Google published its annual Holiday 100 list on November 9, and it is the closest thing to a definitive answer to the question every shopper asks in November: what is everyone actually buying? The list ranks the 100 gifts Americans are searching for most, drawn from more than a billion shopping searches on Google every day. Christmas is already the season's biggest search topic: 'how many days until christmas' is the second most-asked question on Google in the United States, at about 800,000 searches a month. Here are the ten gift categories climbing fastest in American searches this fall.

1. Perfume sampler sets. Perfume sampler sets are the single most-searched gift set of 2026, according to Google's shopping team. A sampler solves the hardest problem in fragrance gifting — picking a scent for someone else — by letting the recipient choose from a set of small vials and then redeem the full bottle of their favorite. It is a gift that cannot really miss, which is why it tops the search charts, and it suits almost any budget, from a handful of minis to a full discovery wardrobe.

2. Skincare gift sets. Skincare gift sets are the fastest-climbing beauty category of the season, with US search interest up 119 percent this fall compared with the same weeks last year. The boom is led by Korean-style skincare routines — gentle cleansers, hydrating serums and sheet masks packaged as ready-made sets — but the pattern holds across the category: a set looks generous, costs less than the pieces separately, and works for teenagers, parents and grandparents alike.

3. Board games. Board games are back in a big way: searches for them have more than doubled in 2026. The appeal is simple — a game is an evening together, not another object on a shelf — and this year's favorites span classic strategy games, quick party games and vintage-style sets. For families shopping for a shared gift rather than one person, a board game is the easiest win on this list.

4. Instant film cameras. Instant film cameras are having a genuine revival. Searches for holiday instant-camera gift sets jumped about 190 percent this year, driven by buyers who want a gift that feels nostalgic and fun. The camera prints photos on the spot, which makes it a hit at parties and with teenagers, and the film itself doubles as a stocking stuffer all year.

5. Suede slip-on shoes. Suede slip-on shoes are the fashion surprise of the season, with searches up 250 percent in 2026. Comfortable, easy to wear and dressy enough for a holiday dinner, they sit at the intersection of the two biggest style trends of the year: effortless dressing and shoes that do not punish the wearer. They are also one of the few gifts on this list that works equally well for men and women.

6. Stainless steel kettles. Stainless steel kettles are the kitchen gift of the year — searches are up about 200 percent. A good kettle is the rare kitchen tool that gets used every single day, and the new generation of gooseneck and precision-pour designs has turned a humble appliance into something coffee and tea lovers actively want.

7. Classic toy train sets. Classic toy train sets are the nostalgia pick of 2026, with searches up 240 percent. Parents who grew up with a train circling the Christmas tree are buying the same magic for their children, and the sets have improved: better track, quieter motors, details that hold up to daily play. It is a gift that becomes a family tradition rather than a toy that is forgotten by February.

8. Insulated travel bottles. Insulated travel bottles keep climbing, with US search interest up about a third this fall. The big 40-ounce bottles with handles have become a daily-carry staple, and they make a practical gift for commuters, gym-goers and students. Look for one that fits a car cup holder — the detail buyers complain about most is a bottle that does not fit anywhere.

9. E-readers. E-readers are the quiet climber on this year's list, with searches up about 17 percent. A modern e-reader holds thousands of books, reads comfortably in bright sunlight, and lasts weeks on a charge, which makes it the perfect gift for the reader in your life who has run out of shelf space. Pair it with a gift card for ebooks and the first download is on you.

10. Plush throw blankets. Plush throw blankets round out the top ten, anchoring Google's 'cozy comforts' category. A good throw is the gift everyone uses and nobody buys for themselves, and this year's favorites are oversized, machine-washable and soft enough to live on the couch all winter. For a housewarming, a host gift or a hard-to-shop-for relative, it is the safest pick here.

The pattern across all ten is easy to read: Americans are searching for gifts that are personal, practical and built to be used rather than displayed. Buy early — the fastest-climbing categories are also the most likely to sell out — and compare prices in two places before checkout, because the biggest advertised discount is not always the lowest final price. Start with the recipient, not the trend: the best gift on this list is the one that matches the person holding it on Christmas morning.

Shopping this season? Start at Amazon — shop deals and compare prices before you buy.

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Source: New York Post