This season, generosity comes at a staggering cost: Americans are expected to spend over $10.1 billion on gifts that are unwanted, unused, or immediately discarded. According to Finder.com, more than half (53%) of U.S. adults will receive at least one unwanted present in 2025, with an average of $72 wasted per gift. The impact is not just financial—an estimated 5.8 billion pounds of returned inventory ends up in U.S. landfills every year, generating 16 million metric tons of CO₂, Optoro’s research warns.
The Ripple Effect: Waste Beyond the Gift
The National Retail Federation reports that retailers processed $890 billion in returns last year, and 17% of holiday purchases end up back at the store. The result: a cascade of wasted materials, excess packaging, lost value and environmental harm. Research finds that 42% of unwanted gifts are packed away in storage, while 22% are regifted and 5% tossed straight into the trash—often while still wrapped.
Smarter Giving for 2025: The Rise of Registries
Universal registry platform MyRegistry.com offers a modern solution: one registry, any item, any retailer—online or local. Users can select gifts they truly want and coordinate with friends and family for zero duplication and 95% satisfaction rates, dramatically higher than the 60% for traditional surprise gifting. The result? Less waste, more meaningful gifts, and a reduced carbon footprint from shipping and returns.
Why It Matters: Sustainability, Flexibility, and Meaning
- Zero unwanted gifts: Registry-based giving nearly eliminates guesswork.
- Less landfill: Thoughtful selection means less packaging and wasted goods.
- Universal options: Add products, experiences, cash funds or charitable donations.
- Lower emissions: Fewer returns mean less transportation and manufacturing waste.
McKinsey and PwC research reveal a clear shift: consumers are now intentional about gifting, prioritizing value, shared experiences, and sustainability. Registries like MyRegistry.com enable users to start wish lists early, simplify sharing, enable group gifting, and combine products, experiences, and donations in a single list.
Rethinking “It’s the Thought That Counts”
Adam Zucker, VP of Marketing at MyRegistry.com, sums it up: “It’s not the thought that counts when a gift ends up unused, returned or in the trash. Registry-based giving transforms generosity into genuine satisfaction, ensuring gifts are wanted, used and appreciated.” With millions seeking greener, more joyful holidays, making the shift to smarter gifting may just keep the season— and the planet—brighter.
For more information, visit MyRegistry.com.
