What are the Bestselling Christmas Items? And when does the UK Start Christmas Shopping?

Published on: December 19, 2024

When it comes to Christmas, the season of giving, the UK goes all out with its festive shopping. From special gifts for loved ones to stocking fillers, and of course, the festive decorations and food, we’re always ready to celebrate the season.

But what items does the nation love to gift the most, and how early do shoppers start preparing for the holiday season? We reveal all.

Best Selling Christmas Gifts

It’s time to unwrap the UK’s favourite festive buys!

Indulgent Food and Drink Gifts Take Top Spot

Food and drink gifts have long been Christmas favourites, from irresistible chocolates to unique flavoured spirits.

In fact, a third of UK shoppers have been known to purchase food and drink as holiday gifts1 – and we don’t blame them! Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without luxury chocolates and a glass of fizz.

The most popular category within food and drink gifts is alcoholic beverages.1 But when it comes to food gifts, chocolate takes the lead, making up four out of five food-based presents.1 Meanwhile, coffee and cooking kits are ever-popular food-based presents.

Clothes and Books Can’t Be Beat

The UK enjoys gifting garments – just under 50% of gifts given tend to be clothing.1 Tis’ the season for staying warm and cosy, after all. While giving jewellery and watches is never amiss at Christmas.2

Other key categories of present include books and toiletries.1

And more commonly, ‘intangible gifts’ are being sent, like experience days, digital content subscriptions, and donations to charity.1

Delightful Decorations

From twinkling lights to eye-catching wreaths, decorating the home is one of the most enjoyable parts of Christmas!

Christmas decorations like ornaments, baubles, and snow globes fly off the shelves as people turn their homes into winter wonderlands.

Stocking Fillers and Small Treats

Stocking fillers – those little yet highly thoughtful presents – are also in high demand. Items like chocolates, Christmas mugs, snow globes, and small novelty gifts are ideal for stockings and Secret Santa exchanges.

Our Most Popular Christmas Gifts

Funky Pigeon Christmas shoppers add the personal touch3 – with firm favourites including:

    1. Customised photo calendars for the year ahead, featuring all the family
    2. Special photo keyrings for loved ones
    3. Sparkling photo baubles and snow globes
    4. Personalised mugs (with loved ones’ mugs on them)
    5. iPhone cases, adorned with a personal photo or set of initials

When does the UK Start Christmas Shopping?

The big question of the year – ‘when to start Christmas shopping?’

We’re all thinking about it. And there’s no one perfect time. But when do most people start to shop?

A quarter of the UK starts shopping as early as September.1

However, it’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday in late November that kick-off the main shopping season, with many people seeking out bargain deals.

Most Christmas gifts (like our personalised baubles) are purchased in November and December.1,3

For the more last-minute crowd, early to mid-December is crunch time.

Our Baubles Bring Joy All November and December

  • From mid-November, our Christmas baubles start spreading their merry charm
  • Festive shopping reaches its crescendo from early to mid-December, with a flurry of purchases between the 10th and 15th
  • By 21st December, most have wrapped up their holiday shopping, though a few shoppers are still on the hunt

Happy Holidays!

Whether you’re picking out gifts or sprucing your home with decorations, starting early keeps the holidays relaxed and organised.

But for those last-minute shoppers, fret not—we offer quick delivery options to ensure your gifts are ready to dazzle on December 25th.

This year, check out Funky Pigeon’s complete Christmas range of personalised gifts, cards and decorations to add that extra-special touch to your festive preparations. Nothing beats a Christmas season brimming with joy, laughter, and heartfelt gifts!

Sources

1Christmas Shopping Trends in the UK. Mintel. Accessed 03.12.2024
2UK Christmas Gift Buying Market Report 2024. Mintel. Accessed 03.12.2024
3Funky Pigeon anonymous 1st party sales data for previous festive period (Nov – Dec, 2023)