45 Most Popular Gifts of 2026
Trust me: These trendy gifts are everyone’s wishlist this year.
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As a gifts editor, I spend the entire year hunting down the hottest gifts, but as we get closer to the holiday season, the stakes are even higher. I’ve been testing viral products, monitoring launches, and analyzing the shopping trends of GH readers to compile the products everyone’s talking about this year. People are loving ugly-cute collectibles, offline hobbies, Korean skincare, and all things retro. There’s a new "It girl" bag, a viral perfume from TikTok, and the gift every kid is asking for: a NeeDoh squishy.
Our top picks:
- Best value: Buddha Board
- Trendy gift under $20: Biodance Bio Collagen Mask
- Viral TikTok find: Fuggler Key Ring
- Unique gift: Emily Lex Studio Watercolor Workbook
- Gift for tweens and teens: Fujifilm Instax Instant Camera
For men, there's a best-selling Carhartt bag that our readers can't stop buying and a botanical LEGO set I personally love. For women, you can’t go wrong with Summer Fridays, a Longchamp tote bag, or an adorable Jellycat plush. As for kids, tweens, and teens, our readers are loving the viral Buddha Board that’s completely mess-free, a popular ball-bouncing game they can play solo, and mystery characters that double as fidget toys.
Best Deal
Who it's for: Artistic kids and adults.
Why we picked it: Our readers are obsessed with this mess-free board. I gifted it to my niece last year, and my entire family was eager to doodle and watch their designs disappear.
The details: All they need is water and the included soft-bristle brush to create their temporary artwork.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: I Tried the Best-Selling Buddha Board to Break My Nighttime Scrolling Habit
Who it's for: Literally any woman.
Why we picked it: Everyone’s talking about Quince and its trendy, yet affordable, finds. I have a few sweaters from the brand, and the quality is really good—they feel thick, wash well, and look fashionable. There’s also free shipping on every order.
The details: With a boxy and slightly cropped fit, this everyday cotton cardigan is available in 12 colors.
Who it's for: Your trendy daughter, sister, best friend, or mom.
Why we picked it: Hitting a sweet spot between designer and affordable, the classic Le Pliage tote is great for everyday—whether she's heading to the office, running errands, or boarding a plane.
The details: With a debossed leather trim, this sleek nylon bag has a water-resistant lining and a fold-flat design for compact storage.
Who's it for: Girls who love experimenting with popular beauty products.
Why we picked it: I first spotted this lip stain on TikTok years ago, but it's stayed a popular choice among influencers. You've probably seen it before—it applies blue and peels off to reveal a subtle tint.
The details: Our editors tried this viral lip product, and found it lasted over four hours, standing up to iced coffee and breakfast. It was transfer-proof, waterproof, and fun to use.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Wonderskin's Viral Wonder Blading Lip Stain Masque
Who it's for: Teen boys
Why we picked it: Our readers can’t stop buying this addicting game that involves bouncing a ball in specific sequences. They can play solo or turn it into a competition with thatir friends or siblings.
The details: There are playing cards the reveal the order in which the ball should be bounced, and it’s a test of hand-eye coordination to achieve it.
Who it's for: The hostess who loves nice things.
Why we picked it: Popular for their perfume-like scents and clean-burning qualities, Voluspa candles are unmatched.
The details: Get into the holiday season with Gingerbread Chalet, where you’re enveloped in sugar-dusted ginger. There’s also notes of cinnamon sticks, crushed clove and smooth tonka bean. Choose from a range of sizes, including an adorable ornament.
Who it's for: Anyone who loves a sweet treat.
Why we picked it: This affordable ice cream maker has been a best-selling gift for months, so I tried it. It's so easy to use (although a little loud as it churns) and makes delicious soft serve. It's really fun to experiment with new mix-ins—the options are endless.
The details: Freeze the base 24 to 48 hours ahead of time, then turn it on and add the ingredients. About 20 minutes later, they'll have creamy soft serve.
READ MY FULL REVIEW: I Tried Dash's $40 Ice Cream Maker
Who it's for: Girls and women who keep up with the latest beauty trends.
Why we picked it: Everyone is still talking about Summer Fridays (even my 8-year-old niece is begging for a balm of her own). "This lip balm in particular is one of my favorite formulas EVER," says Danusia Wnek, senior chemist at the GH Beauty Lab. "It is so creamy and comforting on the lips and I love that it comes in a squeeze tube."
