What to Sell at a Christmas Fair: A Data-Driven Guide for Crafters

The gift-giving holidays are the most lucrative selling opportunity for crafters and artisans. According to recent consumer data, holiday retail sales in November and December reached $886.7 billion in 2021, representing a 14.1% year-over-year increase. Shoppers are ready to spend, with the average American consumer planning to spend $998 on gifts, holiday items, and more this Christmas season—making Christmas fairs the perfect venue for makers to capitalize on the demand for unique holiday items.

This definitive guide leverages up-to-date retail data and expert perspectives to breakdown what crafters need to know to maximize sales potential this Christmas. Let’s explore the 15 fastest-selling craft categories and products that should be top-of-mind when determining what to sell.

Top Selling Christmas Craft Categories

Consumer data reveals clear categories leading holiday craft and artisanal gift sales:

This data highlights major opportunity areas for makers. Let’s explore the top products within each category primed for sales success at Christmas fairs and holiday markets this season.

Hot Selling Handmade Products for Holiday Fairs

Combining statistical analysis with the creative expertise of artists allows us to showcase products most likely to perform. Here are 15 can’t-miss Christmas crafts and gifts to have in your fair booth inventory based on current trends.

1. Wine Charm Ornaments

Upping the ante on the popular wine charm favor, these cute wine cork ornaments adorned with glitter, beads and charms are an on-trend melding of multiple best-selling craft categories.

Hang them from bottles as charms during holiday parties before gifting as festive tree ornaments. Each charm can be customized with names, dates or initials for the perfect personalized present. Target sales price: $12-$18.

2. Chunky Knit Beanie Hats with Fur Pompoms

Combine two profitable craft niches—knitting and winter accessories—for this perennial best-seller. Knit chunky beanies on a round loom in festive colors like emerald green, burgundy and snow white. Adorn with fluffy fur pompoms. Display unisex styles on a wood log dotted with fake snow and pine stems for rustic flair. Target sales price: $28-$38.

3. Wine Bottle Brush Trees

Transform basic bottle brush trees into magical winter scenes by coating with glittery mounds of “snow” and wrapping pots with burlap. Embellish mini trees with German glass ball ornaments, then arrange in galvanized buckets for a cohesive standout display. Bottle brush trees remain a consistent holiday decoration favorite year after year. Target sales price: $25-$45.

4. Rolled Beeswax Scented Candles

North American sales data shows a 4.7% increase in demand for candles following pandemic lockdowns—a trend expected to continue as shoppers seek home luxuries. Stock an array of your own hand-poured and hand-rolled candles in balsam fir, toasted chestnut and frosted cranberry scents for custom coziness. Display them burning inside engraved glass holders for irresistible ambiance. Target sales price: $24-$34.

5. Hand-Knit Reindeer Dolls

Soft and huggable hand-knit reindeer with stitched faces and tiny bells around their necks make adorable one-of-a-kind Christmas plushes for kids. Display them en masse in a vintage sled alongside plaid pillows and faux gift boxes. Sweet additions like custom name tags or adoption certificates listing each doll’s unique name and birthdate could boost perceived value. Target sales price: $38-$55.

6. Custom Pet Portrait Ornaments

Nothing tugs more at customers’ heartstrings than capturing precious pets in everlasting keepsake ornaments, ideal as holiday gifts for pet parents everywhere. Offer custom ornament painting services from provided digital photos; paint onto wooden discs in glossy finish. Package individually in organza bags tied with velvet ribbon. Target sales price: $35-$55 per ornament.

7. Hot Cocoa Cookie Mix Gift Basket

According to Google Trends, searches around “Christmas gift baskets” peak every November as shoppers hunt for pre-packaged present ideas. Assemble your own gourmet gift baskets withicion jars of custom cocoa mixes paired with cookie recipes. Package in wooden crates with striped liners, mini whisks and christmas mugs. Target sales price: $45-$65 based on basket size.

8. Wine Cork Trivets and Coasters

Wine cork trivets remain eternally popular, but with an eco-friendly twist. Print cheery holiday greetings like “Sip Sip Hooray” onto round wood slices using food-safe laser printing technology for customizable one-of-a-kind designs. Arrange corks into fun shapes like snowflakes or trees on wood surfaces with food-safe adhesive. Top with epoxy resin to seal and add glossy finish. Sold individually or in sets. Target sales price: $16-$28.

9. Chunky Knit Infinity Scarves

Chunky yarn creates fast, trendy pieces perfect for holiday markets. Knit extra wide infinity scarves on round looms in rich seasonal hues like crimson, evergreen and snow white with metallic thread for a touch of sparkle. Edge with long chunky fringe. Display them loosely looping through sections of a real evergreen garland for texture contrast. Target sales price: $38-$48.

10. Wine Bottle Brush Snowman Decor

Upcycle colorful plastic bottle brushes into whimsical snowmen decor by snipping bristles into layered snowy shapes. Embellish faces with fabric, buttons and mini top hats. Group them on frosted glass pedestals surrounded by fake snowballs, pine stems and red berry sprigs. Offer customization with family name signs or fabric scarf monogramming. Target sales price: $35-$65 for large displays.

How to Price Christmas Crafts Profitably

When pricing handmade products, the standard formula is:

(Materials cost x 2) + labor hours x hourly rate = wholesale price

Then double the wholesale price for retail pricing.

For example, let’s break down pricing for a set of four wine cork trivets:

• Materials: $6 (wood rounds, corks, adhesive)
• Labor: 4 hours at $20/hour rate = $80
• Wholesale price: ($6 x 2) + $80 = $92
• Retail price: $92 x 2 = $184 for a set of 4 trivets

This formula allows you to maintain 50-70% profit margins even after accounting for all costs of goods sold.

Adapt product pricing further based on…

Presentation Tips for Attractive Display

How you showcase your products makes a significant impact on perceived value and sales conversion. Use these tips to create an eye-catching booth display:

• Group similar products together for a cohesive look
• Incorporate visual interest like burlap, galvanized metals, evergreen sprigs
• Showcase 3-5 examples of each product
• Spotlight best-sellers on central tables
• Create height variation with risers, boxes and stands
• Integrate seasonal elements like pine cones, cranberries and fairy lights
• Print professional signage with prices and product descriptions
• Have order forms on hand for custom orders

Here is an example booth layout:

Notice the branded backdrop signage, effective lighting, riser usage to add visual height and coordinated color scheme and materials creating clear product vignettes.

Top Tips for Holiday Fair Success

• Offer made-to-order services for sold-out bestsellers
• Take custom orders for shipment after fairs
• Collect customer emails to share new products
• Engage social media to promote pre-fair sneak peeks
• Research upcoming venue traffic expectations
• Analyze sales data to inform next year’s craft plans

The holiday hustle is exhilarating for creatives looking to turn passion into profit. Let this data and expert advice guide your product selections and selling strategy. With the right festive creations and some merry-making magic, jingling all the way to the bank this Christmas is within reach!