The closer Christmas and New Year are, the more urgent the issue of choosing gifts. Due to rising prices, gift expenses may increase even during “holiday opportunities”. But the most important thing is to find a gift that will not only empty your wallet but also bring joy to your loved ones. What will you choose and how much will you have to spend? Focus researched these topics.
It’s good if a person knows what he would like to receive as a gift and even made a small wish list: in this case, the search for a gift is a real pleasure. But most often, when asked what they would like to receive as a gift, relatives and friends answer with one laconic word: nothing. But this does not mean that they do not need anything and will not be pleased with the gift. There’s probably no time, no mood, no energy to think about it.
What gift options are available and how much will you have to spend on them this year?
Gift sets and sweaters: the most popular gifts in Ukraine and the world
Picodi analysts checked the statistics of search queries on Google in different countries and compiled a rating of the most popular New Year’s gifts. Among the requests considered were a variety of options, from the simple and traditional (chocolate, toys, cosmetics) to modern technological devices (smart watches, smart speakers, humidifiers). Data collected and analyzed by Picodi analysts show that the most popular gift for New Year holidays in Ukraine is a gift set, which may contain sweets, tea, coffee, cosmetics or other products. Among the top three items were a game console and a sweater.
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Here is the list of the 10 most popular gifts in Ukraine:
- gift set;
- game console;
- Jumper;
- board game;
- decorations;
- thermal mug;
- toy;
- sock;
- coffee machine;
- Gift certificate.
In neighboring Poland, cosmetic sets, gift certificates and thermal mugs are especially popular during holidays. Germans prefer gift sets, coffee machines and scarves. And Americans often choose a gift set as a gift.
Top 10 gifts in the world ranking:
- gift set;
- cosmetic set;
- Gift certificate;
- scarf;
- thermal mug;
- moisturizer;
- scented candle;
- Eau de Toilette;
- coffee machine;
- Lego.
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Market Ideas: From Patriotic Champagne to Gourmet Sets
Many people in Ukraine have not even thought about special “gift shopping” for two years – there is no time for that. “It’s two weeks until the new year, but I haven’t received a single gift yet,” says a friend. “I work from home, I’m very nervous due to the Kyivstar outage – I need to get mobile work via the Internet. Plus, there are several air raid warnings a day.” (the conversation took place on 12/14/23 – Focus) – If I have time to go to the market, then this will be successful. “To be honest, I don’t have the time or the mood to go shopping.”
In a situation where the only way to go out is to go to the market, the opportunity to buy a gift seems scarce. But this is not entirely true, because the “food gift” will definitely not gather dust on the shelves until the next New Year.
A win-win gift for almost all occasions is a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates. And if you choose a bottle labeled “Peremoga” and add a few tangerines, everyone will understand without further ado that this is a New Year’s gift.
It’s especially nice that this is truly a gift for every taste and budget. When preparing such a gift, you can easily spend 300 UAH. Or you can create an exquisite gift: Choose an expensive bottle of wine, add exotic fruits, handmade cheeses, handmade desserts, specialty coffee; You may not manage to spend even 3 thousand UAH..
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By focusing on a particular person’s tastes, you can put anything you want into the New Year’s market set.. You can collect themed sets such as tea, fruits, vegetables, nuts, cheese, chocolate, beer, alcohol. We are also preparing a PP basket consisting of nuts, dried fruits, avocados, chia seeds and other healthy foods for those who talk day and night about their commitment to a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition.
A gift set of spices and condiments can be an interesting and useful gift. A ready-made set can be purchased at a store, or you can create your own based on what a particular family likes and cooks. For example, mulled wine lovers will love a set consisting of cinnamon, star anise, cloves, ginger, cardamom and nutmeg. Fans of Georgian cuisine will like the spices suneli, utskho-suneli, Svan salt, saffron, dried basil, coriander, cumin, barberry. And of course you can give everyone a set with popular spices – black pepper, paprika, basil, dried garlic, cinnamon, vanilla.
You can collect themed New Year’s sets such as tea, fruits, vegetables, nuts, cheese, chocolate, beer, alcohol.
You can also easily prepare a “rescue” food kit in case of a power outage at the grocery store and include ready-to-eat foods. These can be bread rolls, sweet and unsweetened cookies in packages, waffles, crackers, baked goods with a long shelf life (croissants, biscuits, rolls), sealed cheeses with a long shelf life, honey, sweets, condensed milk, candied fruits, nuts. Add bright tangerines and candies to bright packaging to make the set look like a holiday. Put everything in a basket or on a beautiful tray, carefully wrap it in transparent film – your bright holiday gift is ready.
