Father’s Day is unlocking new growth potential in the UAE gifting market, which is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.7% through 2029. A rising relevance mirrors the holiday’s rising economic impact globally, with the market expected to reach a record $24 billion last year.
Father’s Day is emerging as one of the most promising summer gifting occasions in the UAE, outpacing other family celebrations as demand around the holiday continues to rise. New data from Udora, a UAE-based gifting marketplace, reveals a more than 120% surge in gifting sales over the past year and a shift in purchasing habits behind it: one of the country's most traditional holidays is now increasingly driven by more personal and affordable gifting choices rather than practical and expensive gifts alone.
In recent years, Father’s Day demonstrated consistent and strong performance, confirming its significance as one of the key seasonal shopping moments, closely tied to UAE culture and traditions. According to Udora, last year, demand for gifts surged by +121% in GMV and +124% in order volume. Among family-related occasions last year, Father’s Day showed the fastest growth pace — almost 1.5 times higher than other major holidays like Mother’s Day. This year, despite inflation, Udora forecasts a 50% increase in Father’s Day sales.
Despite the central role fathers play in UAE family life and the overall cultural significance of the occasion, gifts for fathers remain defined more by affordability and emotional value than by price. In 2025, average order value was down just 3% YoY to AED 261 ($71) and remained approximately 26% lower than on other major holidays such as Mother’s Day, where AOV reached AED 330 ($90). The figures suggest that participation in the occasion is growing, while consumers increasingly celebrate Father’s Day through thoughtful gestures and shared moments.
The Father's Day basket gets personal
Gifting patterns suggest that growth is no longer concentrated in traditional practical and functional gifts alone. Instead, UAE shoppers increasingly choose products associated with shared experiences, family moments and emotional expression. According to Udora’s analysis, flowers and confectionery were the most in-demand gift options for Father’s Day with growth up 123% and 31% accordingly. Among fastest-growing subcategories were cakes, hampers, pastry — options that fit naturally within family moments.
The same pattern appears in how gifts are inscribed: personalized card messages accompanied Father's Day orders, which signals an intent that goes beyond the gift itself.
At Udora, we observe that people are moving from simply buying gifts to creating moments. This shift is also changing the rules of the game for the entire market, as brands need to become part of the emotions and family moments that give customers a reason to choose them over others. That is why our goal goes beyond selling products.
— said Slava Bogdan, CEO and Founder of Udora.
This more emotionally driven behaviour also sits within the UAE family-first context, where the father figure traditionally holds a central place in family life. The occasion tends to centre on shared time — meals together, family outings, gatherings at home, where confectionery items serve as a part of the celebration.
Why personalization now drives the choice
The rise of emotional gifting reflects a broader market shift toward personalization in the UAE, where consumers increasingly seek gifts that feel more thoughtful and personally relevant.
This tendency is especially visible in younger consumers. Many mark Father's Day for their own fathers, and they lean more toward gifts that carry personal meaning. According to Udora's 2025 UAE survey of 1,500 respondents, 90% of Gen Z see a gift as a sign of attention, valuing thoughtfulness over pure utility. With 50% of the UAE population under 35, they remain tied to family tradition while shaping gifting culture through a focus on personalization, digital-first experiences, and emotional meaning.
The broader market reflects the same behaviour. This year, early signals from Google Trends show Father’s Day-related searches have tripled one month before the holiday, pointing to more deliberate purchasing behaviour that often translates into more thoughtful gift choices rather than default purchases.
What’s next for Father’s Day in the UAE
This growing demand for more personal and deliberate gifting choices creates significant growth potential for Father’s Day as a commercial occasion in the UAE. Against the backdrop of a UAE gifting market projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.7% through 2029, the segment around the holiday remains relatively underdeveloped despite rising consumer interest. This opens a clear opportunity for local businesses to scale assortment depth and strengthen their positioning through more accessible gifting options that remain aligned with family values, while placing stronger emphasis on personalization and relevance.
News Source: Udora
