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The beginning of the year is the perfect time to make your New Year’s resolutions and create a plan for the months ahead. Along with personal and work goals, it’s also a good idea to think about gift-giving. Whether it’s a birthday, a holiday or a special occasion, having a plan for gift-giving will help you stay organized.
According to studies, people who spend money on gifts for others report greater happiness than those who spend money on themselves. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary or a special occasion, having an annual calendar of key dates will help you stay organized and avoid a last-minute panic.
We’ve compiled a comprehensive annual calendar of occasions, highlighting both personal and business-related opportunities across different regions and cultures. We will guide you through 35 gift-giving occasions from widely celebrated holidays to smaller, more heartfelt moments that deserve recognition.
New Year’s Eve – Jan 1
Regions: Worldwide
Gift-giving customes: Gifts often symbolize good luck and well wishes for the year ahead. Common gifts include small tokens, food, drinks (especially champagne), gifts for the home, and personalized items.
Business gift-giving: Some businesses may give small gifts or bonuses to employees and key clients.
Seijin No Hi – Second Monday of January: Jan 13
Celebrates young people who have reached the age of majority (20 years old).
Regions: Japan
Gift-giving customes: Gifts are typically given by family and relatives and often include money, traditional clothing (furisode for women, hakama for men), jewelry or watches.
Business gift-giving: Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
The National Day of Australia – Jan 26
Regions: Australia
Gift-giving customes: Not a traditional gift-giving occasion, however small contributions to shared gatherings might occur in informal settings.ifts are typically given by family and relatives and often include money, traditional clothing (furisode for women, hakama for men), jewelry or watches.
Business gift-giving: Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Lunar New Year – Jan 29
Regions: China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and others.
Gift-giving customes: Red envelopes, containing money, are the most accepted and important gifts. Other gifts include fruits, sweets, tea, and household items.
Business gift-giving: A very important occasion for business gift-giving, especially in China. Companies give gifts to clients, partners, and employees to express gratitude and good wishes for the year ahead.
Dates in 2025
Occasion
Regions
Gift-Giving Customs
Business Gift-Giving
Jan 1
New Year's Day
Worldwide
Gifts often symbolize good luck and well wishes for the year ahead. Common gifts include small tokens, food, drinks (especially champagne), gifts for the home, and personalized items.
Some businesses may give small gifts or bonuses to employees and key clients.
Second Monday of January:
Jan 13
Seijin No Hi
Japan
Celebrates young people who have reached the age of majority (20 years old). Gifts are typically given by family and relatives and often include money, traditional clothing (furisode for women, hakama for men), jewelry or watches.
Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Jan 26
The National Day of Australia
Australia
Not a traditional gift-giving occasion, however small contributions to shared gatherings might occur in informal settings.
Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Jan 29
Lunar New Year
China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and others.
Red envelopes, containing money, are the most accepted and important gifts. Other gifts include fruits, sweets, tea, and household items.
A very important occasion for business gift-giving, especially in China. Companies give gifts to clients, partners, and employees to express gratitude and good wishes for the year ahead.
Valentine’s Day – Feb 14
Regions: Worldwide
Gift-giving customes: Gifts for romantic partners often include flowers, roses, chocolates, jewelry, experiences, and personalized items.
Business gift-giving: Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Dates in 2025
Occasion
Regions
Gift-Giving Customs
Business Gift-Giving
Feb 14
Valentine's Day
Worldwide
Gifts for romantic partners often include flowers, roses, chocolates, jewelry, experiences, and personalized items.
Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Employee Appreciation Day – First Friday of March: March 7
Regions: Mostly in United States and Canada
Gift-giving customes: Small gifts of appreciation, such as gift cards, company swag, and gadgets.
Business gift-giving: Businesses show appreciation to their employees in a variety of ways: team lunches or events, verbal recognition, gifts and bonuses. ome businesses may give small gifts or bonuses to employees and key clients.
