This season's surveys tell one story: people want experiences, but they still buy things, and they're buying later than ever. Here's what that means for your list.
They want trips. They get things.
A Visa survey reported by CNBC found that more than half of respondents put travel and live events at the top of their own wish lists. Yet only 15% of them plan to prioritise experiences when buying for others, and 27% plan to favour physical gifts. Higher travel costs and a focus on value explain most of the gap.
Takeaway: the gift people secretly want is often a moment, not a box. Even a small one counts: a concert ticket, a class, a day trip.
Experiences are winning anyway
The National Retail Federation says 27% of holiday shoppers plan to give an experiential gift this year, up from 19% five years ago, with Gen Z driving the change.
The big shop is happening later
64% of consumers say they'll do most of their holiday shopping over Thanksgiving weekend, up from 51% five years ago (NRF). Black Friday is 27 November this year.
Takeaway: finish your list before the deals start. If you know who you're buying for and what fits them, the sales work for you instead of the other way round.
People want to see gifts before buying
Online is still the most popular place to shop, but only 53% plan to buy gifts online, the lowest share since 2015 (NRF). People want to see and touch what they give.
What shops are stocking up on
On Faire, the wholesale marketplace where independent shops buy their stock, searches grew year over year for:
- chunky beaded necklaces (+1,159%),
- moissanite earrings (+178%) and lab-grown diamonds (+144%),
- scalp massagers (+222%) and bath bombs (+92%),
- handmade press-on nails (+666%).
"Christmas squishy" searches rose 3,992% quarter over quarter. See all 8 gift trends of 2026.
Plan it in one evening
- List everyone, including the "obligation" gifts: colleagues, in-laws, the neighbour.
- Set a cap per person. A clear budget makes choosing easy.
- Start from the person, not the shelf. Two or three things they love are enough to find something specific.
- Mark what's bought so nobody gets two of the same.
WishMe does this in one place. Add the people, note what they love, and get specific AI gift ideas in your budget and currency, with places to find them. Your Christmas list shows how many gifts are sorted.