Axis Conversations CT: Stranger Things, Black Friday, and Christmas Wish Lists
Dec 4, 2025
Stranger Things has become Netflix's biggest English-language hit with its fifth season, sparking discussions about its unique release pattern. Black Friday shopping saw higher spending but lower satisfaction among consumers. Gen Z and Gen Alpha are shifting towards intentional holiday shopping, blending thrift activism with high-end desires. Meanwhile, Spotify and other platforms unveil the year's most popular listens just in time for the holiday season. Plus, the term "rage bait" ignites debates, showcasing the internet's latest fixation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Final Season Drops Across Holidays
- Stranger Things Season 5 is Netflix's biggest English-language release and drops its final episodes across the holidays.
- The current episodes raise stakes with violence, creepy imagery, and continuing LGBTQ+ character arcs that parents should note.
Use TikTok Hauls To Teach Budgeting
- Ask teens when you see TikTok hauls whether they notice deals, items, or spending to spark money conversations.
- Use those observations to model selective shopping and budgeting together.
Record Spend, Fewer Purchases
- Black Friday spending hit record totals because prices rose, not because shoppers bought more items.
- Shoppers, including teens, were more selective and strategic, hunting real deals and doing the math to stretch budgets.