103+ Gift Giving Statistics: A Comprehensive Study 2025

Last updated: Jun 20, 2026

We all struggle to find the perfect gift, especially when we want to see happiness in the eyes of our loved ones. But have you ever wondered about how much we actually spend and waste on gifts each year? Our Shared Secrets Lab (TSSL) has conducted an in-depth analysis of gift giving statistics and trends. It shows how much joy and waste are involved in our gift giving.

The global gift industry is valued at an astounding $72.56 billion in 2024.

Our lab suggests it will continue growing at an accelerated 3.74% CAGR through 2031.

However, more than $9.5 billion is wasted annually on unwanted gifts.

The average person wastes $71 on gifts that aren't appreciated.

So, why is there such a gap between what we give and what people actually want? Let’s explore the trends, facts, demographics, geographics and different gift-giving and receiving habits. Gain valuable insight into gift giving statistics and trends including market size, personalized gifts, holiday shopping, and future predictions. And finally, learn how people in different regions spend on gifts and what they prefer.

By the way, if you are looking to find a gift that everyone loves, check out my TEDx Talk below:

1. What Are the Key Gift-Giving Statistics for 2026?

Gift-giving in 2026 is being shaped by higher holiday spending, rising demand for experience-based gifts, and growing interest in flexible formats like gift cards. Seasonal shopping habits, unwanted gift trends, and changing preferences among younger consumers also show that convenience, timing, and recipient relevance are playing a bigger role in how people choose gifts.

• Americans planned to spend an average of $1,007 on gifts during the 2025 holiday season, and 37% expected to spend $1,000 or more.
• 53% of US adults were expected to receive at least one unwanted gift in 2025.
• 57% of consumers planned to buy an experience gift in 2025, up from 55% the year before.
• 90% of people consider a gift card an appropriate gift.
• More than 70% of UK shoppers bought Christmas gifts during Black Friday 2025.
• Gen Z and Millennials are more likely than Baby Boomers to be influenced by advertising when buying gifts.

Together, these figures show that gift-giving in 2026 is becoming more experience-led, more seasonal, and more shaped by convenience, flexibility, and recipient preferences than by tradition alone.

These consumer gifting habits sit within a much larger global market that continues to expand across retail, personalized gifting, and corporate gifting categories.

2. Global Gifts Market Overview

How Big Is the Global Gifting Market?

The global gifting market was valued at $96.42 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $122.44 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.06%. Europe holds the largest market share at 28.1%, while the Middle East and Africa are the fastest-growing regions. Growth is being driven by rising demand for personalized gifts, corporate gifting programs, and expanding e-commerce adoption.

How Fast Is the Personalized Gifts Segment Growing?

The personalized gifts market is one of the fastest-growing segments within the gifting industry. According to Technavio, the market is expected to add USD 13.61 billion in value between 2026 and 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% — reflecting continued demand for customized products and more personalized gifting experiences.

What Are the Key Trends Driving the Global Gifting Market?

The three biggest trends driving the global gifting market are e-commerce growth, sustainability, and experiential gifting:

• E-commerce growth: Online gifting is projected to grow at a 6.28% CAGR through 2031 as consumers increasingly prefer convenient digital shopping experiences supported by faster fulfillment and click-and-collect services.
• Sustainability: Consumers and businesses are placing greater emphasis on recycled materials, eco-friendly packaging, and transparent supply chains, making sustainability an increasingly important factor in gifting decisions.
• Seasonal and experiential gifting: Festive and holiday gifts accounted for 24.05% of occasion-based spending in 2025, while baby and kids gifts are projected to grow at a 9.67% CAGR through 2031, making them one of the fastest-growing gifting categories.

3. Regional Gifts Market Insights

How Big Is the US Gift Shops and Card Stores Sector?

The US gift shops and card stores market is estimated at $23.9 billion in 2026, according to IBISWorld. Industry revenue declined by 0.3% from the previous year as consumers increasingly favored online and personalized gifting options. Over the past five years, the sector grew at a modest CAGR of 0.2% between 2021 and 2026.

How Much Do Americans Spend on Gifts?

