The joyous holiday season often leaves us indulging in merriment, festive cuisine, and valuable family time. However, it also often has us scrambling to complete our holiday gift shopping. The 24th of December is recognized as Last-Minute Shopper’s Day, a day that caters to those of us who, for no matter what reason, find ourselves still in the pursuit of just the right gifts.
This day is all about reveling in the fast-paced thrill of last-minute shopping and capitalizing on any remaining sales while soaking in the inspiring holiday cheer to aid in your gift-giving choices.
History of Last-Minute Shopper’s Day
Every year on December 24th, people celebrate Last-Minute Shopper’s Day. The day caters to individuals who typically find themselves rushing to finish their holiday shopping just before the big day. The exact history of Last-Minute Shopper’s Day is unclear, but it’s a day that definitely speaks to the nature of procrastinators worldwide.
The holiday shopping season officially kicks off in November, and sometimes even earlier. Yet, there are still a notable number of people who put off their holiday gift purchases until the middle of December or later. These procrastinators often face a frantic sprint, trying to buy all their gifts before it’s too late.
Businesses have latched onto this frenzied last-minute shopping tendency. Many stores extend their operating hours and offer special sales or fast shipping options to help last-minute shoppers.
Last-Minute Shopper’s Day has entered the mainstream as a part of the holiday season. It acknowledges and somewhat commemorates, the whirlwind of activity that occurs during the final stages of holiday shopping.
Last-Minute Shopper’s Day Timeline
The Birth of Christmas Shopping
The tradition of gift-giving shifted towards purchasing manufactured goods from stores instead of homemade presents.
Christmas as a Federal Holiday
Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States.
The Term 'Black Friday'
The term 'Black Friday' was first used to refer to the big shopping day after Thanksgiving, marking the start of the Christmas shopping season.
Cyber Monday Birth
With the birth of online shopping, the Monday after Thanksgiving became known as 'Cyber Monday', offering online deals for Christmas shoppers.
The Advent of Small Business Saturday
American Express came up with Small Business Saturday to support local businesses that were suffering due to the economic recession.
Last-Minute Shopper's Day
The day is for those who typically find themselves rushing to finish their holiday shopping just before the big day.
Ideas to Celebrate Last-Minute Shopper’s Day
Shopping Marathon
Organize a last-minute shopping spree with friends. It's not only about buying what's needed, but also having fun. Make it competitive by seeing who can get the best deals in the shortest time.
Creation Hour
Set aside a couple of hours to make homemade gifts. Even if it's last-minute, the effort and thought that go into handmade presents are often more appreciated.
Online Shopping Party
Host a virtual meet-up where everyone shares their screen and journeys through various online stores. You can share deals, make recommendations, and enjoy the camaraderie.
Local Business Crawl
Make a plan to only shop at local businesses. This can help support local artisans and businesses, especially during the holiday season.
Theme Shopping
Choose a theme for your gift-giving this year and challenge yourself to find all your gifts within this theme. This won't just make the shopping experience more interesting, it'll also make the presents more meaningful.
Late Night Shopping
Take advantage of the extended hours many stores offer during the holiday season. Shop late at night when the stores may be less crowded and you can take your time.
5 Interesting Facts About Last-Minute Shopper’s Day
Origin of Last-Minute Shopper’s Day
The origin of Last-Minute Shopper’s Day is unknown, but it likely originated from modern consumer culture, specifically people's tendencies to procrastinate or delays in shipping causing a rush to stores.
Biggest Shopping Day in the United States
While Black Friday is often seen as the biggest shopping day in the U.S., according to the International Council of Shopping Centers, the Saturday before Christmas, often falling close to Last-Minute Shopper's Day, outranks Black Friday for in-person shopping.
Global Relevance
Though primarily recognized in the United States, Last-Minute Shopper's Day is relevant anywhere Christmas is celebrated and shopping is common for the holiday.
Deals and Discounts
Many retailers offer special deals and discounts on this day to attract those last-minute shoppers, making it a potentially lucrative day for both shoppers and retailers.
Unplanned Purchases
According to a study by the National Retail Federation, many shoppers make unplanned purchases because of the discounts available on Last-Minute Shopper's Day.
Last-Minute Shopper’s Day FAQs
Next Last-Minute Shopper’s Day Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | December 24th | Sunday |
| 2024 | December 24th | Tuesday |
| 2025 | December 24th | Wednesday |
| 2026 | December 24th | Thursday |
| 2027 | December 24th | Friday |
| What is the pattern? | Every December 24th | |
Last-Minute Shopper’s Day Word Search
- Shopping
- Holiday
- Discounts
- Gifts
- Baskets
- Store