Free Scaling Retail Business Guide

Best Selling Products and Shopping Categories During Christmas and New Year Holiday Season 2025-2026

Online Shopping Categories and Bestsellers for Christmas 2020

Consumer spending rise during Christmas. The stats gathered in this post clearly show that. You can utilize customer interest to boost sales. We collected information on the product categories that people focus on during the winter holiday, giving you a clear idea of the most profitable items to sell for Christmas. 

Key Takeaways

  • Christmas sales aren’t just about gifts—they drive up to 40% of annual revenue for many retailers, making the holiday season a make-or-break moment for businesses.
  • In 2025, over 56% of Christmas shopping is expected to occur on mobile devices, and more than half of shoppers will utilize AI tools to discover and purchase gifts, reshaping the online shopping experience.
  • Shoppers want more than discounts; they’re demanding personalization, eco-friendly packaging, and flexible payment options like Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), trends that will define the winners of this holiday season.

Why Are Christmas Sales So Important?

The impact of Christmas is substantial, as it is the time when goods suppliers globally experience a surge in sales. People actively purchase gifts, decorations, and supplies to celebrate the feast, resulting in a significant increase in sales volume. 

Here are some more reasons for the importance of Christmas sales:

  1. Revenue boost: Christmas is a peak shopping period, and businesses rely on the increased sales during this time to boost their revenue. The high season accounts for a significant portion of annual sales for many retailers.
  2. Profitability: With increased sales, businesses have the opportunity to generate higher profits. Christmas often brings in customers who are willing to spend more on gifts, decorations, and other festive items.
  3. Inventory management: Christmas sales help businesses manage their inventory effectively. By offering discounts and promotions, retailers can sell off excess inventory and make room for new products in the upcoming year.
  4. Customer acquisition and retention: The holiday season presents an opportunity for businesses to attract new customers. Offering attractive deals and promotions can entice customers to try out a new brand or product, potentially leading to long-term customer loyalty and satisfaction.
  5. Competition: During the busy season, retailers compete for attention. Running sales and promos is a smart way to stay in the game and pull customers away from the competition.
  6. Tradition and consumer behavior: Christmas has become synonymous with shopping and gift-giving. Many people look forward to the holiday sales and plan their purchases accordingly. Businesses that participate in Christmas sales capitalize on this consumer behavior and tradition, thereby increasing their chances of success.

Christmas eCommerce Statistics

As the holiday season approaches, various forecasts provide insights into expected eCommerce trends and consumer behaviors. We’ve collected the key statistics and predictions for Christmas eCommerce in 2025.

  • U.S. holiday ecommerce sales are projected to exceed $280 billion, representing ~9% year-over-year growth, confirming the explosive trend of online Christmas sales.
  • Mobile shopping accounts for approximately 56.5% of holiday online sales.
  • AI tools are used by at least 50% of North American holiday shoppers for discovery and purchases.
  • Small, independent online retailers are growing at ~10%, with an estimated $15.5 billion in U.S. holiday revenue.
  • Consumers value discounts, bundles, and seamless omnichannel experiences.
  • Social commerce on platforms like Instagram and TikTok continues rising.
  • Flexible payment options and streamlined checkout enhance conversions.
  • Flexible Payment Options: The popularity of “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) options is expected to continue, potentially accounting for around 9% of total online holiday sales. This trend is particularly appealing to younger shoppers seeking flexible payment methods.
  • Sustainability Focus: There is an increasing consumer preference for sustainable products and packaging, which can enhance brand loyalty during the holiday season. eCommerce companies that incorporate sustainable packaging and delivery alternatives have observed a 30% increase in customer loyalty, as per Deloitte. 

Get more Festive Season Trends and Stats from: Top Black Friday Campaigns for eCommerce Brands

What Are The Characteristics Of Best-Selling Christmas Products?

Not all shopping categories and items will gain the same traction during Christmas. Different products have different characteristics that define whether they outperform other segments.

Below are some features that make a product ideal for selling online during the Christmas and New Year’s Eve season.

Giftable

As the festive season is all about giving gifts, a winning Christmas item is often giftable. Some examples of giftable items are jewelry, candles, games, toys, bath bombs, and books.

If you run a store or a marketplace with a wide variety of products, consider adding an option to buy digital gift cards.

Gift Cards Market Size

Source: Precedence Research

Approximately 87% of consumers plan to purchase gift cards for the holidays in 2025, consistent with trends from previous years. After Christmas and New Year’s Eve, retail sales typically peak again in January as many people redeem the Christmas gift cards and vouchers they received. It is a popular gifting option, convenient due to its instant delivery and ease of use.