International Women’s Day – March 8
Regions: Worldwide
Gift-giving customes: In some countries, it is customary to give flowers or small gifts to women as a sign of respect and appreciation.
Business gift-giving: Some businesses may give small gifts or organize events to celebrate their female employees.
White Day – March 14
Regions: Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China
Gift-giving customes: Men give gifts to women who gave them gifts on Valentine’s Day. Traditionally, gifts were white, but now include various sweets, fashion accessories or cosmetics.
Business gift-giving: It is common for men to return gifts to female colleagues who gave them giri-choco, Japanese chocolates, on Valentin’’s Day, usually with an additional small gift.
Holi – Festival of Colors – March 17
Regions: India and surrounding countries
Gift-giving customes: The most common gifts are sweets, dried fruits, flowers, and traditional Indian snacks.
Business gift-giving: Some companies may offer small gifts for employees.
Nowruz – Beginning of the new year in the Persian calendar – March 20 – 21
Regions: Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and parts of the Balkans.
Gift-giving customes: Traditional gifts includes sweets, pastries, fruits, and gift baskets.
Business gift-giving: In some regions, it is an occasion for business gift-giving. Gifts include sweets, dried fruits, local products, or gift baskets.
Mother’s Day – March 21
Regions: Mostly countries in the Middle East, e.g. UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Lebanon, Mauritania, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
Gift-giving customes: Common gifts include flowers, chocolates, perfumes, jewelry, household items, and experiences.
Business gift-giving: Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Dates in 2025
Occasion
Regions
Gift-Giving Customs
Business Gift-Giving
First Friday of March: March 7
Employee Appreciation Day
Mostly in United States and Canada
Small gifts of appreciation, such as gift cards, company swag, and gadgets.
Businesses show appreciation to their employees in a variety of ways: team lunches or events, verbal recognition, gifts and bonuses.
March 8
International Women’s Day
Worldwide
In some countries, it is customary to give flowers or small gifts to women as a sign of respect and appreciation.
Some businesses may give small gifts or organize events to celebrate their female employees.
March 14
White Day
Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China
Men give gifts to women who gave them gifts on Valentine’s Day. Traditionally, gifts were white, but now include various sweets, fashion accessories or cosmetics.
It Is common for men to return gifts to female colleagues who gave them giri-choco, Japanese chocolates, on Valentin’'s Day, usually with an additional small gift.
March 17
Holi - Festival of Colors
India and surrounding countries
The most common gifts are sweets, dried fruits, flowers, and traditional Indian snacks.
Some companies may offer small gifts for employees.
March 20-21
Nowruz – Beginning of the new year in the Persian calendar.
Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and parts of the Balkans
Traditional gifts includes sweets, pastries, fruits, and gift baskets.
In some regions, it is an occasion for business gift-giving. Gifts include sweets, dried fruits, local products, or gift baskets.
March 21
Mother’s Day
Mostly countries in the Middle East, e.g. UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Lebanon, Mauritania, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen
Common gifts include flowers, chocolates, perfumes, jewelry, household items, and experiences.
Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Songkran (Thai New Year) – April 13 – 15
Regions: Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia
Gift-giving customes: It is common to exchange gifts that symbolize prosperity, such as fruit baskets or local handicrafts.
Business gift-giving: Less common for formal business gifts, some companies may offer small gifts as a gesture of goodwill to employees and clients.
Easter – April 22
Regions: Worldwide
Gift-giving customes: Traditions vary by region, but common gifts include chocolate eggs, Easter baskets filled with candy and small toys.
Business gift-giving: Much less common than Christmas, but some companies may give small gifts to employees.
Dates in 2025
Occasion
Regions
Gift-Giving Customs
Business Gift-Giving
April 13-15
Songkran (Thai New Year)
Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia
It is common to exchange gifts that symbolize prosperity, such as fruit baskets or local handicrafts.
Less common for formal business gifts, some companies may offer small gifts as a gesture of goodwill to employees and clients.
