The Most Popular Christmas Gifts in the USA for 2024

Christmas is not only a time for reflection but also one of the most important periods of the year for retailers and consumers. As millions of Americans spend the pre-Christmas season searching for the perfect gifts for their loved ones, clear trends and preferences for 2024 are emerging.

Our recent survey provides insights into the preferences and priorities of the American population when it comes to Christmas gifts. The goal was to identify which categories dominate, what factors influence purchasing decisions, and how much budget Americans plan to allocate for gifts.

Below, we not only present the survey results but also explore the economic importance of Christmas gifts and how both consumers and retailers can benefit from this data.

The Importance of Christmas Gifts for Retailers

The Christmas season is one of the most lucrative periods of the year for retailers. Gift purchases make up a significant portion of total revenue and reflect the purchasing power and preferences of society. Retailers rely on aligning their product ranges and marketing strategies with customer needs to remain competitive.

Economic Relevance

Every year, American consumers plan substantial budgets for Christmas gifts. Our data shows that the majority of respondents are ready to spend hundreds of dollars on gifts. These expenses are distributed across various categories, such as electronics, clothing, gift cards, and toys. For retailers, this represents a clear opportunity to cater to this demand.

How Retailers Benefit from Surveys on Seasonal Business Like Christmas

The Christmas business is a prime example of seasonal peaks in retail. During these times, retailers face increased pressure to precisely align their offerings with consumer needs. Surveys provide an effective way to gain valuable insights and make data-driven decisions.

Through surveys specifically tailored to the Christmas season, retailers can:

• Identify Seasonal Product Trends:
  Which gifts are particularly popular during the 2024 Christmas season? Technology, toys, or experiences—survey data helps identify favored categories and products.
• Understand Target Group Needs:
  What preferences do different age groups or regions have? For example, are sustainable gifts more popular among younger buyers, while traditional items dominate among older generations?
• Optimize Inventory Planning:
  To meet peak demand during the pre-Christmas period, retailers can adjust their stock levels accordingly. Survey data minimizes the risk of overstocking or shortages.
• Develop Effective Marketing Strategies:
  Surveys reveal which messages and channels resonate best with the target audience. Retailers can then tailor their campaigns specifically for the holiday season, for example, with discounts or personalized offers.

Practical Examples of Surveys for the Christmas Business

A toy retailer might learn from surveys that certain brands or figures are particularly in demand this year and stock up accordingly. At the same time, less popular items could be consciously removed from the range.

A provider of Christmas decorations could find out that sustainable materials like wood or recycled paper are increasingly trendy and add more of these to their inventory.

An online retailer might determine which shipping options are especially important, such as the guarantee of delivery by Christmas Eve.

Surveys conducted by resonio provide an ideal foundation for planning not only the Christmas business but also other seasonal peaks. Retailers benefit from clear data that helps increase their revenue while ensuring customer satisfaction.

resonio Survey: “Christmas Gifts 2024”

To analyze the trends and preferences in Christmas gift shopping for 2024, we conducted a targeted survey using our market research tool “resonio.” 100 participants from the USA were surveyed to find out which gift categories are preferred and what factors influence purchasing decisions. Participants who do not plan to buy Christmas gifts were excluded through a screening question.

Survey Structure and Methodology

The survey was based on a clearly structured questionnaire that captured quantitative data. The aim was to gain the most important insights into Christmas gift-giving behavior in the USA.

Survey Participants:
The survey was conducted twice:

• 100 participants from the resonio Survey Participant Pool in the USA
  (We present the survey analysis for the USA in this post) and
• 100 participants from the resonio Participant Pool in Germany
  (The survey analysis for Germany can be found in the DE version of this post).

 

Demographics:
The participants represented a diverse sample of genders, age groups, and regions to obtain a representative picture of the target audience.

Questionnaire Creation:
The questionnaire was developed using the resonio Survey Tool, which features an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. This allowed for quick adjustments to the questions and the setup of targeted branching to optimally structure the responses. After the screening question, participants received detailed questions about their planned Christmas gifts, preferred categories, and the factors influencing their purchase decisions.

Duration:
The survey was completed in an impressive time of 1.5 hours. This underscores the user-friendly design of the questions and the seamless handling on various devices.

The questionnaire for the online survey “Christmas gifts 2024”:

Survey Results and Analysis: Christmas Gifts 2024

We present the results of our recent survey on Christmas gifts for 2024. The aim of the survey was to gather insights into gift preferences, selection criteria, and shopping behavior.

The following sections provide detailed insights into the answers to the central questions.

