In the UK, the gift card and voucher industry is estimated to be worth £5.6 billion a year, and in 2015, sales of gift cards in the US hit $130 billion. But with mobile tech transforming the way we browse and shop, how is the traditional model adapting? And how will people give in the future?

Back in 2013, Harvey Nichols encouraged people to buy a little something for their loved ones so they could buy a bigger something for themselves. And this self-gifting mentality is here to stay, especially for Gen Y, who are big on treating themselves during the holidays.

Been for a run? Have a Mars bar. Donated to charity? Splurge on a dress. A growing body of research has highlighted an interesting quirk of human behaviour – moral licensing. Dr. Paul Conway, who studies the psychology of morality, explains to Canvas8 how good actions license bad behaviour.

No longer filled with an orange and some candy, Christmas stockings have become an appetiser to the main unwrapping event, boasting premium items like designer socks, gift cards and collectibles. With greater importance now placed on these smaller gifts, how can brands maximise their impact?