Most of us have canceled travel plans to get together with family and friends to celebrate the holidays. So are we going to make up for the fact that the season will look and feel different this year?

>> Read more trending news

Retail experts say yes, that many revelers will be guilt gifting this year to not only make up for not being able to get together for the holidays, but also to bring something positive to make up for all of the disappointments and negative feelings 2020 has brought, the Detroit Free Press reported.

The newspaper reported that about 40% of shoppers are going to buy more this year when compared to years past to help boost the moods of their friends and family, according to research done by NPD Group.

NPD also found that people are going to be self-gifting this year as sort of a holiday-inspired retail therapy, as shoppers look for items that help them continue to adjust to the prolonged coronavirus pandemic way of life.

Since March, retailers have seen increases in sales for stay-at-home items used for our new virtual way of connecting. Items included monitors, headsets, USB cameras, sleepwear, hair care, air fryers and soda machines.

Footwear and clothing are also high on the list, according to Business Insider.

Another must-buy this year are gift cards, as about 53% of consumers plan on buying them as gifts, up from 45% last year.

To go with the increase of guilt gifting, shoppers will also be shipping most of what they buy since traveling to see distant families is not advised by health experts, NPD found.

More coronavirus pandemic coverage:

>> Coronavirus: CDC acknowledges airborne transmission of COVID-19​

​>> Is it COVID-19, flu, cold or allergies? What is causing you to feel sick this year​

​>> Coronavirus: CDC updates guidance for COVID-19 testing​

​>> Dangerous hand sanitizer list up to more than 150 products, FDA announces​

​>> Wash your masks: How to clean a cloth face covering​

​>> Fact check: Will masks lower the oxygen level, raise the carbon dioxide in your blood?​

​>> How to not let coronavirus pandemic fatigue set in, battle back if it does

Cox Media Group