Walmart Gift Finder

Gift Finder on Walmart allows finding a personalized gift

Unique

Unusual items have the potential to generate a significant number of sales during the Christmas season. Hand-made or DIY Christmas crafts also fit here, as people love to give something original and personal. People often prefer not to give ordinary gifts. They would rather purchase something genuine and special to gift someone!

Amazon Holiday Shop

Amazon unique items on the Holiday Shop

Personalized

Products can be personalized in multiple ways, including adding custom text, photos, or colors to the product.

Amazon Personalized Product

Personalized products on Amazon

Sustainable

Sustainable Product

Eco-friendly products are gaining traction, with consumers showing interest in sustainable gift options.

Top Christmas Categories and Items to Sell Online in 2025-2026

Top Christmas categories and items to sell online in 2025-2026 include a diverse mix of tech gadgets, personalized gifts, home décor, fashion, beauty, and experiential products. Mobile shopping dominance with 56.5% of holiday sales happening on smartphones highlights the importance of mobile-optimized listings. Popular product categories and trending items for the 2025 holiday season are:

Top Christmas Categories

  • Tech Gadgets & Electronics (Bluetooth speakers, smart cameras, portable fans)
  • Personalized Gifts (custom stockings, ornaments, cards)
  • Home & Kitchen (anti-rust kitchen knives, scented candles, holiday décor)
  • Fashion & Apparel (Christmas hoodies, sweatshirts, custom t-shirts)
  • Beauty & Wellness (luxury skincare sets, LED face masks)
  • Toys & Crafts (DIY kits, terrarium growing kits, Christmas crafts)
  • Travel Accessories (compact backpacks, portable neck fans)
  • Experience Gifts (concert tickets, wine tastings)

Trending Christmas Items to Sell Online

  • Kodak Smart Camera (instant photo prints)
  • Yeti Roadie Cooler (portable cooler)
  • LED Face Masks (light therapy for skin)
  • Personalized Christmas Stockings and Tree Skirts
  • Christmas Ornaments (wooden and personalized)
  • Custom Christmas T-shirts and Hoodies
  • Christmas Mugs with Holiday Designs
  • Bluetooth Portable Speakers like Bose SoundLink Flex
  • DIY Grow N Glow Terrariums kits
  • Touchland Power Mist Sanitizer for personal care
  • Experience gifts focusing on memorable moments
  • High-end scented candles with festive scents

Consumers in 2025 favor a blend of nostalgic, practical, and technology-driven gifts with personalization continuing as a powerful driver. Eco-conscious and experience-oriented gifts are also gaining traction alongside classic festive décor and clothing. Sellers should focus on mobile-friendly, customizable, and unique holiday products to attract shoppers in the competitive 2025 season.

Top 5 Cool Christmas Gifts on Amazon

In 2025, Amazon emerged as the leader in U.S. eCommerce market Christmas sales.  So, we decided to study what the bestsellers are available here. While the specific Christmas sales items may vary from year to year and in response to current trends, here is a list of Christmas bestsellers that have been well-received in recent years.

LEGO Botanicals Happy Plants Building Toy

Amazon Lego

A buildable, evergreen plant set with 15 stems that never wilts, priced around $22.95.

Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand

Charging Stand

Charges iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously with magnetic alignment, priced at about $50.

TP-Link Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Light Strip

Light Strip

A 16.4-foot LED strip with app-controlled colors and brightness for smart home decor, priced at $39.

Polaroid Go Generation 2 Camera

Polaroid

An instant camera that prints 2” x 3” photos with smartphone connectivity, priced around $100.

Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler

Stanley Mug

An insulated stainless steel tumbler made from 90% recycled materials, priced at approximately $35.

These gifts offer a mix of technology, entertainment, and practicality, making them great options for Christmas products.

Bonus – Last-Minute Christmas Gifts from Amazon

Last-minute Christmas gifts refer to gift items that can be purchased and delivered quickly, even with little time to spare before Christmas. These gifts are often available for expedited shipping or can be sent electronically as e-gift cards.

You can consider the following Christmas gift ideas seen on Amazon to decide on what to sell as a last-minute offer in your store:

  • Amazon’s Last-Minute Deals: A dedicated page that features various discounted products that can be delivered quickly.
  • Amazon Gift Cards: These can be sent electronically via email or printed at home, making them an excellent option for last-minute gifts.
  • Amazon Prime Membership: A gift of Amazon Prime allows the recipient to access free two-day shipping, streaming services, and more. It can be gifted instantly via email.
  • Digital Subscriptions: Gifting digital subscriptions to popular services like Amazon Music, Kindle Unlimited, or Audible.

