By SWNS staff
New York office - 646-873-7565 / usnews@swns.com
If you want to make a lasting impression when giving someone a gift for the holidays, you may want to steer clear of big-box stores.
According to new research, a majority of Americans would rather receive something with a personal touch than an expensive retail item this holiday season.
The study, which found that 62 percent of Americans prefer gifts that come from the heart and feel more personal, revealed that the holidays are more about sentimentality than lavish, expensive gifts.
In the Vistaprint survey of 2,000 Americans, conducted by OnePoll, it was also revealed that nearly every type of generic gift takes a backseat to gifts perceived as “heartfelt” and “personalized.”
As reported in the study, nearly double the number of respondents would rather receive this type of a gift over something more generic worth $100.
Even gift cards, long-heralded as the “choose your own adventure” of gift-giving, were found to be second-fiddle to something with a more personal touch, as only 14 percent of survey respondents said they’d take one over a heartfelt gift.
Additionally, if making a lasting-impression is a goal of yours when deciding what to give someone, you can’t go wrong with the more heartfelt and personalized route.
Two-thirds (66 percent) of the respondents said they’d be much more likely to remember a heartfelt and personalized gift over something more generic and store-bought.
Another 58 percent of respondents said they’d be much more likely to tell others about the gift if it was more personal, too.
More than half (55 percent) also said they keep personalized gifts much longer than generic, store-bought ones — with the average respondent saying they keep them for a full year longer and nearly 40 percent saying they would keep it forever.
“More than ever we’re finding that people regard the holiday season as a way to reconnect with loved ones at the end of a hectic year,” said Silvia Lussana, Global Product Lead for Consumer at Vistaprint. “People can make these connections more meaningful, by turning their magical memories and the year’s best moments with friends and family into gifts to treasure.”
But it’s not just receiving a personal gift that people enjoy — it’s also giving.
Sixty-eight percent of the respondents said they derive more satisfaction from giving someone a heartfelt and personalized gift than something generic.
The top reasons cited for giving a personalized gift was because it will be remembered and is a keepsake (each at 61 percent). Gift uniqueness (56 percent) and bonding over memories (50 percent) rounded out the list.
With most things in life, giving the perfect gift can also be inhibited by finances. Nearly half of the survey respondents said they’re eager to get people more personalized gifts but feel hampered by budget restrictions.
“We’re proud to help alleviate the concerns some holiday shoppers have when it comes to creating the perfect customized gift on a budget," added Lussana. "Vistaprint makes it easier for busy holiday shoppers to create beautiful, affordable personalized photo gifts that will delight everyone on their list long after the holidays are over.”
TOP 5 BEST PERSONALIZED/HEARTFELT GIFTS TO RECEIVE
1. Photo gifts
2. Handwritten note
3. Photobook
4. Custom mug/cup
5. Custom pillow or blanket
