What's the most purchased item for Christmas in 2025?

For the 18th consecutive year, the most desired holiday gift wasn't a coveted gadget or a trendy fashion piece. Instead, a staggering 58% of consumers stated they wanted gift cards ahead of the 2024 season, according to the National Retail Federation. While this might seem like a win for convenience, it reveals a much deeper truth about modern gift-giving: consumers crave choice, personalization, and the certainty of getting something they truly want.

This trend isn't a challenge for ecommerce creators; it's a massive opportunity. While big-box retailers push plastic cards, you can offer something far more meaningful—products that are inherently personal and unique. By tapping into the psychology behind the "choice" economy, creators can deliver tangible, thoughtful gifts that capture the spirit of the season and stand out in a crowded market. This guide will decode the data behind holiday best-sellers and show you how to position your on-demand products to win Christmas 2025.

Main takeaways

Here’s a snapshot of what you need to know about the most purchased items for Christmas and how to leverage these trends for your creative business:

• Choice is king: Gift cards remain the most requested gift, signaling a strong consumer desire for personalization and the freedom to choose.

• Apparel leads online: While gift cards are most requested, apparel and electronics were the top-selling online categories during the record-breaking $233.7 billion U.S. online holiday shopping season.

• Personalization is surging: Searches for “custom gifts” and “personalized name items” increased by over 30% on creative marketplaces in late 2024, proving that unique items are in high demand.

• Sustainability sells: A significant 58% of holiday shoppers stated they were more likely to buy from brands with sustainable products, making production on demand an ethical and commercial advantage.

• Social commerce drives discovery: Nearly half (45%) of Gen Z and Millennial shoppers made a holiday purchase directly through a social media app, making platforms like Instagram and TikTok essential sales channels.

• High returns signal mismatched gifts: An estimated $148 billion in holiday gifts were projected to be returned, highlighting the risk of generic gift-giving and the value of personalized alternatives.

The holiday shopping landscape in 2025: More than just a number

The holiday season is the Super Bowl for retail, and the numbers are staggering. In 2024, U.S. holiday retail sales were forecasted to reach as high as $978.8 billion. This immense spending is increasingly happening online, with digital sales hitting a new record.

Understanding this landscape is critical for creators. It's not just about knowing the total spending; it's about dissecting where that money goes and why. There’s a fascinating disconnect between what people ask for (gift cards) and what people buy (apparel, electronics, home goods). This gap is where your creative business thrives.

Gift cards represent a desire to avoid giving a "bad" gift. But a truly thoughtful, personalized item—a hoodie with a custom design, a mug with an inside joke, or a canvas print of a cherished photo—eliminates that risk entirely. It shows the recipient you know them well enough to create something just for them. As an ecommerce entrepreneur, your goal is to bridge this gap by offering products that are as personal as a hand-picked gift but as easy to purchase as any other online item. To get started, it's wise to prepare your store for the holiday gifting season with the right tools and strategy.

Why "choice" is the real most purchased item for Christmas

The enduring popularity of gift cards tells us that "choice" is the intangible product consumers value most. But this doesn't mean you should start selling digital gift cards. Instead, you should sell products that embody that choice and thoughtfulness.

The psychology behind the gift card phenomenon

Why do people love gift cards? It’s simple: they eliminate the anxiety of receiving an unwanted present. We’ve all been there—the sweater that’s not your style, the gadget you’ll never use. The high volume of post-holiday returns confirms this is a widespread issue.

By offering personalized products, you transform the gift from a transaction into a collaboration. The gift-giver provides the sentiment and the creative idea, and you provide the high-quality, professionally produced item. This preempts the need for returns because the product was made specifically for the recipient.

One of the most powerful ways to offer this level of personalization is through storytelling. For example, instead of a generic gift, a customer can compile precious memories in a custom photo book through your store. This isn't just a product; it's a curated experience, making it an unforgettable gift that no gift card can replicate.

How creators can offer "choice" without selling a gift card

Your unique designs and customizable product options are your superpowers. Here’s how to frame them as the ultimate "choice" for gifters:

• Offer design variations: Provide multiple colorways, text options, or slight design variations for a single product.

• Enable custom text: Allow customers to add names, dates, or short messages to items.

• Showcase niche appeal: Your designs cater to specific hobbies, fandoms, or aesthetics that big-box stores ignore. This is a form of choice they can't offer.

