What is Gift Fest? Telegram’s Latest Trending Mini-app

Gift Fest has emerged as a seasonal mini-app within Telegram, drawing millions of users through its blend of casual gameplay and prize opportunities. Launched in late November 2025, the app centers on a holiday-themed festival where participants collect, merge, and level up virtual gifts to enter raffles. 

Built on the TON blockchain and tied to the DOGS project, which gained attention in 2024 for tap-to-earn mechanics, Gift Fest offers a straightforward way for Telegram users to engage without needing extra downloads or registrations. Players simply open the app via a bot link and start interacting, making it accessible for anyone with the messaging platform.

The app's appeal lies in its simplicity combined with real rewards, echoing past viral trends on Telegram while introducing fresh elements like merge puzzles. As the year winds down, Gift Fest positions itself as a timely distraction, complete with daily tasks and community-driven progression. With the final draw set for December 29, 2025, it encourages consistent play to maximize chances.

Rapid User Growth and Milestones

Since its debut, Gift Fest has seen impressive adoption. Within weeks, it surpassed 1.5 million monthly users, and recent figures show it climbing past 2.1 million. Daily influxes hover around 100,000 new participants, building on early momentum that included nearly 50,000 prizes distributed shortly after launch. One standout raffle, focused on tokenized U.S. stocks through Telegram's Wallet, attracted over 300,000 entries alone.

This growth aligns with Telegram's ecosystem, where mini-apps have become a hub for interactive experiences. Partners like STON.fi, Catizen, and DOGS have integrated challenges, boosting visibility across TON's decentralized finance network. The app's free-to-play model, requiring no upfront costs, has helped it spread quickly among users seeking light entertainment during the holidays.

How Does Gift Fest Work? Core Gameplay and Progression

At its heart, Gift Fest revolves around a merge mechanic that turns gift collection into a puzzle-like loop. Players begin with a limited energy pool, capped at 25 units, which regenerates over time. Tapping the "Get Gift" button uses energy to acquire random gift icons, such as wrapped presents or holiday items. Dragging identical icons together merges them, earning experience points (XP) and stars while freeing up board space for more collections.

Daily tasks, like completing partner challenges or inviting friends, provide additional XP and energy boosts. Referrals are key; each successful invite increases the energy cap, allowing for longer sessions and faster leveling. Levels unlock access to higher-tier raffles, with progress tied directly to activity. The app ends on December 28, 2025, so building levels early improves odds in the culminating New Year draw.

For those new to it, the interface might feel cluttered at first, but tutorials guide users through merging and task navigation. Everything happens within Telegram, leveraging its seamless integration for quick sessions that fit into chats or downtime.

Prizes, Raffles, and Rewards

The draw of Gift Fest comes from its $400,000 prize pool, spread across 100,000 gifts. Weekly raffles offer items like AirPods 4, exclusive promo codes, and Telegram Stars, which can be used for in-app purchases or traded. Higher-value prizes, including the iPhone 17 Pro Max, 3,000 USDT, and tokenized assets like digital gold or U.S. stocks, appear in special draws. Wins are random, but more entries from advanced levels tip the scales.

Unlike direct cash giveaways, prizes emphasize digital and physical collectibles, fitting Telegram's push toward integrated gifting. Participants track progress in-app, with notifications for raffle results adding to the excitement. To join, users open t.me/giftfest_bot and follow prompts, ensuring they complete daily actions to stay eligible.

Echoes of Tap-to-Earn and the Road to 2026

Tap-to-earn games exploded on Telegram in 2024, with projects like DOGS drawing crowds through simple interactions and token rewards. Gift Fest builds on that foundation, shifting from endless tapping to merging and tasks, which adds strategy without complexity. This evolution could signal a revival for mini-apps, especially as TON expands with tools for developers.

As 2026 approaches, Gift Fest's success suggests sustained interest in Telegram's ecosystem for casual, rewarding experiences. If user numbers hold, it might inspire more seasonal events, blending gaming with blockchain perks. For now, it provides a fun entry point for exploring TON, where actions like merging gifts lead to tangible outcomes.

Sources:

• _{TON on Telegram: Official TON ecosystem announcement highlighting Gift Fest and related Telegram mini-app activity.}
• _{STON.fi on X: Partner update detailing STON.fi’s integration and challenges within the Gift Fest mini-app ecosystem.}