How to prepare for the holidays: New Year's gift ideas and tips for store owners

What gifts are relevant right now?

On the eve of the holidays, Ukrainians want the simplest things: stability, light, and warmth, with loved ones nearby. That is why gifts should not only be pleasant but also useful — for the home, the soul, or everyday use. People value practical, local, and aesthetic items: from handmade decor to interior details that create a cozy atmosphere.

What to give for New Year 2026

To get through this winter, it is important to stock up on essential items that not only help in everyday life but also give Ukrainians strength and motivation. Even if your loved ones already have such things, they will not be excessive in current conditions.

 For friends and loved ones:

• Textiles and homewear: warm pajamas, blankets, house slippers, terry bathrobes.

• Stylish eco-friendly solutions: bamboo tableware, thermal mugs, eco bags.

• Interior accessories: embroidered cushions, New Year garlands, wooden toys.

• Gift sets: with coffee, tea, honey, homemade sweets, or cosmetics.

• Thermal bottles and thermoses, electric blankets.

• Thermal underwear, warm socks, fleece clothing — hoodies, gloves, buffs, hats, scarves.

• Garlands and USB LED strips — top gifts for 2025–2026, as they not only create a festive atmosphere but also provide lighting during power outages.

• LED flashlights and desk lamps with a USB port — they can be charged from an outlet, a power bank, or a battery.

Gifts for coziness and festive mood

With frequent power outages and shelling, people experience constant psychological stress. It is important to relax, even briefly, and allow yourself simple pleasures. Christmas gifts can help with that:

• Aromatic relaxation: scented candles, essential oils, aroma lamps.

• Calming teas: Carpathian herbal blends with lavender, mint, or thyme.

• Warm terry towels, blankets, throws, bathrobes.

• Printed books for book lovers.

• Board games to brighten long winter evenings.

Original New Year gifts for creative people

For creative professionals or those who enjoy making things by hand, the following will be useful:

• creative supplies: sketchbooks, acrylic paints, pencils, watercolor paper, paint-by-numbers kits.

• Coloring books and mandalas for adults.

• Yarn, felt, beads, embroidery kits, soap-making and weaving sets.

• Esoteric items — Tarot cards, amulets, incense sticks.

• Scratch maps for travelers.

Gifts for any occasion

Universal gifts are always in demand. In 2026, the following will be appropriate:

• baskets with sweets, meat delicacies, or fruit.

• chocolate with predictions.

• gift certificates for cosmetics or experiences.

• interior items — decorative photo frames, tableware, figurines.

• New Year ornaments with patriotic symbols.

• New Year gift sets.

• souvenirs.

What to give a child for New Year?

If you are the kind of parents who do everything at the last moment, do not worry — you still have time to choose a gift your child will love. The choice, of course, depends on the child’s age and the family budget:

• for preschool children — playhouses, dolls, cleaning sets, toy kitchens and hairdresser accessories, construction sets, toy figures, night-vision spy glasses, soft toys, and more.
• for schoolchildren — creative kits, experiment sets, board games, stationery, backpacks, warm clothing, anime merchandise.
• for teenagers — wireless headphones, manga comics, cosplay items, K-pop merchandise, Kinder Surprise themed series, rock accessories, sketchbooks, notebooks, planners, marker sets, and more.

Tips for entrepreneurs: how to prepare your store for the holidays

The New Year season is the hottest period for sales. To increase revenue and attract customers, proper preparation is essential.

✅ 1. Update your assortment

If you sell household goods, toys, stationery, clothing and accessories, add seasonal products with festive elements: New Year decorations, Christmas-themed toys, holiday gift sets. For textile stores, this may include bedding and towels with festive prints.

Offer ready-made gift bundles, especially if your business involves cosmetics, home goods, or gifts — this is convenient for customers.

Focus on craft production and eco-friendly goods — demand for such products continues to grow.

✅ 2. Create a festive atmosphere

Decorate your storefront and interior in a New Year style. Add music and aromas (for example, cinnamon or mandarins). Set up a photo zone for customers — this creates social media activity and increases engagement.

How to organize New Year promotions in Torgsoft?

Torgsoft is an ideal tool for holiday preparation. Here are several tips for entrepreneurs planning promotions and sales during the winter holidays:

Promotion planning

• Create personalized offers for regular customers: Torgsoft accounting software allows you to segment customers by purchase history and interests.

• Launch promotions such as “1+1=3”, “-25% on the second item”, and “happy hours”.

• Add a gift with purchase (for example, a free candle, aromatherapy kit, socks, etc. for purchases over 500–1000 UAH).

Inventory control

• Monitor stock levels — the system shows minimum and maximum quantities for each product across warehouses and stores.

• Track best-selling items and plan purchases on time — this allows you to respond quickly to demand and replenish popular products.

Working with customers

• Create mass mailings in Torgsoft — send SMS, Viber, or email messages about promotions or holiday sales.

• Introduce a loyalty program if you have not done so yet — customers are more likely to return to use points that work as cashback.

• Use QR codes on packaging linking to your store’s Instagram or Telegram.

• Install a visitor counter at the entrance to your physical store and connect it to the Torgsoft accounting system. This way, you will know how many people enter your store, peak times, and how your advertising performs.

• Print gift certificates for different amounts or specific products and register them in the system. This makes choosing a New Year gift easier for customers and helps attract new clients who receive these certificates.

  Other recommendations

1. Prepare your storefront in advance — ideally 4–5 weeks before the holidays. The New Year season usually starts around December 15 and lasts until the end of January.

2. Create holiday gift sets at different price points (“Gifts up to 300/500/1000 UAH”) — this helps customers choose faster.

3. Add free gift wrapping — a small detail that creates a wow effect.

4. Publish useful content on your social media — gift ideas for children, men, friends, teachers, and more.

5. Do not forget about New Year interactions on TikTok or Instagram — people love giveaways and contests before the holidays.

In the new year, Ukrainians value meaningful, practical gifts and sincere emotions. Entrepreneurs who can quickly respond to customer needs, create exceptional service, and build a festive atmosphere gain a competitive advantage. New Year promotions, store decoration, and automation with Torgsoft are not just tools — they are a path to a successful sales season.

Read also:

• 20 ideas for gifts for sales staff

• What to give an entrepreneur

• New business opportunities: selling gifts online

• 12 additional options that turn a regular store into a managed business