Many men believe the best way to honor women on March 8 is to give something the recipient actually wants. This view emerged from a survey conducted by AlfaStrakhovanie and analyzed by socialbites.ca, which explored how Russians celebrate the holiday and what gifts are most valued.
The survey shows that the most common choice is to give what the woman herself desires, a sentiment shared by 32.9 percent of respondents. Flowers are seen as a suitable gift by 18 percent, while 11.8 percent opt for perfume. Sweets appeal to 9 percent, and clothing or accessories plus a romantic dinner each attract 6 percent of those surveyed.
When it comes to whether men should offer congratulations on March 8, the majority—54.8 percent—do so. About one third never offer congratulations, and 13.3 percent do not always extend well wishes to the women around them.
Asked to name the people they most often congratulate, the respondents pointed to mothers at 39 percent and spouses at 34 percent. Sisters and other relatives account for 21.6 percent, grandmothers for 14 percent, and the spouse again at 15.2 percent. Colleagues are celebrated by 13.4 percent, and female clients or customers by 3.5 percent. Some respondents, about 6.3 percent, even extend congratulations to ex-girlfriends and former partners.
The survey also reveals attitudes toward the price of flowers and gifts on the eve of March 8. Twenty-one percent report that prices are very high, while 19 percent associate the holiday with the arrival of spring despite the lingering cold. Seventeen point seven percent link the day to flower arrangements, and 10 percent describe it as a time of obedience to men.
Regarding typical spending, 67 percent of men purchase gifts for colleagues within the 500 to 1,000 rubles range. The most common spending in this category falls under the 39.8 percent mark for gifts to colleagues of modest value.
For gifts to close women, 26.3 percent are prepared to spend up to 1,000 rubles on flowers and presents. A similar share, 24.7 percent, plan to invest from 5,000 to 7,000 rubles, while 7,000 to 10,000 rubles is a budget for 17.7 percent. A surprising 17 percent show a willingness to allocate more for special gifts, and the rest fall into other ranges.
When it comes to timing, most do not plan far in advance. About a quarter start thinking a week ahead, and 19 percent begin a few days before the event. Preferences for gift ideas vary: 26 percent give exactly what is requested to avoid any hassle, 23.5 percent seek a creative gift that matches the recipient’s taste, 17 percent consult their partners to please the woman, 12.5 percent look for inspiration from bloggers, and 11.3 percent browse online collections for ideas.
In the cultural landscape, there are mentions of films that portray women as the more feminine side of life, reflecting broader social attitudes about gender and gift-giving—but those are observations outside the core data on spending and preferences.
Overall, the survey paints a picture of practical, personal gifting in which understanding the recipient’s preferences often trumps tradition or price alone. The emphasis is on thoughtful, tailored gestures that celebrate the woman rather than merely marking a calendar date.