The Gifts Men Want to Receive this Christmas
As Christmas approaches, new research from the greetings card marketplace, thortful, sheds light on some surprising truths about men’s gifting habits. Gift-giving to friends typically falls low on their priority list, as the study reveals that just 14% of men always ensure they gift their male friends, in comparison to 54% of women who say they like to send ‘thoughtful’ gifts. A spokesperson from thortful states, “Gift-giving among men isn’t just a tradition; it’s a powerful way to strengthen bonds and show appreciation. In a world where emotional expression is often overlooked, and men are growing lonelier than ever, a thoughtfully chosen gift can speak louder than words.” To uncover how men truly feel about gifting, thortful surveyed 1,000 men to gather their insights on the emotions behind gift-giving and, most importantly, what they really want this Christmas season.
Do men shop for their male friends?
For men, there is a long-held stereotype that they struggle when it comes to picking out the perfect gift for their partners, let alone choosing gifts for their friends. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. When asked about how often men gift their friends, the results show that 14% of men always buy a gift and a card, while 9% shop for milestone occasions, like 21st and 30th birthdays. Just 7% always grab a gift for bigger life events like weddings and engagements, while 10% did admit to some last-minute tendencies, revealing that they only shop when they remember. Finally, 41% said that they do buy gifts for friends, but admitted that this is only occasionally.
What do men actually want this Christmas?
Gadgets and tech products are a favourite to receive amongst men, with 27% claiming this would be the ideal gift. Simple ideas such as alcohol, fragrances and grooming products are also amongst the most-desired, however it appears men are also content with flexing their sentimental muscles. Receiving something personal, days out with friends, more time with loved ones and flowers are also included – see the full list below:
How do men feel about giving and receiving gifts?
Receiving a gift is a personal experience with many men saying they feel happy and comfortable with the idea of gifting something to a friend. Evidence from psychologists suggests that giving and receiving gifts activates core areas of the brain associated with reward and pleasure.
Surprisingly, only 7% said they’d be embarrassed, and only 3% admitted to feeling uncomfortable about gifting someone, demonstrating that most men are gift givers at heart. According to Sam Graham-Felssen, at the New York Times, some men can experience a stigma around initiating or exchanging gifts with other men, fearing it could be misinterpreted or viewed as “emotionally vulnerable” or higher stakes” compared to when women gift.
When it comes to receiving gifts, the story is similar. Most men (41%) said that receiving a thoughtful present would make them happy, with a further 38% saying they’d feel super appreciated.
Josh Rogers, 24, a marketing executive from North Wales explained how he felt when it came to gifting his male friends;
“Honestly, it’s not something I ever really thought much about growing up, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized just how meaningful it is to give and receive gifts between friends. When I get a gift from one of my close friends, it’s a little like saying, ‘I get you, and appreciate you’’ without needing to say it out loud. It’s not about the value of the gift, but the thought behind it. It feels like a solid reminder that we’re there for each other, no matter what.”
“Whenever I give a gift to a male friend, I think less about how I might feel, and more about knowing that it will make them feel appreciated and loved.”