Part shopping and part gambling, the act of ordering ‘mystery boxes’ online is growing in popularity as people seek out the enjoyment and uplifting experience of receiving and opening gifts. As e-commerce overtakes physical shopping, ‘unknown’ things give shoppers a chance to feed their desire for surprise.

Whether it’s a mystery teabag or new make-up, an element of surprise comes packaged within many subscription boxes. Canvas8 spoke to Aditya Gupta, a PhD candidate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, to understand how surprise impacts the experience of self-gifting.

Called the unsung and forgotten generation, Gen Xers may be squeezed by dominant Boomers and attention-seeking Gen Yers, but their vacationing habits are demanding attention. With plenty of spending power and an urge for adventure, how are brands catering to this holiday-hungry generation?

As people wake up to the impact of their everyday decisions on the environment, they’re looking for alternative ways to enjoy their favourite leisure pursuits. It’s why many Europeans are embracing ‘slow travel’, swapping instant gratification for eco-friendly and experience-led trips on trains.