The lockdowns of the early 2020s created a unique and unprecedented consumer environment. Stuck at home with a mix of boredom, anxiety, and perhaps some extra disposable income, people across the country made a wave of specific, trend-driven purchases. We bought things to entertain ourselves, to improve our homes, and to learn new skills. Now, several years later, many of those lockdown impulse buys are gathering dust in a closet or garage, serving as a reminder of a strange time that we have since moved on from.
1. Sourdough Starter Kits
Baking sourdough bread became the quintessential lockdown hobby. Everyone seemed to be nurturing a bubbly sourdough starter on their kitchen counter, posting pictures of their crusty loaves on social media. However, people quickly realized that maintaining a starter is a significant commitment that requires daily feeding and attention. As life returned to normal, most of these fledgling bakers abandoned their hobby, and the once-prized starter kits were relegated to the back of a cupboard.
2. Large Home Exercise Equipment
With gyms closed, there was a massive rush to buy home exercise equipment, particularly large and expensive items like Peloton bikes, treadmills, and full weight racks. People envisioned creating the perfect home gym to stay fit during the lockdown. Now, many of those bulky machines serve as expensive coat racks, taking up a huge amount of space. The motivation to work out at home waned for many once gyms and outdoor activities became an option again.
3. An Over-the-Top Home Office Setup
The sudden shift to remote work led many people to invest heavily in creating the perfect home office. They bought ergonomic chairs, multiple monitors, standing desks, and high-end webcams. While this made sense at the time, many companies have since implemented a hybrid or full return-to-office policy. This has left many people with a professional-grade office setup in their homes that they now barely use.
4. Puzzles and Board Games
To combat the boredom of being stuck inside, families stocked up on jigsaw puzzles and complex board games. These provided a great, screen-free way to pass the long hours. However, once the world opened back up, the time and patience for a 1,000-piece puzzle or a three-hour board game session disappeared for most people. These games now sit on a shelf, a testament to a time when we had a lot more free time on our hands.
5. Bread Machines
For those who were intimidated by the sourdough craze, the bread machine offered an easier path to homemade bread. Sales of these appliances skyrocketed as people sought the comfort of a fresh, warm loaf. However, like many single-purpose kitchen gadgets, the novelty wore off. Many people discovered that they did not want to make homemade bread that often, and the bulky machine was soon exiled to the garage.
6. Niche Crafting and Hobby Supplies
Lockdown was a time for picking up new hobbies, and people bought supplies for everything from tie-dye and knitting to painting and candle-making. We dove headfirst into these new creative outlets to stay occupied. Now, many homes have a box filled with half-used tie-dye kits, knitting needles with an unfinished scarf, and a collection of acrylic paints that have not been touched in years.
The Pandemic Purchase Hangover
The things we bought during the lockdown tell a story about our collective state of mind during a period of great uncertainty and isolation. We sought comfort, distraction, and self-improvement. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, we can look at these purchases with a sense of humor, recognizing them as relics of a unique and challenging chapter in our lives.
What was your biggest lockdown impulse buy? Are there any pandemic purchases that you still use and love today? Share your regrets and successes!
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