As we enter 2025, gifting trends are evolving to reflect shifting consumer values and preferences. Gifts have become more than just tokens of appreciation; they are now powerful tools for expressing thoughtfulness, strengthening relationships, and cultivating meaningful connections in business. To help you stay ahead of the curve, we’ve drawn insights from the 2025 Gift Book Consumer Survey, which highlights key trends shaping the gifting landscape this year.

This dataset offers a window into consumer desires, showing us what resonates most—personalization, sustainability, wellness, and creativity. By leveraging these trends strategically and connecting them to The Expressory’s Six Strategic Storylines, you can make your clients, colleagues, and teams feel appreciated while aligning your brand with values that matter.

Let’s dive into the top trends for 2025 and explore how they can inspire meaningful engagement in your professional relationships.

1. Personalization: Making It Personal and Memorable

Today’s consumers crave individuality, and personalized gifts offer a meaningful way to deliver it. Personalization is no longer just a nice-to-have; it is a priority for 49% of gift buyers, making it one of the most impactful trends of 2025​. By incorporating names, dates, unique designs, or showing an understanding of the person’s interests personalized gifts allow you to connect deeply and make recipients feel truly valued.

Gift Ideas:

• Custom Journals or Notebooks: Add a monogram, name or company branding for the recipient. 

• Unique Artwork: Commission a local artist to create something inspired by an achievement or milestone.

Strategic Storyline:

• Relationship Reminder: A customized notebook used daily ties the gift to your partnership.

• Milestone Acknowledgement: Celebrate a success with an item like personalized artwork related to the moment. 

• DIY: A piece of art made specifically for the recipient is cherished and shared. 

2. Wellness Gifts: Fostering Care and Connection

Wellness has taken center stage in people’s lives, and this trend continues to grow. From spa-like experiences at home to products promoting better sleep and relaxation, wellness gifts show that you care about the recipient’s health and balance. With 82% of U.S. consumers prioritizing wellness, these thoughtful gestures are more than relevant—they’re essential​.

Gift Ideas:

• Relaxation Kits: Include essential oils, herbal teas, and a calming playlist link.

• Luxury Sleep Aids: Aromatherapy eye masks or cozy weighted blankets to improve sleep.

Strategic Storyline:

• Transition: Help recipients recharge during a busy season or after completing a big project.

• Goal Acknowledgement: Show support for wellness goals with gifts that encourage achieving better balance.

3. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Gifts: Leading with Values

Sustainability is more than a buzzword; it’s a demand. With 64% of consumers willing to pay more for eco-friendly products, gifts that reflect environmental consciousness also align your brand with values that matter​. By prioritizing reusable, recyclable, or locally sourced items, you make a clear statement about shared responsibility and care for the planet.

Gift Ideas:

• Reusable Totes: Include stylish and sturdy reusable bags for eco-conscious living.

• Plant Kits: A small potted plant with a care card can symbolize growth and sustainability. Another option is to send a kit during Earth Day – Something celebrated by many. 

Strategic Storyline:

• Acquisition: Share the backstory of how you sourced the tote (or any green gift), emphasizing your thoughtfulness.

• Shared Experience: Highlight mutual commitment to green initiatives, such as a company effort toward sustainability.

4. Creative Gifts: Sparking Joy and Engagement

Creativity in gifting is all about making the recipient smile. Humor, innovation, and practicality are driving this trend, making gifts like clever puzzles or fun desk accessories a hit in 2025. These gifts spark joy and often bring people together, creating shared experiences that forge stronger connections.

Gift Ideas:

• Customized Puzzles: Design one featuring a meaningful business-related image or milestone.

• Mug with a Message: Find a humorous mug that aligns with an inside joke, or shared work stress. 

Strategic Storyline:

• Shared Experience: A puzzle showcasing a shared project encourages teamwork and evokes positive memories.

• Relationship Reminder: Inside jokes and humor remind recipients of your collaboration daily.

