Food for Thought

A Gourmet Gift Baskets analysis of weekly Google Trends data finds that searches for “Holiday shopping” ran 66% higher in September and October 2026 than a year earlier, while the other 13 gift-related terms with enough volume to measure stayed within 10% of last year’s level. The gain sits on a higher year-round baseline, so the seasonal lift was smaller than in 2024 and 2025. December remains the main month for gift searches, and Wyoming, New York and New Jersey lead the states for gift-idea and recipient searches. In a separate survey of 1,037 U.S. adults, 87.8% name a type of person who is hard to buy for, and 51.8% say their biggest challenge involves the recipient.

A Gourmet Gift Baskets survey of 1,037 U.S. adults explores the holiday gift-giving dilemma: most people consider themselves easy to shop for, but nearly everyone struggles to buy for someone else. While 61.6% rate themselves easy to buy for, 87.8% identify at least one difficult recipient category. People who seem to have everything lead at 28.7%, followed by children or teenagers at 24.6% and spouses or romantic partners at 23.4%. Together, 51.8% say their biggest shopping challenge is understanding the recipient or finding something personal, compared with 25.2% who prioritize budget. Some 70.5% have bought or considered a holiday gift basket for a difficult recipient, highlighting the role baskets can play in finding a gift that suits the person and occasion.

A data-packed roundup of 52 holiday food statistics, including how much turkey and ham Americans eat, the most popular sides and desserts, cookie trends, plant-based meal adoption, beverage preferences, regional favorites, and how dietary needs and traditions shape holiday meals across the U.S.

Gourmet Gift Baskets’ report highlights 64 statistics showing how Americans spend and celebrate with food during the holidays. Shoppers plan to spend nearly $900 each, with 70% giving food gifts and 72% cooking at home. Despite the joy of festive meals, more than 300 million pounds of food are wasted each Thanksgiving.

A five-year analysis by Gourmet Gift Baskets finds that holiday shopping now starts in mid-September, with searches for gifts and deals peaking up to two weeks earlier each year. New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania lead in early gift search activity, reflecting a nationwide shift toward earlier, more organized shopping behavior.

Summary Explore the latest holiday shopping statistics for 2025, from record-breaking online sales and mobile transactions to shifting spending habits across age groups and families. See how Americans are budgeting over $1,000 on gifts, which categories are driving billions in sales, and why gift baskets and fruit baskets are surging in popularity. This roundup highlights the biggest trends shaping how consumers celebrate, spend, and shop during the holiday season.

Celebrating New Year's Eve at home can be both fun and meaningful. To make the night unforgettable, create a cozy atmosphere, enjoy gourmet food, and plan fun activities. Incorporate personal touches that transform your home into the perfect party venue.

Explore unique Easter traditions from around the world. Start your adventure now to spice up your holiday with these cultural festivities!

Discover delightful Easter celebration ideas in our guide. From egg hunts to crafts, make this Easter memorable for you and your loved ones!

Discover creative ways to celebrate Valentine's Day in a long-distance relationship. From virtual dates to meaningful gifts, love knows no bounds. Read more!