Giftster Data Reveals Holiday Shoppers Are Craving Nostalgia, Simplicity and Everyday Upgrades

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 14, 2026--

Giftster, the trusted home for meaningful family gifting, today released its second Holiday Shopping Index, revealing a surprising shift in what people actually want for the holidays: less screen time, a return to 2000s-era tech and practical gifts that make everyday life easier. At a time when AI and new technology dominate headlines and consumers continue to feel pressure from the cost of living, real family wish lists are moving in a different direction. Digital cameras are making a comeback, screen-free toys are climbing kids’ lists, Kindles are outpacing much of the usual holiday tech, and even carpet cleaners are becoming gifts worth asking for.

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Unlike surveys that capture what consumers say they plan to buy, Giftster’s data reflects what families are actually adding to and sharing on their wish lists. In the past 30 days alone, approximately 1.5 million items were added across an estimated 150,000 new or updated Giftster lists, spanning products from thousands of retailers. An analysis of this real-world gifting activity identified the 100 most-requested products, providing a timely look at what families are actually asking for this holiday season.

“This holiday season, people are asking for less screen time, more nostalgia and practical upgrades that make everyday life easier,” said Ron Reimann, founder and CEO of Giftster. “For more than two decades, Giftster has had a front-row seat to how families give, and one thing remains constant: meaningful gifting starts with understanding what someone genuinely wants. This year, that increasingly means gifts with purpose over gifts driven by hype.”

1. Kids Are Trading Screen Time for Hands-On Play

Kids’ wish lists are signaling a shift away from passive screen time, with some of the season’s most-requested toys centered on building, listening, movement and hands-on play.

Giftster’s data suggest that families are showing substantial interest in moving away from another holiday defined by screens and the latest electronics, instead prioritizing analog and tactile gifts.

2. The 2000s Called: Digital Cameras Are Back

The digital camera comeback is gaining steam, with Giftster wish lists showing growing demand for dedicated cameras, instant prints and other nostalgic photography favorites.

In all, six photography products rank among Giftster’s top 100 most-requested gifts, suggesting the nostalgia cycle has reached the early 2000s. Consumers are rediscovering dedicated cameras and printed photos, turning yesterday’s technology into one of this holiday season’s emerging gift categories.

3. In an AI-Obsessed Year, Reading Tech Is Winning

Consumers aren’t abandoning technology. Instead, some of the most-requested devices are built around one of the oldest forms of entertainment: reading.

While AI devices and new gadgets dominate the technology conversation in the media and on social media, Giftster wish lists show strong demand for technology that does less, not more: devices designed for focused, quiet entertainment.

4. Practical Is Becoming the New Splurge

As consumers continue to navigate higher everyday costs, holiday wish lists aren’t being reserved for traditional indulgences. Some people are asking for decidedly unglamorous products that solve everyday problems.

The findings suggest the definition of a holiday splurge may be changing. A product that saves time, solves a recurring frustration, or makes everyday life easier can be just as wish-listworthy as a luxury choice.

What Giftster Wish Lists Tell Us About the Holidays

Giftster’s data points to a 2026 holiday season less focused on chasing the newest thing and more focused on gifts that add value to everyday life. From screen-free play and nostalgic tech to practical products that make life easier, consumers are putting gifts with a clear purpose on their wish lists. For families, the findings reinforce a simple truth: The best gifts start with knowing what someone actually wants. Giftster helps families take the guesswork out of gifting and give gifts that are genuinely wanted. Learn more about Giftster’s Holiday Shopping Index at Giftster.com.

About Giftster

Giftster is the trusted home for meaningful family gifting, empowering families to gift with less guesswork, less waste, and more joy. As the original digital family wish list, Giftster has been trusted by more than three million members for more than two decades to organize wish lists, coordinate gift-giving, and celebrate magical moments together. From birthdays and holidays to weddings, baby showers, and Secret Santa exchanges, Giftster makes it easy to create and share wish lists, reserve gifts, prevent duplicates, and give meaningful gifts across every retailer. Learn more at www.giftster.com.

Giftster found that screen-free, practical and nostalgic items are amongst the most asked for gifts.

HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — A former Ukrainian army officer goes on trial in Germany on Wednesday over undersea explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines linking Russia and Germany four years ago in what is considered one of Europe's biggest acts of sabotage since World War II.

The suspect faces charges of causing an explosion, damaging property, disrupting public service and being an “accomplice to war crimes” by attacking civilian infrastructure, according to prosecutors.

According to German privacy rules, the suspect will be identified in court only as Serhii K., although he was publicly named as Serhii Kuznietsov in extradition proceedings in Italy.

While international observers initially blamed Moscow, investigators have increasingly examined suggestions that Ukrainian state security agencies may have been involved — even though Ukraine counts Germany as one of its closest allies.

The trial of the suspect, who is believed to be the alleged ringleader of the attack, is being held under strict security measures at the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court in Hamburg.

According to the charges, the defendant was allegedly involved in causing the Sept. 26, 2022, explosions that damaged pipelines built to carry Russian natural gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea.

At the time, European countries were moving to wean themselves off Russian energy sources, following the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Prosecutors say the aim of the plot was to permanently disrupt gas deliveries and prevent Russia from using the revenues to finance its military operations.

The defendant and others allegedly used a yacht that departed from the German port of Rostock. It had been rented from a German company using forged IDs and with the help of intermediaries.

The explosions ruptured the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which was Russia’s main natural gas supply route to Germany until Moscow cut off supplies in August 2022. They also damaged Nord Stream 2, which never entered service because Germany suspended its certification process shortly before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The suspect allegedly organized and carried out the detonation of at least four bombs between 14 and 27 kilograms (around 31 to 62 pounds) at a depth of 70 to 80 meters (230 feet to 263 feet) near the Danish island of Bornholm.

He was detained in 2025 in an Italian village, where officers raided a bungalow where he was staying with his family. Police said he surrendered without resistance. He was extradited to Germany in November.

A second suspect was arrested on a European warrant in the northern Croatian town of Pula in August. He has applied for asylum in Croatia to fight his extradition to Germany.

The pipelines were long a target of criticism by the U.S. and some of its allies, which warned that they increased dependence on Russian gas.

Russia has claimed that U.S. and British intelligence agencies were involved in staging the explosions and has also accused NATO of involvement in the attack, while several Western countries initially blamed Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has denied allegations that his country was involved in the pipeline blasts.

The German government has so far refrained from comment on the upcoming trial, pointing out that no verdict has yet been reached and the case is in the hands of the independent judiciary.

So far, 16 court dates have been scheduled through Dec. 17. Additional dates are also planned for January and February 2027. It is not yet known when the verdict will be announced.

Ukraine supporters gather at the entrance to the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court before the trial of Serhij K., a former Ukrainian army officer, in Hamburg, Germany, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. (Markus Scholz/dpa via AP)

Ukraine supporters gather at the entrance to the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court ahead of the trial of Serhij K., a former Ukrainian army officer, in Hamburg, Germany, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. (Markus Scholz/dpa via AP)

Journalists wait at the entrance to the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court before the trial of Serhij K., a former Ukrainian army officer, in Hamburg, Germany, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. (Markus Scholz/dpa via AP)

FILE - In this picture provided by Swedish Coast Guard a leak from Nord Stream 2 is seen on Sept. 28, 2022. (Swedish Coast Guard via AP, File)

FILE - A suspect detained in Italy for the Nordstream pipelines bombing is lead from an helicopter to a motorcade to a court in Karlsruhe, Germany, Nov. 27, 2025. (Uli Deck/dpa via AP, File)