A Statista survey conducted in October and November shows that more Americans are focusing on gifts that help with everyday costs or offer more control over spending. The days of extravagant surprises seem to be giving way to a focus on usefulness and value.
Economic stress has reshaped expectations across many households. Higher prices for key goods and services have made people more selective about what they want and more vocal about what they do not. Practical gifts now rank at the top, perhaps driven by the need to stretch paychecks further.
What Americans want this Christmas
Statista asked U.S. consumers which gifts they would like to receive for Christmas 2025. Respondents could choose multiple options, so the percentages do not add up to 100%.
- Money (cash or transfer): 36%
- Clothing, textiles, shoes: 36%
- Vouchers and gift cards: 33%
- Smartphones, tablets, accessories: 26%
- Food and drinks: 25%
- Jewelry and watches: 25%
- Cosmetics, perfume, body care: 25%
- Books and e-books: 20%
- Computer or laptop accessories: 18%
- Travel: 17%
- Event tickets: 16%
- Board games, toys, dolls: 15%
- Household appliances: 15%
- Consumer electronics: 14%
- Donation to charity: 13%
- Furniture: 8%
- Decorations: 8%
- I do not want to receive anything: 8%
- Other: 5%
- Do not know: 5%
Cash and clothing tie for the top spot, and both represent categories that reduce personal spending. People want support for their budgets, not items that may sit unused. Gift cards rank closely behind, reinforcing the demand for flexibility during an expensive year.
Tech devices, food gifts, jewelry, and beauty products all attract around one quarter of respondents, showing steady interest in items that feel useful or enjoyable.
Books and travel sit slightly lower but still show meaningful demand, suggesting that many Americans value experiences and personal time in their holiday plans.
The results point to a holiday season shaped by value. Consumers are prioritizing gifts that feel practical, flexible, or genuinely useful, while higher-cost categories like travel and entertainment sit lower on the list as households stay mindful of overall expenses.
How to approach holiday shopping this Christmas
The Statista survey offer a straightforward guide for anyone planning their holiday shopping.
The most requested items reflect what people say they genuinely want to receive, and those insights can help shoppers choose gifts that feel thoughtful, practical, and well timed for a year marked by tight budgets.
Here are ways to use the survey findings when choosing gifts for friends and family:
- Focus on items that replace everyday spending, such as clothing or useful household essentials.
- Look for apparel discounts, since clothing and shoes rank among the most requested gifts.
- Consider gift cards for recipients who prefer flexibility or may be saving for something specific.
- Choose consumables or beauty sets for affordable gifts that feel personal without adding clutter.
- Watch seasonal tech promotions if a recipient has mentioned needing an upgrade.
Knowing what people actually want takes much of the pressure out of holiday shopping. Instead of guessing or chasing trends, you can choose simple, useful items with confidence and spend less time worrying about whether a gift will land.
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