The year 2020 was unlike any other. From the global pandemic to widespread social movements, it was a year of uncertainty, introspection, and profound change. As we navigated through lockdowns, quarantines, and the unknown, certain objects became emblematic of the times—items that both shaped and were shaped by the events of the year. These were the things that brought us comfort, kept us connected, and allowed us to adapt to a world that was constantly changing.
While 2020 is remembered for its trials and tribulations, it also gave rise to new ways of living, working, and existing. Many of the items that defined this period are not just trends; they are symbols of how we responded to the challenges of the year. From face masks to virtual fitness equipment, these 17 items reflect the creativity, resilience, and innovation that emerged during one of the most tumultuous years in modern history.
- Face Masks: The New Fashion Staple
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread globally, face masks became the most essential item of the year. What began as a health necessity quickly transformed into a cultural symbol. Not only did masks protect us from the virus, but they also became an important form of self-expression. Designers, brands, and even artists began creating masks in a range of colors, patterns, and materials, allowing people to make fashion statements while staying safe. For many, a mask became an accessory as important as any other, coordinating with outfits or reflecting personal beliefs.
The simple cotton face mask, though often a symbol of public health, became a canvas for creativity. Celebrities and influencers wore custom masks, often designed to match their outfits, while brands like Louis Vuitton and Prada released their versions, sometimes in limited edition runs. These fashionable pieces helped normalize mask-wearing while also reflecting how fashion adapted to a new reality.
- Home Exercise Equipment: A Fitness Revolution
With gyms closed and social distancing protocols in place, many turned to home exercise as a way to maintain physical and mental health. Equipment that was once reserved for specialized workouts or niche communities quickly became a household staple. Items like resistance bands, yoga mats, dumbbells, and kettlebells flew off the shelves as fitness enthusiasts transitioned their routines into their living rooms.
One of the most significant game-changers in 2020 was Peloton, a brand that made-at-home cycling classes a global phenomenon. Peloton’s sales soared as the need for home workout options became even more apparent. Virtual workout platforms like Mirror, which offers interactive fitness classes, and Tonal, a smart gym system, also gained significant traction, pushing the idea of personalized home gyms to the forefront of the wellness industry.
- Zoom: A Virtual Connection Lifeline
For many, 2020 was the year Zoom became not just a tool for business but a means of staying connected. As the pandemic forced schools, offices, and social gatherings to go virtual, Zoom was at the center of it all. Work meetings, happy hours with friends, virtual family reunions, and even weddings all took place on Zoom. It wasn’t just a platform for video calls—it was the thread that helped us maintain some sense of normalcy during an otherwise isolating year.
The rise of Zoom also signaled a larger trend: the embrace of remote work. As companies adapted to the new reality of social distancing, employees found themselves working from their bedrooms, kitchens, or home offices, with Zoom calls bridging the gap between work and personal life. As remote work became the norm, many people adapted to new routines and new ways of collaborating, making Zoom a true lifeline for both professional and personal connections.
- Hand Sanitizer: The Essential Health Companion
With the pandemic prompting a heightened focus on hygiene, hand sanitizer became an essential item in every home, car, and bag. As stores and pharmacies sold out of sanitizing products, creative solutions appeared. Many companies pivoted from their regular production lines to make hand sanitizer, while distilleries and other manufacturers shifted their efforts to meet the skyrocketing demand.
The humble hand sanitizer became more than just a practical item; it became a symbol of our collective efforts to combat the spread of the virus. Bottles of hand sanitizer adorned countertops, backpacks, and office desks, reminding everyone of the importance of hygiene and safety. The demand for sanitizing products led to a rise in branded versions, with high-end labels releasing luxury sanitizers in aesthetically pleasing packaging.
- The Nintendo Switch: Escaping Into Play
With social gatherings and vacations on hold, many people turned to gaming for entertainment and escape. The Nintendo Switch became one of the most popular consoles of 2020, offering both an engaging solo experience and a way to connect with others through multiplayer games. Its portable design allowed players to game from anywhere, while its catalog of games, from Animal Crossing: New Horizons to Mario Kart, provided the perfect distractions during lockdown.
Animal Crossing, in particular, became a cultural phenomenon, offering players a calm and relaxing virtual escape from the stresses of the outside world. The game’s charming graphics and open-ended gameplay allowed players to create their little worlds, providing much-needed respite from the chaos of the pandemic.
- Toilet Paper: The Ultimate Pandemic Symbol
If there was one item that defined the panic-buying frenzy of 2020, it was toilet paper. As the pandemic spread, toilet paper became a symbol of both security and anxiety. People hoarded toilet paper in anticipation of shortages, with entire grocery store aisles cleared in minutes. This behavior sparked widespread media attention and became one of the most memorable (and often absurd) phenomena of the year.
While the scarcity of toilet paper was short-lived, the obsession with stocking up remained a reflection of the fear and uncertainty that permeated much of 2020. Toilet paper, once an afterthought, became a symbol of preparedness and control during a time of overwhelming unpredictability.
- Bread Makers: The Rise of Homemade Comfort Food
As people spent more time at home, many sought comfort in the kitchen. The rise of sourdough bread baking, in particular, became one of the most popular home activities of 2020. With restaurants closed and takeout less accessible, people turned to baking as a way to pass the time, relieve stress, and provide a sense of accomplishment.
Bread makers and baking equipment sold out across the globe, as novice bakers tried their hand at creating loaves, pastries, and treats from scratch. Social media platforms like Instagram were flooded with photos of homemade bread, contributing to the ongoing trend of homemade, comfort-driven cooking. For many, baking became not just a hobby but a way to feel connected to the past—both to family traditions and to a simpler time.
