Hottest Gifts of Every Year, 2020 to 2026

Every holiday season has a gift that everyone seems to want, and that sells out the week you finally go looking for it. Looking back at the last seven years shows a clear pattern: game consoles, collectible plush, a tumbler nobody saw coming, and a toothy little monster on a keychain. Here’s what defined each year, and what it tells us about shopping this season.

A quick note: stores rarely publish exact unit sales for single products, so this list tracks the gifts that topped wish lists, sold out, and dominated the conversation each year, based on retailer lists and news coverage at the time.

2020: The console year

The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X both launched in November 2020, right as families were spending far more time at home. Supply was tight, online drops sold out in minutes, and resellers charged well above retail. Many people waited months to get one.

The rest of that season reflected life indoors: jigsaw puzzles, baking gear, board games, and cozy loungewear all had a big year. It was a reminder that the best gifts often match how people are actually living.

2021: Baby Yoda and the empty shelves

Grogu, better known as Baby Yoda from The Mandalorian, was everywhere in 2021, in plush, LEGO, animatronic, and figure form. He had wide appeal because he worked for kids and for adult Star Wars fans alike. Kids also went wild for the Little Live Pets “Gotta Go” flamingo, a talking toy that poops slime.

2021 was also the year of shipping delays. Families were told to shop early because containers were stuck at ports, and many popular toys simply weren’t on shelves in December. That advice, to buy the hot item before Thanksgiving, still holds.

2022: Squishmallows take over

Squishmallows, the round, marshmallow-soft plush from Jazwares, became the gift of 2022. Part of the appeal was collecting. Each character had a name and a backstory, and rare editions sold for big money on resale sites, much like Beanie Babies in the 1990s.

They also crossed age groups in a way few toys do. Toddlers, tweens, and college students all wanted them, which made them an easy pick for anyone shopping for kids they didn’t know well.

2023: Stanley cups and Barbie

The surprise hit of 2023 wasn’t a toy. The Stanley Quencher, a 40-ounce insulated tumbler, turned into a status item, with limited colors selling out and people lining up for new releases. It became a go-to gift for teens, teachers, and coworkers.

On the toy side, the Barbie movie made Barbie the brand of the year, and the Barbie DreamHouse was in especially high demand. Interactive digital pets like Bitzee also had a strong season.

2024: Collectible plush and mini figures

Collecting stayed the big story in 2024. Squishmallows were still going strong, and small blind-box figures like Sonny Angels took off, especially with teens and young adults who liked the surprise of not knowing which one they’d get.

Blind boxes are cheap enough to make great stocking stuffers, which helped them spread. The trend also set the stage for the next year’s breakout.

2025: The Labubu year

Labubu, a toothy little monster sold by Pop Mart, became the gift everyone was hunting for in 2025. Celebrities clipped them to designer bags, new series sold out in minutes, and lines formed outside stores. Knockoff versions flooded online marketplaces, so buyers had to watch where they shopped.

Nintendo’s Switch 2, released in June 2025, was the big-ticket gift of the season for gamers. And interactive toys tied to movies, like a “trainable” Toothless from the live-action How to Train Your Dragon, rounded out the lists.

2026: KPop Demon Hunters and Pokémon at 30

This year’s lists are led by KPop Demon Hunters. Dolls, plush, foam swords, and trading cards from the hit animated movie are at the top of Amazon’s 2026 toy list. Pokémon is also having a huge year as it celebrates its 30th anniversary, with special cards and the new LEGO Pokémon SMART Play set.

Classic brands are holding strong too. LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Play-Doh all appear across retailer lists. For a deeper look at what’s hot right now, see our 2026 gift trends guide.

What seven years of hot gifts teach us

• Buy the hot item early. The year’s top gift almost always sells out by mid-December.
• Watch out for knockoffs. Popular items attract fakes, so buy from the brand or a major retailer.
• Trends fade, favorites stay. Pair a trendy gift with something lasting, like a book or a building set.
• Collecting is the common thread. From Squishmallows to Labubu, the biggest crazes let people collect more than one.

Looking for gifts that will still get used next year? See our gift guide for kids by age and budget.

Last updated November 2026.