eBay predicts surge in self-gifting this festive season

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
December 20, 2024

It may be too late to do much about marketing for the 2024 festive season but with 2025 plans already forming in retailers’ and brands’ minds, it’s worth noting a new study from eBay.

It said this week that self-gifting is on the rise, with over a third (34%) of people across the UK opting to gift differently by buying the item they really want themselves.

New research it commissioned among 2,000+ consumers last month reveals the emergence of self-gifting as a trend, with 38% of people feeling too awkward to ask for what they really want, particularly luxury pieces (and as a side note, 53% of Gen Z are hoping to find a luxury gift under the tree this Christmas). 

Back with self-gifting, the research shows the most popular luxury items shoppers are buying for themselves are watches (21%), jewellery (16%) and handbags (14%) this festive season. And eBay has seen search increases for these in the lead-up to the festive season.

It also said searches for key items such as Prada loafers have risen 60%+, while Miu Miu sunglasses searches have risen 30%+, Bottega Veneta Jodie bag searches close to 20%, and Cartier’s Tank watch searches are up 10%+.