---
title: "69% of Ukrainians with relatives abroad receive gifts from them: what is most often sent and when"
description: "Info Sapiens and bodo study (August 2026): 69% of Ukrainians with loved ones abroad receive gifts from them. Food and sweets lead, but 60% want impressions — rest, SPA, and family programs."
date: 2026-09-24T15:40:01.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/gifts-from-abroad-to-ukrainians-info-sapiens-study
tags: [ukraine-war, gifts, diaspora, family-bonds, survey-2026]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# 69% of Ukrainians with relatives abroad receive gifts from them: what is most often sent and when

![A person holds a birthday cake with a lit candle during a video call with a relative abroad, with a red gift box nearby — illustration for an article on gifts from family overseas](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/24/podarki-iz-za-granitsy-ukraincam-issledovanie-info-sapiens/podarki-iz-za-granitsy-ukraincam-issledovanie-info-sapiens-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- 83% of surveyed Ukrainians have loved ones abroad; 69% of them receive gifts from them at least occasionally
- The main occasions are birthdays (58%) and New Year (37%), but 46% receive gifts without an occasion
- Most often sent are food and sweets (53%), clothing (40%), and money (35%)
- 60% respond positively to impression gifts: country-house rest (32%), family programs (28%), SPA (20%)

The war has turned distance into an everyday reality for thousands of Ukrainian families. Loved ones and friends have ended up in different countries, meetings have become rare, yet the need for support and a sense of closeness has not disappeared. In addition to phone calls and messenger messages, gifts have become a lasting expression of care across the distance. This is evidenced by the results of a study conducted by Info Sapiens together with the bodo brand and published by RBC-Ukraine in September 2026.

### The scale of connections with loved ones abroad

According to the survey data, 83% of respondents have close relatives, friends, or acquaintances living abroad with whom they maintain contact at least from time to time. This shows that diaspora connections have become not the exception but the norm for the vast majority of Ukrainian families. Among those who do have such loved ones, 69% receive gifts from them at least occasionally. Most often, deliveries happen several times a year or once a year — that is, not on a weekly basis, but not as a one-off episode either.

### Occasions and frequency: birthdays lead, but "just because" is almost half

The most common occasion for a gift from abroad remains the birthday: 58% of respondents who receive something from abroad get gifts on this date. Another 37% mentioned New Year or Christmas as a typical moment for receiving a surprise. However, the figure that stands out to researchers is that 46% of those surveyed receive gifts without a specific occasion. This indicates that care across the distance is increasingly not tied to a calendar date: an unexpected delivery, an impression, or a small surprise has become a way to support a person after a tough week, to remind them of you, or simply to create a pleasant moment in the routine.

### What is most often sent: food, clothing, and money

In terms of gift structure, food and sweets lead — 53% of recipients reported them. In second place is clothing or footwear (40%), in third — money (35%). Souvenirs are mentioned by 24% of respondents. The list of gifts from abroad also includes cosmetics, household appliances, medicines, and vitamins. This structure reflects the pragmatic nature of the support: loved ones abroad try to meet basic needs or provide what is lacking in everyday life under wartime conditions.

### Impression gifts: 60% in favor of rest, SPA, and master classes

At the same time, researchers emphasize: a gift does not have to be a physical object. 60% of those surveyed respond positively to the possibility of receiving an impression or service from a loved one in Ukraine — rest, SPA, a master class, dinner, or entertainment. Among the most desired impression gifts, Ukrainians named a country-house holiday or a trip (32%), family experiences (28%), and the ability to choose a gift themselves within a set amount (25%). Another 20% are interested in SPA, massage, or self-care. This format of gift can be ordered online from any country and sent to a person in Ukraine. It not only helps maintain an emotional connection but also gives loved ones the chance to rest, spend time with family, or gain a new positive experience when an in-person meeting is impossible.

### Methodology and data limitations

The study was conducted by Info Sapiens in August 2026 using the online interview method. The survey involved 1099 respondents aged 18 to 65. The data reflect the attitudes and practices specifically of those Ukrainians who have loved ones abroad and maintain regular contact with them. It should be noted that the sample is limited to the online audience, and the study itself is descriptive in nature and does not involve comparison with previous periods.

### A gift as a language of care across the distance

When meeting in person is impossible, a gift becomes a simple yet meaningful way to say: "I think of you, I support you, and I remain close despite the distance." In a situation where a family's geography is spread across thousands of kilometers, it is precisely such gestures — from a box of sweets to a certificate for a country-house holiday — that become the invisible threads keeping family and friendship bonds intact.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Gifts during the war: how Ukrainians maintain connections with loved ones across the distance](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/podarunki-pid-chas-viyni-k-ukrayintsi-pidtrimuyut-1789732602.html) - Первичный источник публикации исследования Info Sapiens и bodo. Все цифры (83%, 69%, 58%, 37%, 46%, 53%, 40%, 35%, 24%, 60%, 32%, 28%, 25%, 20%) и методология (1099 респондентов, 18–65 лет, август 2026, онлайн-интервью) взяты из данного материала.
- [Ukrainians abroad are increasingly less inclined to return home — study](https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/12/18/8012463/) - Касается настроений диаспоры относительно возвращения (декабрь 2025). Не содержит данных о подарках или частоте связи. Использован только как общий контекст темы диаспоры.
- [Corruption or war? In a KIIS survey, Ukrainians answered what they consider the greater threat](https://news.liga.net/society/news/kmis-2) - Опрос КМИС по восприятию угроз. Не связан с темой подарков и семейных связей на расстоянии.
- [Ukrainians shared their opinion on when the war will end — survey results](https://www.unian.net/society/kogda-zakonchitsya-voyna-ukraincy-podelilis-prognozom-13463433.html) - Прогнозы украинцев о сроках окончания войны. Не содержит данных, подтверждающих или опровергающих статистику исследования Info Sapiens.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: How many Ukrainians with loved ones abroad receive gifts from them?
**A:** According to the Info Sapiens and bodo study (August 2026), among those who have loved ones abroad, 69% receive gifts from them at least occasionally. Most often this happens several times a year or once a year.

### Q: What is most often sent to Ukrainians from abroad?
**A:** Food and sweets lead (53% of recipients), followed by clothing or footwear (40%), money (35%), and souvenirs (24%). Cosmetics, appliances, medicines, and vitamins are also given.

### Q: What is the most common occasion for a gift from abroad?
**A:** Birthday — 58% of respondents receive gifts specifically on this date. New Year or Christmas is mentioned by 37%. At the same time, 46% receive gifts without a specific occasion.

### Q: What are impression gifts and who is interested in them?
**A:** These are services and experiences that can be ordered online: country-house rest (32%), family experiences (28%), choosing a gift yourself within a set amount (25%), SPA or massage (20%). 60% of those surveyed respond positively to this format.

### Q: How was the study conducted?
**A:** The Info Sapiens study was conducted in August 2026 using the online interview method. 1099 respondents aged 18 to 65 took part. The results were published by RBC-Ukraine.