Americans remain consistent holiday gift spenders. According to the National Retail Federation, consumers planned to spend an average of $890.49 per person in 2025 across all holiday purchases, including gifts, food, and decorations. For gifts alone, Gallup's October 2025 survey found Americans expected to spend an average of $1,007 on presents, up from $923 in 2023, with 37% anticipating spending $1,000 or more.

What Are the Latest US Gifting Trends?

Three trends are shaping the US gifting market in 2025: online shopping, personalized gifting, and greater price-consciousness among consumers.

• Online shopping leads holiday gift buying: 55% of Americans planned to make holiday purchases online in 2025, ahead of grocery stores (46%), department stores (44%), and discount stores (42%).
• Personalized gifting is a high-growth segment: The US personalized gifting market was valued at $9.69 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $14.56 billion by 2030, growing at a 7.02% CAGR.
• Consumers are becoming more price-conscious: 85% of holiday shoppers expected tariffs to increase prices in 2025, while 63% planned to wait until Thanksgiving weekend to complete most of their holiday shopping, up from 59% the previous year.

Together, these trends show that convenience, personalization, and value are becoming the key drivers of gifting decisions in the United States.

How Big Is the Canadian Gifting Market?

The Canadian gift shops and card stores market was valued at $3.7 billion in 2025, according to IBISWorld. Industry revenue declined by 0.6% during the year, but the sector still achieved a 3.8% CAGR between 2020 and 2025. This suggests that while traditional gift retail experienced a short-term slowdown, the market has maintained steady long-term growth.

How Much Do Canadians Spend on Gifts?

Canadians remain active holiday gift shoppers. In 2025, more than 28 million Canadians (88% of adults) planned to purchase gifts, with shoppers expecting to spend an average of CAD $708 on gifts, up from CAD $698 in 2024. Total gift spending was projected to reach approximately CAD $20.3 billion nationwide.

Spending varied significantly by budget. About 26% of holiday shoppers planned to spend CAD $1,000 or more on gifts, while 46% expected to spend less than CAD $500.

When travel, entertainment, and other seasonal expenses are included, Canadians planned to spend an average of CAD $1,675 during the 2025 holiday season.

What Are the Latest Canadian Gifting Trends?

Three trends shaped Canadian gifting in 2025: support for Canadian-made products, growing demand for experience-based gifts, and increased budget-conscious spending.

• Canadian-made products are becoming a larger consideration for shoppers: Nearly half of Canadians (49%) said they would choose a Canadian-made product even if it cost more than a comparable alternative.
• Experience-based gifting is gaining traction: Nearly half of Canadian Millennials (47%) reported spending more on shared experiences than the previous year, with restaurant gift cards emerging as one of the most popular experiential gifts.
• Consumers are becoming more budget-conscious: More than half of holiday shoppers (56%) incurred holiday credit card debt in 2024, while the share planning to use buy now, pay later services increased from 9% in 2023 to 12% in 2025.

How Big Is the Chinese Gifting Market?

China’s gifting market is one of the largest in the world. Statista estimates the market was worth nearly 1.3 trillion yuan in 2023 and projects it will exceed 1.6 trillion yuan by 2027, driven by major gifting occasions such as Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Dragon Boat Festival.

Within formal gift retail, China’s market is estimated at USD 28.69 billion in 2026, making it the largest gift retailing market in the Asia-Pacific region. (Sources: Statista, 2025; Fortune Business Insights, 2026)

How Much Do Chinese Consumers Spend on Gifts?

Gift spending in China is heavily concentrated around the Spring Festival, the country’s biggest gifting occasion. During the 2025 holiday period, 34.5% of consumers reported receiving gifts valued below 100 yuan, while around 7% received gifts worth more than 1,000 yuan, showing the wide range of gifting budgets across the market.

Spending also remains strong at the premium end. In Hainan province, duty-free sales reached 970 million yuan (USD 140 million) during the first four days of the 2026 Spring Festival, up 15.8% year over year.

What Are the Latest Chinese Gifting Trends?

Three trends are shaping gifting in China: health-focused gifting, more practical gift choices, and stronger festive spending from younger consumers.

