12 challenges people face during the holidays and the brands and retailers delivering solutions.

1. 12 CUSTOMER-CENTRIC
HOLIDAY
SOLUTIONS
AND THE RETAILERS, BRANDS AND IDEAS THAT CAN HELP
Youtail Retail™

2. | ‹#›
Many people have
a LOVE HATE
relationship
with the
HOLIDAYS

3. | ‹#›
Schedules are packed
Traveling can be nuts
Budgets tend to get blown
Family dynamics can be strained
Lines can be long
Entertaining can be tiring
Shipping can get delayed
& Gift giving can feel like an endless maze

4. | ‹#›
And yet….

5. | ‹#›
The look
on a kid’s
face
makes it all
worthwhile

6. | ‹#›
Even still….

7. As we produce our own
version of the holidays
| ‹#›

8. | ‹#›
We could all
use a little
empathy and
inspiration
during this
time of year

9. We Need More Than a Gift Guide Stating
| ‹#›
This is cool
Here are the features
Buy this
Here are the benefits
Buy that
This is new
They will love this

10. Customers need comprehensive
| ‹#›
holiday solutions
that deal with the dynamics of our
everyday lives

11. With information about the
| ‹#›
retailers, brands and
companies that can help

12. | ‹#›
The average person celebrating
Christmas, Hanukkah and/or
Kwanza will spend about
$804.42 this year.
Up 5% from last year.

13. | ‹#›
How are dollars
being spent?

14. | ‹#›
Babysitter,
Pets, etc.
$30.43
Decorations
$53.68
Food
$104.74
Friends
$80.00
Co-Workers
$26.23
Family
$459.87
Greeting Cards
$29.18
Flowers
$20.30
The
Breakdown

15. | ‹#›
This leads to
a lot of juggling
on top of every day
responsibilities

16. Especially given the average consumer
| ‹#›
engages with
11.4 pieces of information
before a purchase

17. | ‹#›
Welcome to the
Holiday Solutions Guide

18. | ‹#›
Here’s what you
can expect

19. | ‹#›
12
Customer Challenges
Will Be Covered.
Including…

20. | ‹#›
Holiday
Cards Put
Me Over the
Edge
Nothing to
Wear
Time
Pressed
Auntie &
Uncle
Give
Something
Memorable
to my Family
Prefer to Buy
from a List
It’s Been a
Tough Year
Not (Physically)
Together This
Holiday
How Can I Give
the Gift of an
Experience?
Give Gifts That
Give Back or
Donate to a Much
Needed Cause?
Gifts that Keep on
Giving?
Other Ways to
Search Online?
A Little
Strapped for
Cash

21. | ‹#›
What’s next?
3 easy columns

22. | ‹#›
Signed,
A Customer Holiday Challenge
Solutions, options and
resources to help the
customer with their
holiday challenge.
A special something
about the resources
covered.
More info:
Clickable links to
retailers, companies
and solutions.
The challenge
facing the
customer.

23. | ‹#›
Let’s get started!
(Oh! Now would be a good time
to make your screen full size)

24. | ‹#›
Signed,
Time Pressed Auntie & Uncle
Leave it to the Mouse House to add magic to
monetized plastic. DisneyStore.com offers a
few different options for gift cards that make
giving and receiving fun.
Upload your own photo, add a message and
send the personalized gift card in a greeting
card. It can be used at Disney Stores across
the U.S., online at DisneyStore.com, as well
as select locations at Walt Disney World®
Resort, Disneyland® Resort and Disney
Cruise Line®.
Need it to be emailed instead? For instant
delivery to any valid email address, choose
the DisneyStore.com Online Gift Card. Online
Gift Cards may only be used at
DisneyStore.com.
You can also send a Free Video message
with your gift to let the recipient know how
much you love and miss them.
More info:
DisneyStore.com
“We’ve been working non-stop and
have little time to pick out something
for our 5 year old niece and 6 year old
nephew who live out of state. Any way
to make gift cards more fun for kids in
this age range? Any ideas welcome!”
Signed,
Time Pressed Auntie & Uncle

