Pandemic ‘treat yourself’ craze gains momentum

Colin Kreig has treated himself to a new car, a major makeover, and stays at the Big White Ski Resort.

Jamie Kaban also spent time at Big White and done some additional hikes.

And Bobby Bissessar likes to take a leisurely stroll and then pick up a restaurant to take away or eat at a downtown restaurant.

At the one year mark of COVID, we all had to find ways to indulge ourselves a little in order to keep our sanity.

In fact, some call it the pandemic of indulging yourself.

It is characterized by a frenzy of shopping, indulgences, and self-care.

And it’s all designed to pamper us in every possible way in an age of travel and the social constraints caused by the novel coronavirus.

In fact, as the pandemic worsens, the urge to self-medicate increases.

Enjoyment can be free and simple, like a lunch stroll around the block, or inexpensive, like a good coffee, bottle of wine, book, new TV streaming service, or a bubble bath.

The middle ground for spending money and self-medication ranges from a new bike to skis for camping gear to a new, casual wardrobe, places to stay and upgrading the house with new colors, furniture, gadgets and accessories.

Or it can be extravagant provided you still have a job and the money and include a new car, RV, vacation home, or even a bigger and better house.

“Certainly there has been a big push to bigger space,” said Colin Kreig, real estate agent at ReMax Kelowna.

“People don’t spend money on travel and other areas, so they renovate or move into bigger houses.”

According to Kreig, this trend could change abruptly.

“Once the borders open there will likely be a huge flash of travel and that will be the new way people spend their money,” he said.

“I’ve seen the Royal Bank’s chief economist say that if you’re lucky enough to keep your job and investments through COVID, you’ve saved more money than ever before. And a lot of people will want to spend that money.”

When COVID first hit Jamie Kaban, the general manager of Kelowna Toyota, was doing the opposite of himself.

“Personally, I didn’t know how long it was going to take or how bad it was going to be, so I cut expenses and started working six days a week,” he said.

“Since then, I’ve taken some time hiking and skiing at Big White.”

At the dealership, Kaban saw customers keep deciding to upgrade to new trucks and SUVs for road trips, camping, or just a cute new drive.

“Adventure vehicles that are also great everyday drivers, like the Toyota Tacoma Truck and the Rav 4 SUV, are the hottest sellers,” he said.

“In some cases we can’t keep up with demand.”

Bobby Bissessar, director of sales and marketing at the luxury all-suite Cove Lakeside Resort in West Kelowna, saw the staycation trend explode during COVID.

“If you can’t travel internationally, and maybe not even within Canada, local people will travel and have a good time,” he said.

“The Cove really met that with Cozy Up at The Cove packages for BC residents for an enhanced two-night stay with experiences at nearby Quails’ Gate and Frind wineries.”

Personally, Bissessar’s life is so busy with work that his pampering has been limited to downtown walks and plenty of take-out and dine at local restaurants.

“I’m a low-key foodie and my downtown favorites are Central (Kitchen + Bar), Jack’s (Pizza & Liquor), and Cantina (Del Centro),” he said.

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