1. Health-focused gifts are gaining traction. During the 2025 Spring Festival, one in four Chinese consumers increased their gifting spend on wellness-related products such as herbal nutrition gift boxes and health beverages.
2. Practicality is becoming more important than status. Mintel found that recipient preferences and health considerations now rank ahead of status when consumers choose gifts, reflecting a broader shift toward usefulness and value.
3. Gen Z is helping drive festive spending growth. Sixth Tone, citing Taobao data, reported that half of young shoppers spent more during the 2025 Spring Festival, while consumers aged 18–24 recorded the fastest growth in New Year spending.

How Big Is the UK Gifting Market?

The UK gifting market is worth billions of pounds annually, with Christmas remaining its most important seasonal spending period. According to PwC’s 2025 Festive Predictions Survey, UK consumers were expected to spend £24.6 billion on presents and celebrations during the 2025 Christmas period, up from £23.7 billion in 2024. Gift cards are also a major and growing segment, with the UK gift card market valued at USD $11.72 billion in 2025 and projected to reach USD $16.66 billion by 2030, according to Research and Markets.

How Much Do Brits Spend on Gifts?

According to Mintel’s UK Christmas Gift Buying Market Report, average Christmas gift spending in the UK rose from £357 per person in 2024 to £374 in 2025. When broader festive purchases such as food, travel, and celebrations are included, PwC found that average spending reached £461 per adult in 2025. At a national level, Omni Capital Retail Finance estimated total UK gift spending at £26.7 billion in 2025.

What Are the Latest UK Gifting Trends?

During the 2025 holiday season, UK consumer gifting trends were shaped by earlier discount-led shopping, rising interest in second-hand gifts, and significant differences in spending by age and income. According to Mintel, over 70% of UK shoppers bought Christmas gifts during Black Friday promotions, highlighting the growing importance of November sales. Second-hand gifting also gained traction, with shoppers spending an average of £117 on pre-owned gifts. Omni Capital Retail Finance also found that Millennials spent over £1,000 during the festive season, compared with around £577 for Baby Boomers.

How Big Is the Indian Gifting Market?

India's gifting market was valued at USD 75.16 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 92.32 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.55%. This figure covers India's total gifting ecosystem, including personal, festival, and corporate gifting across all channels , and is therefore significantly broader in scope than formal gift retailing figures. India's large calendar of festivals, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and other celebrations continues to support this growth.

How Much Do Indians Spend on Gifts?

Gift spending in India peaks during major festivals, with Diwali remaining the country’s biggest gifting occasion. In 2025, total Diwali season sales reached a record ₹5.4 lakh crore in goods and ₹60,000 crore in services, up from ₹4.25 lakh crore the previous year.

Spending also varies by city tier. According to MyFlowerTree’s 2025 Diwali Gifting Report, average family spending on Diwali gifts reached ₹12,000 in metro cities and ₹7,000 in Tier-2 cities. Online shopping played a major role as well, with 74% of Diwali gifts purchased online in 2025.

What Are the Latest Indian Gifting Trends?

Three trends are shaping gifting in India in 2026: personalization, sustainability, and digital gifting.

1. Personalized gifting is gaining momentum. Consumers are increasingly choosing engraved products, monogrammed items, customized gift boxes, and occasion-specific gifts that feel more personal and memorable.
2. Sustainable gifting is becoming more mainstream. Around 68% of urban Indian consumers now consider environmentally friendly products important, up from 42% two years earlier, increasing demand for recycled, biodegradable, organic, and locally sourced gifts.
3. Digital gifting continues to expand. E-gift cards, digital vouchers, subscriptions, and other instant gifting options are becoming more common, especially among younger consumers who value convenience, speed, and flexibility.

How Big Is the Australian Gifting Market?

Australia's gifting market is a multi-billion-dollar industry spanning consumer, corporate, and digital gifting. According to Roy Morgan Research and the Australian Retailers Association, Australians are expected to spend AUD $12 billion on Christmas gifts alone in 2025, making it the country's largest gifting occasion. Gift cards and incentive cards are another major segment, valued at approximately AUD $19.4 billion in 2025 and projected to reach AUD $29.4 billion by 2031, according to Mordor Intelligence.

How Much Do Australians Spend on Gifts?

