Unwrapping America’s Regifting Culture: Surprising Holiday Habits Revealed
Every holiday season, millions of Americans exchange gifts—some cherished, others less so. The practice of “regifting,” or passing along unwanted presents, is far more common than many might expect. Recent research shows nearly half of the population freely admits to regifting, prompting a closer look into who’s most likely to do it, what motivates them, and which states top the Naughty or Nice regifting lists.
Nationwide Insights: Key Trends in Regifting Behavior
To better understand the regifting phenomenon, a comprehensive nationwide survey was conducted, analyzing Americans’ attitudes and actions around gift exchanges. The research sought to answer pressing questions: Why do people regift? Which sorts of presents are most likely to be passed on? And which regions are most prone to this holiday tradition?
Key national findings include:
– 47.9% of Americans have admitted to regifting a Christmas present.
– 40% (2 in 5) have thrown away a Christmas present at least once.
– One in four individuals have resold an unwanted Christmas gift, making an average profit of $60.68.
– Clothing tops the list of most disappointing gifts.
– Alabama ranks as the nation’s leading state in regifting activity, while Mississippi emerges as the most gift-gracious state.
The Realities Behind Regifting: Why Americans Pass on Presents
While it’s tempting to equate regifting with holiday mischief, most Americans still hold onto unwanted gifts. According to the survey, 93.2% have kept a present they disliked or didn’t use. The most common reason? A desire to avoid hurting the feelings of the gift giver (70.0%). Other reasons include not finding the time or energy to exchange or sell the gift (26.2%), or simply having misplaced the receipt (1.2%).
However, the statistics reveal a significant portion of Americans do participate in regifting, with nearly one in two admitting to the practice. Their reasons vary:
– 31.7% found the gift to be of little use to them.
– 30.3% saw regifting as a convenient way to provide a present in a pinch.
– 17.4% already owned a similar item.
– 17.1% simply did not like the present.
Despite these motivations, many regifters believe they are helping the gift find a more appreciative home—suggesting thoughtful intent behind their actions.
Infographic: Christmas Regifting Habits Across the U.S.
What Happens to Unwanted Gifts?
Not every unwanted item gets regifted. Many Americans take a more direct approach: 40% report having thrown away a present. The vast majority (64.1%) say this was because the gift was not useful. Some take it a step further by capitalizing on the unwanted item—25% admit to having resold a Christmas gift, earning an average of $60.68.
The Most Disappointing Christmas Gifts
Gift-related disappointment is universal during the holidays, and certain types of presents are especially at risk for being regifted, resold, or discarded. Survey results revealed the top disappointments:
| Gift Type | Percentage Disappointed |
|---|---|
| Clothing | 44.6% |
| Hygiene/Makeup Products | 18.2% |
| Other (e.g., clown figurines, fishing gear, toilet paper) | 16.3% |
| Gift Vouchers | 8.1% |
| Workout Equipment | 3.8% |
| Experience Gifts | 2.3% |
State Rankings: Where is Regifting Most Common?
Determining which states are the most likely to regift involved a nuanced scoring approach. States were evaluated based on survey data that included the likelihood of keeping, regifting, discarding, or reselling gifts, as well as incidents of accidentally regifting to the original giver.
Infographic: Naughty and Nice States for Holiday Regifting
States Most Likely to Land on Santa’s Naughty List
– Alabama: Ranked as the nation’s top regifting state. Only 52% keep unwanted gifts, the lowest rate nationally. Alabama ranks fourth in regifting frequency, and also has one of the highest rates of accidentally regifting a present back to the original giver.
– Indiana: Second in regifting “naughtiness.” Nearly half (46.1%) of Indiana residents have resold unwanted gifts, and they are among the top states for accidental regifting and discarding gifts.
– Arizona: Third on the Naughty List. Residents are notable for their frequency in both regifting and reselling, with only 65.6% keeping unwanted presents.
– Florida: Just misses the Naughty Top Three, taking the fourth spot, followed by Nevada in fifth place.
States Topping the Nice List: Where Gift Giving Stays Thoughtful
At the opposite end of the regifting spectrum, some states demonstrated a strong inclination to keep, rather than pass on, their holiday bounty:
– Mississippi: Achieved a perfect score, with all respondents stating they held onto unwanted gifts, the lowest regifting rate, and virtually no accidental regifting.
– Montana: A close second, matching Mississippi on most criteria but with a slightly higher rate of discarding presents.
– Maine: Came in third, displaying very low regifting, reselling, and tossing rates.
– Vermont: Fourth place, combining low regifting with a strong tendency to keep received gifts.
– Wisconsin and West Virginia: Tied for fifth, both states are known for their friendly approach and holiday goodwill.
How the Study Was Conducted
The study surveyed 3,000 Americans in November 2023, focusing on adults aged 18 and up from a diverse range of backgrounds and regions. The unique scoring system placed particular weight on:
– Percentage holding onto unwanted gifts (35%)
– Percentage who have regifted (10%)
– Percentage who threw away gifts (10%)
– Percentage who resold gifts (10%)
– Percentage who accidentally regifted to the original giver (35%)
States lacking sufficient data—Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming—were excluded from the rankings.
Respondent demographics were broadly representative, with 51.2% identifying as male, 47% as female, 1.4% as non-binary, 0.3% as transgender, and 0.1% as ‘other’.
Conclusion: America’s Evolving Approach to Christmas Gifts
Regifting has transformed from a whispered faux pas into a widely accepted holiday custom, driven by a mix of practicality and thoughtfulness. While some states top the Naughty List with frequent regifting, others are far more likely to keep even the least exciting presents. No matter where you live, it’s clear the sentiment behind each gift remains what matters most.
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