Are Traditional Christmas Gifts Making A Come Back?

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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, research from floral wholesaler Atlas Flowers has found out which are the most popular gifts to give and receive, and found traditional Christmas gifts are popular with Brits!

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Popular Christmas Gifts

As we start thinking about Christmas shopping, floral wholesaler Atlas Flowers have shared their research into which are the most popular gifts to both give and receive.

Flower Bouquet Atlas Flowers Traditional Gifts on The Table Read Magazine — Dried Flowers

After asking over 1,000 people across the UK, they found that the most popular gifts to give according to survey respondents were money/vouchers (50%), flowers (29%), and wine (21%). Similarly, the presents we most want to receive are money/vouchers (58%) and flowers (27%), whilst experiences (29%) replace wine in the top 3.

Traditional Christmas Gifts

When it comes to gift-giving, it appears that tradition still holds a special place in the hearts of Brits. Delving into the choices that top our gift lists, it’s clear that some classic options remain ever-popular.

At the forefront, we have the tried-and-true champions: money or gift vouchers. A whopping 50.4% of our survey participants opt for these versatile presents. Flowers also bloom as a perennial favourite, closely followed by the timeless appeal of wine.

Top 5 gifts we love to give:

Money or vouchers – 50.4%
Flowers – 28.5%
Wine – 20.6%
Food – 15.2%
Clothing – 14.7%

But how do these common gifts stack up against what we truly desire to receive? The good news is, we seem to be hitting the mark in some areas. Money and vouchers are just as sought-after as they are given, with 58.3% of us hoping to find them in our gift bags. Flowers, too, continue to brighten our spirits, with 27.4% of us eagerly anticipating a lovely bouquet.

Top 5 gifts we love to receive:

Money or vouchers – 58.3%
An experience – 29.4%
Flowers – 27.4%
Fragrance – 26.8%
Wine – 22.8%

Atlas Flowers Traditional Gifts on The Table Read Magazine — Dried Flowers

The survey also reveals the gifts we are falling short on giving. Both jewellery (22.6%) and fragrances are gifts our loved ones want to receive, but most of us don’t seem to think of them as go-to presents.

Gift Experiences

For those wishing for less traditional gifts, you are not alone, with 29.4% of people saying they would like to receive an experience as a gift. Sadly, this is another gift we might be missing the mark on, as only 13.7% of us actually choose to give experiences as presents. Though we must note that women are doing their part to close this divide, as they are twice as likely to choose experiences as gifts than men.

Don’t expect to receive experiences from older family members, as only 6.3% of over 65’s stated they frequently gift them, compared to three-quarters of 18-24-year-olds (75%).

Sustainable Choices

Missing the mark on gift-giving can be disappointing, but it can also be wasteful. With over 81% of Brits reportedly making lifestyle changes in an effort to be more sustainable, it is worth considering the carbon footprint of your gift.

When it comes to gift giving, it might be time to think back inside the box, as traditional gifts such as flowers and money/vouchers are still just as popular compared to less conventional options.

However, the carbon footprint of a gift like flowers can add up when you take into account the process of growing and storing to importing and transporting. This is why options such as dried or preserved flowers can be a more sustainable choice in the long run, elongating the lifespan of any one bouquet.

-Atlas Flowers’ Marketing Manager, Kate Blott,

You can see some additional insights here on the Atlas Flowers website, including a look at regional gift-giving preferences as well as top floral gift choices.

Atlas Flowers

Founded in 2006, Atlas Flowers is a leading UK wholesaler of dried, preserved and artificial flowers and foliage.

Kate Blott

Kate Blott is a skilled florist and is also Atlas Flowers Ltd’s Marketing Manager. Since joining the company in April 2021, Kate has focused her efforts on showcasing the potential of dried, preserved and faux flowers to both B2B and B2C audiences.