There was no single definitive ranking of the most popular gifts of 2024. Google reported rising gift-related searches, Good Housekeeping highlighted gifts popular with its readers, and surveys in Australia and the United States identified categories shoppers planned to buy or said they had purchased. Those measures point to different things—not a universal count of gifts sold.
What “popular” meant in the 2024 gift data
The clearest answer depends on what you mean by popular: what people searched for, what resonated with a particular publication’s readers, or what shoppers said they planned to buy. The sources below offer useful snapshots, but none establishes a global sales ranking.
| Source and scope | What it measured or selected | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Google Shopping’s Holiday 100, published November 12, 2024; U.S. examples | 100 gift ideas informed by Google Search trends across apparel, accessories, home and garden, electronics, toys and games, beauty, and health and wellness. | Units sold, market share, or a ranked list of the gifts bought most often. |
| Good Housekeeping, updated December 12, 2024; its readership | 34 gifts described as popular with its readers, combining top-tested picks and editor-approved favorites. | A representative measure of all shoppers or a sales ranking. |
| Monash Business School’s 2024 Christmas and Seasonal Retail Trends Report; Australia | Gift types and product categories Australian consumers said they planned to buy for Christmas. Respondents could select multiple categories. | Exclusive market shares: the categories were not mutually exclusive. |
| Axios, December 23, 2024; U.S. shoppers, citing the NRF/Prosper Insights & Analytics annual survey | Gift categories shoppers reported purchasing, along with projections for holiday-season spending. | Final, audited holiday spending totals. |
Which gift searches were trending in 2024?
Google Shopping published its Holiday 100 as a collection of gift ideas based on Google Search trends. Its figures describe changes in searches—not increases in sales or the number of items purchased.
| Gift or search | Google Shopping’s reported 2024 signal |
|---|---|
| “tonies set” | Searches jumped 5,000%. |
| e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter | Searches increased 5,000%. |
| “pillowsac” | Searches rose 665%. |
| “t-shirt slogans” | Searches rose 160%. |
| Unisex fragrances | Searches rose 130%. |
| “lamp for kids” | Searches rose 95%. |
| Ballet flats | Searches rose 84%. |
| “walking pad” | Searches reached an all-time high; Google did not supply a percentage increase. |
The percentages are striking, but a search increase is not a measure of how many people bought a product. Google also said 41% of holiday shoppers struggled to find the perfect gift because of a lack of inspiration. Its 2024 post described a Shopping Graph dataset of 45 billion product listings; that figure refers to the dataset, not gifts sold or shoppers surveyed.
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Gifts Good Housekeeping readers liked
Good Housekeeping’s list offers specific product examples, but its “popular” label applies to its own readers and its editorial selection. Among the 34 gifts it highlighted were:
- LEGO Succulents
- An Orastone rechargeable hand warmer
- e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter
- A Rocketbook Smart Notebook
- A 3Doodler Flow 3D Printing Pen
- A Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
- A custom neon sign
- A gold initial necklace
- A suction phone case mount
Good Housekeeping described the Orastone warmer as rechargeable and able to provide up to four hours of warmth. Its LEGO Succulents example was listed as a 771-piece set recommended for ages 18 and up. Those are details from a 2024 roundup, not confirmation of current product specifications, prices, or availability.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
What shoppers planned or reported buying
Australia: planned Christmas purchases
In Monash Business School’s Australian survey, clothing, footwear, and accessories were the most common planned product purchases for Christmas 2024. Gift cards and vouchers, food and beverages, books and stationery, and toys and games also featured among the prominent categories. Because respondents could choose multiple categories, these results should not be read as mutually exclusive shares.
United States: categories reported as purchased
Axios reported that clothing and accessories, toys, gift cards, books, video games, and personal care or beauty were among the leading gifts shoppers had purchased in the NRF/Prosper Insights & Analytics survey context. Axios also reported the survey’s projection of $979.5 billion to $989 billion in U.S. November–December holiday-season spending, and an average $902 budget for gifts and seasonal items. These were survey projections, not final audited spending totals.
How to use these trends when choosing a gift
A trend can help generate ideas, but it cannot tell you whether an item suits a particular recipient or fits your budget. Before buying, check the practical details that popularity figures leave unanswered:
- Recipient and age: Match the gift to the recipient’s interests and any age guidance, especially for toys, kits, and electronics.
- Fit and compatibility: Check clothing or accessory sizing and confirm that a device accessory works with the recipient’s model.
- Use and upkeep: Consider whether the item suits the person’s routine, how it is cared for, and whether it is likely to be used.
- Total cost: Compare the current price with your budget, including delivery or other charges where applicable.
- Availability and version: A product named in a 2024 article may have changed, sold out, or become unavailable. Confirm the current listing and specifications before ordering.
- Gift type: A physical item, gift card, and experience solve different gifting problems; choose based on what the recipient would actually value.
For example, LEGO Succulents was a named physical product in Good Housekeeping’s roundup and was linked there to Amazon. That supports treating it as a searchable product example, but does not establish its present price, stock, model details, or bestseller status.
Rank #4
So, what were the most popular gifts of 2024?
The evidence points to several different answers rather than one winner: Google’s fastest-rising gift searches included “tonies set,” Halo Glow Liquid Filter, and “pillowsac”; Good Housekeeping featured products such as LEGO Succulents and a rechargeable hand warmer among gifts popular with its readers; and shopper surveys highlighted categories including clothing and accessories, toys, gift cards, books, and beauty. Each answer is meaningful only with its measure and geography attached.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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