- Face Shields: A New Layer of Protection
While face masks dominated the conversation around personal protective equipment (PPE), face shields also became an important item in 2020. Initially seen as an alternative for those who couldn’t wear masks, face shields soon became a common sight in many essential service jobs, from retail workers to healthcare professionals.
Beyond practicality, face shields gained attention for their ability to provide a clear view of the wearer’s face, which proved important for communication, especially in environments where facial expressions were vital. Although not as ubiquitous as masks, face shields were nonetheless an essential item for protecting public health and offer added protection for both individuals and workers in frontline sectors.
- Virtual Reality Headsets: Escaping to New Realities
With travel restricted and social experiences limited, virtual reality (VR) headsets became a way to escape and explore new worlds. Platforms like Oculus Quest provide users with the ability to immerse themselves in virtual environments, offering everything from gaming experiences to virtual travel.
VR became more than just a way to pass the time—it was a way to experience new things, interact with others, and escape the physical confines of lockdown. The technology also found its fitness place, with VR workouts allowing users to exercise in virtual worlds, making the idea of staying fit more entertaining and less monotonous.
- Jigsaw Puzzles: A Return to Nostalgia
In a world full of digital distractions, jigsaw puzzles became a quiet, analog escape for many in 2020. As families and individuals sought low-tech ways to pass the time, puzzles became a staple of lockdown life. Whether working on them solo or together, jigsaw puzzles offered a sense of achievement, mindfulness, and nostalgia, providing a simple yet satisfying activity amid chaos.
The demand for puzzles surged, with sales of traditional puzzles and puzzle-themed products seeing significant increases. For many, completing a large puzzle was not just about the result but about the process itself—the hours of focus and the shared experience that helped foster connections in a time of isolation.
- Candles: Comfort and Calm in Difficult Times
In 2020, as stress levels soared, many people turned to candles as a source of comfort. The warm glow and calming scents of candles provided a sense of peace in a year that was anything but peaceful. Brands like Diptyque, Jo Malone, and Bath & Body Works reported spikes in sales of their candles, as consumers sought ways to create serene atmospheres in their homes.
Candles, often associated with relaxation and self-care, became part of a broader trend toward wellness and mindfulness. In a world filled with uncertainty, lighting a candle became a small act of control and comfort.
- Air Purifiers: Breathing Easier in a Health Crisis
As the world grappled with a respiratory virus, many households invested in air purifiers to improve indoor air quality. These devices, designed to filter out dust, allergens, and other pollutants, became a way to ensure that the air we were breathing indoors was as clean as possible.
For many, air purifiers represented a tangible step toward protecting their families and maintaining a sense of
control over their environment. Sales of air purifiers spiked in 2020, driven by health concerns and a growing understanding of how indoor air quality affects overall well-being.
- Streaming Services: On-Demand Entertainment
With movie theaters closed and social events on pause, streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ became the go-to sources of entertainment for millions around the globe. The lockdown provided the perfect environment for binge-watching TV shows, films, and documentaries, as people looked for new forms of entertainment to fill their time.
During 2020, many streaming services capitalized on the rise of “stay-at-home” culture by releasing high-profile movies and series directly to digital platforms. Disney+ premiered Hamilton, while Warner Bros. decided to release its entire 2021 slate on HBO Max, a move that reshaped the way people consume entertainment.
- Online Shopping: The Dominance of E-Commerce
With brick-and-mortar stores closed for extended periods, e-commerce became a lifeline for consumers. Online shopping reached new heights in 2020, with people purchasing everything from groceries to home goods to fashion items from the comfort of their homes.
Amazon, eBay, and other online retailers experienced a surge in sales, and even brands that had previously relied on physical stores had to pivot to online sales. This shift to e-commerce marked a significant change in consumer habits, with many consumers embracing the convenience of shopping online for the first time.
- Clorox Wipes: The Symbol of Sanitization
In 2020, the demand for cleaning products reached a fever pitch. Clorox wipes, in particular, became an item of extreme scarcity, as people sought ways to sanitize surfaces to prevent the spread of the virus.
The sight of Clorox wipes in stock was a rare and welcome occurrence. These disinfecting wipes became symbolic of both safety and reassurance, offering consumers a simple but effective means of cleaning high-touch surfaces throughout their homes.
- Books: Escaping Into Stories
As the pandemic disrupted normal life, many people sought solace in literature. Books—whether physical or digital—provided a much-needed escape into new worlds. Bestsellers of 2020 ranged from thrillers to memoirs, fiction to self-help, reflecting the diverse needs of readers during a tumultuous time.
Book sales surged as people looked for both comfort and distraction. Reading became a form of self-care, a way to recharge and escape the pressures of the outside world.
- Home Office Furniture: Adapting to Remote Work
As remote work became the new norm, many people invested in home office furniture to create functional and comfortable workspaces. Desks, chairs, and ergonomic accessories became essential, as workers adapted to the new reality of working from home.
For some, this meant upgrading a spare bedroom or corner of the living room into a professional office. For others, it meant creating designated spaces that allowed for greater productivity and focus. The shift to remote work not only changed the way we work but also how we live in our own homes.
As 2020 comes to a close, we look back on a year that reshaped our lives in ways that will likely persist for years to come. The 17 items that defined this year—whether born out of necessity, comfort, or innovation—illustrate the resilience and adaptability of individuals in the face of adversity. These items not only reflect our response to a global crisis but also how we found new ways to stay connected, stay safe, and thrive in a challenging and ever-changing world.
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