What People Gift for Christmas? Data from 1900 to 2024

In his video I analyze the evolving patterns of Christmas gift-giving from 1900 to 2024, providing a detailed breakdown of the categories of presents exchanged during the holiday season. The dataset primarily reflects trends in the United States but is broadly applicable to other Western countries, including Europe and parts of Latin America, where studies on Christmas gift habits show strong parallels with U.S. data.

The percentages represent the proportion of individuals who are likely or typically inclined to give specific categories of gifts to family members, friends, and coworkers. It's essential to note that cumulative percentages exceed 100% due to the survey methodology, which allowed respondents to select multiple gift categories that align with their habitual holiday giving practices.

The categories encompass everything from traditional items like clothing, books, and chocolate to modern options such as consumer electronics, gift cards, and gadgets. The findings highlight shifting preferences across time, including the rising popularity of convenience-oriented gifts such as gift cards, the resurgence of handmade and charitable gifts, and the gradual decline in certain traditional items. This comprehensive perspective offers a nuanced understanding of holiday gift-giving trends across different eras.

This data is derived from a meta-analysis of numerous surveys and research studies examining consumer behavior and societal trends in Christmas gift-giving.

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Hi, I'm Sasha.
I crunch numbers, play with data, and create cool visuals. If you enjoy my work, a little support can get me a coffee and a cookie for my baby girl, Eva.

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[DataIsBeautifulOfficial]

Fun fact: Cash is the only gift you know won't get returned.
Speaking of, feel free to send some my way - Christmas spirit and all!

[PasleyAviationPhotography]

Underwear must include socks, that's been a common gift since the big bang.

[foursouls]

Really thought toys and gift cards was going to be larger.

[RogerFrei]

My grandparents always gave us food as a gift. Salami and such. They both experienced both world wars. For them, food had a completely different significance than for us.

[ethichadebe]

I did not expect the 2024 results to looks like that

[EdwardHaas-ex]

I'm amazed that there was a time when giving books was so common!

[mauroloddo]

Beautiful alternative music! Happy Christmas and Greetings of Italy. 😘👋🏻🇮🇹

[aries]

Shoutout to the 7% still giving underwear. Stay weird, guys.

[bertberw]

I loved seeing homemade gifst make a big comeback

[simon_ghost_rilley]

data is beautiful pls never stop making these videos thank you

[Ouyk]

1915: We got stoopid
1970: We got fatt

[DanielaBodoh]

I laughed at underwear 🤣 like imagine opening a gift expecting a new phone or something and boom, underwear 🤣

[electric]

Wait, why was _underwear, _ of all things, so high up on the list back then?

[Comenta-san]

byebye books
1900: let's fill our minds this Christmas
today: let's fill our bodies with Diabetes type 2 this Christmas

[magnusandersen]

Data may be beautiful, but the real beauty is definitely the owl

[samritpramanik]

How do you get the raw data? Any resource plz.

[brianquigley]

I'm shocked at the number of comments denigrating people for giving cash... when many people (including the US) today can't afford groceries...

[gunnarerth]

In our family it was mainly homemade clothes, toys, books and chocolate this year.

[tiny]

Alcoholic beverages at 10%? Clearly underreported.

[dashengovender]

Charity is possibly the best one, since you are serving those in need.