That pit in your stomach when the holidays roll around? It’s not just you. That's gift-giving anxiety, and it’s dragging down the whole season. Gifting paralysis is real—the lists are long, the expectations are high, and the search for the “perfect” gift can make the season feel more stressful than joyful.
Our new report on holiday gifting anxiety found that nearly 4 in 10 U.S. adults feel anxiety just trying to find the “right” gift, showing that even the most thoughtful gifters can feel overwhelmed. When ideas run out, many default to something quick and easy—a gift that checks the box but lacks heart.
Key takeaways
- More than 3 in 4 U.S. adults experience at least one negative emotion when shopping for gifts, with “anxiety about finding the ‘right’ gift” the most prominent.
- Women, Gen Z, and parents of young children report higher levels of anxiety, guilt, and feeling overwhelmed while shopping for gifts compared with men and older generations.
- 12% of adults say they do not find anything to be more stressful than gift shopping, including managing personal finances, preparing for a milestone event, or negotiating for a raise or promotion.
- About 8 in 10 turn to less personal gifts when strapped for ideas, with gift cards and cash the most popular alternatives.
Gifting anxiety is the norm for 77% of Americans
Holiday gifting may look cheerful on the surface, but the experience is far more emotionally loaded for most people. Seventy-seven percent of adults say they feel at least one negative emotion while shopping for gifts, indicating that the strain of choosing something meaningful is very common.
These reactions take many forms, with large shares of shoppers reporting emotional friction during the process.
Thirty-nine percent say they feel anxious about finding the “right” gift, while a third feel guilty about how much they spend. Another 30% find themselves second-guessing their gift choices, and similar percentages of people say the experience leaves them stressed or overwhelmed.
Holiday gifting disproportionately affects women and young adults
Holiday shopping doesn’t carry the same weight for everyone. For many women, the season of giving comes with its own kind of pressure—the expectation to make everyone else’s holiday feel special.
Our survey found that women are more likely to feel anxious when shopping for gifts (44% vs. 34% of men). They’re also more likely to feel guilty about spending too much or too little (39% vs. 27%) and overwhelmed while shopping (35% vs. 22%).
While 23% of all adults say they don’t experience negative emotions when shopping for holiday gifts, that number skews higher among men (27%) compared to just 18% of women. This discrepancy highlights the invisible effort that often falls to them.
Generational differences further highlight how holiday gifting affects different groups:
- Anxiety about finding the “right” gift rises among younger generations: 48% of Gen Z, 43% of millennials, 40% of Gen X, and 30% of baby boomers report feeling anxious while shopping.
- Guilt about spending too much or too little also follows a similar pattern, affecting 43% of Gen Z, 36% of millennials, 33% of Gen X, and 25% of baby boomers.
- Feeling overwhelmed impacts about a third of Gen Z (35%) and millennials (33%), compared with 30% of Gen X and 20% of baby boomers.
To provide a broader perspective, some younger shoppers still rate other life responsibilities as more stressful than gift shopping. For example, our data shows that 53% of Gen Z say managing personal finances is more stressful than buying gifts, compared with 33% of baby boomers.
Even among baby boomers, holiday gift shopping can be stressful. Sixteen percent say nothing in their lives is more stressful than buying gifts, but the overall emotional load is lower compared with younger generations.
These patterns show that women and Gen Z experience higher levels of stressful emotions while shopping for gifts. While holiday gifting may not always be the top stressor, it contributes to a larger emotional load for younger generations.
Parents of young children are far more likely to feel anxiety about holiday gifts
For parents with young children, holiday shopping brings its own kind of chaos. Between managing family schedules, budgeting for multiple wish lists, and trying to make every moment feel special, the process can quickly shift from joyful to overwhelming.
Nearly half of parents (47%) with kids under 18 say they feel anxious about finding the “right” gift, compared with 38% of non-parents. Eighty-three percent experience at least one negative emotion while shopping, making them some of the least likely to feel truly relaxed during gift season.
With so many demands competing for attention, many parents turn to quick, convenient options. Nearly two-thirds say they rely on gift cards when ideas run out, compared with 55% of non-parents.
Many Americans find holiday gift shopping to be a significant stressor
For many Americans, holiday gift shopping is more than a seasonal chore—it's a genuine source of pressure. Our survey shows that some people even place it in the same category as other high-stress responsibilities.
One in four adults says negotiating a raise or promotion is more stressful than buying gifts, which shows that while gift shopping may not outrank major life pressures, it still occupies meaningful mental space during the holidays.
Comparisons with other familiar stressors include:
- 25% of adults say navigating airports, traffic, or packing is more stressful than holiday shopping
- 41% say managing personal finances is more stressful
- 53% say arguing with a loved one is more stressful
Taken together, these results place holiday gift shopping firmly in the “high-stress” tier.
Under that kind of pressure, even the most thoughtful gifters can feel overwhelmed, and the process often shifts from joyful to transactional. Many default to quicker, easier options that reduce stress in the moment, such as:
- 60% turn to gift cards
- 42% ask the person what they would like
- 35% give cash
- 17% pick up generic items like candles or snack baskets
Those quick choices may ease the pressure in the moment, but they rarely deliver the kind of connection people are hoping for during the holidays.
The truth is, most everyone feels gift stress—but meaning still beats “easy.” A small, personal touch goes further than any last-minute gift card ever could.
5 ways to break the cycle of gifting paralysis
Feeling stuck when choosing gifts can make shopping feel stressful—and the process can feel impersonal on both sides. The pressure to find something perfect often leads to quick, forgettable choices that miss the mark on meaning.
Thankfully, small shifts can make gifting feel more meaningful and a lot less anxiety-inducing.
- Bring memories to life: Transforming digital moments into printed ones—like a photo book or calendar—helps you reconnect with the joy of giving while easing the mental load of decision-making.
- Add a personal touch: When stress peaks, that gift card aisle starts looking real good—but even a small customization goes a long way. If you do opt for a gift card, a handwritten note or holiday card adds a personal touch that shows care.
- Start early to avoid decision fatigue: Giving yourself more time to brainstorm ideas prevents last-minute panic buys. Keep a running list of personal details or moments you can draw from later.
- Focus on meaning, not price: The most memorable gifts reflect thought, not cost. Sharing memories or inside jokes often means more than something expensive.
- Look for inspiration in shared experiences: Think about recent milestones, travels, or traditions that could be turned into a keepsake, like a canvas print. These reminders of connection are often the most special.
With Mixbook’s Auto-Create feature, turning those memories into something personal takes minutes, not hours. Effortless for you, unforgettable for them.
Make gifting stress-free with Mixbook
The best gifts don’t always come from rushing down aisles or scrolling through endless options—they come from connection.
Transforming your favorite moments into photo books, cards, or calendars can simplify holiday giving. Fewer last-minute choices means more time to celebrate what matters.
With Mixbook, every gift becomes a reminder of the moments that matter most.
Methodology
The survey of 2,000 adults ages 18 and over was conducted via YouGov for Mixbook on October 8, 2025. Data is weighted and the margin of error is approximately +/-3% for the overall sample with a 95% confidence level.
