Early Signs that Christmas 2020 Will Be Different
The freak show we have come to call the year 2020 is starting to affect Christmas. Election year politics, Coronavirus, and civil unrest have so far dominated the headlines. Now folks are seeing how it will change the holidays.
A survey of thousands of Americans indicates they anticipate changes this Christmas. A full 51 percent said Christmas will be spent away from extended family this year. Seventy-five percent of Americans say that Christmas would be the hardest to spend away from family and half say another lock down order will not stop them from breaking the rules to go see family anyway.
The annual survey of MyMerryChristmas.com is still underway but early results show similar trends about Christmas 2020. On the question of travel, 67% of Americans expect to hit the road by car this Christmas.
These early indicators are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how Christmas 2020 might be different.
~ Shopping Will be Different this Christmas ~
Shipping companies such as UPS, the USPS and FedEx are already toiling under “Christmas-like” conditions because online shopping has become a Coronavirus way-of-life.
The shipping business is feeling the trickle down effects of a retail landscape radically changed and one that will be nearly unrecognizable by the time folks anticipate Black Friday.
Amazon, who typically holds a “Prime Day” event in July to break the summer doldrums has yet to announce a date for the event this year. They just cannot handle sales volume now. Gone are promises of one-day shipping and prices on a variety of items have skyrocketed due to lack of competition from stores that were forced to close due to the virus.
Bankruptcy for brick-and-mortar retailers will change the Christmas shopping experience, too. Neiman Marcus, JCPenney and Pier One Imports have all sought legal protection and are scrambling to decide which stores, if any, will still be open by Christmas.
~ Christmas Cancellations ~
Of greater concern to many are venues and events who will not be able to open as they typically due for the Christmas season.
The Rockettes, for example, typically take over a New York street to announce their Christmas Spectacular schedule during the month of August. They haven’t announced the date for their street take over announcement because they aren’t sure if Coronavirus will allow for traditional performances this year.
Other high profile events, if held outdoors, will likely go forward, albeit with some modifications. The lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington DC and the nationally televised debut of the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center will likely be held.
Local events including Santa parades, Festivals of Trees, and charity concerts have already been canceled in many areas.
Superstar concerts from everyone such as Michael Buble to Mariah Carey have been canceled all the way into 2021. Some stars, such as Carrie Underwood, are rushing to get out Christmas albums instead of promoting a tour.
Aside from events other elements of Christmas are projected to change. Christmas tree growers are bracing for another tough year as they anticipate fewer crowds coming to cut down trees post-Thanksgiving.
Sellers of Christmas decorations likely will not have as broad of a selection to offer in 2020 because shipments from China have been delayed or cancelled. Hobby Lobby is already merchandising their holiday offerings in some of their stories but other retailers are not moving as fast or as early this year.
The virtual Christmas is expected to be huge this year as families and even companies expect festivities to happen online via Zoom or Google Meet.
Here at MyMerryChristmas traffic trends for 2020 have trended up for months. Locked down Christmas enthusiasts have been very active searching for Christmas online. A planned event for Christmas in July has been expanded to get Christmas experts in front of fans virtually, given that traditional Christmas conventions and trade-shows have been canceled this summer.