April 22
Easter
Worldwide
Traditions vary by region, but common gifts include chocolate eggs, Easter baskets filled with candy and small toys.
Much less common than Christmas, but some companies may give small gifts to employees.
Parents’ Day – May 8
Regions: South Korea
Gift-giving customes: The most traditional gifts are red carnations, along with money, gifts of health, experiences, practical gifts and cards.
Business gift-giving: Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Mother’s Day – Second Sunday in May: May 11
Regions: U.S., Canada, Australia, Singapore, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Greece, China, and many more.
Gift-giving customes: Common gifts include flowers, cards, chocolates, jewelry and experiences such as spa days or meals out.
Business gift-giving: Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Dates in 2025
Occasion
Regions
Gift-Giving Customs
Business Gift-Giving
May 8
Parents' Day
South Korea
The most traditional gifts are red carnations, along with money, gifts of health, experiences, practical gifts and cards.
Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Second Sunday in May: May 11
Mother's Day
U.S., Canada, Australia, Singapore, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Greece, China, and many more.
Common gifts include flowers, cards, chocolates, jewelry and experiences such as spa days or meals out.
Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
May 31
Dragon Boat Festival - People race dragon boats and eat zongzi
China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and other Asian countries
Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) are the most traditional gift given to family, friends, and colleagues. Other gifts may include fruit or perfumed sachets.
Less common than other occasions, but some businesses may business gifts. Companies may give boxes of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) to employees or business partners.
International Children’s Day – June 1
Regions: Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Russia, Vietnam and Yemen.
Gift-giving customes: The focus on children’s rights and well-being. Common gifts often include toys, sweets, books, special activities and donations to children’s charities.
Business gift-giving: Businesses in these regions may offer special promotions for children or donate to children’s charities.
Children’s Day – Second Sunday in June: June 8
Regions: U.S.
Gift-giving customes: Usual gifts are toys, sweets, books, and special activities and donations to children’s charities.
Business gift-giving: Less common for business gift-giving. Some businesses might offer promotions or participate in community events.
Father’s Day – Third Sunday in June: June 15
Regions: U.S., Canada, U.K., France, Hong Kong, India, India, Japan, Mexico, and many more.
Gift-giving customes: Common gifts include tools, gadgets, experiences, clothing, personal care items, as well as food and drink.
Business gift-giving: Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Juneteenth – June 19
Regions: U.S.
Gift-giving customes: While still a relatively new federal holiday, it’s becoming more common to exchange gifts that celebrate Black culture and history.
Business gift-giving: Some businesses may acknowledge Juneteenth with internal events or by supporting related causes, but gift-giving is not common.
Dates in 2025
Occasion
Regions
Gift-Giving Customs
Business Gift-Giving
June 1
International Children’s Day
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Russia, Vietnam and Yemen
The focus on children's rights and well-being. Common gifts often include toys, sweets, books, special activities and donations to children’s charities.
Businesses in these regions may offer special promotions for children or donate to children's charities.
Second Sunday in June: June 8
Children’s Day
U.S.
Usual gifts are toys, sweets, books, and special activities and donations to children’s charities.
Less common for business gift-giving. Some businesses might offer promotions or participate in community events.
Third Sunday in June: June 15
Father's Day
U.S., Canada, U.K., France, Hong Kong, India, India, Japan, Mexico and many more
Common gifts include tools, gadgets, experiences, clothing, personal care items, as well as food and drink.
Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
June 19
Juneteenth
U.S.
While still a relatively new federal holiday, it's becoming more common to exchange gifts that celebrate Black culture and history.
Some businesses may acknowledge Juneteenth with internal events or by supporting related causes, but gift-giving is not common.
Independence Day – July 4
Regions: U.S.
Gift-giving customes: Not traditionally a gift-giving holiday, but small patriotic items or gifts for barbecues/cookouts might be exchanged within families or among close friends.
Business gift-giving: Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Dates in 2025
Occasion
Regions
Gift-Giving Customs
Business Gift-Giving
July 4
Independence Day - Commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence
U.S.
