Here Are the Three Apple Products You're Most Likely to Unwrap This Christmas

With such a wide array of products now available, Apple devices will be under the Christmas trees of many families this season. However, there are three that are most likely to be there.

m4 ipad pro snowflakes
According to Piper Jaffray surveys, Apple is constantly among the most desired brands among teens, appearing in 10% of all holiday wish lists, far ahead of competitors like Nike and Louis Vuitton.

AirPods

AirPods are one of the most popular tech gifts during the holidays. In a 2022 Statista survey, headphones and earbuds were ranked as the most sought-after tech gift, with 61 million U.S. adults planning to buy them during the season.

airpods 4 holiday
Given Apple's popularity and AirPods' market dominance, it's likely they make up a significant portion of these purchases. Their relatively affordable price point compared to other Apple products, combined with frequent discounts, cements their place as a top holiday gift.

Apple recently released the fourth-generation AirPods in two variants: one entry-level model for $129 and one higher-end model with active noise cancellation and wireless charging for $179, which is also likely to drive gifting around this time of year.

Apple Watch

The Apple Watch has become a go-to gift for all ages, and its popularity as a holiday gift continues to grow.

apple watch bands
According to recent data from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), 9% of Apple Watch owners reported receiving their watch as a gift during the holiday season, compared to just 2% the rest of the year.

Apple has expanded the Apple Watch lineup since 2020, adding the low-cost Apple Watch SE and the premium Apple Watch Ultra, offering three distinctly different models that cater to a wide range of users and budgets. Somewhat similar to AirPods, Apple Watches frequently see discounts and the ‌Apple Watch SE‌ starts at just $249, making it an ideal gift.

iPad

The iPad remains a popular holiday gift, particularly for families and students, thanks to its versatility and range of models catering to different needs.

ipad air black friday
CIRP data shows that 6% of ‌iPad‌ buyers received their device as a gift during the holiday season, compared to just 2% in other quarters.

The 10th generation ‌iPad‌, starting at $349, offers a highly accessible excellent entry point into Apple's tablet lineup. With its 10.9-inch display, A14 Bionic chip, and support for accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard Folio, it's a good choice for anyone seeking a low-cost, all-purpose device for entertainment or light productivity. For those looking to spend more, Apple's iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro provide additional options.

Like the AirPods and Apple Watch, the ‌iPad‌ often sees discounts in the lead up to the holiday period, ensuring that it remains one of the most popular holiday gifts.

What About iPhones and Macs?

Despite their popularity, Apple's other flagship products—the iPhone and Mac—are rarely given as gifts. CIRP data indicates that close to 0% of ‌iPhone‌ buyers and just 1% of Mac buyers received their devices as gifts during the holiday season. The reasons for this are relatively straightforward: both products are expensive, and gifting them often involves somewhat more complex buying decisions, such as signing up for carrier plans or selecting memory configurations.

What Apple devices are you gifting this holiday season? Let us know in the comments.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More

Wednesday September 3, 2025 5:33 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro: Release Date and Pre-Orders

Friday September 5, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple will be holding its annual iPhone event on Tuesday, September 9, to unveil the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Assuming that Apple sticks to its familiar pattern, the iPhone 17 series should be available to pre-order starting Friday, September 12 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time / 8 a.m. Eastern Time. The release date for the devices should be one week later, on Fr...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Coming Next Week: Eight Reasons to Upgrade

Thursday September 4, 2025 7:38 am PDT by
We're only days away from Apple's "Awe dropping" fall event scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 9 – and along with the new iPhone 17 series, we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023. By the time the Ultra 3 is unveiled, it will have been two years since the previous model arrived. The intervening period has left plenty of room for...
iPhone 16 Battery Life Feature

iOS 26's New Battery Life Mode is Limited to These iPhone Models

Wednesday September 3, 2025 1:19 pm PDT by
iOS 26 introduces an Adaptive Power Mode on the iPhone, alongside the existing Low Power Mode. Apple says Adaptive Power Mode can make "performance adjustments" when necessary to extend an iPhone's battery life, including slightly lowering the display brightness, allowing some activities to "take longer," and automatically turning on Low Power Mode when the iPhone's remaining battery life...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro's Biggest Design Mystery is Finally Solved

Friday September 5, 2025 9:33 am PDT by
Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 17 series in just four days from now, and the biggest design mystery surrounding the Pro models has finally been solved. In a report outlining his expectations for Apple's event next week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the iPhone 17 Pro models will have "a new cutout area on the bottom two-thirds of the phone that doubles as the wireless charging area."...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of Apple Event Next Week

Tuesday September 2, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices. Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 16 $799 iPhone 17 ...
iPhone 17 AIR Loud Feature

iPhone 17 Air Could Start at $1,099 With 256GB Storage, 1TB for $1,499

Thursday September 4, 2025 2:54 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Air will have a $1,099 starting price providing 256GB of base storage and will max out at $1,499 with a 1TB option, according to the latest TrendForce report. Apple will offer three price/storage tiers for the all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model, which replaces last year's iPhone 16 Plus in the lineup. Here's how TrendForce sees them breaking down: 256GB — $1099...

