This festive season, gifting in the UAE is shifting away from traditional material presents and toward experiences that foster connection, restore balance, and carry deeper meaning. According to Ithara.ae, the UAE’s leading experience-gifting platform, customers are increasingly choosing gifts that bring people together, prioritise wellbeing and reflect shared values, signalling a clear shift in how people want to celebrate.
Rather than gifting objects, customers are opting for moments: time spent together, space to recharge, and experiences that feel personal and intentional. This evolving mindset has shaped Ithara.ae’s most in-demand festive experiences for 2025, which center around three key themes, connection, celebration and renewal.
“We’re seeing a very clear shift in festive gifting behavior,” said Anna Krejca, Co-Founder of Ithara.ae. “People want gifts that feel thoughtful and lived-in, experiences that allow them to slow down, reconnect with loved ones or give something meaningful. This season is less about excess and more about intention.”
Alongside experience-led gifting, Ithara.ae has also seen a strong rise in purpose-driven gifts, particularly during the festive period. This year, the platform introduced Vouchers for Good, a charitable gifting initiative created in partnership with Gulf for Good.
The initiative allows customers to add a charity voucher to any festive gift, supporting children with disabilities at The Sunrise Centre in Madagascar. Each voucher directly funds essentials such as classroom materials, school books, meals or teacher salaries, transforming gifting into tangible impact.
“Purpose-led gifting is no longer a niche choice,” added Krejca. “It’s becoming a natural part of how people celebrate. Adding a charity voucher to a festive gift allows customers to honor someone they love while also supporting someone in need. That combination resonates deeply this season.”
With over 500 curated experiences across dining, wellness, adventure and creative workshops, Ithara.ae continues to position itself as a platform that reflects how people want to live and celebrate today. Each gift comes with flexible booking, 12-month validity, and personalized presentation, allowing recipients to enjoy their experience at their convenience.
As festive gifting continues to evolve, the message is clear: meaningful moments are replacing material things, and experiences are becoming the new language of celebration
The experiences are live on Ithara.ae, featuring curated recommendations, themed gift guides and limited-edition seasonal picks.
M283 Arabia covers all aspects of men's lifestyle; fashion, sports, self-care, and travel tips and destinations.
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