Most Popular Gift Categories by Season: Spending Data

Data sourced from the National Retail Federation, Statista, and industry reports. Figures use a ~ prefix to indicate approximate values at time of writing.

Understanding what people buy and when they buy it transforms gift giving from guesswork into informed decision-making. Seasonal spending patterns are remarkably consistent year over year, and the data reveals clear winner categories for each gifting season. This article breaks down the most popular gift categories by time of year, backed by 2025-2026 consumer spending data.

Annual Gift Spending Overview

American consumers spend approximately ~$890.49 per person on gifts, food, decorations, and seasonal items during the winter holiday season alone, according to the NRF — the second-highest figure in the survey’s 23-year history. Of that total, ~$627.93 goes directly to gifts for family and friends, while ~$262.56 covers food, decorations, and greeting cards.

Holiday spending accounts for roughly 40% of total annual gift expenditure. The remaining 60% is distributed across birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, weddings, baby showers, graduations, and other occasions.

Winter Holiday Season (November through December)

The winter holidays dominate the gifting calendar. Shopping behavior data shows that 42% of shoppers begin browsing and buying before November, motivated by spreading their budget (54%) and avoiding last-minute stress (41%).

Top Gift Categories

Rank	Category	% of Consumers Planning to Buy
1	Gift cards	50%
2	Clothing and accessories	46%
3	Books and media	27%
4	Personal care and beauty	23%
5	Electronics	22%

Gift Card Breakdown

Total gift card spending is expected to reach ~$29.3 billion, up from ~$28.6 billion the previous year. The most popular types:

Restaurant gift cards: 30%
Bank-issued gift cards (Visa, Mastercard): 26%
Department store gift cards: 26%
Coffee shop gift cards: 21%
Entertainment gift cards: 16%

Channel Preferences

Online remains the top holiday shopping destination at 55%, followed by department stores (44%), discount stores (34%), and grocery stores (29%). Mobile shopping now accounts for approximately 40% of online purchases.

For holiday-specific ideas, see our guides for gifts under $25, under $50, and under $100.

Valentine’s Day (February)

Valentine’s Day is the second-largest individual gifting occasion by total spending. Consumer spending averages ~$185 per person, with significant variation by age and relationship status.

Top Categories

Rank	Category	% of Valentine Shoppers
1	Candy and chocolate	57%
2	Greeting cards	40%
3	Flowers	37%
4	Evening out (dining)	32%
5	Jewelry	22%
6	Gift cards	19%
7	Clothing	18%

Spending by Relationship

Spend for a partner averages ~$100 to ~$150, while spending on friends, family, and coworkers is typically ~$10 to ~$30 per person. The “Galentine’s Day” trend has expanded Valentine’s spending to include friend groups, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z.

See our Valentine’s gifts for her and Valentine’s gifts for him for curated picks.

Spring Season (March through May)

Mother’s Day (May)

Mother’s Day is the third-largest spending occasion. Average spending per person: ~$254.

Top categories:

Greeting cards (75%)
Flowers (70%)
Special outing (dining, brunch) (56%)
Gift cards (47%)
Clothing/accessories (40%)
Jewelry (36%)
Personal care/spa (28%)

Experience gifts are particularly strong for Mother’s Day. A spa day, brunch reservation, or weekend getaway consistently ranks among the most appreciated gifts. See our Mother’s Day gift guide.

Easter

Easter gifting focuses on children and is predominantly candy-driven. Average household spending: ~$177, with candy accounting for ~$32 of that total. Baskets, plush toys, and small gifts fill out the category. See our Easter gifts guide.

Graduation (May through June)

Graduation gifts are cash-heavy. Approximately 40% of graduation gifts are cash or checks, with gift cards as the second most popular option. Average gift amount: $50 to $100 for friends, $100 to $300 for immediate family.

Summer Season (June through August)

Father’s Day (June)

Average spending: ~$190 per person.

Top categories:

Greeting cards (64%)
Clothing (52%)
Special outing (50%)
Gift cards (47%)
Electronics/tools (38%)
Personal care (29%)

Father’s Day skews more heavily toward practical gifts than Mother’s Day. Tools, tech gadgets, and hobby-related items consistently perform well. See our Father’s Day gift guide.

Wedding Season (June through September)

Peak wedding season drives substantial gift spending. The average wedding gift is ~$110 to ~$200 per person. Registry items dominate, with kitchen appliances, bedding, and experience funds as the most popular categories. See our wedding gift checklist.

Fall Season (September through November)

Back to School

While not a traditional “gifting” occasion, back-to-school spending averages ~$875 per household, including teacher appreciation gifts at the start of the year.

Halloween

Spending is primarily on costumes, candy, and decorations rather than interpersonal gifts. Total seasonal spending: ~$104 per person. See our Halloween gifts guide for the small but growing category of Halloween care packages.

Thanksgiving Host Gifts

Spending is modest but consistent: ~$15 to ~$40 per gift. Wine, candles, specialty food items, and flowers are the primary categories. See our Thanksgiving host gifts guide.

Year-Round Trends Shaping 2026

The Experience Gift Shift

Nearly 45% of consumers now plan to gift experiences over physical items, up from approximately 38% in 2023. This trend accelerates every year, driven by Millennials and Gen Z. See our experience vs physical gifts guide.

Personalization Premium

Consumers are willing to pay 15% to 25% more for personalized items, according to retail data. Engraved jewelry, custom home decor, and monogrammed goods are growing faster than their non-personalized equivalents. See our personalized gifts guide.

Subscription Economy

Subscription box gifts grew approximately 20% year over year from 2023 to 2025, with no sign of slowing. Monthly box subscriptions now cover every conceivable interest, from gourmet food to outdoor gear to pet supplies. See our subscription box gifts guide.

Sustainability

Eco-conscious gifts grew 18% in 2025 and continue to expand. Products from B Corp companies, zero-waste packaging, and upcycled materials appeal to the ~30% of consumers who report sustainability as a purchase driver.

Monthly Gifting Calendar Quick Reference

Month	Major Occasions	Top Categories
January	New Year’s	Gift cards, experiences
February	Valentine’s Day	Candy, flowers, jewelry
March	—	—
April	Easter	Candy, toys, baskets
May	Mother’s Day, Graduation	Flowers, jewelry, cash
June	Father’s Day, Weddings	Clothing, tools, registry items
July	—	Wedding season continues
August	Back to school	—
September	—	Wedding season peak
October	Halloween	Costumes, candy
November	Thanksgiving, Early Holiday	Host gifts, early shopping
December	Christmas, Hanukkah	All categories peak

Sources

National Retail Federation 2025-2026 Holiday Consumer Survey
Statista, “Holiday Gifts Planned to Buy, United States 2024-2025”
NRF, “Latest NRF Survey Shows Top Picks for Toys and Gifts”
Postal, “Popular Holiday Gifting Trends and Statistics”
Mailmodo, “14 Essential Holiday Spending Statistics for 2026”

Sources

National Retail Federation — accessed March 2026
Statista Gift Market Data — accessed March 2026