The Russians ranked the most inappropriate gifts from colleagues

The stereotype that bad gifts for March 8 are revenge for February 23 has been living in our society for a long time. In February-March 2023, Russians took part in a sociological survey and told whether jokes about socks, shaving foam and pans are still relevant, and what our citizens are ready to do to please a loved one with a good gift.

According to the survey, in 2023, men were more likely to choose romantic trips, jewelry and clothes as a gift for ladies. For example, sales of jewelry increased 7 times compared to the same period last year. True, jewelry is now chosen by modest ones: the average check has become 59% less – only 4,460 rubles.

Experts note that sales of clothes doubled before March 8, but the question is open: do men buy gifts or do women choose their own holiday clothes? It is noteworthy that the average check for clothes reached 18,382 rubles – almost 65% more than a year ago.

It is interesting to see what kind of clothes they buy. Thus, before February 23, sales of home suits (+186%), socks (+145%) and sweaters (+61%) increased. Before March 8, sales of underwear (7 times), peignoirs (+258%) and corsets (+191%) jumped. This suggests that giving clothes on March 8th is still more of an erotic than a practical plot, in contrast to the utilitarian “sock” on February 23rd. Sometimes women choose sneakers and bags as a gift.

Small weekend trips are in demand: the turnover of travel agencies has increased by more than 4 times, but the average check is small – 16 thousand rubles: this is not the price of a full trip to the resort, but a pleasant weekend.

“The demand for flowers is high, as always before this holiday. The average check in online flower shops increased by 9% and amounted to 4,918 rubles. The turnover increased by 16%, the number of sales – by 7%. Prices may have been affected by changes in logistics supply chains. To save some money, on March 8, men buy several bouquets at once. Users have become more likely to buy houseplants as a gift,” a representative of one of the popular online payment platforms comments on the trend.

Financial industry experts have found that in 2023, on the eve of Women’s Day, men request loans from microfinance organizations for an average of 7,400 rubles – a quarter less than a year earlier. Most actively applied for mini-loans for gifts in 2020 during the pandemic, then the average loan was 17 thousand. Most men ask for loans for the simplest gifts – flowers, sweets, toilet water.

Earlier, in an interview with an MK correspondent, financial market expert Andrei Barkhota explained that the demand for microloans is an alarming marker of our society, which signals a deterioration in living standards. According to the expert, most often the average check of a microloan is from 10 to 50 thousand. This is not money for serious purchases, this is a classic “borrow until payday”. At the same time, microloans are more expensive than loans: up to 365% per annum.

If the situation is difficult, then it is better to refrain from a gift bought with credit money, psychologist Anastasia Alexandrova is convinced:

– I cannot imagine a situation in which it would be necessary to take a microloan for a gift by March 8th. In recent years, this holiday is more formal, and it provides for cute signs of attention, rather than chic gifts. If you can’t afford a large bouquet of flowers, it’s better to come up with another way to congratulate the lady – for example, bring breakfast in bed or arrange an interesting inexpensive leisure. Yes, your lady will receive a piece of jewelry or an expensive handbag, enjoy it for a couple of days, and then for several months she will watch an annoyed and tense man thinking about how to repay the loan. It’s not worth it! A woman who takes care of her man does not want a gift at this price.

A separate question – congratulations in the corporate circle. Approximately three-quarters of the respondents answered that it is customary in their team to congratulate colleagues on February 23 and March 8. Among the most appropriate gifts, they most often named treats and sweets (49%), flowers (46%) and gift certificates (41%). The top five includes themed souvenirs (26%) and postcards (17%).

The anti-rating of gifts from colleagues was headed by socks and underwear (60%). Next come clothes and shoes (36%), bath and shower sets (35%). The majority of respondents consider alcohol (27%) and coupons for discounts in stores (23%) to be inappropriate and useless gifts.

Women called perfumes and cosmetics an inappropriate gift. According to the respondents, it is desirable to choose such things for yourself, and not to receive a “pig in a poke”. The top 5 cosmetic gifts include hand care kits, facial massagers and body milk.

– Solving this problem is easy: the vast majority of stores offer gift certificates. If it is generally accepted in the team that women should be given cosmetics, it is better to give a certificate for its purchase. It will not remain unclaimed: at least anyone will buy shampoo and face cream, – says marketer Snezhana Gurieva in a conversation with an MK correspondent. – By the way, retail chains also “love” such gifts: those who come immediately for a dozen certificates for the team will be willingly given a discount. Why? Companies benefit from this. Practice shows that at least 1-2 women will definitely forget about the gift certificate, and the money has already been paid for it. It turns out that the store has a profit for the “air”.

It is interesting that representatives of both sexes coincided in the definition of a successful gift: both men and women would like to receive a festive dinner and a bonus from the employer on February 23 or March 8.