Etsy Insights: holiday shopping insights to help prep your shop

[zy6i1jhs]

Hi everyone,

It’s Michelle from Etsy’s Research team. You may have seen my post about Halloween shopping trends a few weeks back. I’m now here to share some fresh insights around how Etsy buyers expect to shop this holiday season, based on recent research. 

Based on a study we conducted in September among buyers*, we found:

• Buyers are starting earlier: In early October**, “Holiday” searches were up +79% vs. the same time last year, while “gift” searches were up +128%. Making sure your shop is ready for this earlier demand will be key.
  
  
• It’s a hybrid holiday season: Buyers anticipate smaller gatherings with much more time spent at home. Half of buyers (49%) anticipate both in-person and virtual celebrations, while 15% will only celebrate virtually.
  
  
• Gifting from afar will redefine gift-giving: To avoid crowds and still find ways to share gifts with loved ones, 7 in 10 buyers (69%) expect to buy gifts online and send directly to the recipient.
  
  
• Gift wrap + personalized note = “special”: With the rise of gifting from afar, buyers overwhelmingly felt retailers/sellers offering gift wrap and gift messages would make gifting this year more special. If you’d like to offer gift wrap or messages for your holiday orders, Etsy’s tools give you an easy way to signal to shoppers that you offer it. Just head to your shop settings to turn it on. Once turned on, shoppers will be able to see when an item includes a gift wrap option from the listing page and in their cart. They’ll also be able to filter for items that can be gift wrapped from search results. 

*Based on a September 2020 survey of 860 Etsy shoppers in the United States. 

**October 3 - 9, 2020 vs. October 3 - 9, 2019

We'd love to hear about any updates you're making in your shop this holiday season, to meet shopping behavior changes. Share below!

Wishing you a safe and joyous holiday season!

[CreationsOfTrueFairy]

My updates for this Holiday season is 15% sale and listed Christmas ornaments more earlier than last year.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CreationsOfTrueFairy?section_id=24796701

[BedrockHomeDeco]

I saw etsy is recommending 20% sale to be featured in a holiday listing

[timelapse]

While I will still be adding many more vintage treasures for shoppers, I am currently working especially hard on creating more handcrafted pieces for the home, office, dorm, etc., because I truly believe people will be decorating more for their own comforting atmosphere even if they cannot have gatherings. Best wishes to all for a good holiday season!

[southernmadecandle]

Overpromise and Underdeliver, An American Holiday tradition since 1776. 

Heather

[WestNinthVintage]

I found who is getting coal for Christmas.

[SARTORIA141]

I made two cozy plaid shawl, hope to sell them for the holiday season! 

[EntwinedLabJewellery]

Thank you so much for the tips. I will adjust my settings now. 

[VINTAGERUGSORIENTAL]

my interview was published on storepreneur.com

if you want to have a look

https://storepreneur.com/home-and-living/vintagerugsoriental-vintage-turkish-oushak-rugs-runners/

[VINTAGERUGSORIENTAL]

 and Socks for New Year's Eve I prepared very beautiful hand-knitted lamb wool socks

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeautyOfRugs?section_id=30719154

[moonbeamgifts]

Thanks for the info.     Since I offer supplies, I try to keep seasonal active year round on the popular prints as long as it doesn't break the bank for listing fees.   I know I personally try to start crafting earlier and earlier each gifting season because the calendar speeds up so fast!!!

Happy Holidays, all!

[grabacoffee]

Thanks for the tips. I wonder if this year, people will really start early, and won't send messages on 23th of December, if I can send overseas by 24th night... Hope everyone will start planning holidays in time I am selling felt ornaments, so it will be a crazy season for me - I hope

[DressRehearsalUS]

Hi Everyone I am new to ETSY and been doing no fade high quality cotton spandex tshirts.   Praying that the holiday gift giving season will be great for me.

Trendy Tshirts by DressRehearsalUS on Etsy

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DressRehearsalUS

Use code 15DRESS for 15% off 

[theurbanhedgehog]

We have our seasonal items up since September. We will be offering gift wrap with a cute tag! : )  

Happy holidays! : )

[MisBs]

I have added seasonal flavors -  So far so good 

[NuriartDeko]

I have added new coastal seashell wreaths and bottle lights for this holidays and have more new ideas in progress.

[LittleFlairTee]

Great Article! Thank you.

My Shop is: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleFlairTee

Let me know what you think!

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

I added bulk pack listings of all my Christmas and Hanukkah cards. My holiday cards have been in my shop since summer; the bulk packs are new since September. I've gotten several large orders of Christmas card bulk packs so I'm already ahead of previous years as far as holiday sales (and it's only October!).

[PAPERFLORISTS]

Spoiler

I have been getting orders for winter holiday items since July. I keep them in my shop year round.

[PetitandcuteCo]

heyy %20 off entire shop and free shipping up to 35 usd. happy holiday seasons to all

[DyCraft]

Thank you for the tips.
Hopefully, in this holiday season, all the sellers on Etsy can provide the best for buyers.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DyCraft

[JewelryByOri]

Nice. Thank you for this information. I have been a bit nervous about the upcoming holidays and wondering if people are even in a gift giving mood.

[CreativePhotoStudio]

Hi,

Thanks for the heads up on the Holiday season. I've already started offering digital holiday cards in my shoppe, and am hoping sales will pick up soon! I'll be adding 'holiday' and 'gifts' to some of my listings...mari

[SilverLeafdpStudios]

Thanks to this information, I've been working like crazy to stock up on inventory of signature pieces I regularly sell to ensure speedy shipping.  I also plan on participating in Etsy sales.  Not being able to do art shows has forced many of us to rely on online sales instead.  I am grateful to the Etsy staffers, through their research and articles, for making it easier for shops like mine to be prosperous.  Wishing everyone a successful selling season! 

[DragonFireGlass]

Every holiday for the past 3 years, our shop offers free gift wrapping. I love it and the customers do too. With the free gift wrapping and the sale already scheduled for November 2nd, I really hope that maybe this year we will make it on the featured list. Anyhow, I always look forward to this time of the year