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53% of Americans to Open At Least One Unwanted Gift in 2024

Americans expected to spend $10.1 billion on unwanted presents.

Richard Laycock's headshot

By

Richard Laycock

Edited by

Holly Jennings

Updated

Fact checked
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Key Insights

  • 2024 unwanted gifts forecast: Finder forecasts that 53% of American adults will open at least one unwanted present.
  • Number of adults opening an unwanted gift: An estimated 140 million Americans will get an unwanted gift.
  • Average spend: The average cost of an unwanted gift to hit $72.
  • Total cost of unwanted gifts in 2024: Americans will spend around $10.1 billion on presents no one wants.
  • Most unwanted items: Clothing and accessories are the most unwanted gifts at 43%.
  • Regifting the top option for unwanted presents: About 39% of unwanted gifts will be regifted.

The holidays are a time of joy and happiness. But according to the latest finder.com data, more than half (53%) of us will face another feeling: disappointment. Specifically, the disappointment of receiving an unwanted gift.

Roughly 18% of adults will receive at least one unwanted gift in 2024, up from 17% in 2023.

The cost of unwanted gifts in 2024

The average cost of an unwanted gift is forecast to hit $72 in 2024, up from $66 in 2023.

So, with some 53% of Americans admitting to getting at least one unwanted gift over the holidays, roughly 140 million American adults, and with an average forecasted cost of $72 per gift, this equates to a total of roughly $10.1 billion dollars being spent on potential future landfill — up from $9.1 billion in 2023.

What not to buy for someone in 2024

They say it’s the thought that counts. But if you wind up giving someone a present they don’t want, how much thought did you actually put into it? You know when it’s an unwanted present: Your loved one opens it, smiles, stares at you wide-eyed and gleefully says,

You shouldn’t have …

To avoid the awkwardness in 2024, consider steering clear of clothing and accessories, as it has been the number one most unwanted category according to previous Finder surveys and is forecast to be the top in 2024 at 43%, followed by household items (33%) and cosmetics and fragrances (26%).

What happens to all the unwanted gifts?

What are people doing with their unwanted gifts? Open the nearest closet or check under the bed, and you’re bound to find out.

According to our most recent survey, 39% regift their unwanted items, 35% of people just hold on to the unwanted item and 32% exchange them.

Holly Jennings's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.
Richard Laycock's headshot
Lead Editor & Insights Editor

Richard Laycock is Finder’s NYC-based lead editor & insights editor, spending the last decade data diving, writing and editing articles about all things personal finance. His musings can be found across the web including on NASDAQ, MoneyMag, Yahoo Finance and Travel Weekly. Richard studied Media at Macquarie University, including a semester abroad at The Missouri School of Journalism (MIZZOU). See full bio

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