Christmas gifting in India sees 15 to 20 per cent growth, reaches Rs 25,500 crore

The gifting culture in India experiences a significant boost during the festival season, with Christmas gifting quickly catching up, especially in urban areas. According to industry experts, Christmas gifting is expected to grow by 15 to 20 per cent this year, reaching a value of around Rs 25,500 crore.

While Diwali remains the dominant gifting season, with a market worth over Rs 2 lakh crore, Christmas gifting is gaining popularity, especially among the corporate sector and young adults. The growing celebration of Christmas in offices, Christmas parties among friends, and the availability of personalised and innovative gifting options have contributed to this surge.

“The Christmas gifting market is growing at 15 per cent year-on-year, and we expect it to reach Rs 25,500 crore this year,” said Piyush Jain, founder and CEO, SkinInspired. “The northern region, comprising Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, contributes less than 20 per cent to the total Christmas gifting market.”

The most sought-after gifts this Christmas season include gourmet hampers, personalised gifts, gift vouchers, bags and luggage, and stationery and office supplies. The gourmet hampers market is valued at around Rs 6,375 crore, while personalised gifts account for around Rs 5,100 crore.

According to retailers, the rise of Christmas gifting can be attributed to several factors, including the growing trend of corporate gifting, the availability of personalised and innovative gifting options, and the ease of online shopping.

Among the most sought-after gifts are:

Gourmet Hampers

Curated food hampers, featuring chocolates, cakes, dry fruits, wine, and health foods, are popular category. These luxurious and thoughtful gifts are most sought after by both corporate and personal gifting during the festive season. The gourmet hampers market is valued around Rs 6,375 crore (25 per cent of total Christmas gifting).

Personalised Gifts

Personalisation has become a major trend in gifting. Customised items like engraved jewellery, photo frames, and personalised mugs are highly valued, especially for personal gifting. Urban India is likely to spend over Rs 5,100 crore (20 per cent) in purchasing personalised gifts this Christmas season.

Gift Vouchers

Gift cards and vouchers are among the most popular choices, especially in the corporate world. These account for around Rs 6,120 crore (24 per cent) of corporate gifting preferences, as they provide flexibility and ensure recipients get what they truly want.

Bags and Luggage

Practical gifts like bags, luggage, and travel accessories are also in demand, comprising about 16 per cent of corporate gifting. In value terms, the total sales would be around Rs 4,080 crore.

Stationery and Office Supplies

Quality stationery is a favourite, especially for professionals. Items such as planners, pens, and organisers make up about Rs 3,825 crore (15 per cent) of the value of corporate gifts, and are appreciated for their utility.