Custom merch ideas that sell out during the holiday season
Holiday shoppers move fast. We’ve learned that people look for gifts that feel personal, useful and easy to ship. That’s why custom merch does so well this time of year. You don’t need a huge catalog.
You just need a few thoughtful custom merch ideas that match what people already buy in December. Think warm items, small accessories, and simple keepsakes. When you choose the right mix, you make it easy for customers to say “yes”. What will you offer?
Key takeaways:
Holiday shoppers begin browsing in October. Prepare your merch, marketing, and inventory ahead of time so you can cater to early buyers and last-minute shoppers.
Focus on custom merch that feels personal, practical, and easy to gift, such as mugs, hoodies, and ornaments.
You don’t need a huge catalog. A curated mix of warm, seasonal, or personalized products performs better than spreading efforts across too many designs.
Promote your products by showing them in family photos, cozy setups, or unboxing videos. Make it easy for shoppers to picture your merch as a ready-to-gift item.
Use platforms like THE/STUDIO to source custom products and manufacture unique items that will sell out during this holiday season.
What type of merch sells the most during the Christmas season?
During the holiday season, you’ll notice certain patterns. Warm products sell because people want comfort. Small items work as last-minute Christmas gifts. And custom Christmas gifts stand out because they feel personal and thoughtful.
The most popular categories are usually:
Cold-weather items.
Personalized accessories.
Home goods.
Reusable or practical items.
Think about your audience. What do they love? What would make their holiday easier or more fun? Also consider that, during Christmas, people don’t just buy for themselves. They buy for coworkers, teachers, friends, and family. This creates a huge demand for low-cost, practical items.
20 Best custom products to sell on Christmas
You don’t need hundreds of options. A small set of smart, seasonal products can sell out fast. Focus on warm, practical, or personalized items people already buy in December. Here are the best custom products to consider.
1. Festive ornaments and decorations
People love small keepsakes they can hang or display. Ornaments sell fast because they feel personal and affordable.
Design ideas: Use names, dates, pets, simple symbols, woodcuts, or acrylic shapes.
How to promote: Share decorating tips, show trees with your ornaments, and offer bundle sets.
2. Stockings
Everyone needs socks during the holidays. They’re easy to customize and perfect for families.
Design ideas: Add embroidered names, simple icons, or color-blocked patterns. Offer matching sets.
How to promote: Show family groups, “before and after” mantle setups, and limited seasonal colors.
3. Candles
Candles feel warm and are typically a popular gift for coworkers and friends.
Design ideas: Use winter scents, custom labels, simple quotes, or holiday icons.
How to promote: Share scent guides, show gift-wrap ideas, and offer small sampler sets for undecided buyers.
4. Ugly Christmas sweaters
Christmas sweaters are one of the best-selling merch items because people need them for parties and photos.
Design ideas: Use bold patterns, simple jokes, or vintage-inspired graphics.
How to promote: Post try-on videos, group photos, and reminders about office or school “ugly sweater day”.
5. Christmas pajamas
Matching pajama sets are a holiday tradition. Families love buying matching sets for all members.
Design ideas: Snowflakes, simple illustrations, or monograms.
How to promote: Show family photos, highlight size ranges, and promote “early order” bundles for groups.
6. Hoodies
Warm hoodies are useful all winter, not just Christmas week. Plus, they make a popular Christmas gift for men.
Design ideas: Minimal graphics, holiday colors, embroidered icons, or simple text.
How to promote: Use cozy lifestyle shots, highlight thickness and softness, and offer small holiday collections.
7. Beanies
Beanies are a budget-friendly gift that is useful all season.
Design ideas: Embroidery, patches, or woven labels with winter themes.
How to promote: Show mix-and-match sets, promote cold-weather bundles, and share “gift under $20” lists.
8. Scarves and gloves
People frequently buy scarves and gloves as practical gifts. They’re simple, warm, and easy to buy.
Design ideas: Soft knits, holiday stripes, or custom woven patterns.
How to promote: Show full winter outfits, promote pair sets, and highlight material quality.
9. Mugs
Mugs are simple, useful, and easy to customize. They also make great Christmas gifts for coworkers.
Design ideas: Names, simple illustrations, warm quotes, or holiday icons.
How to promote: Show cocoa setups, offer bundle deals with coffee or tea, and post cozy morning photos.
10. Holiday aprons
People cook more during the holidays, so festive aprons make great gifts.
Design ideas: Patterns with gingerbread, trees, or simple phrases. Add pockets or monograms.
How to promote: Share baking videos, show family cooking moments, and sell matching parent-child sets.
11. Cutting boards
Personalized cutting boards feel special and last for years. A thoughtful home gift for hosts.
Design ideas: Laser-engraved names, recipes, or simple line art.
How to promote: Show charcuterie boards, holiday dinner prep scenes, and promote them as heirloom gifts.
12. Blankets
Blankets are a popular gift idea because they provide a warm and comforting feeling. People love gifting softness.
Design ideas: Plaids, fleece patterns, embroidered initials, or photo prints.
How to promote: Use cozy couch photos, movie-night themes, and “winter survival” bundles.
13. Pillows
Holiday-related pillows help people decorate their homes without spending much.
Design ideas: Simple graphics, embroidered text, textures, or reversible covers.
How to promote: Share quick room makeovers, offer mix-and-match bundles, and promote small-space decor tips.
14. Wall art
People often decorate their homes and offices for the holiday season in December. Wall art with seasonal prints helps them instantly update their decor.
Design ideas: Minimal prints, family names, simple quotes, or modern holiday shapes.
How to promote: Use room mockups, frame tips, and small sets for gallery walls.
