Holiday online shopping trends

Time to start your holiday shopping, especially if you are looking for deals or something very specific. And Google wants to help us find the perfect present. Its Holiday 100 list is out this morning with some of the gifts that are trending ahead of the holidays. For more on that, we are joined by Christina Basilio from Google Search Trends. Christina, good morning. Good morning and happy holidays. Happy holidays. I'm getting, we were just talking about, I'm getting anxious now. I have to start getting the lights up and getting decorating because it feels like, oh my gosh, I'm looking through the Google 100 list. So some of the trends, retro footwear. What are the shoes people are looking for? Yeah. So we know holiday shopping can feel overwhelming. So we have used real-time search data, which is over 1 billion shopping searches every day to see what's trending. And it's very interesting that the dad shoe wear trend is still top of mind for people. So we're seeing Nike V5 Spiking over 150% this year alone in interest. But we're also seeing things like slip-ons and slides also having a resurgence. So the Bombas Saturday suede slip-on shoes, 250% increase in search interest this year. And those silver and metallic details are everywhere. So the Calico ballet flat. Saw jump in over 160 percent search interest. Wow. OK. And Bombas, they have socks, I know, too, and they give back, which is always kind of a nice part of Bombas shopping. Talk about that leads us kind of into cozy. This is the cozy time and people are looking usually for heated blankets and different things. What are the cozy trends this year? Yes, so cozy blankets are up 80% this year, and the goodie throw was a very popular option. Another thing that we saw that was interesting was stainless steel kettles. So tea kettles rose over 200%, so getting someone an electric kettle this year may be the way to go. But for our homebodies that love our pets, one of the ones that stuck out to me was searches for aesthetic cat furniture has risen over 170% this year. Wow. Wow. Okay. Decor for the pets as well. Okay. Don't forget them. And don't forget the kids. What are the top toys that are trending? What are people looking for? It feels like it's been such a resurgence to retro and hands-on and turntables and everything. What are the toy trends this year? Yes. So I absolutely love that classic toys are making a comeback. So we're seeing things like train sets have a search interest rise in over 240 percent. But I don't know if you ever saw that movie Big. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah. So search interest in piano mats has really struck a chord with people. There's a raise of interest in over 180%. So those little lower tech, get to use your body toys are really interesting. But we're also seeing those interactive toys like the Bluey Tony box. That has a big search interest this year as well. And my tip to anyone shopping for kids, if you're looking for those classic toys, lower tech. Black Friday is your best friends to get the best deals. But if you're looking for those more high-tech toys, my recommendation is to wait until right before Christmas because that's when you see the biggest markdown in prices. I'm glad you brought that up because I was going to ask you, we're already seeing sales. We're seeing, get your Black Friday deals now. And then there's Black Friday. And then there's, of course, Small Business Saturday, which I always love to remind people, look for those things at your small local businesses. And then there's Cyber Monday. And So when should we shop for what? So along with our holiday 100 guide, this year we actually did a when to buy guide as well. So really quick, if you're looking for things for your friend who's going to travel a lot, early November is when you buy those smaller accessories. You're thinking packing cubes or the book bag. But if you're looking for those major items like large suitcases, wait until late December. For the procrastinator in your life, we are seeing that people are really spiking for last minute gifts for mom. right before Christmas on December 23rd, but last minute gifts for dad are peaking on December 24th. So very interesting. And then for anybody who really has to wait until the very, very last minute, I'm talking about on Christmas day when retailers are closed, we're seeing that as the number one day for digital gift cards. So if you're looking at subscriptions or e-delivery, anything that you can just give someone in their wallet, that is when you're going to buy that Okay. Don't wait till the last minute for mom and dad. They just want something thoughtful. Just a reminder. Great ideas. I love looking over the list and seeing all the fun, like for people who have a trip planned. I love practical gifts. So great ideas. Christina Vasilio, Google search trends. Thank you so much for joining us. Thank you. Always good to be here and good luck on all your holiday shopping. Yeah. Happy holidays. I'll be the first one to wish you maybe. Thank you.