Top Rated Comments

TravelsInBlue Avatar
9 months ago
I cringe each time I visit my mom and she goes to pull out an 11 year old MacBook to do something, so this year she’s getting a 15” MacBook Air to replace it with ?
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DocMultimedia Avatar
9 months ago
I get to unwrap a Mini I bought for myself. Arrives Friday. Can't wait.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pdaholic Avatar
9 months ago
Awww man, I thought Santa was gonna bring me a Vision Pro…

Update 12/25: all I got was an apple polishing cloth and a note that said “naughty.”
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
davide_eu Avatar
9 months ago
A

('https://www.macrumors.com/2024/12/24/three-apple-products-likely-to-unwrap-this-christmas/')

With such a wide array of products now available, Apple devices will be under the Christmas trees of many families this season. However, there are three that are most likely to be there.



According to Piper Jaffray ('https://www.statista.com/chart/20055/items-brands-most-often-mentioned-as-a-top-item-on-teens-holiday-wishlist/') surveys, Apple is constantly among the most desired brands among teens, appearing in 10% of all holiday wish lists, far ahead of competitors like Nike and Louis Vuitton.

AirPods

AirPods are one of the most popular tech gifts during the holidays. In a 2022 Statista survey ('https://www.statista.com/statistics/1350738/top-tech-gifts-by-number-of-buyers-us/'), headphones and earbuds were ranked as the most sought-after tech gift, with 61 million U.S. adults planning to buy them during the season.



Given Apple's popularity and AirPods' market dominance, it's likely they make up a significant portion of these purchases. Their relatively affordable price point compared to other Apple products, combined with frequent discounts ('https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/best-apple-deals/#airpods'), cements their place as a top holiday gift.

Apple recently released the fourth-generation AirPods in two variants ('https://www.macrumors.com/guide/airpods-4-vs-airpods-4-with-anc-buyers-guide-which-should-you-choose/'): one entry-level model for $129 and one higher-end model with active noise cancellation and wireless charging for $179, which is also likely to drive gifting around this time of year.

Apple Watch

The Apple Watch has become a go-to gift for all ages, and its popularity as a holiday gift continues to grow.



According to recent data ('https://cirpapple.substack.com/p/holiday-iphones-ipads-and-macs-maybe') from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), 9% of Apple Watch owners reported receiving their watch as a gift during the holiday season, compared to just 2% the rest of the year.

Apple has expanded the Apple Watch lineup since 2020, adding the low-cost Apple Watch SE and the premium Apple Watch Ultra, offering three distinctly different models that cater to a wide range of users and budgets. Somewhat similar to AirPods, Apple Watches frequently see discounts ('https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/best-apple-deals/#apple_watch') and the Apple Watch SE starts at just $249, making it an ideal gift.

iPad

The iPad remains a popular holiday gift, particularly for families and students, thanks to its versatility and range of models catering to different needs.



CIRP data shows that 6% of iPad buyers received their device as a gift during the holiday season, compared to just 2% in other quarters.

The 10th generation iPad, starting at $349, offers a highly accessible excellent entry point into Apple's tablet lineup. With its 10.9-inch display, A14 Bionic chip, and support for accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard Folio, it's a good choice for anyone seeking a low-cost, all-purpose device for entertainment or light productivity. For those looking to spend more, Apple's iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro provide additional options.

Like the AirPods and Apple Watch, the iPad often sees discounts ('https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/best-apple-deals/#ipad') in the lead up to the holiday period, ensuring that it remains one of the most popular holiday gifts.

What About iPhones and Macs?

Despite their popularity, Apple's other flagship products—the iPhone and Mac—are rarely given as gifts. CIRP data indicates that close to 0% of iPhone buyers and just 1% of Mac buyers received their devices as gifts during the holiday season. The reasons for this are relatively straightforward: both products are expensive, and gifting them often involves somewhat more complex buying decisions, such as signing up for carrier plans or selecting memory configurations.

What Apple devices are you gifting this holiday season? Let us know in the comments.

Article Link: Here Are the Three Apple Products You're Most Likely to Unwrap This Christmas ('https://www.macrumors.com/2024/12/24/three-apple-products-likely-to-unwrap-this-christmas/')
A device? No thank you, I'm happy I should receive a quick trip on the snow, to ski... I prefer experiences over devices...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zarmanto Avatar
9 months ago
I gifted an iPad to my grandson for Christmas this year, and I gifted a MacBook to my wife for our anniversary, earlier this year.

(Then my wife went and asked me to get her something even more expensive, for Christmas... guess that's what I get for setting a precedent, eh?)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hanschien Avatar
9 months ago
I got my dad the APP2 with the new hearing assistance update. I stopped by my parents to drop off their gifts (iPad 10 for mom) and set up everything. Dad took the hearing test, and the results showed moderate hearing loss in the left ear and severe hearing loss in the right ear. I was worried that the hearing aid wouldn’t help much with the right ear. But guess what? Later tonight, at a busy and loud restaurant, my dad was able to hear and have conversations at normal speaking levels. Best $160 I’ve ever spent…
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)