Overview:

The Etsy Trend Guide is a compilation of fresh trends our expert is noticing across Etsy and the beauty industry as a whole: what sellers are creating, what shoppers are loving, and what’s hot right now in the wider market. These trend predictions for 2018 are based, in part, on past top searches across categories on Etsy.com. Make your list and check it twice: the holiday gifting season is here and we have the inside scoop at what trends are topping wish lists this year. According to Etsy search data, nostalgia is running deep – we’re seeing a return to all-things retro, from vintage toys to mid-century gift wrap, reminding us all of the holiday celebrations of our childhoods. Based on a recent survey, 86% of Etsy buyers would prefer to give a gift than receive one, and Etsy sellers offer creative and thoughtful items to help shoppers become the best gift-givers of the season. Check out the latest and greatest gifting trends below.

GIFTS

Unplugged activities  

Remember the days of hanging out with your family and playing hours of board games? Well, those days are back. With so much of our time devoted to our devices, holiday shoppers are rebelling against technology and opting for quality time over screen time. So far this year, Etsy has seen over 7,300,000 searches related to “games” and over 377K searches related to “DIY” – so unplug, get creative, and spend time with your loved ones.

Custom Tic Tac Toe, Always Play Nice Please deck of Playing Cards, DIY Cross Stitch Wood Coaster Kit, Miniature world globe brass model kit, Calligraphy for KIDS Starter Kit, Make Your Own Korean Kimchi Pickles

The (better) selfie

You heard it here first: Custom illustrations are the new selfie. In the past three months (July-September) Etsy has seen a 23% uptick in searches related to “custom portraits” (compared to the same time last year). These personalized pieces of art are the ultimate gifts, and a thoughtful way to express love for your family, friends, and fur babies. Pet and family portraits are especially popular on Etsy, with “pet portraits” spiking 51% and “family portraits” skyrocketing 93% in the past three months alone (July-September), compared to the same time last year.

Custom Tiny Face Magnets, Custom 3D miniature family portrait, Custom pet portrait, Custom Wooden Family Figurines, Custom Illustrated Dog Portrait, Custom Illustration

Faux Bouqs: Plants you can’t kill

Last year, we all became plant people, and during that time many of us discovered that our inner green thumbs weren’t quite green. Shoppers don’t have to miss out on becoming plant parents just because of that – cactus candles, pillows, and other faux options are the perfect gifts for people who want greenery in their lives, without having to worry about over-watering or sun placement. Holiday shoppers, take note: So far this year, Etsy has seen a 41% spike in searches related to “faux plants”.

Spring Succulent pillow, Cactus Terrarium Candle, Seven Petite Potted Paper Plants, Blooming Ceramic Cactus and Planter, Cactus Plush, Cactus Cube Green Sage Small Size

Modern heirlooms

Etsy sellers are helping shoppers preserve old memories and capture new ones with modern heirlooms – like dishware with your grandma’s exact pie recipe (and even in her handwriting!), modern family trees, and more. Searches related to “family heirlooms” have spiked 1,607% in the past three months alone (July-September).

Handwritten Custom Dish Towel with Recipe, Handwriting Cuff Bracelet, Custom recipe pie pan, Leather Tray with Handwriting, Custom family tree wood slice art

Vintage toys

Vintage home and fashion items have always been a trend on Etsy, but now the focus is on toys. Parents (like this celebrity mom) are buying vintage toys, from rocking horses to alphabet blocks, as collectables that celebrate a simpler time. So far in 2018, searches on Etsy for “vintage toys” have seen over 204K searches and counting. Pro tip: when shopping for vintage toys for use by children, check the Consumer Product Safety Commission for any recalls and safety information.

Antique toy cart, Majorette Truck Car Toy, Wooden Rocking Horse, Antique baby blocks

Whimsical animals

In past years, mythical creatures like unicorns and mermaids have taken center stage, but today it’s all about realistic (yet still exotic) creatures. Animals like narwhals (which I like to call the unicorns of the sea) are especially popular: they’ve even seen an increase of 16% so far this year. Other favorites include llamas and sloths – Etsy has seen a 289% increase in searches related to “llamas” so far this year compared to the same time period last year, and searches for “sloths” has spiked 19% so far this year. Shoppers can find these whimsical animals in everything from jewelry to ceramics, and everything in between. [caption id="attachment_8817967" align="alignnone" width="600"] |#|[/caption]

Fox wallet, Giant Plush Alpaca Llama, Personalized Mum And Baby Sloth Family Necklace, Narwhal Finger Puppet, Small Sand Manatee

GIFT WRAP

Interactive wrapping

Shoppers are increasingly looking to personalize their gift wrapping and stand out from the typical cookie-cutter packaging, and this year it’s all about using packaging that is just as fun as the gift inside. In fact, searches related to “custom wrapping paper” have increased 25% so far this year.  With options like DIY-able wrapping paper like chalkboard and coloring book paper, interactive packaging is a gift in of itself. Etsy has seen over 358K searches related to “coloring book” and over 768K searches related to “coloring” this year alone.

Coloring page wrapping paper, Chalkboard Wrapping Paper, Hanukkah Countdown Bags, Noughts And Crosses Wrapping Paper, Christmas Tree Mini Piñatas, Interactive Christmas Wrapping Paper

Pun-ful presentation

Puns are always a trend on Etsy, and this holiday season sellers are making everything from cheeky gift tags to playful wrapping paper, adding a dose of laughter to the most festive time of the year. Searches related to “funny holiday cards” have increased 43% so far this year on Etsy, so we have a feeling this holiday season might just be the funniest one yet.

Stay AWESOME stamp, A sack full of festive cheer, Printable Hanukkah Llama Cards And Tags, Happy Challahdays, Christmas gift stickers, Funny wrapping paper

Going retro

One of the biggest trends for the home decor this holiday season is the resurgence of retro and vintage motifs, and this trend is now taking hold in wrapping paper. In the past six months, Etsy has seen an 87% increase in searches related to “vintage holiday” (compared to the same time last year).

Pink Holiday Gift Wrap, Vintage Retro Holiday Car, Record and Tape Gift Wrap, Personalized Initial Gift Tag

Planet-friendly packaging

Shoppers are becoming increasingly conscious about the items they purchase and opting for sustainable alternatives, extending all the way to holiday packaging. So far this year, Etsy has seen over 25K searches related to “wrapping cloth”. And, with Americans throwing away 25% more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year's than any other time of year, reusable gift wrap is an impactful way to reduce waste, while still still making your holiday gifts pop.

Furoshiki wrapping cloth, Handmade Seed Paper with Leather Fern Frond and Wild Flower Seeds, Large Seed Paper Tags, Furoshiki Beagle Linen Wrap