Logo for Santa.com
MAKING HAPPY HAPPEN

75

days to go

Menu icon
Search icon

Gifting

November 2, 2023

Holiday Shopping Trends: What's Hot and What's Not

Hot Ideas for a Cool Yule

Share

Facebook IconEmail Icon
Excited Black girl laughing with Christmas gift, with blurred gifts and Christmas tree in background

iStockPhoto / Prostock-Studio


Santa.com wants to help you find everything you need to make the holidays special! If you purchase or click on something we link to, Santa.com may be entitled to a commission. "We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites."


Pink is the Color of the Season!

There’s no denying that Barbie is Queen this holiday season. Red and green are out, and pink is everywhere! From hot toys for Christmas 2023, to holiday shopping trends, and Christmas travel destinations, we’ve got the best of what’s filling the carts and wish lists of Santa’s good little (and big!) girls and boys this holiday! 

Summary

WHAT’S HOT

  • Barbie The Movie Collectible Doll

  • Barbie Dreamhouse 2023

  • The Crayons Go Back to School

  • The LEGO Nutcracker

  • Magic Mixies Magic Genie Lamp

  • The Cloud Slipper

  • The Portable Blender

  • Charcuterie Boards

  • Reykjavik, Iceland

WHAT’S NOT

  • Being a Scrooge!

Barbie The Movie Collectable Doll

Barbie The Movie Doll: Margot Robbie as Barbie, Collectible doll wearing pink and white gingham dress with daisy chain necklace.
Barbie The Movie Doll: Margot Robbie as Barbie, Collectible doll wearing pink and white gingham dress with daisy chain necklace.
Amazon / Barbie

You’ll definitely want to place Barbie top-of-cart as you fill all of the wishes for those on your nice list this year! Barbie has stepped out from the big screen and is driving her Corvette straight toward your Christmas tree! Take home a part of Barbie The Movie with this collector doll that every Barbie-lover on your list will cherish. This is definitely one of the hot toys for Christmas 2023!

Buy on SANTA.COM

Barbie Dreamhouse 2023

Young girl playing with Barbie Dreamhouse 2023, as shown in Barbie the Movie.
Young girl playing with Barbie Dreamhouse 2023, as shown in Barbie the Movie.
Amazon / Barbie

If Barbie makes an appearance under your tree, she’s going to need a place to live. And the Barbie Dreamhouse 2023 is “Selling Sunset” worthy! 360-degree play, with an open design, premium features, and 75+ storytelling pieces.

The three-story spiral slide heads straight into Barbie’s dream pool, where Barbie and her friends can host epic pool parties throughout the holidays. The Dreamhouse even has a working elevator that’s wheelchair accessible! If you’re lucky, Barbie will whip up some pink elf cookies for you in her fab kitchen!

Buy on SANTA.COM

The Crayons Go Back To School

Cover of “The Crayons Go Back to School” book.
Cover of “The Crayons Go Back to School” book.
Drew Daywalt & Oliver Jeffers

No holiday season is complete without putting on your jammies and curling up in front of the fire with a good family read. Before settling in, get the hilarious follow-up to the mega-bestelling #1 New York Times bestselling children’s picture book, The Day The Crayons Quit. The Crayons Go Back To School is a story the kids in your life will love to hear again and again, as much as you’ll love reading it to them! These crayons are definitely superstars this Christmas! 

Buy on Amazon

The Crayola Super Art Coloring Kit

A crayon activity set with multiple boxes of crayons, glitter crayons, construction paper, colored chalk and colored pencils.
A crayon activity set with multiple boxes of crayons, glitter crayons, construction paper, colored chalk and colored pencils.
Amazon / Crayola

Crayons need love, too! How about adopting some crayons this Christmas? If your kids love to color and draw, you can’t go wrong with this Crayola Super Art Coloring Kit with over 100 pieces of coloring fun.

Crayons, Glitter Crayons, Construction Paper Crayons, Pipsqueaks Skinnies Markers, Short Colored Pencils, Coloring Pages, Mini Construction Paper Sheets, a Washable Glue Stick, Colored Chalk, and more. With this many crayons, they’ll never quit!