25. | ‹#›
Signed,
Holiday Cards Might Put Me Over the Edge
Option 1: Photo or no photo, Costco or Vista Print offers cards
for under $1.00 each. Costco offers warehouse pick up or mail
delivery. Order a personalized photo gift for the grandparents
when you place your card order with options ranging from
ornaments to photo books to calendars. For even more design
options across a wider price range check out Tiny Prints.com.
Option 2: Tons of digital card sites are available if you prefer to
create and share a digital greeting: Pic Monkey, Paperless
Post, Jib Jab or Just Wink.
Option 3: In the true spirit of the holidays, IKEA has been
selling boxed UNICEF cards since 1988 and donates $1 to
UNICEF for every box sold (only seen in stores). Paper
Culture embraces an eco, sustainable business model. They
pledge not to cut down any new trees.
Option 4: Skip the cards entirely and pick up the phone.
Hearing someone’s voice is a great way to connect if you can’t
be together face to face. Take the time to call people to wish
them Season’s Greetings.
You can send greeting cards from your phone using the Just Wink app
and also have the option of including a gift card. Paperless Post features
a range of designs using their app with both online and paper delivery
options.
Interested to see a Top Ten Review of various photo card sites? Head to
Top Ten Photo Card Reviews where Tiny Prints takes the honor as top
spot.
The Vista Print & Tiny Prints coupon codes featured on their catalogs
don’t expire until the very end of December.
Need labels? Check out the Avery Label link. PS: Avery will print labels
of all kinds and ship them to you under the new WePrint service. Who
needs printer toner!
More info:
Top Ten Photo Card Reviews
Costco
Vista Print
Paper Culture
Ikea (only seen in stores)
Pic Monkey
Paperless Post
Just Wink
Jib Jab
Avery
“I wasn’t organized
enough to get my
family coiffed,
outfitted and smiling
for a beach photo
session this year (or
any year) but want to
look at some card
options before I take a
hall pass altogether.”
Signed,
Holiday Cards Might
Put Me Over the Edge

26. | ‹#›
Signed,
Nothing to Wear
Option 1: If you live near a Nordstrom, call to book
an appointment with one of their Personal Stylists.
This service is FREE and the Stylist can have
everything waiting for you when you arrive. The
appointment will take 30 or 60 minutes depending on
the scope of the request.
Option 2: Only have 15 minutes? Order some festive
bling from Charming Charlie to kick up your basic
blacks with a statement necklace or pair of new
earrings. Charming Charlie is known for offering
affordable accessories in every imaginable color.
Option 3: Check out Tipsy Elves, Rusty Zipper, eBay
or hit up your local second hand store to buy the
most festive holiday sweater you can find. People
will appreciate the lit up snowman or dancing
reindeer across your chest.
Nordstrom and Charming Charlie also
offer great gift options for other people on
your list too both in stores and online.
More info:
Nordstrom Personal Stylists
CharmingCharlie.com
Tipsy Elves
Rusty Zipper
Ebay
“I have some holiday parties coming
up with no time to shop and don’t want
to recycle last year’s go-to outfit.”
Signed,
Nothing to Wear

27. | ‹#›
Signed,
Prefer to Buy From a List
Find out if the gift recipients in your life have
wish lists online. Many sites have wish list
programs such as Amazon.com,
ToysRUs.com and BestBuy.com.
For the beauty products and make-up fans,
ask if they have a LOVES list on
Sephora.com with a list of all of their
favorites.
Amazon has a Universal Wish List button
where you can add items from other
websites to your Amazon Wish List.
Toys R Us has a Wish List App where you
can scan in store items to your Wish List
and share with friends and family. When
you create a new Wish List at TRU before
November 26th you are automatically
entered to win a $1,000 gift card.
More info:
Amazon.com
ToysRUs.com
BestBuy.com
Sephora.com
“My family is growing and spread out
across the country. I would love to be
able to purchase items from a list to be
sure to get the kids/teens in the family
what they want and have it delivered
on time for the holidays. I also want to
know that others aren’t getting them
the same thing so they won’t have the
hassle of returning something.”
Signed,
Prefer to Buy From a List

28. | ‹#›
Signed,
Want to Give Something Memorable to my Family
Heritage Cookbook is a custom cookbook site out of
Canada I discovered through putting together a
cookbook of my Mom’s recipes. They offer a wide
range of cookbook options where you can easily
add photos, recipes, and quotes to capture your
memories.
The site is very user friendly. Various family
members can even add recipes virtually from
wherever they are located. You can choose from a
variety of templates or upload your own custom
cover.
Minimum order is only four cookbooks. It takes
about 10-15 business days to print and about a
week to ship via Fed Ex. Even if you give people a
picture of the “Coming Soon” book during the
holidays, it makes a special keepsake.
Heritage Cookbook is top notch in customer
service. Virginie was a huge help throughout
the entire process.
Heritage Cookbook includes a bonus copy
with your cookbook shipment and kindly
suggests you donate it to your local library.
How cool is that!
More info:
HeritageCookbook.com
“I want to celebrate our family’s
holiday traditions, recipes and stories
but am not exactly a DIY Pinterest-ninja.
Any ideas?”
Signed,
Want to Give Something Memorable to
my Family

