Hot Christmas trends for 2023

From decorations to table settings, food buys to toys and the gifts that will be on everybody’s wish list, here’s what’s on-trend for this year’s shopping

Wishlist toys

Dinosaur and unicorn toys are big on the animal front, traditional buys such as jigsaws and games are back, as well as practical gifts with a sustainable slant. But it’s not all about nostalgia, with interactive and robotic toys also hotly tipped for this year.

Curlimals will be THE big buy for younger children, sensory, interactive, animals including bears (£29.99), hedgehogs (£19.99) and penguins (£22.99) that talk, sing, light up and respond to touch. Created by Golden Bear Toys – the people who brought you In The Night Garden characters – MD Barry Hughes says: ‘Curlimals hit shelves with a bang in summer 2022; we saw unprecedented sales and held the top three spots for Amazon’s hottest new releases.’

Pooping Puppies (£19.99) and Smitten Kittens (£14.99) are also up there, the latest offering from Pets Alive whose Boppi the Booty Shakin Llama was a global hit in 2019. Makers ZURU say:

‘While robotic toys may not be new, there is a growth in demand for interactive toys that are both fun and affordable, and offer exciting new ways to play.’

As the Jurassic Park movie celebrates its 30th anniversary, games like Dinosaur Dig (£12) are expected to be big sellers, a prehistoric fossil-finding adventure where players compete to discover all the bones and build a 3D T-rex dinosaur. ‘Games are great value,’ say creators, Orchard Toys. ‘It’s just the initial purchase and then hours of repeat gameplay, as kids will enjoy playing over and over again – chances are the game will be brought out year after year. Particularly popular are games that require minimal set up and can be played by all generations.’

Hot looks for homes

Taking its lead from the Barbie movie, pink is going to be hot, hot, hot this Christmas. Homebase have given the look a grownup twist with their gilded glamour theme – think dusky pinks rather than neon, mixed with peaches, berry hues and golds, ‘building on the popularity of the Regency look and the lure of Bridgerton,’ says Christmas buyer Frances Clements.

Blues are also having a big moment, in very grown-up palettes – think navys, deep blues and teals - for a look that is very eclectic and bohemian, all livened up with gorgeous flashes of gold.

Claire Boyd from the Spirit of Christmas Fair expects bold patterns and bright colours to be a popular choice this year as we embrace the joyful creativity of Christmas. This trend could go all the way to totally psychedelic – a great way to brighten and warm those cold winter nights.

Cosy textured, tactile fabrics will be big again this year, say the product team at Loaf interiors. ‘You can expect to see plenty of loopy textures and touchy-feely fabrics coming through.’ Go big and invest in a shearling armchair or over-stuffed sofa or add warmth with accessories like seat pads and cushions.

But pared back style will always have its place in stylish homes. For the ultimate in cool Yuletide chic, go all white in everything from Christmas tree decorations to wrapping paper. Add sparkle with touches of silver and gold for a luxe edge.

The best dressed tables

Natural themes have been big news in interiors and the trend is set to continue this Christmas. The team at Nkuku Homewares advise contrasting earthy tones with festively opulent brass and glass and pairing handcrafted artisanal ceramics with sophisticated fluted glassware, dressing it up with touches of evergreen and festive foliage.

Keep your Christmas table styling simple yet elegant this year, says Suzy Humphreys, founder of Layered Lounge. ‘Anchor the centre of your table with a linen runner layered with foliage and decorations, such as our Scandiinspired ceramic trees.’ Add interest with varying heights of candlelight, from tall candlesticks to low-level ceramic tea light holders. The finished look will create visual impact in a relaxed and sophisticated way.

Key food trends

Sustainable, local and plant-based will be big trends again this year. Catering for vegans at Christmas will be high on a lot of agendas, as online searches for ‘plant-based food’ continue to rise and supermarkets cater for demand with ever new options. ASDA’S Christmas food range includes 57 new vegan and 35 new free-from products, as well as Asda’s first ever OMV! Vegan festive collection.

Brands are also putting sustainability packages together for eco conscious buyers, like Paxton & Whitfield’s Sustainable Cheese Hamper (£45). It comprises three British artisan cheeses, all crafted by cheesemakers committed to sustainable farming practices, as well as seasonally foraged quince preserve and environmentally friendly biscuits and chocolate.

With festivities and celebrations spread across the entire holiday season, it’s no longer just about Christmas Day and people will be looking for clever food hacks and convenient food buys to make catering for guests easier. See our Gourmet Food feature on page 62 for fabulous ready-made buys that look like you’ve spent hours preparing them.

In-the-know gifts

When it comes to gift choices this year, ‘sustainability and longevity will be key,’ says Mary-claire Boyd, director of Spirit of Christmas Fair (London Olympia, 30 October – 5 November, Spiritofchristmasfair.co.uk).

‘People are much more aware of the importance of not buying presents that will be used one day and thrown away the next. We’re also seeing a rise in consumers choosing to shop with and support small, local businesses, especially when they know what they’re buying could be one-of-akind often in limited supply. Hand-crafted products that bring sensory joy are extra special. Candles are also perfect for cosy nights in and there is such a huge range to choose from, helping to bring that moment of calm and mindfulness during what for some is the busiest season of the year.’

Practical gifts are also likely to be popular choices for children in these cash-strapped times. ‘There is such a choice for kids’ gifts now, but my suggestion would be a practical gift, something they can use dayto-day or during specific activities and if it has an eco-angle or a story behind it, then all the better,’ says Bryony Dyer, managing director of Dexam.

Think backpacks, clip-on book lights or water bottles in children’s favourite colours. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Bug You backpack (£34) is made from recycled plastic bottles, part of the RHS environmentally friendly range for Christmas. And ‘with kids growing up faster and going to digital gaming much earlier than previous generations, think practical gifts like headphone or gaming controller stands,’ says Simon Glanville, managing director, A Place for Everything.