Over 50s have more anxiety about Christmas gifting

Struggling with the holiday shopping this year? The bad news is, knowing what to buy gets harder with age.

In a study conducted by Trunk Club into the gift-giving abilities of 2,000 Americans, it found that those in their fifties are far less confident in their ability to find the perfect gift than the millennial generation.

In fact, results showed that people over the age of 55 are more than twice as likely to consider themselves a terrible gift giver than anyone in their twenties and thirties.

Battle of the sexes: A survey conducted by Trunk Club asked 2,000 Americans about their holiday gifting habits and found that men rely on their partners for help more than women 

The research found that the stress and worry of getting things right also affects how people enjoy the holidays as they get older. 

Just over one in ten (11 percent) over 55-year-old enjoys holiday shopping more now than they used to, compared to 32 percent of millennials.

In fact, nearly half of those in their fifties (48 percent) said they enjoy festive shopping less than they used to, compared to 27 percent of millennials.

Regardless of age, results found that shopping for partners was the hardest of all.  

With the average person buying gifts for seven people, it makes sense that four in ten people described holiday shopping as ‘stressful’ and 26 percent described it as ‘frustrating’.

‘It’s no secret that the holiday season is busy, and finding the perfect gifts for your loved ones can be challenging,’ said Linda Bartman Chief Operating Officer at Trunk Club.

‘The results of the study indicate that this doesn’t get any easier the older we get and that each year finding the right gift can still be an obstacle.’

So, what do Americans do when they’re out of all other options? Over half (55 percent) brought in reinforcements when they needed help to buy gifts, usually turning to their partner.

Not getting better with age: The study found that those over the age of 55 have more anxiety about finding the perfect gift than millennials 

Not getting better with age: The study found that those over the age of 55 have more anxiety about finding the perfect gift than millennials 

Talking about my generation: Holiday gift shopping is less enjoyable as people get older 

Talking about my generation: Holiday gift shopping is less enjoyable as people get older 

In fact, men were 45 percent more likely to rely on their partner for help with buying gifts – the majority of men (55 percent) needed the advice of their partner, while far fewer women said they do the same (38 percent).

If they’re unable to find the right gift, 28 percent would rather not give a gift at all.

Another two-thirds reluctantly give a gift card when they can’t find the perfect gift.

And when people get frustrated buying presents for other people, they often revert to pleasing themselves – Trunk Club’s study showed that one in seven (15 percent) always purchase something for themselves while holiday shopping for friends and loved ones.

While the average survey respondent reported spending $365 on gift shopping for others, they also admitted to spending $111 on themselves during the process. 

On a limited budget and with the understanding that Christmas shopping is a selfless act, 39 percent do feel guilty about spending money on themselves.

Bartman added: ‘We want to help make holiday shopping easy, so that people can spend more time focusing on the things that are important to them.’ 

 



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