Christmas is the biggest celebration of the year.
In all corners of the world, people in every way celebrate love and giving.
Religious ceremonies, festive tables, drinking and eating are common elements in all countries.
From the reindeer and Santa Claus celebrations in Lapland, to the celebration of the huge lantern in the Philippines and even the fried chicken custom in Japan.
So we see that all peoples, regardless of religion, often find in Christmas an occasion to rejoice and unite the whole family around a big festive table.
Christmas in Greece
Coming to Greece at Christmas, we cannot help but notice the pervasive mood of euphoria and celebration.
After all, Greeks are the most timid revelers in Europe and this characteristic of ours is often the subject of humorous commentary by foreigners.
It is no coincidence, among other things, that the word “opa!” is one of the best known Greek phrases around the world.
In Greece, then, those festive days primarily involve food and drink.
Turkey as an integral part of the festive dinner is accompanied by a feast of preparations and a variety of wines.
Alcohol is also a part of the menu, increasing both the consumption of drinks and the spirits.
As far as tradition is concerned, we have carols, goblins and customs with a more bucolic mood such as the Momoergers of Drama who, dressed in wolf and dragon skins, expect to bring good luck in the New Year.
Money and Christmas shopping
But apart from love and joy, Christmas is also a time for shopping.
Throughout December and the first few days of January, there is increased activity, high consumption and a strong desire to shop.
Of course, this is justified and encouraged in part by the Christmas gift payments.
The market then experiences its best time of the year: Shopping, gifts, food, alcohol are just some of the expenses on which inevitably not inconsiderable sums will be spent.
To give an example, last year in the United States of America the average household spent $1536 during the holiday season.
In Greece in 2021, the cost, just for Christmas dinner, amounted to 113.90 euros, which, considering the low standard of living of citizens, we realize that this amount has a significant weight in the family budget for the month.
The figures speak for themselves but we will try not to put a positive or negative sign on this habit.
On the one hand, we cannot help but acknowledge the undue consumption frenzy that is clearly not the best habit of the individual.
On the other hand, of course, there are great consequences for the economy in those days.
Borrowing the simple but correct popular phrase ‘the market is moving’, we can see the momentum with which money is falling at this time in the retail sector.
Let’s also not be cynical and look at another side of human behaviour.
When not motivated by selfishness and abrasiveness, offering gifts is a very beautiful and loving gesture.
People want to express their love, gratitude and loyalty by offering a material good that signifies all these intangible and beautiful feelings.
Corporate gifts, financial reports
In addition to the gifts we offer to relatives and loved ones, a parallel gift market has developed which has its own particularities.
It is none other than the corporate gift market that has been evolving for years and is going through its own Story. The industry in 2021 experienced tremendous growth with turnover reaching $242 billion and a growth rate for 2022 of 8%, which means that the expected value will touch $305 billion in 2024.
The reason for this rapid growth is none other than the pandemic.
Millions of employees started working from home, experiencing an unprecedented change in the nature of work itself and in their relationships with colleagues, which became predominantly online.
It was therefore considered that offering gifts was a necessary move during this period as it defined a digital break, a return to tangible reality.
By receiving a gift, employees experience an experience that brings them back to the pre-functional work environment, an environment of human contact and interaction.
Celebrations and corporate gifts
Christmas is a prime occasion to offer gifts to your employees and partners. This move helps to strengthen relationships, causes joy and satisfaction.It is the best way to express gratitude to your colleagues and leads to their encouragement and increase their productivity. But beware of it. Although increasing productivity is a clearly beneficial consequence of corporate gifting, it should not be your primary goal. Virtues such as selflessness and generosity are elements that are highly valued and easily detected. Continuing, the
ideas for creating the right gift are endless.
Wines, premium edible products, facial and body care kits are just a few of the hundreds of options.
Packaging is also an important factor.
Attention to this detail is an integral element that will set you apart and enhance the image of the company in question to the public.
A beautiful, thoughtful packaging can only reflect the image of a similarly thoughtful company.
Finally, there may be dozens of days until Christmas and the house may not smell of cinnamon and cloves but I hope this article has evoked the beautiful and sweet feelings of those festive days.
