According to the National Retail Federation, a whopping 197 million Americans shopped in stores or online during the five days from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday last year. With a little under two weeks left until Black Friday, children are adding their final touches to their holiday wishlists. Students at the BBHHS are finding creative ways to format their gift desires that reflect the digital age.
Since its creation, the internet has revolutionized the world, giving people the tools to turn their wildest imaginations into websites, programs, and softwares that can be seen by anyone. Instead of creating a list using pen and paper, students like junior, Oluwapelumi Lawal, are utilizing technology to design creative displays of their holiday wishlists. Lawal says that she uses the popular iPhone feature, the Notes app, to formulate her gift desires. She enjoys adding links and/or discount codes to websites to create a more convenient experience for her family.
Similarly, junior Nick McCrodden puts links to Amazon and other websites on his Google Doc list.
Theodore Schwertfeger IV, a sophomore, took a more colorful and imaginative approach to organizing his wishlist. Using Canva, Schwertfeger includes pictures, links, and stars that mark his most desired items that make his wishlist not only convenient, but aesthetically pleasing. “I make sure there isn’t a background on anything, so everything is perfectly smooth and perfectly perfect. I spend hours on it,” he explains.
Although digital options are available, some students at the BBHHS are still taking a more traditional approach to crafting their gift lists. Freshman, Elle Hileman, opts for a piece of notebook paper instead of a website or app. In order to still create a visual appeal, she explains, “I write it with highlighters that are colorful.”
Paul Gallo, a junior, simply tells his parents what he wants for the holidays. “I am asking for mostly clothes and legos,” he states.
Technology can be a great tool that makes things more convenient, creative, and shareable, however, some say it makes the holiday less exciting for children. In the past, McCrodden and others mailed letters to Santa, but he expresses his concerns with the effect the internet may have on this long-standing tradition. “I think it[technology] is a bad thing for little kids because it takes the spirit out of the holiday,” he explains.
Everett Egan, a freshman, opposes this opinion by stating, “I think it’s very helpful. It helps you get stuff down and share better.” Lawal notes that using digital options can make item desires more specific and helps to communicate exactly what she wants.
Each student at the BBHHS has different reasons as to whether they stick to tradition or start something new, but a common theme among students is a shared love for the holidays. The majority can agree that the time spent with family and friends is more important than any gift they receive.