Definitely, Depending on the composition, you can buy a ready-made meal set from 500 UAH. Or you can pay attention to exquisite edible bouquets consisting of meat products, cheeses, fruits and vegetables, which are sold for an average of 3-3.5 thousand UAH.
Cosmetic set: a gift for your good acquaintances
It is not for nothing that the gift cosmetic set takes first place in both Ukrainian and world rankings – this is an almost universal gift. Especially for people you know well – often close family members.
“After the surgery, my husband can’t smell, but it’s important for him to know that he has a nice perfume,” says Oksana from Kiev. “When I don’t know what to give, I give him toilet water, which he likes and he doesn’t mind.”
There are many ready-made cosmetic sets – from handmade soaps and products for basic skin or hair care to decorative cosmetics and expensive perfumes. Price – from 300 to 3000 UAH and above. The most popular are in the price range of 1-2 thousand UAH.
You can get by with very modest costs. For example, take an ordinary set like “shampoo + conditioner” or “razor + shaving cream” and turn it into a cute Christmas gift. To do this, it is enough to make a composition based on a Christmas wreath or a basket of fir branches. Add some New Year’s spirit with a few toys, cheap Christmas figures on skewers or sparkling glitter, wrap it all in clear film – and you’re ready for the holidays.
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Everything for the home: from linens to appliances
In the departments with household appliances, you can buy an excellent gift for the New Year, especially if you are sure that the buyer’s kettle has burned out or, for example, he has been planning to buy a coffee machine for a long time. By the way, the coffee machine (from 12 thousand UAH) is in the top 10 of both Ukrainian and world rankings. But there is no need to set yourself such high price limits and pay attention to more budget-friendly electric kettles (from 240 UAH), mixers (from 300 UAH), irons (from 350 UAH), steamers (from 400 UAH). , toasters (from 450 UAH), microwave ovens (from 1900 UAH).
If you are not sure about the choice, it is better to give it with the receipt. “I was given two almost identical citrus presses for my birthday, and I didn’t need them. It’s good that they both came with bills. I returned them to the store and bought a new iron and toaster,” says our interlocutor Natalya.
In stores and in the “everything for the home” departments you can also pick up other nice gifts: a set of glasses, a set of modern dishes, plates and saucers of interesting shapes, a blanket, a vase, bed linen, towels, decorative items, etc.
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Devices: from headphones to game consoles
It’s impossible not to think about gadgets when looking at Christmas gifts. Moreover, the game console ranks 2nd in the ranking of the best gifts in Ukraine. Console prices in domestic stores start from 400 UAH. The most popular models of set-top boxes and consoles are sold in the range of 23-32 thousand UAH.
A great gift for both children and adults is a new smartphone. And here, too, there is an option for every budget – from 2 to 110 thousand UAH.
Powerbanks are sold today with good discounts, so prices start from 380 UAH. Other devices suitable for gifts include flash drives (from 100 UAH), headphones (from 160 UAH), smartphone holders for the car (from 200 UAH), smart watches (from 350 UAH), electric blankets (from 500 UAH from), smart lamps (from 800 UAH), laptops (from 4300 UAH).
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Clothes: When the gift is both warm and patriotic
Popular Christmas and New Year gifts also include warm clothes and accessories: sweaters, hats, scarves, socks, gloves. Of course, most people can knit this with their own hands, but time is running out. But you can write it down as an idea for the next New Year.
Patriotic textiles and knitwear featuring Ukrainian symbols and motivational inscriptions can make the perfect gift. – from socks (200-250 UAH) and scarves (300-500 UAH) to T-shirts (450-500 UAH) and sweatshirts (800-900 UAH). You can also buy “patriotic” cups (150-200 UAH), cotton bags (200-220 UAH), pillows (260-300 UAH), beanies (300-320 UAH), long sleeves (500-550 UAH), hoodies . (900 -1000 UAH).
If you don’t have time to go shopping, you can order online, but you need to factor in the delivery cost and waiting time.
In conclusion, it is worth adding that if you do not have time to go shopping, you can order online, although you need to take into account the cost of delivery (from 100 UAH, but when ordering for a certain amount). delivery may be free) and waiting time. Already at the beginning of December, Ukrainian online stores gave themselves a week for delivery. And the closer to the New Year, the longer the delivery time will be due to the large number of orders from those who postponed all purchases until the last days of 2023.
Source: Focus
John Holton is a seasoned author and journalist, known for his expertise in economics. He currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker, where he provides readers with in-depth analysis and commentary on the latest economic developments. With a background in finance and a talent for explaining complex economic concepts in a clear and accessible way, John’s writing is a must-read for anyone interested in staying informed about the economy.