Swapping a cinema night out for a movie night at home doesn't seem so bad when you realise that you can bring your own snacks and lounge on a sofa. While saving money on nights out that would have cost substantially more, people in Ireland are bringing the party home for a fraction of the cost.

The prospect of a global recession due to COVID-19 is leading many people to curtail their spending – but there's still an appetite for small indulgences. Instead of making big-ticket purchases, shoppers are treating themselves to cheap thrills, a phenomenon known as ‘the lipstick effect.’

Interest in foraging has grown as people seek to reinvigorate their connection to nature, cut down on meat consumption, and adopt eco-friendly behaviours. Once led by luxury restaurants looking for unusual, local ingredients, why are people signing up to learn how to forage for their dinner?

Subscription boxes have seen success in industries ranging from fashion to cosmetics to food, enabling people to avoid a trip to the shops for everyday essentials and treats. With freshly cut bouquets sent to customers on a weekly basis, Freddie’s Flowers is embracing this model for floristry.