According to Pureprofile's 2025 Christmas Report, Australians planned to spend an average of AUD $491 on gifts in 2025, up from AUD $468 in 2024. Monash University found that immediate family received the largest share of gift budgets, with 93% of shoppers planning to buy gifts for close family members. Deloitte also estimated total holiday spending, including gifts, food, travel, and entertainment, would reach AUD $1,140 per person in 2025.

What Are the Latest Australian Gifting Trends?

During the 2025 holiday season, gift-giving habits in Australia were shaped by growing demand for experience-based gifts, budget-conscious shopping, and a continued preference for in-store purchases. According to Deloitte, spending on experience gifts rose by approximately 30% in 2025, while spending on traditional gifts increased by 4.2%. Pureprofile found that 78% of Australians adjusted their Christmas budgets to manage expenses, while Monash University reported that 86% of shoppers still planned to visit physical stores.

4. Future Trends and Predictions for the Global Gifting Market

The global gifting market is expected to keep growing through 2030, but growth alone does not tell the full story. The industry is also changing in how gifts are discovered, personalized, delivered, and valued. The trends below highlight the biggest shifts expected to shape the next phase of the global gifting market.

Personalized Gifting Will Outgrow the Broader Market

The global gifts retailing market is projected to add USD 20.49 billion in value between 2025 and 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4%, according to Technavio. Within that broader market, personalized gifting is expected to grow faster. According to Technavio, the personalized gifts market is expected to add USD 13.61 billion in value between 2026 and 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.8%. In the US alone, the personalized gifting segment is projected to reach USD 14.56 billion by 2030, according to Research and Markets. Together, these forecasts suggest that customization will remain one of the strongest growth drivers in the gifting economy.

AI Will Change How Gifts Are Discovered and Chosen

Artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger part of how consumers search for and choose gifts. Retailers are increasingly using AI-powered recommendation engines, predictive search, and personalization tools to surface more relevant products based on browsing behaviour, purchase history, and recipient preferences. As these systems improve, they are likely to make gift discovery faster, more personalized, and more convenient, particularly for shoppers who struggle to find relevant gift ideas online.

Experience-Based Gifting Will Keep Gaining Ground

Experience-based gifting is expected to take a larger share of gifting spend over the next few years. In Australia, Deloitte reported that spending on experience gifts rose by nearly 30% in 2025, compared with 4.2% growth in traditional gift spending. Similar patterns are appearing in other markets as younger consumers increasingly prioritise shared activities, travel, dining, and memory-based gifts over physical products. This shift is also influencing corporate gifting, where companies are expanding beyond merchandise into wellness experiences, virtual events, and other non-physical rewards.

Sustainability Will Become a Bigger Purchase Requirement

Sustainability is moving from a preference to a more important purchase consideration in the gifting market. According to Business Research Insights, 58% of global consumers now prefer personalized or eco-friendly gifts. In the UK, Mintel found that 63% of shoppers are open to second-hand gifts, reflecting both affordability concerns and sustainability goals. Brands are responding with recyclable packaging, eco-friendly materials, reusable products, and circular gifting options. Over time, these practices are likely to become a more standard part of the gifting experience rather than a niche differentiator.

Social Commerce and Digital Gifting Will Expand Discovery and Delivery

Digital gifting will continue to grow as consumers look for faster, more flexible ways to shop and send gifts. Social media is already playing a bigger role in product discovery, with Mintel reporting that more than one fifth of gift buyers use social platforms for inspiration. Livestream shopping, creator-led recommendations, and short-form video are making it easier for brands to showcase gift ideas in real time, especially around major seasonal occasions. At the same time, e-gift cards, digital vouchers, and app-based gifting platforms are making gifting more immediate and convenient, particularly for younger consumers and last-minute shoppers.

5. The Surprising Truth About Unwanted Gifts

Every holiday season, millions of Americans unwrap gifts they never wanted and may never use. According to Finder, Americans are expected to spend more than $10.1 billion on unwanted gifts in 2025. More than half of US adults (53%) are projected to receive at least one gift they did not want, at an average cost of $72 per item.