Not traditionally a gift-giving holiday, but small patriotic items or gifts for barbecues/cookouts might be exchanged within families or among close friends.
Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Raksha Bandhan – Celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters – Aug 9
Regions: India and some South Asian countries.
Gift-giving customes: Sisters tie a Rakhi on their brothers’ wrists, and brothers give their sisters gifts in return. Common gifts include sweets, dry fruits, money, clothes, and jewelry.
Business gift-giving: Not typically an occasion for business gift-giving, except in very close colleague relationships.
Obon – a Buddhist festival honoring ancestors – Aug 13 – 16
Regions: Japan
Gift-giving customes: Traditional gifts include food, beverages, and household goods.
Business gift-giving: Obon and Seibo are major business gift-giving occasions in Japan.
Dates in 2025
Occasion
Regions
Gift-Giving Customs
Business Gift-Giving
Aug 9
Raksha Bandhan - Celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters
India and some South Asian countries
Sisters tie a Rakhi on their brothers' wrists, and brothers give their sisters gifts in return. Common gifts include sweets, dry fruits, money, clothes, and jewelry.
Not typically an occasion for business gift-giving, except in very close colleague relationships.
Aug 13-16
Obon - a Buddhist festival honoring ancestors
Japan
Traditional gifts include food, beverages, and household goods.
Obon and Seibo are major business gift-giving occasions in Japan.
Heritage Day – Sept 24
Regions: South Africa
Gift-giving customes: Heritage Day recognizes and celebrates the country’s cultural heritage. Small gifts are exchanged and shared meals are shared on this day.
Business gift-giving: Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Dates in 2025
Occasion
Regions
Gift-Giving Customs
Business Gift-Giving
Sept 24
Heritage Day
South Africa
Heritage Day recognizes and celebrates the country’s cultural heritage. Small gifts are exchanged and shared meals are shared on this day.
Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Thanksgiving – Second Monday in October: Oct 13
Regions: Canada
Gift-giving customes: It’s expected to bring a small gift for a person hosting the Thanksgiving dinner (e.g. wine, flowers, or a dessert).
Business gift-giving: Not an occasion for business gift-giving.
Mid-Autumn Festival – A harvest festival celebrated in Chinese culture – Oct 6
Regions: China, Vietnam
Gift-giving customes: Traditional gifts are mooncakes and fruit baskets.
Business gift-giving: Companies often give mooncakes to employees and clients.
Diwali (Deepavali) – Hindu Festival of Lightse – Oct 20
Regions: India and surrounding countries, Singapore, Malaysia
Gift-giving customes: This day celebrates the victory of good over the evil. Traditional gifts are jewelry, anything gold. Other common gifts include sweets, dried fruits, home décor, and clothes.
Business gift-giving: The most important time for business gifting in India.
Halloween – Oct 31
Regions: Celebrated in many Western countries, particularly the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Ireland.
Gift-giving customes: Children go “trick-or-treating” for candy.
Business gift-giving: Not an occasion for giving business gifts
Dates in 2025
Occasion
Regions
Gift-Giving Customs
Business Gift-Giving
Second Monday in October: Oct 13
Thanksgiving
Canada
It's expected to bring a small gift for a person hosting the Thanksgiving dinner (e.g. wine, flowers, or a dessert).
Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Oct 6
Mid-Autumn Festival - A harvest festival
China, Vietnam
Traditional gifts are mooncakes and fruit baskets.
Companies often give mooncakes to employees and clients.
Oct 20
Diwali (Deepavali) – Hindu Festival of Lights
India and surrounding countries, Singapore, Malaysia
This day celebrates the victory of good over the evil. Traditional gifts are jewelry, anything gold. Other common gifts include sweets, dried fruits, home décor, and clothes.
The most important time for business gifting in India.
Oct 31
Halloween
Celebrated in many Western countries, particularly the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Ireland
Children go “trick-or-treating” for candy.
Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
“Día de los Muertos”: Day of the Dead – Nov 1 – 2
Regions: Mexico and parts of Latin America
Gift-giving customes: Traditional gifts include food and symbolic items to honor the deceased.
Business gift-giving: Not an occasion for business gift-giving.
Thanksgiving – Fourth Thursday in November: Nov 27
Regions: U.S.
Gift-giving customes: It is customary to bring a small gift for a person hosting the Thanksgiving dinner. (e.g. wine, flowers, or a dessert).
Business gift-giving: Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Universal Children’s Day – Nov 20
Regions: Canada, Middle Eastern countries, South Africa, Greece, Spain, France, Israel, Malaysia.
Gift-giving customes: People might give small gifts, do something fun together, or just enjoy quality time together.
Business gift-giving: Some businesses may use this day to promote children’s products or support children’s charities.
Dates in 2025
Occasion
Regions
Gift-Giving Customs
Business Gift-Giving
Nov 1-2
Día de los Muertos - Day of the Dead
Mexico and parts of Latin America
Traditional gifts include food and symbolic items to honor the deceased.
Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Fourth Thursday in November: Nov 27
Thanksgiving
U.S.
It is customary to bring a small gift for a person hosting the Thanksgiving dinner. (e.g. wine, flowers, or a dessert).
Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Nov 20
Universal Children’s Day
Canada, Middle Eastern countries, South Africa, Greece, Spain, France, Israel, Malaysia
People might give small gifts, do something fun together, or just enjoy quality time together.
Some businesses may use this day to promote children's products or support children's charities.
Saint Nicholas Day – Dec 6
Regions: Europe, (the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Eastern European countries).
Gift-giving customes: Traditional gifts often include sweets and candies (chocolate, gingerbread, marzipan), small toys and trinkets, or fruits (especially oranges and mandarins).
Business gift-giving: Less common than Christmas. Gifts may be given to close business partners.
Hanukkah – Jewish festival of lights – Dec 14 – 22
Regions: Worldwide (dates vary)
Gift-giving customes: Traditional gifts are small amounts of money (gelt) for children. Today, this often takes the form of chocolate coins wrapped in gold or silver foil.
Business gift-giving: It’s becoming more common for businesses with Jewish employees or clients to acknowledge Hanukkah with a small gift or gesture.
Christmas – Dec 25
Regions: Worldwide
Gift-giving customes: Gifts of all kinds among family and friends.
Business gift-giving: Common for businesses to give gifts to employees, clients, and partners.
Kwanzaa – Celebrated mainly in the United States within African-American communities – Dec 26 – Jan 1
Regions: U.S.
Gift-giving customes: Gifts (Zawadi) are traditionally given on the last day (January 1st). They should be meaningful and reflect the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Gifts often include books, heritage symbols, homemade items or food.
Business gift-giving: Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
Dates in 2025
Occasion
Regions
Gift-Giving Customs
Business Gift-Giving
Dec 6
Saint Nicholas Day
Europe, (the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Eastern European countries)
Traditional gifts often include sweets and candies (chocolate, gingerbread, marzipan), small toys and trinkets, or fruits (especially oranges and mandarins).
Less common than Christmas. Gifts may be given to close business partners.
Dec 14-22
Hanukkah - Jewish festival of lights
Worldwide (dates vary)
Traditional gifts are small amounts of money (gelt) for children. Today, this often takes the form of chocolate coins wrapped in gold or silver foil.
It's becoming more common for businesses with Jewish employees or clients to acknowledge Hanukkah with a small gift or gesture.
Dec 25
Christmas
Worldwide
Gifts of all kinds among family and friends.
Common for businesses to give gifts to employees, clients, and partners.
Dec 26-Jan 1
Kwanzaa - Celebrated mainly in the United States within African-American communities
U.S.
Gifts (Zawadi) are traditionally given on the last day (January 1st). They should be meaningful and reflect the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Gifts often include books, heritage symbols, homemade items or food.
Not an occasion for giving business gifts.
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