The details: Made with shea butter and murumuru seed butters, this balm is designed to soothe, heal, and condition. There are tons of flavors, some with a subtle tint.
Who it's for: Anyone who loves blind boxes.
Why we picked it: Move over, Labubu, Fugglers are the new "IT"collectible. The plush monsters are pretty ugly, but that’s kind of the point. They’ve got human-like teeth, unsettling eyes, and plush fur.
The details: With this set, they’ll get three mystery 5" Fugglers keychains, but there are so many funny faces, and larger sizes, to choose from. You can even snag popular characters like Spongebob and the Care Bears.
Who it's for: The person who plays mahjong
Why we picked it: All of a sudden, it seems like everyone’s learning to play Mahjong. The first step? A set of tiles that speaks to their personality. Make sure you snag them an official NMJL playing card too.
The details: This vibrant set from Bam! Let's Mahjong includes hand-painted tiles.
Who it's for: Anyone who fidgets.
Why we picked it: Social media is obsessed with NeeDoh squishy toys, and they've been selling out like crazy. There are tons of dupes popping up, but these are the real thing.
The details: Squeeze, stretch, and poke these squishy cubes, then watch them return to their square shape.
Who it's for: Women who love a matching set.
Why we picked it: Lounge wear is the new uniform for women, and GH readers can't stop buying this stretchy sweat set.
The details: With a quarter zip sweatshirt and wide leg pants, this bestselling set comes in nearly 30 colors.
Who it's for: The girl who needs a new Owala.
Why we picked it: Owala maintains its hold as the trendiest water bottle this year. Teens and adults are obsessed with collecting the latest color combinations and collabs (especially the fun patterns at Urban Outfitters).
The details: The best thing about the Owala FreeSip? You can sip through the straw or tilt it to drink through the spout, plus it keeps drinks cool for hours.
Who it's for: Anyone who keeps up with buzzy beauty products.
Why we picked it: Everyone is talking about Korean skincare and how to achieve "glass skin" on TikTok and in real life. Our editors tried some buzzy products from Medicube and noticed a visible improvement in skin.
The details: Designed to visibly plump, tighten, and boost radiance, Medicube's PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Masks deliver an instant glass-skin effect. The mask should be worn until it turns translucent.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: I Tried Medicube's Most Viral Skincare Products
Who's it for: Your dad, brother, or father-in-law.
Why we picked it: From tightening screws to opening bottles, this versatile tool is perfect for the handyman in your life.
The details: This compact tool has 9 different uses, including a stylus, screwdriver, bottle opener, level, and ruler.
Who it's for: Anyone who loves a little whimsy.
Why we picked it: Jellycats remain one of the year's most popular accessories. Pickles are trendy this year, but there are tons of adorable characters, including a cloud and tennis ball.
The details: This adorable 5.5-inch plush is perfect for decorating beds, bookshelves, or desks.
Who it's for: Teen boys and men.
Why we picked it: This nostalgic gift, popular among GH readers, combines childhood pleasure with modern technology. Any sheet of paper can be turned into a smartphone-controlled airplane.
The details: The airplane travels up to 20 mph, reaches up to 230 feet, and performs high-speed tricks, like loops and barrels.
Who it's for: Tweens, teens, and young adults who love capturing memories.
Why we picked it: Vintage tech—like this instant camera—is trending this year. It's fun and easy to use, whether you're at a birthday party, family gathering, or wedding.
The details: Available in five colors, this camera bundle includes a carrying case, photo album, and 40 photo sheets. My 9-year-old niece got one, and she loves that the carrying case opens, so she can take pictures while wearing the camera.
Who it's for: Men who value comfort and style.
Why we picked it: Whether he’s headed to the golf course, office, or date night, he’ll reach for this best-selling Lacoste polo.
The details: It’s available in nearly 20 colors and sizes 3XS to 4XL.
Who it's for: Women who love a lightweight scent.
Why we picked it: Phlur's Vanilla Skin is buzzy online right now, but we still recommend Missing Person, which won a GH Beauty Award for its subtle musk, jasmine, and woods scent.
The details: The delicate fragrance is designed to smell like someone you love. "This scent feels like an extension of me, rather than a perfume," a fan enthused. "It’s faintly sweet and comforting, but somehow still airy."
RELATED: Best Perfumes for Women of All Time, According to Beauty Pros
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
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