29. | ‹#›
Signed,
It’s Been a Tough Year
It’s understandable if you don’t feel up to socializing
during the holidays like you did before. Try to use the
holiday windows as opportunities to enhance your mood
through music, laughter and volunteerism.
Sometimes putting together a music compilation on
iTunes lifts the spirits during an otherwise tough situation
or buying a CD from Best Buy for those that prefer that
route.
Laughter is another great way to naturally bring people
together. Research your favorite comedian to see if they
have a download of their best performances on Netflix or
better yet catch a live comedy show.
Giving to others or volunteering is a proven way to lift the
spirits. Look into the local chapters of national
organizations you are interested in or call your local
church to see how you can help.
YouTube is also a fantastic place to
research funny comedy routines and clips
from concerts.
More info:
iTunes
Best Buy
Netflix
Huffington Post Giving & Volunteer Links
YouTube
“I recently lost my spouse. I
don’t want to isolate from the
rest of my family but am having
a hard time feeling inspired.
Any suggestions?”
Signed,
It’s Been a Tough Year

30. | ‹#›
Signed,
A Little Strapped for Cash this Holiday Season
Option 1: If you have been collecting spare coins
at home all year head to your local Coin Star
vending machine and cash in coins for popular
gift cards or eCertificates. NO FEES. Some
kiosks even take bills. Don’t have any spare coins
but have gift cards you want to turn in instead? If
you have a gift card with a minimum balance of
$20, you can turn gift cards into cash for a fee.
Option 2: Do you have an accumulation of credit
card points? With their Shop with Points program,
Amazon allows you to pay using select credit
card points across millions of products (certain
restrictions apply).
Option 3: Give the gift of time. A visit, a phone
call, a letter and sharing your time mean the
most.
Always look for sales and special offers
during this time of year. Be aware of
expiration dates but always search for
Promo Codes, Coupon Codes and
Special Offers before you hit the stores or
shop online. Even if you don’t use
coupons all year long, this is the season
offers are readily (searchable) and
available.
More info:
Amazon.com Shop with Points
“I was out of work for a couple of
months this year and am afraid I don’t
have the extra cash needed for the
holidays. What are some tips that
might help?”
Signed,
A Little Strapped for Cash this Holiday
Season
Coinstar.com

31. | ‹#›
Signed,
What are some Gifts that Keep on Giving?
There are so many options now for subscription
gifts.
Option 1: For the kids in your life, check out
Kiwi Crate. These hands-on kits provide kids
with the materials to create themed projects.
Encourages innovation and creativity across a
range of gifts: kit subscriptions, stocking
stuffers, gifts under $20 and special themed
holiday crates.
Option 2: Birchbox features beauty products for
women and grooming gifts for men with 3, 6,
and 12 month subscription gifts available.
Option 3: Nature Box delivers an assortment of
healthy snacks to your door including 2, 5 and
10 months worth of snacks.
Kiwi Crate has the option of adding on
extra materials so siblings can join in the
fun for $9.95/month.
Birchbox develops how-to tips and tricks
and DIY content with site visitors.
Nature Box has 100+ unique snacks
available.
More info:
Kiwi Crate
Birchbox
Nature Box
“People tend to be bombarded
this time of year with gifts. What
are some options for gifts that
keep on giving?”
Signed,
Gifts that Keep on Giving

32. | ‹#›
Signed,
Not (Physically) Together This Holiday
Schedule a FaceTime, Skype or Google
Hangout session with your family members
and make it fun. Open gifts together and
catch up virtually. Share the story of your
best holiday gift you received when you
were a kid. It can be special when you plan
ahead and make it a party.
If you FaceTime or Skype over morning
coffee, send stuff ahead of time (home
baked goods, items purchased at your
local Trader Joe’s or some mail-order
croissants from Williams-Sonoma). Done!
More info:
Williams-Sonoma
Trader Joe's
Skype
Google Hangout
“I recently went through a divorce and
this is the first time I won’t be with my
family on Christmas. Is there a way to
connect this holiday until we see each
other face to face?”
Signed,
Not (Physically) Together This Holiday

