With the holiday season in full swing, some Americans are scrambling to finish their last-minute shopping. For those still figuring out what to get their loved ones, holiday gift guides may provide the answer.
And for those who knocked out their holiday shopping early, some of the most popular gift categories this year include books, clothes and gift cards. TheNational Retail Federation(NRF) published its survey of over 8,000 American consumers, where they asked Americans about their holiday shopping plans. Here's are the top gifts of the year:
What are the most popular gifts this holiday?
These are the top five most popular gift categories this year:
- Clothing
- Gift cards
- Toys
- Books, video games and other media
- Food and candy
Adobe analytics found that some of the top sales for kids toys included:KidKraft playsets,Barbie Fashionistadolls, andMini Brands Toys. V
ideo game consoles were also a popular sell (Sony PlayStation 5,Microsoft Xbox Series X,Nintendo Switch), along with recently released games such asCall of Duty: Modern Warfare III,Spiderman 2andSuper Mario Bros. Wonder.
Other top sellers included Bluetooth headphones, smartphones, skin care products, cookware sets and coffee makers.
Cha-ching!:Holiday online spending surpasses last year, sets new online sales record
Are Americans cutting back on holiday spending?
According to WalletHub's 2023 holiday shopping survey, about 34% of respondents are choosing to skip presents altogether due to financial pressures. One reason for the cutback on presents is because of lingering debt from last year's holiday shopping. The WalletHub survey found that nearly 25% of respondents are still paying off holiday debts from 2022.
A separate survey from NerdWallet found that more than one in three shoppers are now opting for experiences with loved ones over traditional gift exchanges. About 30% of holiday shoppers said they'd prefer to receive fewer gifts this year, and 26% are setting spending limits with friends and family.
Budgeting for holiday spending
With no universal standard for what to spend on gifts for your loved ones, several sites offer holiday budget calculators to plan for your seasonal spending.
Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet, suggests that consumerscreate a holiday budgetthat follows the 50-30-20 rule, a formula that splits your take-home pay into needs (50%) and wants (30%), with the remaining 20% going to debt repayment and savings.
Consumers should carve their holiday budget out of the “wants” category, Palmer advises, cutting back on other discretionary buys to make way for gifts and other giving-season expenses.
WalletHuboffers a free, customized holiday budgetto anyone whocreates an account.
Daniel de Visé contributed to this reporting
Holiday budget:Afraid of overspending on holiday gifts? Set a budget.
FAQs
According to a holiday shopping survey carried out in the United States in late 2023, apparel and gift cards were some of the most popular Christmas gifts shoppers were planning to buy – over half of respondents stated that they wanted to buy such goods as a present during this year's holiday season.
What are the most popular holiday gifts? ›
What are the most popular gifts this holiday?
- Clothing.
- Gift cards.
- Toys.
- Books, video games and other media.
- Food and candy.
The Hottest and Most Popular Trending Gifts You Should Be Giving in 2023
- Photo : Amazon. Apple AirPods Max. ...
- Photo : Amazon. BRONAX Pillow Slippers. ...
- Photo : Amazon. Etronik Weekender Bag. ...
- Photo : Amazon. Sony WF-1000XM5. ...
- Photo : Amazon. ...
- Photo : Amazon. ...
- Pura Smart Home Fragrance Diffuser. ...
- Photo : Amazon.
Christmas gifts most desired by U.S. consumers in 2023
| Characteristic | Share of respondents |
|---|
| Money (cash or transfer) | 43% |
| Vouchers / gift cards | 38% |
| Clothing, textiles, shoes | 35% |
| Cosmetics, perfume, body care | 24% |
9 more rowsNov 30, 2023
It's official, the most popular item to send at Christmas is clothing.
What is trending gift? ›
The 25+ Most Popular Trending Gifts of 2024 (So Far)
- lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L. lululemon. $38. Buy on lululemon. ...
- Apple AirPods Max. Amazon. $479.00 $549.00 13% off. Buy On Amazon. ...
- Owala FreeSip 40 oz Insulated Water Bottle. Owala. $37.99. Buy On Amazon.
Apparel and accessories and gift cards are the two major categories of items that U.S. holiday shoppers say they are most likely to purchase this holiday season, with roughly six in 10 choosing each. Half say they will buy food or drink items such as gourmet food gift baskets and wine.
What is the most bought item at Christmas? ›
According to the report, Clothing and accessories was the top best-selling retail category in 2022, with a share of over 70%. A large percentage of clothing and accessories buyers are looking for a gift to send to their loved ones. Some people buy clothes for themself for Christmas, however, this is not as popular.
What are 3 of the most popular gifts given on Christmas in the US? ›
The most popular of these gifts are clothing, toys, and gift cards. Around 76% of consumers buy each of these items every year. One surprising area of Christmas spending is on pet presents.
What is the number one gift for Christmas? ›
According to the latest data from Statista's Consumer Insights (Christmas and Holiday Season: U.S.), when asked which gifts U.S. adults would personally most like to receive this year, 50 percent of women and 36 percent of men said cash or bank transfers.
The most unwanted gifts people receive are diet plans, cufflinks and soap on a string. A poll of 2,000 adults found 75% receive up to seven presents each year which they'll never use — with friends, children and colleagues labeled as the worst present givers.
What were the 3 original Christmas gifts? ›
The thinking goes like this: If three gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—were enough for Jesus, then three wrapped packages under the tree should be enough for any child.
What is the biggest gift ever given in the world for Christmas? ›
The rich copper brown statue was officially unveiled on 28th October 1886, clutching a tablet inscribed July 4 1776. Now more widely recognised by the blue-green patina which developed over her first 25 years in New York Harbour, The Statue of Liberty remains the largest Christmas gift ever given.
What is the most eaten thing at Christmas? ›
What are the Most Popular Christmas Foods Eaten Around the World?
- Roast turkey or ham, a standard main course for holiday dinners.
- Eggnog, a rich and creamy beverage made with eggs, milk, and spices. ...
- Gingerbread cookies and houses are popular festive treats and decorations.
According to a holiday shopping survey carried out in the United States in late 2023, apparel and gift cards were some of the most popular Christmas gifts shoppers were planning to buy – over half of respondents stated that they wanted to buy such goods as a present during this year's holiday season.
What is the most popular holiday list? ›
Christmas and Thanksgiving are widely popular and many people's favorites. Many also enjoy Halloween, Easter, and New Year's Day, though few name any as their favorite day. Majorities like President's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and Martin Luther King Day about as much as any other day.
What is the biggest gift ever given for Christmas? ›
What's the biggest Christmas present ever given? On Christmas Day in 1886, the French gifted the US a 225 ton statue. You know it as the Statue of Liberty.
