Unlike the retail industry, which seems to start the holiday season earlier each year, I can fully embrace the season now that Thanksgiving is behind us. If you’re over the age of 20, you’ll probably remember holiday seasons in the pre-internet age. You know, the Stone Age. 😉
I remember looking forward to receiving my Sears Wish Book every year. It seemed like a thick encyclopedia of toys, with pages upon pages filled with an assortment of things to ask Santa for. I’d sit down with paper and pencil (again, well before the internet) and write a list of things I hoped to get on Christmas morning. In 2011, that sounds quaint, doesn’t it?
As a parent in the 21st Century, it’s interesting to witness how technology has changed things. Yes, printed catalogs still arrive in the mail. However, kids can create online registries so Santa can fulfill their wishes with a click of the mouse or a review of an email. Articles, blogs and websites can detail the most sought after toys, compiling lists, providing reviews and checking for best pricing. Sound amazing? That’s actually old news . . .
Sears Canada recently announced the creation of a Wish Book app for the iPad. According to an article in Chain Store Age, the app allows “thousands of items to be viewed, added to Wish Lists or purchased with the tap of the finger on the iPad. The application also includes a built-in gift list organizer to manage holiday gift giving and shopping.”
So when that little girl asks about Santa and whether he’ll see her list, you can reply, “Yes Virginia, there is an app for that.”
How are you and your family using new technologies this holiday season?
Arthur Catalanello Consulting 