• Ipsos
  • Insights Hub
  • Six in Ten Americans Say a Personalized, Handwritten Note Helps Enhance a Gift, Making it Stand Out

Six in Ten Americans Say a Personalized, Handwritten Note Helps Enhance a Gift, Making it Stand Out

Personalized Handwritten Notes, along with Family Photos, are Items Most Likely to Make Cards Stand Out During the Holiday Season

Washington, DC - When it comes to receiving or giving a gift, roughly six in ten (58%) Americans say that a personalized, hand-written note helps to make the gift stand out, according to a recent online survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Cramer- Krasselt. Just under half of those surveyed also believe that the quality of the presentation (45%) and the quality of gift wrapping (44%) is also a major factor in helping make a gift special, while two in five (38%) say the same about the ribbon used. The use of a gift tag (25%) and the quality of the box (23%) are seen as making gifts stand out by roughly a quarter of all respondents, and 20% feel that the use of a gift topper can help make a gift stand out whether giving or receiving something special.

  • Women tend to place more emphasis on the impact that such items can have when giving/ receiving a gift, including significantly greater proportions who say that a personalized, hand written note (63% vs. 53% men), the quality of presentation (49% vs. 40%), the use of ribbon (43% vs. 32%), and the use of gift toppers (24% vs. 17%) help to make a gift stand out.
  • While older respondents are more likely to see handwritten, personalized notes as helping to make a gift special (67%, ages 55+ versus 53%, ages 18-34), those under the age of 35 tend to place significantly greater importance on the quality of the presentation (55% vs. 36%, 55+), the use of a gift tag (29% vs. 20% 35-54), and the quality of the box (31% vs. 16%, 55+).

    • Thinking about holiday cards more specifically, handwritten notes (55%) are just as likely to be seen to make a card extra special as are family photos (55%), with more than half of those surveyed saying that these features help make holiday cards stand out. A third also mention homemade cards (33%), pop-up or 3D paper designs (30%), and premium details on high quality paper (29%) as being features that help make holiday cards stand out, while roughly a quarter say the same of customized envelopes (25%) and yearly recaps highlighting family milestones (23%).

  • While both men and women tend to have similar opinions when it comes to features that help make a holiday card special, women do place significantly greater emphasis on homemade cards (40% vs. 25% men).
  • As was the case with features that make gifts stand out, respondents over the age of 55 continue to emphasize the impact that a handwritten note can have on making a holiday card special (61% versus 49%, 18-34).
  • Respondents with children living at home are much more likely to mention family photos (65% vs. 50% no kids) and yearly recaps highlighting family milestones (33% vs. 18%) as impactful compared to those with no children.

    • When it comes to planning an unforgettable holiday party, a majority of Americans rate the room dйcor (55%) as most likely to stand out to guests, while similar proportions say that party games (45%), cocktail bar or themed cocktails (45%), and invitations that are addressed and mailed (42%) can help make an unforgettable holiday party. Party favors (38%), DIY decorations (36%), and tablescapes (31%) are seen to make for an unforgettable party by more than three in ten adults, and at least a quarter believe that personalized place cards (26%), photo booths (26%), and menu cards/ descriptive dish cards listing ingredients (25%) can help to create a one-of-kind experience for guests.

  • Women and younger respondents (18-34) are among the most likely to rate many of the items listed as having a positive impact on guests.
  • Those with children at home are especially likely to rate party games (55%), photo booths (33%), and menu cards (29%) as helping to create a one-of-kind experience for guests, while those with no children are significantly more likely to emphasize the room dйcor (60%) and tablescape (34%) as helping to make for an unforgettable holiday party.

    • Additional information including findings and methodology is available for download on the right side of the page.

    For more information on this news release please contact:

    Kristin Vollrath Senior Director Ipsos Observer 310.736.3503 [email protected]

    About Ipsos

    Ipsos ranks third in the global research industry. With a strong presence in 87 countries, Ipsos employs more than 16,000 people and has the ability to conduct research programs in more than 100 countries. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is controlled and managed by research professionals. They have built a solid Group around a multi-specialist positioning - Media and advertising research; Marketing research; Client and employee relationship management; Opinion & social research; Mobile, Online, Offline data collection and delivery -. Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999.

    GAME CHANGERS

    At Ipsos we are passionately curious about people, markets, brands and society. We make our changing world easier and faster to navigate and inspire clients to make smarter decisions.

    We deliver with security, speed, simplicity and substance. We are Game Changers. Ipsos is listed on Eurolist - NYSE-Euronext.

    The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).

    ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP www.ipsos.com

    Download

    Related news