33. | ‹#›
Signed,
How Can I Give the Gift of an Experience?
Option 1: A gift certificate to Ticketmaster is
always a great option because your gift
recipient can use it towards tickets to an
upcoming concert, theater show, sporting or
family event in their area.
Option 2: Want an experience that’s a little
more specific to your lucky recipient? If they are
into food see if their city offers Food Tours of
the area or a cooking/wine making/sushi rolling/
baking class through one of the local culinary
schools.
Option 3: Experience Days offers a wide
variety of outings from helicopter rides, beer
making workshops, to rides in race cars.
Believe it or not, Trip Advisor covers Food
Tours in many major cities so check them
out for more info.
More info:
Ticketmaster
Trip Advisor – type in Food Tours
Experience Days
“I think giving someone an
experience they can look
forward to is more
memorable than giving
another V-neck sweater. Any
input on how I can give
someone the gift of an
experience this season?”
Signed,
Give the Gift of an
Experience

34. Signed,
How Can I Give Gifts That Give Back or Donate to a Much
Needed Cause?
| ‹#›
Option 1: Krochet Kids is a non-profit
organization that started with three brothers, a
hook and some yarn. Today, over 150 people in
Uganda and Peru are working, receiving
education, and being mentored toward a
brighter future in creating gifts for men, women
and children that give back.
Option 2: Operation Home Front helps military
families in many ways. Their website provides a
comprehensive list of upcoming events and
current needs by region.
Option 3: Charity Navigator helps you research
charities across multiple causes.
Krochet Kids allows you to learn more
about the individuals who actually make
the products you are buying. Each
product is hand signed by the woman
who made the item.
Operation Home Front lists multiple ways
to help military families including food
assistance, home and auto repair, vision
care, moving assistance and more.
More info:
Krochet Kids
Operation Homefront
Charity Navigator
“I like to give gifts that give back or
donate to a much needed cause. Any
suggestions?”
Signed,
Give Back or Donate

35. | ‹#›
Signed,
What other ways can I Search Online for Gifts besides
Google and Amazon?
Start with social media. When you want to
search for gifts that produce new and
different results, enter a term (or
combination of terms or hashtags) in the
search areas of Pinterest, Instagram,
YouTube and Twitter and it’s very probable
you will find something new or different.
The blogging community has grown in a
massive way and there are experts out
there covering fresh options. In your
favorite search engine add the word “blog”
or “blogger” to your gift topic search term/s
and you may discover untapped
resources.
More info:
Pinterest
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Google
Amazon
“I want different gift ideas if I
search on sites other than
Google and Amazon. Any
suggestions?”
Signed,
Other Ways to Search Online

36. | ‹#›
A Holiday Gift Guide
can be more than a list

37. | ‹#›
It’s about
solutions

38. | ‹#›
Solutions to
help brighten
someone’s day
and make moments
more awesome

39. | ‹#›
Retailers & Brands,
Be a Holiday Solutions Guide
this season by putting your
brand or store experience
in your
customers’ shoes

40. | ‹#›
Thank you!
Click a link below and let’s connect.
Danielle Conte
Youtailretail.com
@dconte05

41. Credits
• NRF survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics https://nrf.com/media/press-releases/gift-givers-plan-
| ‹#›
splurge-friends-family-this-holiday-season
• Forrester: Consumer engages with 11.4 pieces of content prior to making a purchase http://
blogs.sap.com/innovation/sales-marketing/how-influence-drives-the-new-buyers-journey-01249466
• Column graphics/icons and “The Breakdown” circular chart layout © Duarte, Inc.
• Baby Photo from Photopin.com: http://photopin.com/search/baby-christmas-morning- and Attribution
provided on blog post Youtailretail.com
• Holiday light images & photo of black & white dog provided courtesy of Hub Spot
Opinionsexpressedaremyown.
Icurrentlyownstockinthefollowingcompanieslistedinthepresentation: Nordstrom, Facebook(ownsInstagram), AppleandDisney.
© 2014YoutailRetail, aCleverEdgeMarketingLLCcompany.
Meet Toby. The dog who smiles through it all.
Remember to support your local merchants.
Small Business Saturday is 11/29/14.