Christmas and corporate gifts
Christmas and corporate gifts
Christmas around the world
Christmas is the biggest celebration of the year. In all corners of the world, people in every way celebrate love and giving. Religious ceremonies, festive tables, drinking and eating are common elements in all countries. From the reindeer and Santa Claus celebrations in Lapland, to the celebration of the huge lantern in the Philippines and even the fried chicken custom in Japan. So we see that all peoples, regardless of religion, often find in Christmas an occasion to rejoice and unite the whole family around a big festive table.
Christmas in Greece
Coming to Greece at Christmas, we cannot help but notice the pervasive mood of euphoria and celebration. After all, Greeks are the most timid revelers in Europe and this characteristic of ours is often the subject of humorous commentary by foreigners. It is no coincidence, among other things, that the word “opa!” is one of the best known Greek phrases around the world. In Greece, then, those festive days primarily involve food and drink. Turkey as an integral part of the festive dinner is accompanied by a feast of preparations and a variety of wines. Alcohol is also a part of the menu, increasing both the consumption of drinks and the spirits. As far as tradition is concerned, we have carols, goblins and customs with a more bucolic mood such as the Momoergers of Drama who, dressed in wolf and dragon skins, expect to bring good luck in the New Year.
Money and Christmas shopping
But apart from love and joy, Christmas is also a time for shopping. Throughout December and the first few days of January, there is increased activity, high consumption and a strong desire to shop. Of course, this is justified and encouraged in part by the Christmas gift payments. The market then experiences its best time of the year: Shopping, gifts, food, alcohol are just some of the expenses on which inevitably not inconsiderable sums will be spent. To give an example, last year in the United States of America the average household spent $1536 during the holiday season. In Greece in 2021, the cost, just for Christmas dinner, amounted to 113.90 euros, which, considering the low standard of living of citizens, we realize that this amount has a significant weight in the family budget for the month. The figures speak for themselves but we will try not to put a positive or negative sign on this habit. On the one hand, we cannot help but acknowledge the undue consumption frenzy that is clearly not the best habit of the individual. On the other hand, of course, there are great consequences for the economy in those days. Borrowing the simple but correct popular phrase ‘the market is moving’, we can see the momentum with which money is falling at this time in the retail sector.
Let’s also not be cynical and look at another side of human behaviour. When not motivated by selfishness and abrasiveness, offering gifts is a very beautiful and loving gesture. People want to express their love, gratitude and loyalty by offering a material good that signifies all these intangible and beautiful feelings.
Corporate gifts, financial reports
In addition to the gifts we offer to relatives and loved ones, a parallel gift market has developed which has its own particularities. It is none other than the corporate gift market that has been evolving for years and is going through its own Story. The industry in 2021 experienced tremendous growth with turnover reaching $242 billion and a growth rate for 2022 of 8%, which means that the expected value will touch $305 billion in 2024. The reason for this rapid growth is none other than the pandemic. Millions of employees started working from home, experiencing an unprecedented change in the nature of work itself and in their relationships with colleagues, which became predominantly online. It was therefore considered that offering gifts was a necessary move during this period as it defined a digital break, a return to tangible reality. By receiving a gift, employees experience an experience that brings them back to the pre-functional work environment, an environment of human contact and interaction.
Celebrations and corporate gifts
Christmas is a prime occasion to offer gifts to your employees and partners. This move helps to strengthen relationships, causes joy and satisfaction.It is the best way to express gratitude to your colleagues and leads to their encouragement and increase their productivity. But beware of it. Although increasing productivity is a clearly beneficial consequence of corporate gifting, it should not be your primary goal. Virtues such as selflessness and generosity are elements that are highly valued and easily detected. Continuing, the ideas for creating the right gift are endless. Wines, premium edible products, facial and body care kits are just a few of the hundreds of options. Packaging is also an important factor. Attention to this detail is an integral element that will set you apart and enhance the image of the company in question to the public. A beautiful, thoughtful packaging can only reflect the image of a similarly thoughtful company.
Finally, there may be dozens of days until Christmas and the house may not smell of cinnamon and cloves but I hope this article has evoked the beautiful and sweet feelings of those festive days.