Tapping into the top-selling categories with personalization

While gift cards are what people ask for, data from Adobe Analytics shows that apparel and electronics are the categories where they actually spend the most money online. Here’s how to carve out your niche in these dominant markets.

Dominating the apparel market with custom designs

Apparel is a holiday staple, but the market is saturated with generic options. Your path to success is through unique, niche-specific designs that resonate emotionally with a target audience. Think beyond simple holiday themes. Consider cozy, winter-centric designs that can be worn long after the decorations come down.

With Gelato's global, on-demand production network, you can easily design festive and cozy hoodies for winter without worrying about inventory or waste. Focus on high-quality materials and designs that speak to specific communities—gamers, book lovers, pet owners, or outdoor enthusiasts. These targeted products feel personal and are far more likely to become a cherished wardrobe favorite. To truly understand the impact of these items, it's helpful to learn about the power of personalized gifts and how they create lasting connections.

Beyond electronics: A creator's guide to tech-adjacent gifts

As a creator, you probably aren't manufacturing the next smartphone. But you can capitalize on the electronics trend by selling high-quality accessories that enhance the user's experience. The modern desk setup, home office, and daily carry are all canvases for your creativity.

Personalized phone cases, laptop sleeves, mousepads, and desk mats are all excellent products. Another standout is the humble coffee mug. It’s a desk essential for students and professionals alike, making it a perfect gift. By using Gelato, you can create unique and personalized coffee mugs with vibrant, durable prints that turn a simple utility item into a piece of personal expression.

The surge of personalized home decor as a core gift category

The home has become more central to our lives than ever, and consumers are investing in making their spaces beautiful and personal. This trend is reflected in holiday shopping, with a more than 30% increase in searches for 'custom gifts' on creative marketplaces.

Wall art is a leading product in this category. It’s a high-value gift that can transform a room. Offerings can range from abstract art prints to customizable star maps or family name designs. A particularly impactful option is turning personal photos into art. With Gelato, you can empower your customers to turn family portraits into beautiful canvas prints, creating heirloom-quality gifts that will be treasured for years. For more creative inspiration, you can explore print-on-demand Christmas gift ideas that cater directly to this growing market.

The modern gifter: Understanding today's consumer behavior

To successfully sell the most purchased items for Christmas, you need to understand the modern consumer's mindset. Today’s shoppers are influenced by sustainability, social media, and a desire for authentic brand connections.

The sustainable shopper's checklist

Sustainability is no longer a niche concern. Deloitte's 2024 survey confirms that a majority of consumers prefer brands that align with their values. Production on demand is inherently more sustainable than traditional retail. You produce items only when an order is placed, eliminating overproduction and reducing waste. Gelato takes this a step further by producing orders at local facilities in 32 countries, which slashes carbon emissions from shipping. Highlighting these benefits in your marketing can be a powerful differentiator.

Winning on social: Where discovery meets purchase

According to Salesforce, a striking 45% of young shoppers made a holiday purchase directly from a social media app. Your social media presence isn't just a marketing tool—it's a digital storefront.

To capitalize on this, leverage user-generated content (UGC). A report from Sprout Social found that holiday ad campaigns featuring UGC saw a 5x higher click-through rate. Encourage customers to share photos of your products, run contests, and collaborate with micro-influencers who genuinely love your brand. This authentic social proof is invaluable for driving sales.

From creator to entrepreneur: Scaling your holiday strategy

As your business grows, your strategy must evolve. As Shopify's President Harley Finkelstein notes, "Creators are the next generation of entrepreneurs." The most successful brands empower creators as a core part of their commerce strategy. To scale effectively, you need to think like an entrepreneur and focus on the data.

Integrate your store with platforms like Shopify to streamline your operations and gain access to powerful analytics. Use tools like Google Analytics to track your key performance indicators (KPIs) for the holiday season. The two most important metrics to watch are:

• Conversion rate: (Total Orders / Unique Visitors) x 100%. This tells you how effective your product pages and marketing are at turning browsers into buyers.

• Average order value (AOV): Total Revenue / Total Orders. Look for ways to increase this by bundling products or offering tiered discounts.

By focusing on these metrics, you can make data-driven decisions to optimize your store for maximum holiday success.