5. Gourmet Treats: A Tasteful Gesture

There’s a reason edible gifts have staying power—they’re universally loved. From artisan chocolates to gourmet sauces, these treats are perfect for celebrating milestones, expressing gratitude, or just sharing a little indulgence. With 81% of consumers planning to give edible gifts this year, they’re a versatile and appreciated option​.

Gift Ideas:

• Infused Olive Oils or Sauces: Perfect for foodies, these items offer both practicality and indulgence.

• Artisan Chocolates: Opt for packaging that ties the treats to a specific occasion, like “Congratulations” or “Thank You.”

Strategic Storyline:

• Tradition: Send gourmet treats during the holidays to tie into warm, familiar practices.

• Shared Experience: Highlight a shared memory, like a favorite meal, with a related treat.

6. Inspirational and Message Gifts: Words That Matter

Sometimes, the right words can make all the difference. Inspirational gifts resonate with recipients by providing hope, encouragement, or even a little humor. With 36% of consumers seeking such gifts in 2025, these items are powerful reminders of your thoughtfulness​.

Gift Ideas:

• Framed Motivational Quotes: Select a message that aligns with the recipient’s goals.

• Empowering Desk Accessories: Items with phrases like “You’ve Got This” add daily motivation.

Strategic Storyline:

• Goal Acknowledgement: Use a motivational phrase to tie the gift to their personal or professional aspirations.

• Relationship Reminder: A framed quote in their office keeps your connection front and center.

7. Local Pride: Supporting Community Connections

There’s something uniquely special about gifts that reflect local culture. Nearly 47% of consumers prioritize locally made products, and 73% are willing to pay a premium for them​. These gifts tap into pride and nostalgia, creating a personal connection through regional charm.

Gift Ideas:

• Local Gourmet Kits: Include regionally inspired spices, sauces, or baked goods mixes.

• Artisan Crafts: A locally made notebook or pottery piece ties your gift to the community.

Strategic Storyline:

• Tradition: Incorporate regional or cultural significance that ties back to the recipient’s roots.

• Acquisition: Highlight the story of the local artist or maker, showing the effort you put into selecting the gift.

8. Kidult Gifts: Nostalgia Meets Playfulness

Adults reclaiming their love for toys—often dubbed “kidults”—is a growing trend in 2025. Tapping into nostalgia, creativity, and even mindfulness, these gifts range from collectible building block sets to brain-teasing puzzles and DIY craft kits. With 18+ consumers now driving much of the toy market, gifts that encourage play, learning, or relaxation have become meaningful ways to connect personally and professionally​.

Gift Ideas:

• Nostalgic Building Kits: Select a set that aligns with shared memories or themes relevant to your recipient, such as a model of a favorite city or a retro-inspired car.

• Brain-Teasing Puzzles: Offer an engaging way to unwind and spark creativity, ideal for professionals who enjoy problem-solving.

• DIY Craft Kits: From learning to crochet to assembling a miniature garden, these kits combine creativity with mindfulness.

Strategic Storyline:

• Shared Experience: Reference a playful moment you shared with the recipient or use the gift as a bridge to new shared hobbies, like tackling a challenging puzzle together.

• Transition: A nostalgic or skill-based gift can symbolize a fresh start, encouraging recipients to embrace change with curiosity and a sense of fun.

Kidult gifts not only spark joy but also create opportunities for relaxation and connection, making them a thoughtful and innovative addition to your relationship-building strategy.

Wrapping It Up

In 2025, the art of gifting is a strategic opportunity to strengthen business relationships. By aligning your choices with current trends and connecting them to the Six Strategic Storylines, you can create gifts that are thoughtful, memorable, and deeply meaningful.

Whether it’s a personalized puzzle, a sustainable plant kit, or an inspiring journal, each gift can reflect your commitment to fostering genuine connections. If you’re ready to explore how these ideas can work for your brand, let’s talk! Join us at an upcoming Q&A or schedule a time to brainstorm tailored strategies.