15. Board games and toys
Families spend more time together in December. Games are highly popular at family Christmas parties.
Design ideas: Holiday themes, simple characters, custom illustrations, or limited editions.
How to promote: Share game-night content, explain rules quickly, and promote family bundles.
16. Puzzles
Puzzles help people slow down over the holidays and are a great activity for the entire family.
Design ideas: Seasonal artwork, family photos, landscapes, or simple patterns.
How to promote: Show in-progress photos, highlight piece counts, and sell gift-ready boxes.
17. Gift baskets
Gift baskets are a convenient solution for last-minute shoppers. They also make great corporate gifts for employees.
Design ideas: Mix snacks, candles, small merch, or wellness items. Add custom tags.
How to promote: Offer themed sets, share unboxing videos, and encourage corporate gifting.
18. Christmas cards
Cards feel personal and thoughtful, even on a tight budget.
Design ideas: Family names, clean illustrations, simple messages, or photo templates.
How to promote: Show handwriting examples, promote multi-packs, and remind buyers about mailing deadlines.
19. Pet accessories
People love including pets in holiday photos. Accessories are the perfect custom holiday gift for pet lovers.
Design ideas: Bandanas, collars, sweaters, or tags with festive patterns.
How to promote: Use cute pet photos, share matching owner-pet sets, and highlight safe materials.
20. Tech and desk accessories
These work well for students, teens, and office teams. Perfect for Christmas gifts for teens.
Design ideas: Mouse pads, keyboard mats, cable organizers, or phone stands with simple prints.
How to promote: Share desk setup ideas, promote corporate orders, and offer small bundle upgrades.
Tips to increase your sales during the holiday season
Start early so you have time to design, plan, and prepare.
Drop limited-edition holiday apparel to create urgency.
Print in bulk to lower costs and avoid delays.
Make your merch gift-worthy with simple packaging or bundles.
Sell through social media where shoppers spend most of their time.
Use a seasonal strategy if you run a print shop and focus on fast turnaround.
Offer customization to make gifts feel more personal.
Prepare your shop with clear deadlines, updated listings, and organized inventory.
Holiday shopping timeline
Holiday shoppers don’t all buy at the same time. Each month has its own pattern, and planning around it helps you stay ahead. Here’s a simple look at how buying habits shift from October to December.
October: Early planners look for ideas, pre-orders, and new designs.
November: Sales jump during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so bundles and promos work well.
December: Last-minute shoppers want fast shipping, ready-to-ship items, and quick gift options.
💡 See also: holiday manufacturing deadlines every brand should know.
Frequently asked questions
How to choose the right holiday products to sell?
First, know who you’re selling to: what they like, their budget, and their style. Then, check what’s trending: look at social media, market reports, and what people are already buying.
Combine that with products you can deliver reliably. Choose items where you can offer value, personalization, and good margins.
In short: match your audience + trend data + your own supply capability to find products that will sell.
How do I make my merch stand out for the holiday sales?
Merch that stands out often includes a personal touch, strong visuals, and seasonal relevance. Use simple designs that highlight what makes your brand special. Offer options like customization or unique packaging.
Ensure you frame it as custom Christmas gifts or personalized gifts for Christmas, so people see it as more than just “another item”. Also, tell the story: why this piece matters. That helps it feel different and more gift-worthy.
How early should I start selling holiday merch?
You should begin preparing and promoting before the peak season. That means planning in October, launching drops in November, and being ready for December.
The earlier you start, the more time you’ll have for marketing, pre-orders, and managing supply. Consumers begin checking for Christmas gift ideas ahead of time.
Being ready early also means you catch shoppers who want to avoid the rush or secure last-minute Christmas gifts later.
💡 See also how to prepare your brand for holiday manufacturing.
What’s the easiest way to design holiday merch?
Start with what you already know: your brand style, your best-selling product shapes, and simple holiday motifs.
Use custom manufacturing platforms like THE/STUDIO to create unique merch and meet customers where they already shop. Use your knowledge of your audience, focus on items people want to give, and make everything feel easy to buy.
What are the most sold items during the winter?
Winter best-sellers often include warm, comforting items and easy gift options:
Cozy apparel (hoodies, beanies),
Accessories (scarves, gloves),
Home décor (blankets, pillows),
Personalized gifts like mugs or ornaments.
People also buy gifts for different groups, including family, friends, and coworkers. Items that cover multiple audiences tend to move faster. Personalization and seasonal relevance boost demand.
Where do people shop for Christmas gifts?
Shoppers use a mix of online and in-store channels. Many research products via social media, influencers, and websites, then buy online for convenience. Others prefer in-store for immediate purchase or gifting the same day.
Because digital browsing is strong, you should meet customers online, use social media posts, and optimize mobile checkout. Also consider marketplaces and your own website. Blending both channels gives you a stronger chance of getting purchases.
💡 Learn how to start your own online gift shop.
How much are people willing to spend during Christmas shopping?
According to Deloitte’s 2025 Holiday Retail Survey, consumers plan to spend an average of $1,595 this season. That includes all holiday spending, not just gifts.
It shows that while people still buy, they are more value-conscious. For gift-giving, this means offering items at accessible price points or offering perceived extra value to help increase sales.
Final thoughts
If you pick the right products, design them with thought, and launch at the right time, you can make a strong holiday season. Use your knowledge of your audience, focus on items people want to give, and make everything feel easy to buy.
Customize where you can. Meet customers where they shop online. And stay ahead of the rush. When you do, you’ll turn your merch into meaningful gifts that people want and share, especially when you source custom products that fit your brand.
