Holiday Gifting Trends: What’s Hot This SeasonBLOG: Why You Should Plan a Favorite Things Party (and How to Make It Unforgettable)

The holidays are just around the corner—and if you’re anything like us, you’re already thinking about the perfect gifts to give (and maybe receive). Whether you’re shopping for clients, coworkers, family, or friends, this season is all about meaningful, intentional gifting.

At Small Batch, we’re seeing exciting trends emerge that elevate the gifting experience well beyond the typical grab-and-go candle or bottle of wine. From personalization and presentation to eco-conscious choices and the rise of boutique boxes, here are the top holiday gifting trends for the season—and how to incorporate them into your giving strategy.

1. Personalized Touches Are Everything

One of the strongest trends this year? Gifts that feel personal. Whether it's a handwritten note, a monogrammed item, or packaging that includes your recipient’s name, personalization makes all the difference. People want to feel seen and appreciated—and a custom detail turns an ordinary item into a keepsake.

How to Gift It:

• Add a custom tag with your recipient’s name or initials

• Include a hand-written holiday card with a thoughtful message

• Choose curated gift boxes that align with their lifestyle (think wine lovers, breakfast enthusiasts, or wellness seekers)

✨ Try This: Our Wine Night Box can be upgraded with custom tags, initials, or even a favorite wine quote—making it perfect for your VIPs or team.

2. Elevated Packaging That Feels Like an Experience

Gone are the days of brown shipping boxes and plastic filler. This season, it’s all about presentation. Consumers want their gifts to look as beautiful as they are thoughtful. That means curated packaging, reusable containers, and thoughtful unboxing moments are trending big.

How to Gift It:

• Use reusable containers like wooden boxes, tins, or fabric gift bags

• Add finishing details like ribbon, tissue paper, wax seals, or velvet bows

• Include an unboxing element—like layers or surprise compartments

✨ Try This: Small Batch gift boxes are designed to feel like an experience from the second they arrive—complete with elevated materials and thoughtful layering.

3. Locally-Sourced and Artisan Products

More than ever, people want to support small businesses, local makers, and artisan products—especially around the holidays. These items feel more unique, and they tell a story. Plus, they often come with better quality and more intentional sourcing.

How to Gift It:

• Choose gift boxes filled with local or regional favorites

• Highlight the makers included—share their stories or process

• Add a note explaining why you selected a small-batch item over a mass-market one

✨ Try This: Our Taste of North Carolina box features goodies from beloved NC brands like Videri Chocolate, Carolina Coffee, and Southern Sugar Bakery—making it a hit with locals and out-of-town guests alike.

4. Wellness-Inspired Gifting

Self-care is no longer a luxury—it’s a lifestyle. In 2025, expect to see wellness gifts take center stage during the holidays. From soothing teas and candles to curated morning routines, gifts that support rest, reflection, and renewal are more popular than ever.

How to Gift It:

• Choose curated boxes focused on comfort, calm, or rituals

• Include items like herbal teas, bath soaks, journals, essential oils, and cozy socks

• Pair it with a thoughtful message about slowing down and taking care of yourself

✨ Try This: Our Office Break Box includes cinnamon muffins, tea or coffee, a lined journal, and a S’well tumbler—perfect for employees, remote teams, or anyone needing a midday reset.

5. Experience-Based Gifting (Even When It’s in a Box)

Even if you can’t gift an actual trip or spa day, you can recreate an experience inside a box. Think of your gift not just as a set of items, but as an experience: a cozy Sunday morning, a night in with wine and candles, a self-care evening after a long week.

How to Gift It:

• Choose gifts that tell a story or support a vibe

• Group complementary items together that create a “mini moment”

• Name the box something fun and on-theme (we can help with this!)

✨ Try This: Our Breakfast at Home gift set feels like a warm hug. With a mixing bowl, pancake mix, coffee, a whisk, and a cozy kitchen towel, it’s perfect for slow mornings and memory-making.

6. Turnkey Gifting for Businesses

Corporate buyers are leaning hard into turnkey gifting—especially around the busy holiday season. No one wants to spend weeks ordering, packing, and shipping gifts. They’re turning to boutique gifting companies (like us!) to take care of it all, from inventory management to note writing to fulfillment.

What Businesses Are Asking For:

• White-label packaging (with subtle or stylish branding)

• Gift storage and timed release options

• Curated gift recommendations by budget or occasion

• Handwritten cards and gift tracking

✨ Try This: Our concierge service takes care of everything so you can gift beautifully and effortlessly—whether you're sending five gifts or five hundred.

7. “Just Because” Holiday Giving

One new trend we love? Holiday gifts that aren’t tied to specific holidays. More and more people are giving gifts in early November or January to avoid the December rush—or sending “thinking of you” gifts with no occasion at all.

Why It Works:

• Stands out in a season full of noise

• Gives recipients time to enjoy their gift without being overwhelmed

• Makes the moment feel more genuine and less performative

✨ Try This: Send a cozy care package or snack box in mid-November with a message like “Let’s kick off the season early” or “Hope this brings you a little warmth.”

Final Thoughts: Thoughtful Is the New Trendy

This year’s holiday gifting trends all point to one thing: intention matters more than extravagance. People want to feel remembered, celebrated, and understood—not just checked off a list.

Whether you’re shopping for five people or fifty, gifting through Small Batch means you’re giving more than a product—you’re giving an experience. With carefully sourced goods, elegant packaging, and meaningful details, our boxes are designed to impress even the hardest-to-shop-for.

🎁 Ready to Shop the Season’s Best?

Explore our 2025 Holiday Collection at www.shopatsmallbatch.com
Or email shannon@shopatsmallbatch.com for custom or corporate gifting inquiries.