Biggest Gift Giving Trends To Watch This Year

Personal Over Pricey

This year, the most impactful gifts aren’t the flashiest they’re the most thoughtful. A well placed inside joke, a handmade notebook with their initials, or a curated pick from a niche hobby says way more than a generic luxury item ever could. People are tired of getting gifts that feel like they came from a corporate catalog. Personalization cuts through all of that.

The trend is clear: “just for you” wins over “this was expensive.” We’re seeing a shift to items that carry meaning because that’s what people remember. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. It just has to feel intentional. That means skipping the one size fits all gift baskets and going for something tailored and a little human. Personal trumps perfect, every time.

Sustainable Gifting Grows Up

Reusable totes. Compostable wraps. Curated thrift hauls. What used to be “green” gimmicks are now baseline expectations. Gifting in 2024 has shifted: if it’s not at least attempting to reduce waste, it feels off. People want more than a nice present they want it handed over in a way that doesn’t harm the planet.

Recycled materials are no longer a bonus; they’re standard. Swapping plastic heavy packaging for kraft paper or repurposed fabrics shows care without being loud about it. And second hand doesn’t mean second best. Vintage finds, especially with a story attached, feel more thoughtful than anything shrink wrapped.

Eco conscious gifting is no longer a niche it’s table stakes. So whether you’re wrapping a homemade soy candle or curating a look from your favorite thrifted gems, the rule’s simple: keep it cool, keep it clean.

Experience Driven Surprises

In a world maxed out on stuff, more people are giving moments instead of merchandise. Think cooking classes instead of cookware, or a digital pass to a meditation retreat over another candle set. Experiences stick. They create stories, spark connection, and don’t take up shelf space.

What’s driving this movement? For starters, shared time beats single use gifts. A virtual wine tasting, a one on one with a writing coach, or even a streaming concert can turn a generic present into something personal and memorable. Bonus: many of these gifts come in all price points and formats, making it easier to go big or keep it simple.

From boomers to Gen Z, everyone’s on board. Younger folks want experiences they can share and post. Older generations are ditching clutter for connection. Even brands are catching on, packaging subscriptions and member perks as the new luxe. Long after the wrapping paper’s gone, these are the gifts that hold.

Elevated DIY & Handcrafted Finds

Homemade isn’t just for kindergarten crafts anymore. This year, more gift givers are leaning into the personal touch a candle poured by hand, a photo zine of inside jokes, a spice rub blend made for a friend’s signature dish. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about intention, effort, and a good story to match.

At the same time, marketplaces like Etsy, Made Trade, and a growing wave of local popup collectives are giving handcrafted gifts new credibility. These aren’t mass produced; they’re meaningful by design. Buyers want to know who made the product, what inspired it, and how materials were sourced. Provenance adds value.

Not everyone can knit a scarf or weld a bottle opener, and that’s fine. A good homemade gift starts with self awareness. Stick to skills you actually have or team up with a low key talented friend for a collaborative moment. Package it right, write a note, skip the glitter glue. The result? Something personal, smart, and proudly cringeless.

Tech That’s Actually Useful

This year, tech gifts are earning their keep by doing more than lighting up or linking to yet another app. Givers are leaning toward tools that solve everyday problems in quiet, functional ways. Think less flash, more fix. Smart water bottles that track hydration without nagging. Charging kits that power multiple devices without turning your nightstand into a wire jungle. Noise reducing sleep aids that don’t also collect your data.

Wellness tech is another category that’s finally settling into its stride. Portable massage tools, posture trainers, and even meditative breathing devices are getting design upgrades that make them feel intuitive, not clinical. It’s not about the latest drop it’s about whether it earns a place in someone’s routine.

Screen free wins are part of the shift too. Alarm clocks that don’t suck you into a doomscroll first thing. Journaling gadgets for analog minds. These aren’t gimmicks pretending to be solutions they’re intentionally designed to make daily life smoother without adding noise.

In short: The best tech gifts this season do more by doing less. They blend in, support, and quietly upgrade how we live. That’s where thoughtful design meets everyday impact.

Gender Neutral Is the Move

Gift giving is finally catching up with real life. The old school divide between “for him” and “for her” is quietly dissolving, and in its place is something more thoughtful and a lot more flexible. Designers and brands are leaning into color palettes, scents, and styles that work for anyone, rooted in personality and purpose rather than gender.

Think clean lines, cozy textures, and fragrances labeled by feeling like calm, energy, or grounding instead of gender. Clothing fits are unisex, wellness kits are curated by need, and even jewelry is being designed around statements, not stereotypes. The shift doesn’t just look good; it makes the entire process of giving simpler. No more guesswork. No more assumptions.

At its core, this trend is about inclusion with intention. Choosing gifts based on who someone is, rather than what box they check, leads to better, more meaningful moments and that’s the whole point.

Curated Lists Are In

Too Many Choices, Too Little Time

Between crowded stores, endless search results, and the pressure to pick the “perfect” gift, it’s no wonder shoppers are feeling overwhelmed. This year, more people are turning to curated gift lists to simplify the process without sacrificing the thought behind the gift.
Shoppers are tired of choice overload
Curated lists remove the guesswork
Saves time while still feeling personal

Why Expert Curation Matters

Expertly selected gift edits aren’t just convenient they’re crafted with intention. These lists often highlight trends, cover a range of price points, and include items people wouldn’t find on their own. For many givers, they offer peace of mind.
Takes out the “what if they already have this?” stress
Offers ideas tailored to different personalities and lifestyles
Helps match values sustainability, utility, uniqueness with gift options

Don’t Miss This Year’s Top Picks

Looking for a shortcut to meaningful giving? Explore our updated gift guide. It’s filled with handpicked suggestions designed to help you find something thoughtful, not just trendy.
Browse by interest, price range, and recipient type
Includes standout ideas for hard to please friends and family
Features makers and brands committed to quality and values

Final Word: It’s About Connection

More than ever, people want to feel seen not just remembered. Gifting in 2024 is leaning hard into emotional intelligence. That doesn’t mean going overboard or breaking budgets. It means knowing what matters to the person on the other end of the gift. It’s less about perfect wrapping paper and more about getting it right.

A hand picked novel in their favorite genre. A print from that under the radar photographer they always repost. A small surprise tied to a shared memory. These are the things that land because they say, “I notice you” without needing to say it.

Want more options that hit right without trying too hard? Start with our updated gift guide. It’s full of curated ideas that help you give better, not just more.