Survey unwraps what moms really want this holiday season

Eighty-eight percent of millennial moms would prefer to have more quality time with family and friends this holiday season than to spend time shopping for gifts

This year, Microsoft Store is on a mission to minimize holiday planning stress for moms so they can be more present for what matters—spending time with family and friends. To better understand and learn how to offer support, Microsoft Store commissioned a survey of 1,000 millennial moms in partnership with Wakefield Research* to find out what moms really want this holiday season. The results put a spotlight on mom’s holiday  “mental load.” Read on to learn more about the survey and how Microsoft Store is here to help with tips, personal shopping, deals and more.

Moms are feeling extra pressure this holiday

Nearly two-thirds (65%) of millennial moms say their family doesn’t realize how much time and effort they put into the holidays and 80% are feeling pressure to make the 2021 holidays even more special this year. Top reasons millennial moms feel pressure this holiday season include the costs of gifts and activities (57%), pressure to make up for experiences missed during the pandemic (41%), and gifts not arriving in time because of shipping delays (38%).

For some relief, Microsoft Store is offering Black Friday deals and a holiday promise of free two-three day shipping with no purchase minimum, extended returns, extended low price promise and flexible payment options. While you browse for gifts, Microsoft Edge helps to ensure you get the best deals, thanks to its Coupons, Price Comparison and Price History features.

Spotlight on holiday task mastering

While laughable, it’s no joke that 39% of millennial moms say they’re more likely to win the lottery than have a family member take the lead in holiday prep. Virtually all millennial moms (99%) take the lead on at least one task, especially purchasing gifts (84%), decorating (82%) and wrapping gifts (82%). Moms are also spending their free time looking for the perfect gifts. Millennial moms anticipate spending an average of 14 hours shopping and planning for gifts this holiday season, and 51% admit they spend countless hours thinking of the ideal gift for their children. However, nearly all millennial moms (88%) would rather spend more quality time with family and friends this holiday season than shop for gifts.

Microsoft Store can help with personal shopping, available seven days a week through live, scheduled or on-demand chat. Whether you’re looking for the right Windows 11 powered computer or tablet, Microsoft 365 plan or gaming console and accessories, Microsoft Store product experts are here to help. They can help you choose the perfect gift, set up your device or console and even learn how to use your new tech with online trainings and workshops.

Shopping smarter not harder

A majority (86%) of millennial moms plan to lighten their holiday load this year. More than four in five moms who take the lead on holiday tasks (81%) say they’re eager to unload a holiday task to someone else this holiday season. Three out of four say they plan to streamline gift shopping. More than half of millennial moms (51%) plan to shop exclusively online for holiday gifts this year and 70% are considering digital gift options. Specifically, millennial moms are planning to purchase gift cards (39%) or ask for shopping links attached to holiday wish lists (26%).

Missed someone on your list? Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Microsoft Gift Cards are the perfect gift for those who want to skip the shipping stress or if you’ve missed the shipping cutoff.

With all these tips from Microsoft Store, you can focus more on moments and less on stress this year. Whether you’re gathering in-person, online or both, Microsoft Store can help, leaving more time for the ones you love.

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* The Microsoft Store Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. millennial moms, defined as those ages 25-40 with children ages 17 or under, between Oct. 19 and Oct. 25, 2021, using an email invitation and an online survey. Data has been weighted to ensure accurate representation of U.S. millennial moms.