Mastercard announced its holiday shopping survey results on December 16, 2021, reporting interest in online shopping and gifts that supported causes. According to the survey, 56% of respondents prioritized online shopping that holiday season, citing waiting in lines, finding parking and unavailable stock as reasons.
The survey reported that 48% were more likely to give gift cards that year and 69% were focused on charitable and cause-related giving. Gift cards were the most popular gift category for parents and grandparents, siblings, other relatives and best friends in the reported responses. Twenty percent said gifts supporting a good cause ranked higher on their own wish list than in the past.
Cause-supporting gifts ranked higher on respondents' 2021 wish lists
Reported shares within each generation saying these gifts ranked higher than in the past.
% of each cohort
Tap or hover for details. All values are also available in the data table.
Source
Self-reported wishes, not actual giving, gift-card purchases or donation impact. Subgroup bases and age definitions are undisclosed.
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| Category | Reported value |
|---|---|
| Millennials | 27 % of each cohort |
| Generation X | 15 % of each cohort |
| Baby boomers | 18 % of each cohort |
Alongside the findings, Mastercard announced gift cards and a Priceless Experience auction supporting Conservation International. Under the announced 2021 terms, each Priceless Planet Mastercard Passion gift card purchased would trigger a $2 donation, and each Wildlife Impact gift card a $1 donation. These were per-purchase commitments, not disclosed totals of donations made.
The survey included 4,000 respondents across the US and Canada, all aged 18 or older, using a credit card and likely to shop during the 2021 holiday season. Fieldwork ran from November 23 to December 1, 2021. Mastercard described the populations as representative, but did not disclose the country allocation, cohort bases, recruitment or weighting needed to assess that claim. The findings measure reported intentions, not completed sales.
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Emma Carter
Emma Carter covers retail, e-commerce and the gift card shopping experience for Gift Card News.