Which Types of Gifts Are You Planning to Give This Year?

The survey reveals an interesting distribution of planned gift types, reflecting diverse preferences across all selected categories. Since participants were able to choose one or two gift categories, the percentages indicate the share of each category within the overall distribution:

• Clothing or Accessories: 27.89%, leading the list as the most selected category and highlighting their broad appeal across demographics.
• Toys: 20.53%, emphasizing their popularity, particularly among families with children.
• Electronics (e.g., smartphones, headphones, gadgets): 18.95%, reflecting the ongoing demand for tech-focused presents.
• Books, Movies, or Music: 12.11%, maintaining their place as a timeless gift choice.
• Handmade Gifts: 11.58%, showing a growing appreciation for creativity and personal effort.
• Experience Gifts (e.g., trips, concert tickets): 4.21%, indicating a smaller but meaningful preference for memorable, intangible gifts.
• Other Gifts: 3.16%, covering less conventional or unique options.
• Household Appliances: 1.58%, the least selected category, reflecting limited demand for functional gifts.

The results underline the dominance of clothing and toys as gift categories, while electronics, books, and handmade items also hold significant shares. Experience gifts and household appliances, while smaller in share, cater to specific, niche preferences.

What Is Most Important to You When Choosing a Gift?

Participants were able to select 1-2 criteria that influence their choices. The detailed results are as follows:

• Emotional significance or personal connection: 67% of respondents cited this as the most important quality of a gift.
• Surprise factor: For 32%, it is important to choose a gift that surprises the recipient.
• Practicality: 33% consider practicality when selecting gifts.
• Value for money: 27% of respondents indicated this as a deciding factor.

The data highlights that emotional and personal values are central to gift-giving. At the same time, practicality and value for money remain significant factors, emphasizing the importance of an appropriate budget.

How Much Influence Do Social Media, Influencers, and Advertising Have on Your Gift Choices?

Most respondents indicated that social media and influencers have little to no influence on their purchasing decisions. On a scale from 1 (no influence) to 5 (strong influence), the results were as follows:

• 62% selected values 1 or 2 (little to no influence).
• Approximately 38% reported being strongly influenced by social media (values 4 or 5).

Do You Primarily Buy Your Gifts Online or In-Store?

The shopping behavior shows a clear preference for hybrid strategies, combining both online and in-store purchases:

• 55% use both online and physical stores equally.
• 39% primarily buy their gifts online.
• 6% prefer shopping exclusively in physical stores.

When Do You Typically Start Shopping for Christmas Gifts?

The survey revealed a wide range of shopping start times:

• Before October: Only 8% start shopping very early.
• October to November: About 46% begin their shopping during this period.
• Early December: 39% start shopping in early December.
• Last Minute: 7% wait until the last weeks before Christmas to begin shopping.

What Is Your Typical Total Budget for Christmas Gifts?

The budget distribution for Christmas gifts is as follows:

• $251–$500: The most common category, selected by 36% of respondents.
• $101–$250: Chosen by 25%, making it the second most popular budget range.
• More than $500: 15% of respondents plan to spend over $500, highlighting a notable segment of higher spenders.
• $50–$100: Approximately 13% fall into this moderate budget range.
• Less than $50: 11% of respondents reported planning a minimal budget for gifts.

These results reveal that the largest share of participants allocates a substantial budget of $251–$500 for Christmas gifts. At the same time, a significant proportion falls into lower to moderate ranges, with a smaller but notable group planning to spend over $500.

Key Findings from the Christmas Gifts Survey

The resonio survey on Christmas gifts for 2024 highlights clear preferences among American consumers. Clothing and accessories emerged as the most popular category, with 27.89% of respondents choosing them, followed by toys at 20.53%. These results underscore a strong demand for versatile and family-oriented gifts. Electronics, at 18.95%, also remain a key category, reflecting the continued popularity of tech-focused presents.

Emotional and personal values are central to gift-giving, with a significant proportion of participants emphasizing the importance of selecting gifts with meaning for the recipient. Practicality and value for money also play a major role, particularly for those with moderate budgets.

The budget distribution shows that most participants plan to allocate $251–$500 for Christmas gifts, with a notable 15% intending to spend over $500. This highlights the strong economic relevance of the season. Additionally, hybrid shopping strategies dominate, with consumers frequently blending online and in-store purchases to meet their needs.

These findings offer valuable insights for retailers, providing guidance on how to tailor product ranges, marketing strategies, and inventory to align with consumer preferences. By leveraging data-driven insights, businesses can better meet customer expectations and maximize their success during seasonal peaks like Christmas.

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