Last Updated: 2026
Category: Gift Guides • Shopping Trends • Thoughtful Gifting
Author: Chivilla Bay
Gift-giving has changed — and honestly, we’re here for it.
People aren’t just buying things anymore. They’re choosing gifts that feel personal, useful, experience-driven, and memorable. The focus has shifted from “What should I buy?” to “How will this make them feel?”
Here are the biggest gift-giving trends we’re seeing right now, and why they matter when you’re shopping for someone special.
1. Experience-Based Gifts Are Winning Big
One of the biggest shifts in gifting is the move away from clutter and toward experiences.
Instead of items that sit on a shelf, people are choosing gifts that:
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Create a memory
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Invite participation
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Feel interactive and fun
What this looks like:
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Create-a-Cuddly experiences for kids
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Cooking and flavor experiences for food lovers
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Gifts that turn into an activity, not just an object
Frannie & Friends Create a Cuddly
Olivelle Gourmet Foods & Flavor Gifts
2. Thoughtful > Expensive (Every Time)
Big price tags aren’t impressing people the way they used to. Shoppers are far more interested in meaning than cost.
Gifts that stand out tend to be:
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Carefully chosen
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Aligned with the recipient’s lifestyle
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Useful in everyday life
A well-picked $25 gift often lands better than a generic $100 one.
3. Personalization Is No Longer Optional
Personalized gifts have moved from “nice extra” to expected upgrade.
Names, initials, inside jokes, or custom designs turn everyday items into something memorable. And the best part? They don’t have to be flashy to feel special.
Popular personalized gift categories:
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Custom drinkware
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Personalized mugs
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Custom apparel
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Small keepsakes with a personal touch
4. Food Gifts Are the Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser
Food gifts are having a moment — and for good reason.
They’re:
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Consumable (no clutter)
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Easy to share
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Perfect for entertaining or relaxing at home
From gourmet pantry staples to curated flavor sets, food gifts feel indulgent without being impractical.
5. Comfort & “Cozy” Gifts Are Always in Style
People are craving comfort — and gifting reflects that.
Cozy gifts work because they:
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Encourage slowing down
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Feel comforting and familiar
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Fit all ages and occasions
Think warm drinkware, home accents, and gifts that turn an ordinary night into a relaxing one.
6. Humor Is In (And Taking Itself Less Seriously)
Funny gifts are thriving — especially ones that feel relatable, not gimmicky.
Humor works when it’s:
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Lighthearted
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Personality-driven
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Paired with something practical
That’s why funny drinkware, mugs, and playful gifts continue to perform so well.
7. Local & Small-Business Gifts Matter More Than Ever
Shoppers want to know where their money is going.
Supporting local businesses and curated brands feels more intentional than buying mass-produced items — and that story matters.
Gifts with a story behind them tend to feel:
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More meaningful
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More memorable
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More personal
Final Thoughts: What People Really Want
The biggest gift-giving trend isn’t a product — it’s a mindset shift.
People want gifts that:
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Feel intentional
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Fit real life
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Create moments
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Reflect the recipient
Whether it’s a personalized mug, a cozy night-in gift, a cooking experience, or something that makes them laugh — thoughtful always wins.
At Chivilla Bay, we curate gifts with that exact idea in mind.
👉 Explore Thoughtful Gifts at Chivilla Bay
