Last month, we shared our Holiday Decor predictions to help set the festive mood, and now we’re back to forecast what we suspect will be on everyone’s gift lists this year.
But like PWC’s Holiday Outlook Report notes, “For retailers, one-size-fits-all strategies no longer apply. The opportunity isn’t to push more. It’s to meet people where they are with precision.” As the values, passions, likes, and dislikes of your customer base not only diverge between generations, they can also shift at a moment’s notice—from the swipe of a TikTok video to the release of a new kids’ show on Netflix. Getting to know your shoppers and how their emotions drive spending is more important than ever. If you can show them that you’re listening, and not just cutting prices on discount days, you have a chance to drive real long-term loyalty, which will serve you even after the holiday season is over.
Let’s dig into our forecasted holiday-gifting trends, and crucially, why we anticipate they’ll strike a chord with today’s consumers.
Viral sensations: In gift form
There are a few sensations from this year that must be covered for their sheer virality. And while Faire doesn’t sell officially licensed products related to them, consider what you can stock to complement these trends since they’ll likely be top-of-mind as the holiday season hits.
For example, searches for Labubu have skyrocketed 13x since April. Hang a few from a selection of purses, like this rich velvet wristlet or this suede tote. Consider a monster-shaped chocolate bar as a recommendation for a stocking stuffer, or offer wardrobe options to help them customize their doll to match their personalities.
Another trend delighting shoppers of all ages: KPop Demon Hunters. The animated musical is dominating Billboard charts and has become the most-watched Netflix movie of all time since its June release. Retailers are paying attention: Searches on Faire jumped 71% from July to August, showing the same rapid spike as Labubu. We anticipate that this will only continue to grow in volume. Delight new K-pop fans with this “Can’t hear you, I’m listening to K-pop” tote and this cozy sweatshirt, and help them show their flair with this bucket of pins.
October will bring with it another Taylor Swift album. Searches for Taylor Swift went up 71% from July to August, so the time to stock up on Taylor-adjacent apparel, accessories, and gear is now, especially as our girl just got engaged. We particularly love this Game Day crewneck (Taylor’s Version), this Swiftie key tag, and this “In my Showgirl Era” tray.
Ahead of Wicked’s November film release, we expect that adults and children alike will be clamoring for gifts related to Oz and everyone’s favorite (good and bad) witches. In fact, searches for Wicked are already up 37% month over month from June to July. To stay on theme, try this Emerald City candle and a very giftable version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
What they want to wear
When it comes to apparel gifts, we’re seeing three big trends. The first is gingham, with searches up 360% since December. Writes Marie Claire, “The checked design [has] remained a wardrobe staple for decades, effortlessly straddling the line between playful and polished.” And while summer had its gingham bathing suits, fall and winter will bring with them all sorts of giftable gingham options, from a sherpa zip-up and this party-ready dress to quilted gingham jackets, waffle socks, and pajama sets.
Polka dots have also been taking over the runways and streets, according to Vogue. (On celebrities, too.) Searches for polka dots on Faire are up 134%, and there are countless ways to gift this charming print, including head scarves and sophisticated cardigans, loungewear, and jackets.
Vogue also reports barn jackets have “been adopted for daily use and become a fixture in the wardrobes of everyone from the British royal family to Gigi Hadid,” and we’re seeing similar interest on Faire with search growth up 520%, which we predicted as part of The Great Indoors trend earlier this year. So, if you’re looking to stock up on barn jackets, we have plenty of recs. There’s this plaid-lined corduroy option, this lighter-weight balsam look, a cropped and boxy silhouette for off-duty-model style, and this very French-feeling barn coat with bell sleeves.
Little gifts: Crafts, games, and beauty
Crafting
This year, Michaels released its first-ever trend report, revealing what we know to be true: Crafts aren’t just about making art for the sake of it. They’re about stress relief, emotional support, connecting with others, gifting with love, and DIYing more aspirational looks. On Faire, searches for crafts are up 37% since January, and searches for crochet and watercolor are up too (66% from December to January and 42% from December to July, respectively). The trend report also covered how consumers are loving all things miniature—a trend we’re also seeing on Faire, as searches for miniatures are up 67% since January. Want to help your shoppers dig into their creative side? Here are some recommendations:
- Miniature pencils: Tiny, precious, and craft-adjacent.
- Miniature coin purses: These look a whole lot like the bag of the moment.
- Learn-to-crochet kits: From yarn to hooks, stuffing, and eyes, everything beginners need to make precious planter stuffies, parrots, dinosaurs, and more.
- Sardine cross-stitch kit: The ideal crossover for tinned-fish diehards and those who craft.
- Textile block-printing kit: To help shoppers DIY their own silk scarves.
- DIY Booknook kit: Combining the best of crafting and miniature trends in one peaceful activity.