If you sell electronic products or subscription services, consider making them available as a last-minute Xmas gift.

Read more: 9 Examples of Digital Product Marketplaces on CS-Cart

Top 5 Cool Gifts for Christmas at Walmart

While Amazon leads, other platforms, such as Walmart and various smaller eCommerce sites, also saw substantial increases in sales, driven by competitive pricing and promotional strategies. 

As Walmart has shown itself as one of the sales leaders for the previous year, it is rational to borrow some ideas on the most sold items during Christmas from it. 

Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Big into Energy Series Vinyl Plush Pendant Single Blind Box

Labubu

Walmart socks over 50 verified Labubu products through StockX, featuring popular series like “The Monsters.” The store offers packages from single blind boxes to sealed bundles, shipping quickly with no extra shipping charge.

Adventure Force Remote Control 1:10 Ram Truck

Adventure Truck

Fun RC vehicle for kids, priced about $50.

Bitzee, Hamster Ball Interactive Digital Pet, over 20 Characters, Reacts to Touch & Rolls

Bitzee

Collectible and interactive toys featuring popular characters from movies and TV shows.

LEGO Minecraft The Armory Building Set, Includes Popular Minecraft Figures Alex and Armorsmith

Minecraft

LEGO kits and building sets are timeless creativity boosters with holiday-themed options.

Cozy and stylish seasonal apparel and novelty items, such as themed hoodies and mugs, consistently appear among the best-selling Christmas gifts at Walmart.

How To Find Your Perfect Gift Offer For Christmas? A Hint From Our Team

You can conduct your own research by using these two shops as a guide for what to sell in your store. Just enter Christmas in the search bar and view the results.

Walmart Best Christmas Gift Search Results

Walmart Best Christmas Gift Search Results

Amazon Search

Amazon Best Christmas Gift Search Results

Both marketplaces have their Holiday Shops, dedicated pages with gift ideas. Browse the page for inspiration.

Walmart Holiday Shop

Holiday Shop on Walmart

Holiday Shop on Amazon

Holiday Shop on Amazon

Marketing Tips To Win The Christmas Sale

  1. Start Promotions Earlier Than Ever. 40% of consumers begin their holiday shopping before November, typically in October or earlier. 
  2. Personalize with AI & Data. AI-driven personalized recommendations, predictive discounts, and personalized email/SMS offers align with effective strategies.
  3. Optimize for Mobile & Social Commerce. Mobile accounting for over 60% of holiday eCommerce sales. Social commerce via TikTok Shop, Instagram Shopping, etc., is a strong trend, especially among Gen Z according to Deloitte.
  4. Highlight Sustainability. Sustainability drives 30% higher loyalty for brands using eco-packaging.
  5. Invest in Fast & Flexible Fulfillment. Gen Z and millennials prefer same-day delivery and prefer flexible fulfillment options.
  6. Leverage Influencers & User-Generated Content. 72% of Gen Z trusting influencer recommendations more than traditional ads. Edelman Trust Barometer data reveals high trust among Gen Z in micro- and nano-influencers.
  7. Create FOMO with Limited Editions & Bundles. Holiday exclusives and urgency triggers, such as “X left in stock,” are widely recommended strategies in 2025 marketing guides as effective ways  to boost sales.
  1. Scale Up Email & Retargeting Campaigns. Segmented email campaigns, countdown timers, gift guides, and retargeting are the best practices for the holiday season.
  2. Prepare Tech & Support for Spikes. Optimizing servers and checkout processes for holiday traffic surges and offering 24/7 AI-powered chat support are standard recommendations for peak season readiness. Monitoring December 15–24 as high sales days is well-supported by sales concentration data.

The last thing to mention is that eCommerce spending this year will likely be higher. More people will purchase Christmas gifts electronically instead of going to shopping malls. It’s great for eCommerce business, so don’t miss this chance to make your digital commerce better!

Read more articles about products and categories to sell: 

Conclusion

Get ahead of the competition with Simtech Development as the high season 2025–2026 approaches! Anticipate customer needs and offer products that embody the spirit of the festive season. By leveraging Simtech Development’s tailored solutions and with your curated selection of top Xmas gifts, your business can flourish during this enchanting and celebratory time of year.

Top-Selling Christmas Related Things’ FAQ

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