A major retailer has recruited a psychic for Christmas – to help customers at a loss for what to buy loved ones. Not On The High Street has taken on renowned psychic, Inbaal Honigman, who claims to accurately reveal the perfect gift for those impossible to buy for.
Within her newly created role of “head of gifting insights”, the clairvoyant will provide personalised readings for shoppers in need of help.
To take advantage of the TV astrologer’s services, customers will need to answer four questions on the retailer’s website about the person they’re struggling to buy for.
But they’ll need to be quick, as the trial service is operating on a first come, first served basis – with just 50 readings available.
It was launched after a study, also by the “home of small creative businesses”, found 45 percent of adults suffer from “holi-dread” – anxiety over what gifts to buy.
Inbaal Honigman said: “Seeing the disappointed face of a loved one when opening a gift can make you feel clueless, and cause stress for the next year. I’m thrilled to step in and uncover the perfect gift for those hard-to-shop-for friends and family, using my psychic skills.
“Some people are trickier to buy for, and getting gifting right is important to so many. Even shopping for a notoriously picky Aquarius will be made a breeze with this service.”
The study of 2,000 adults, who celebrate Christmas, found 14 percent of those who have endured holi-dread, begin to panic in early October. And perhaps with good reason – as 26 percent have given someone a present which wasn’t well-received.
The top concerns for those who dread gift-buying include cost (48 percent), whether the gift is thoughtful enough (34 percent), and whether the recipient will like it (61 percent).
It also emerged 22 percent of adults polled claim their partner is the hardest person to buy for, followed by their dad (18 percent), and their mum (15 percent).
And to provide context as to just how stressful gift-buying is, 18 percent said it was as harrowing as a job interview, while 15 percent said it’s harder than a break-up – and 13 percent even said it’s worse than giving birth.
The study, carried out through OnePoll, found 61 percent intend to shop at a small or local business for Christmas gifts this year.
Of those who plan to do so, 68 percent like to shop this way to support their local community, while 58 percent feel the presents are more “heartfelt”.
Leanne Rothwell, CEO of Not On The High Street, said: “The festive season often brings a mix of joy and stress, as we strive to meet societal expectations and create the perfect Christmas.
“The pursuit of the “ideal” holiday experience can lead to unnecessary stress, as we forget that the true meaning of Christmas is about love and togetherness.
“Our mission this Christmas is to take the panic out of gift-giving through launching our psychic service, and encouraging people to buy personalised and thoughtful gifts from small businesses.
“We hope that with this new service, will help shoppers to gift fewer and better this festive season.”
