Experience Gifts Are In: Why Memories Trump Material
Possessions
In the world of gift-giving, things are changing. People are moving away from gifting lots of stuff and leaning towards something deeper – experiences. Our recent Chuffed Great Gifting Survey found some amazing results and it helps explain why experiences are becoming so popular. We had over 600 responses and while we obviously think experiences are a great gift, the survey overwhelmingly showed so many people think the same thing! So, let’s dive into some of the results and find out what’s making experiences the gift everyone wants.
The Allure of experiences
One of the standout results of the Great Gifting Survey was that a huge 89% of people want to receive an experience gift rather than stuff. There are a few reasons why people like experiences. Some of the most popular reasons being experiences are special because they create memories that stick around and that they bring people closer together allowing them to spend more time with family or friends via an experience.
Choosing memories over things
Unlike material possessions that may lose their novelty over time, experiences create lasting memories. In today’s fast-moving world, where buying things is often seen as the top priority, it’s awesome to see that 73% of respondents think making memories is more important than getting more stuff. This shows that people are changing how they think, focusing more on experiences that make life better rather than just buying things that don’t last. Whether it’s a hot air balloon ride, a cooking class, or a spa day, experiences enrich our lives and provide stories to share for years to come.
Less interest in buying stuff
More than half of the people in the survey, 55%, said they definitely don’t want or need more things. This means that people are moving away from always wanting to buy stuff. Instead, they’re looking for happiness in experiences that bring joy and meaning to their lives. In a world where we have too much stuff, experience gifts are like a breath of fresh air. Instead of adding to someone’s clutter, you’re giving them the chance to make special memories without adding to their pile of things.
Re-Gifting: A common situation
We’ve all received gifts which we didn’t really like and the survey showed that 63% of people have re-gifted, donated or sold unwanted ‘stuff’ gifts. This proves that while good intentioned, sometimes gifts don’t match what people really want. Experience gifts help solve this problem by making sure every gift is a winner, not a dud.
Empowering gift givers
But it’s not just about receiving experience gifts; there’s a strong inclination towards giving them as well. The survey also shows that 80% of people are likely or very likely to give an experience gift to someone else. This shows that not only are experience gifts becoming more popular, but people also want to make a real impact with their gifts. Choosing experiences over things allows people to give their loved ones memories that will last a lifetime. And as an added bonus, experience gifts can also be highly personalised to suit the recipient’s passions and interests. Whether they’re an adrenaline junkie, like to relax, a foodie, or an art enthusiast, there’s an experience out there that’s perfect for them.
Embracing meaning, connections & environmental sustainability
The survey results show that people are really embracing the change for gifting experiences over stuff. People want real connections, meaningful moments, and personal growth – and experience gifts offer just that. Plus, with growing concerns about environmental sustainability, experience gifts offer a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional gifts. By opting for experiences instead of physical items, you’re reducing the demand for production and minimising waste.
The findings of the Chuffed Great Gifting Survey paint a clear picture: experience gifts are in, and they’re what people truly want. From creating unforgettable memories to reducing clutter and environmental impact, experience gifts offer a lot of benefits for both givers and recipients. With most people preferring experience gifts, it’s clear that memories truly do trump material possessions. So, the next time you’re struggling to find the perfect gift, consider giving the gift of an experience. After all, the memories that are made will last far longer than any material possession ever could.
Discover Chuffed Gifts
A Chuffed gift ensures your experience gift never fails by allowing the gift recipient to choose an experience from over 100 different incredible options across NZ. Find out more about Chuffed here.