Gaming (but not online)
On Faire, searches for mahjong continue to climb, up 260% since December. And it’s clear that this trend isn’t slowing down. Writes Harper’s Bazaar India, “Mahjong, once relegated to the private domains of Chinese grandparents and quiet Sunday afternoons, is having a pretty public rebrand as vintage, strategic, and impossibly cool.”
Come holiday time, we suspect mahjong lovers and clubs will be scouring for game-related gifts, and Faire is stocked with options. There are ornaments, enviably colorful racks, personalizable tote bags, a “People I Beat at Mahjong” notebook, and themed tile sets. And don’t forget your “Merry Mahjong” napkins.
K-beauty
From TikTok to Vogue and The New York Times, everyone is talking about Korean beauty. On Faire, searches for Korean skincare jumped 38% from December to January and have sustained that search volume. We’ve seen similar interest in red light therapy and Korean beauty practices. Looking to dip your toe into the K-beauty world? These would make excellent stocking stuffers for those in the know.
- Ginger Snap Hand Mask: This hydrating holiday-themed mask from TONYMOLY transforms hands after gift wrapping.
- Hybrid Daily Sunscreen SPF 50+: Shoppers will love the non-greasy formula that adds a boost of ginseng to routine skin protection.
- Dewy Fresh Serum: Add a youthful glow to their faces with this three-in-one formula from Kara Beauty.
- Urban Calm Cleanser: Keep it clean with this fermented pear and LHA-infused gel cleanser.
Consumables: Giftable and tasty
“Unlike apparel or electronics, food delivers what many consumers are seeking this year: affordability, generosity, and a sense of personal care—without adding clutter to the home,” reports PWC. And this is a trend we can all get behind. Everyone loves something sweet over the holidays!
On Faire, searches for Swedish candy continue to climb, up 50% from May to June. This craze from 2024 has carried over into this year, as consumers continue to delight in fancier, more sophisticated versions of sours and gummies. Think: elderflower sour fish, sour blueberry candies, and blackcurrant and raspberry gummies in the shape of a real Swedish cod.
Then there are the classic gifts with a sophisticated twist. Who needs a traditional box of chocolates when you can unwrap a gorgeous box of cider and spice caramels or pull open a ribbon to reveal four stunning chocolate bars from Spring & Mulberry? How about a chocolate-filled advent calendar from a woman-owned and carbon-neutral company or a charming retro cardboard camper of Santa’s favorite bonbons?
Finally, we have the specialty party favors—the ones guests dig into once they get into the car because they just can’t wait, like Compartes Chocolates’ gingerbread dark chocolate bar and Venchi’s cozy cannoli bonbons.
Already trending: Faire Market bestsellers
As we continue to watch trends rise over the next few months, we also want to bring your attention to what’s trending now—the bestselling items from our most recent Faire Market. These should be an excellent signal as to what retailers like yourself are already picking up for the seasons ahead, and what shoppers will be looking for come holiday time.
Hair perfume
“Does your hair need a signature scent?” asks The Zoe Report. The answer, according to shoppers (and TikTok), is yes. On Faire, bestsellers include this one from Kitsch, a travel-ready roll-on, a mood-boosting amber scent, “dirty vanilla” eau de parfum, and this discovery set for those who are still, well, looking for their perfect match.
Tea towels
Tea towels are endlessly giftable: They come in a range of styles and colors. Plus, they’re especially useful for those looking to cut down on kitchen waste (a win-win!). Deck their halls with this ornament-print tea towel from Geometry. Martini lovers will enjoy this cheeky olive-printed towel, while those who prefer something a little more wild will like this tiger print. These oyster tea towels give luxury beach house vibes, while these simple ruffle cotton towels are sophisticated and charming—a perfect home upgrade for friends and family.
Lip balms
Lip balm has gotten the luxury treatment recently—made with better ingredients and packaged in expensive-feeling tubes that make consumers feel good about their purchase while also getting that little pick-me-up every time they give their lips a swipe. Keep some of these options by your register, and see how fast they go: the champagne treatment from butter LONDON, tinted lip balm, this simple organic lip balm, and this sweet little lip balm tin.
Hair accessories
From the rise in scarf popularity to the skyrocketing interest in claw clips, it’s time to treat hair accessories more like jewelry than boring bobby pins. As a way to express your personal style, we love this geometric scarf to bring color and interest to a day-of-errands outfit and these squiggly metal clips to pin up hair between wash days. Barrettes, too, can make any look more polished—and bold clips like this one can show shoppers your priorities (food, of course). Need more ideas? Try scrunchies, French hairpins, and pearl-embellished ties. It’s enough to never have a bad hair day again.
Want to prep for the holiday now? Remember, know your customers, then stock your shop.