Buy on Amazon

The Nutcracker - From the LEGO Christmas 2023 Collection

Lego box showing the 2023 Nutcracker Lego kit.
Lego box showing the 2023 Nutcracker Lego kit.
Lego

When you’re done coloring, turn kid’s play into a family fun activity by building your own LEGO ornaments! This year’s in-demand holiday offering is the LEGO Nutcracker. 208 pieces of buildable and rebuildable fun that can be a memory of this year’s holiday for years to come. Write your child’s name on the ornament, date it, and… instant keepsake!

Buy on Amazon.com

Magic Mixies Magic Genie Lamp

Magic Mixies Magic Genie Lamp with interactive 8" pink plush toy.
Magic Mixies Magic Genie Lamp with interactive 8" pink plush toy.
Magic Mixies

1, 2, 3 wishes you will get with this Magic Mixies Magic Genie Lamp! With over 60 lights, sounds and reactions to discover, the interactive Genie Mixie plush toy is ready to grant wishes, cast spells and put a smile on the faces of your little ones this Christmas! 

Buy on Amazon

The Cloud Slipper

The Cloud Slipper in grey.
The Cloud Slipper in grey.
Bronax

If any of those LEGO pieces accidentally end up on the floor, everyone on your list will appreciate the gushy, cushy comfort of the Cloud Slipper. Trendy and versatile, these slides are donning the feet of influencers and celebrities everywhere. With socks, or without -- from coast-to-coast -- these will definitely help keep everyone’s feet cozy this Christmas!

Buy on Amazon

The Portable (Pourable!) Blender

Portable USB juicer and blender filled with fruit.
Portable USB juicer and blender filled with fruit.
VistaShops

Heading out for the holiday? No more messy pours or wasted smoothies with this portable blender. As easy to carry around as a water bottle, you can now have smoothies and shakes on the go! Its simple one-button operation makes it easy-peasy to mix, blend, drink and go! This one is definitely on Mrs. Claus’ Hot List!

Buy on SANTA.COM

Charcuterie Boards

Christmas charcuterie board featuring meat, cheese, fruit, and crackers.
iStockPhoto / Donna-Duncan Robertson

According to the National Restaurant Association, Holiday Charcuterie Boards are still making the cut in 2023. And if you’ve not hopped on the trend yet, make it a point this year to fill your board with some holiday cheer. This mouthwatering and informative tutorial from the Picky Palate will make you a pro in no time! After following these guidelines, don’t be surprised if your friends request “that great charcuterie board you brought over last Christmas!” again and again.

Learn more at SANTA.COM

Reykjavik, Iceland

Multi-tiered green arc of The Northern lights over Reykjavik, Iceland.
Multi-tiered green arc of The Northern lights over Reykjavik, Iceland.
Visit Iceland

Iceland is hot, hot, hot right now. Maybe not on the thermometer, but on the trend meter. While many people think about heading to sunny island destinations for the holidays, the cool kids are turning to Iceland. And it’s especially magical at Christmas! 

From the Northern Lights illuminating the skies to the famous Yule Town Christmas Market, there’s no shortage of holiday cheer in Iceland. Travelers can participate in exciting winter activities such as dog sledding, ice cave exploring, and relaxing in the therapeutic geothermal hot springs… creating a thrilling Christmas experience. 

Iceland's festive atmosphere, friendly people, and traditional Yule season celebrations also add to the charm of this trendy Christmas vacation destination, and a certified 2023 Christmas trend for travel plans!

Learn More

What’s NOT Hot

Front cover of the book “What is the Story of Ebenezer Scrooge?”
Front cover of the book “What is the Story of Ebenezer Scrooge?”
Sheila Keenan & Andrew Thomson

What’s not on trend for this Christmas season? Scrooges and Bah-humbug bringers! So keep the cranky at home and enjoy yourself. Christmas really is the most magical time of the year! 

SANTA.COM… MAKING HAPPY HAPPEN™