Not every unwanted gift gets returned. Finder found that 39% of recipients regift unwanted items, 35% keep them, and 32% exchange them. Clothing and accessories were the most unwanted category at 43%, followed by household items at 33% and cosmetics and fragrances at 26%.

The cost is not only financial. Returned holiday merchandise also creates a major environmental burden. According to Optoro, 5.8 billion pounds of returned inventory ends up in US landfills each year, generating 16 million metric tons of CO₂. While not all of that waste comes from unwanted gifts alone, it highlights the broader environmental cost of holiday returns and gifts that miss the mark.

FAQs

1. How Big Is the Global Gifting Market in 2026?

According to Mordor Intelligence, the global gift retailing market is expected to reach $100.33 billion in 2026, up from $96.42 billion in 2025, and grow to $122.44 billion by 2031 at a 4.06% CAGR. Europe currently holds the largest regional share, while the Middle East and Africa are the fastest-growing regions. Growth is being supported by rising demand for personalized gifts, expanding e-commerce adoption, and stronger interest in sustainable and experience-based gifting.

2. How Fast Is the Personalized Gifts Market Growing?

The personalized gifts market is growing faster than the broader gifting industry. According to Technavio, it is projected to add USD 13.61 billion in value between 2026 and 2030, growing at a 6.8% CAGR. That is well above the growth rate of the overall gift retailing market and reflects rising demand for more meaningful, customized gifts, especially among Millennials and Gen Z consumers.

Source: Technavio, March 2026

3. What Are the Latest Trends in Gifting?

The biggest gifting trends in 2025–2026 are experience gifting, personalization at scale, sustainability, digital gifting, and pet gifting.

• Experience gifting: Circana found that 57% of consumers planned to buy an experience gift in 2025, up from 55% the year before. Popular choices included food experiences, concert tickets, spa certificates, and travel.
• Personalization at scale: According to Technavio, technologies such as on-demand 3D printing, laser engraving, and AI-powered design tools are making customized gifts faster, easier, and more affordable.
• Sustainability: Consumers and businesses are increasingly choosing recycled materials, eco-friendly packaging, and ethically sourced products. Technavio also highlights Hallmark’s launch of 100% post-consumer recycled gift packaging as part of this shift.
• Digital gifting and subscriptions: NRF reported that 43% of Father’s Day shoppers in 2025 planned to buy a subscription box, up from 34% in 2019, while digital gift cards and e-gifts continue to gain ground for last-minute and long-distance gifting.
• Pet gifting: NRF also found that 35% of Valentine’s Day celebrants in 2026 planned to buy a gift for their pet, with pet-gift spending expected to reach $2.1 billion.

Sources: Circana, December 2025; Technavio, March 2026; NRF, 2025–2026

4. What Is Driving Growth in the Gifting Market?

The gifting market is growing because consumers are buying more gifts online, spending more on personalized and meaningful products, and using gifting for more occasions throughout the year. According to Technavio, the market is shifting away from traditional one-size-fits-all gifting toward a more digital, personalized, and sustainability-focused model.

Three major growth drivers stand out:

• E-commerce expansion: Mordor Intelligence projects online gifting to grow at a 6.28% CAGR through 2031, supported by mobile shopping, faster delivery, and easier fulfillment options.
• Rising disposable incomes in Asia-Pacific: Markets such as India and China are benefiting from expanding middle-class spending and strong festival gifting traditions, according to TechSci Research and Statista.
• Corporate gifting demand: Businesses are increasing spending on employee recognition, onboarding, customer retention, and client appreciation, making gifting a more consistent year-round business activity rather than a purely seasonal one.

Sources: Technavio, March 2026; Mordor Intelligence, March 2026; TechSci Research, February 2026

5. Is the Gift Industry Growing?

Yes. The global gifting industry is growing steadily, with Mordor Intelligence forecasting the market to increase from $96.42 billion in 2025 to $122.44 billion by 2031 at a 4.06% CAGR. Growth is also becoming more diversified. Personalized gifts are expanding faster than the broader market, while experience gifting, digital gifting, and corporate gifting are taking a larger share of overall spend. In other words, the industry is not only getting bigger — it is also becoming more personalized, digital, and occasion-driven.

Source: Mordor Intelligence, March 2026

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