Holiday Trends Shift Toward Cannabis Over Traditional Alcohol Gifts

by:Denmen Sterling

The 2023 holiday season is witnessing a remarkable shift in American gift-giving and celebration trends. A significant number of Americans are now choosing cannabis over traditional alcohol presents. Recent data reveals that about one in four American adults are considering cannabis as their go-to gift for the holidays.

Generational Influence: The Role of Younger Americans

The change is largely driven by the younger generations – Gen Z and Millennials – who are embracing cannabis at higher rates compared to Gen X and Baby Boomers. A striking 78% of Gen Z and Millennials are planning to include cannabis in their holiday celebrations, compared to 56% of older generations. This marks a notable departure from traditional holiday norms.

Parents: A Surprising Demographic Turning to Cannabis

In an unexpected twist, parents are now more inclined to use or gift cannabis than adults without children. The data suggests a significant portion of American parents view cannabis as a preferred choice for holiday gifting and use.

Cannabis vs. Alcohol: Changing Preferences

The survey, commissioned by Oak PR and conducted by Wired Research, also indicates a cultural shift, with approximately one in three respondents believing that cannabis makes a better holiday gift than alcohol. This could be reflective of the broader legalization and growing acceptance of cannabis across the U.S.

Insights from Oak PR CEO

Drew Tybus, CEO of Oak PR, comments on this trend: “The findings are indicative of the evolving attitudes toward legal cannabis in the U.S. More and more Americans, particularly the younger generations and parents, are exploring cannabis as a stress-reliever and a novel gift idea during the festive season.”

Survey Details

The Oak PR Holiday Cannabis Survey reached out to 951 Americans aged 21 and above. Conducted online between November 10 and November 13, 2023, the survey presents insights with a margin of error of +/- 3.2%. This survey showcases how cannabis is becoming a staple in American holiday festivities, reflecting the changing social and cultural landscape of the nation.