Image credit: UptownHeritage

We’re heading into my favorite time of year, when we spend time with the people we love.  Shoppers are turning to Etsy to find thoughtful items to help celebrate every precious holiday moment – big and small. We toast to the gift-givers and holiday hosts who go the extra mile to add meaning and magic this season.  

From stained glass decor to gifts for pets, this year’s holiday trends continue to embrace key themes we’ve seen trending throughout 2019: nostalgia, maximalism, and the sentiment of “being real.” 

Whether you celebrate one night, eight nights, or just want to get in on holiday spirit, read on for the must-have trends in holiday gifting and decor.  (And don’t forget: shoppers on Etsy can now receive free shipping to the US from participating shops when spending $35 or more at that shop.)

Stained glass

Eye-catching and luminous, stained glass is a stunning statement making a comeback in holiday decor and  gifting. But we’re not talking about old-school designs: Etsy sellers are reinventing the time-honored technique to create modern adaptations for present-day shoppers. And on Etsy, searches for stained glass have increased by 69% in the last six months (compared to the same time last year), telling us that this revived trend isn’t going anywhere soon.  

Shimmer and shine

This micro-trend is an update to the popular ‘90s celestial motif, and shoppers can expect to see iridescent accents, celestial shapes, and of course, lots of sparkle. In the last six months, searches on Etsy for iridescent items have popped 6% (compared to the same time last year), while celestial items continue to trend, with searches up 47% (compared to the same time last year). Joy to the world, the shine has come!

Winter jungle-land

Warmer temperatures still on your mind? Jungle and tropical-themed accents add a perfectly unexpected – and unseasonal – spin on holiday traditions. Shoppers are going wild: in the last six months on Etsy, searches for  jungle items have increased 33%, searches for toucan items have increased 20%, and searches for tiger items have risen 7% (all compared to the same time last year). One way to showcase the trend is to incorporate animal prints into holiday gifting and decor – in fact, in the last six months, searches on Etsy for leopard print have spiked 57% (compared to the same time the previous year). 

Happy pawlidays

Purr-esents for your pet are the most adorable trend of the year. In fact, there has been a 51% increase in searches on Etsy for pet portraits and a 17% increase in searches for custom pet items in the last six months (compared to the same time the previous year), so we know that shoppers are showing their fur-babies lots of love this holiday season. Not sure what to get your four-legged friend? Treat advent calendars, personalized ornaments, or custom collars are a great place to start. 

Log cabin 

What’s winter without plaid and timber? Shoppers are loving woodsy patterns and cozy textures that reflect a retreat from the fast-paced frenzy of everyday life. These comforting additions have sparked the interest of shoppers – on Etsy, there has been a 17% increase in searches in cabin style and a 51% increase in searches for plaid decor in the last six months (compared to the same time the previous year), so get ready to hunker down with these cozy staples.

Winter whites 

Shoppers are taking a nod from graceful swans and serene winter scenery to capture this exquisitely dreamy and luxe holiday trend. In the last six months, searches on Etsy for winter whites have increased 11%, and I predict this trend will gain momentum  as we get closer to the holidays. What’s even better about this trend is that many of the items can be kept on display all the way through a New Year’s soiree. 

Maximalism

The biggest and boldest trend of the year is all about mixing of textures, prints, and eye-catching details. Etsy shoppers are welcoming the “more-is-more” mindset with open arms: in the last six months, searches for colorful decor have increased 26%, searches for textured items have increased 14%, and searches for patterned items have increased 4% (all compared to the same time last year). So bring on the tinsel, pom poms, and tassels – this year, we’re going big and going home...for the holidays, that is.

Greener gifting

Consider giving the gift of sustainability this year.  Not only does it feel great to give an eco-friendly item, but it also does a world of good for the planet. On Etsy, searches for eco-friendly items has increased 42% in the last six months (compared to the same time last year). Shoppers can search for upcycled, vintage, or biodegradable items on Etsy to surface the perfect green gift.  Bonus, Etsy offsets carbon emissions on all purchases.