, “Thanks, Aunt Rose, but I could’ve done without that Christmas scarf and hand lotion from the buy-one-get-one special at the mall.”

So, when the holiday season or other celebrations roll around, and you’re stuck with gift-buying, consider giving experiences instead of physical items. To help you get started, here are some experiential gifts that would make great Christmas gifts.

Memberships
Gifting an annual membership to a zoo, museum, aquarium, or perhaps, for those aged 21 and above, a wine club or mug club membership can make for a wonderful holiday gift. It’s a simple and thoughtful gesture that can benefit almost everyone this season. Offering your friends or family several months or a full year at a location they cherish is an excellent method to provide them with extra savings and a valuable present they can enjoy throughout the year.

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Outdoor Experiences
Offer the gift of a year-long adventure with the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. This pass grants free entry to all 115 National Parks with entrance fees, along with over 3,000 other federal lands. The pass includes the pass holder and up to three accompanying adults (aged 16 and above), with free admission for children under 15. Similar passes are available at various state parks, city and county parks, as well as botanical gardens nationwide, either for online purchase or directly on-site. It’s a thoughtful present for anyone who enjoys the outdoors.

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Personalized Celebrity Videos
Imagine the excitement of receiving a personalized video message from your beloved celebrity, something you can hold onto for a lifetime. Cameo provides a platform where you can hire celebrities and athletes to create personalized videos, making them memorable gifts. The pricing for Cameo videos is set individually by thousands of actors, artists, and influencers and can range from as low as $1 to as high as $15,000 for personal videos, depending on the celebrity’s status and demand.

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Movie Gift Card
It’s reassuring to know that you’re offering your loved ones something they can personally choose and appreciate. Movie gift cards are a great option as they usually have no expiration date and can be used to buy movie tickets and concessions at the specific theater or theaters from which they are purchased. The recipient can use it for any movie they desire, without having to dip into their own funds.

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Amusement Park Passes
Consider giving tickets to a theme park amusement park as one of the most enjoyable experiential gifts. When presenting tickets as a gift, there’s room for creativity in how you package the gift, whether in a sizable wrapped box or as part of a unique scavenger hunt.

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Indoor Attraction Passes
There are plenty of enjoyable indoor activities to explore, including options like indoor rock climbing, trampoline centers, indoor skydiving, game centers, arcades, and escape rooms. A gift of this kind can be especially convenient for those times when you’re looking for indoor entertainment, especially during bad weather.

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Concert or Show Tickets
Concert or show tickets are a great gift choice. They provide a one-of-a-kind experience and make for a thoughtful way to celebrate your best friend and their interests. Even if they’ve seen the band before, each performance is unique and memorable.

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Sporting Event Tickets
If you have a sports enthusiast in your circle, giving them tickets to a baseball game is a thoughtful gesture to express your care. It’s also an excellent means of enjoying quality time together while rooting for your favorite team. To make the experience even better, you can go the extra mile by including a food voucher along with the tickets.

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Self Care Experience
Offer the perfect gift of relaxation and beauty, whether it’s a spa day, a massage, a facial, or a visit to the salon for hair styling, a wash, or a manicure and pedicure. Depending on the recipient, this could be something you can enjoy together. It’s an opportunity to unwind and connect, spending quality time together, catching up on life, sharing some laughter, and reminiscing about the past.

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Classes or Lessons
Lessons in various experiences, such as cooking classes, dance lessons, or sewing lessons, can be beneficial to many. This kind of gift is well-suited for people who enjoy learning and trying out new experiences. By gifting classes or lessons, you provide someone with an additional means of self-expression.

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