Gift-giving has always been a deeply human act a way to express affection, mark milestones, or simply say, “I’m thinking of you.” But as our lives have moved online, the idea of gifting has followed suit. From e-cards and virtual gift cards to emoji-laden messages and social media shoutouts, digital gifting has tried to keep up with the speed and convenience of our connected lives. Yet something’s often been missing: real emotion.
In 2025, we’re finally witnessing a transformation that bridges that gap. Video messages have emerged not just as a form of communication, but as a meaningful evolution of the digital gift. They’re becoming the new standard for heartfelt moments, and it’s no longer about what you give it’s how you make someone feel.
A Shift Toward Emotional Authenticity
For years, the digital gifting space was dominated by convenience. Quick, clickable options ruled: a song sent over Spotify, an Amazon voucher, a last-minute emoji-filled birthday text. But that convenience came at a cost. These gestures often felt impersonal, fleeting, and empty.
What people began to crave, especially after the isolation brought on by global events in the early 2020s, wasn’t something easy it was something real. They wanted to see someone’s face, hear their voice, feel their sincerity. Video messages answered that need. Suddenly, a short clip from a loved one felt more valuable than any package in the mail.
We no longer needed to perform emotional labor to make a moment meaningful. We just needed to show up honestly, simply, on camera.
Why Video Became the New Digital Gift
It’s not that video messages are brand new. We’ve been sending them in some form for years. But the tools and context have changed. In 2025, the platforms built around video gifting are smarter, sleeker, and designed for emotional resonance not just media sharing.
We’ve entered an age where attention is currency. A person taking a minute to look into the camera, speak directly to you, and share a thought or feeling that’s a gift in itself. It’s intimate. It’s human. It lingers.
What makes this shift especially powerful is the growing ecosystem of platforms that are making video gifting intuitive and personal. One of the most notable is Folksee, a platform built specifically around spontaneous, emotion-driven video messages. Instead of emphasizing likes or followers, it emphasizes presence. You tap, record, and send. There’s no pressure to perform, just the chance to connect meaningfully. It strips away the clutter and makes room for the message.
This kind of simplicity is redefining what we consider a gift. It’s not wrapped, it’s not purchased, but it carries more emotional weight than most physical presents ever could.
From Milestones to Micro-Moments
What’s interesting about the rise of video messages as gifts is how they’ve expanded beyond traditional occasions. Of course, birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays are still common moments to send a video, but what’s changed is the rise of everyday gestures.
People are now sending video messages just because. A “thinking of you” clip on a random Tuesday. A “you’ve got this” before a big meeting. A goodnight message from across time zones. These micro-moments, once ignored or left to a quick text, are becoming emotional touchpoints.
And as our digital lives grow noisier, these small, face-to-face messages cut through the static. They remind us that connection doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful it just has to be real.
Generational Shifts and the Normalization of Face-Forward Gifting
One of the key drivers behind the evolution of video gifting is generational. Gen Z, and especially Gen Alpha, have grown up completely at ease with front-facing cameras. For them, video is not a polished performance it’s a natural part of communication.
They’re less interested in filters and more drawn to authenticity. A funny message with a messy background holds more charm than a staged post. It feels more alive, more genuine. As these generations age into adulthood, they’re bringing this casual sincerity into how they gift.
But even older generations are catching on. The friction has been reduced to nearly zero. You no longer need to open a complicated app or schedule a video call. With platforms like Folksee, you can send a personalized video message in seconds, and the recipient can view it anytime. It’s asynchronous closeness perfect for a world that’s always on, but never in the same place at once.
Brands and the Human Touch
In a time when inboxes are overloaded and digital fatigue is very real, it’s the simplest, most human gestures that are standing out and brands are starting to notice. In 2025, we’re witnessing a quiet but powerful shift in how companies communicate with their customers: one video message at a time.
Video messages are no longer reserved for influencers or personal vlogs. They’re becoming an integral part of branding and customer experience strategies. Forward-thinking brands are stepping away from the purely transactional and leaning into something more meaningful. We’re seeing founders send personalized thank-you videos after a big launch. Customer success teams are filming birthday greetings for long-time clients. Some companies are even spotlighting community members with surprise video shoutouts, sent straight to their inbox or phone.
These aren’t high-production ads or scripted brand promotions. They’re authentic, unscripted, and often filmed with nothing more than a phone and a smile. That’s the point. These videos work not because they’re polished but because they’re personal.
This evolution reflects something much bigger than marketing trends. It taps into a growing collective fatigue with faceless, impersonal interactions. After years of chatbots, automated emails, and generic social media replies, people are craving something that feels real. We want to be seen. We want to be appreciated not just as customers, but as people.
In that context, a simple video message can do more for loyalty than any discount or promotional offer ever could. It says, “We took time for you.” It signals care, attention, and authenticity. It doesn’t just build a connection it deepens it.
Where We’re Headed
The path ahead for digital gifting is clear it’s not about being faster or flashier. It’s about being closer. Video messages have opened a new emotional lane in our online relationships. They’ve taken something we thought had to be physical a gift and made it personal again, even without the wrapping.
As platforms continue to prioritize warmth and simplicity, and as our expectations for digital connection evolve, we’ll likely see even more creative, emotionally intelligent ways to gift through screens.
But for now, a 30-second video, sent from the heart, often says more than any package ever could. And in that way, the evolution of gifting in 2025 isn’t about new technology it’s about rediscovering the old magic of looking someone in the eye and saying, “This is for you.”