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December Gold Rush: What Smart POD Sellers Are Doing Right Now

October 10, 2025
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December Gold Rush blog cover with holiday lights, laptop showing sales charts, and a Christmas mug — representing Q4 success for POD sellers

Last week, I was scrolling through our GearLaunch dashboard analytics when something really caught my attention. December isn't just another month for us POD sellers—it's THE month. 

And this year? The numbers are telling us a story we can't ignore.

Holiday sales reached between $979.5 billion to $989 billion in November and December 2024 (National Retail Federation, 2024), with ecommerce growing at twice the rate of traditional retail. 

But here's the thing: those billions of dollars don't automatically find their way to your store. 

You need to understand what shoppers actually want right now.

So grab your coffee (or tea, I don't judge), and let me walk you through the December trends that are shaping our POD world this year—and exactly how you can use them with GearLaunch to finish 2024 strong.

The Personalization Wave Isn't Slowing Down

Remember when "personalized gifts" just meant adding someone's name to a mug? Those days are long gone.

What I'm seeing in December 2024 is something deeper. Customers aren't just looking for products with names on them—they want items that tell a story. They want gifts that make their loved ones say, "Wow, you really thought about this."

Personalized Christmas ornaments, acrylic plaques, mugs, greeting cards, and hoodies are topping the charts as the hottest POD products for Christmas 2024 (Printify Blog, 2024). But the secret sauce? It's all about making it easy for customers to add their personal touch.

White ceramic mug with a personalized Christmas family design beside croissants — ideal for showcasing customizable holiday gift products.

What's Working Right Now on GearLaunch:

Family-Centric Products: Think beyond the basic "The Smith Family" designs. I'm talking about products that celebrate family moments—the year they became grandparents, the year they adopted their dog, or their first Christmas in a new home.

Milestone Celebrations: 2024 has been a year of change for so many people. Products that commemorate graduations, new jobs, new homes, or new family members are resonating like crazy.

Memory Keepers: Items that capture special dates, coordinates of meaningful places, or inside jokes between friends. These aren't just products—they're memories you can hold.

The beauty of GearLaunch? We offer one of the largest high-quality print-on-demand product catalogs, which means you have hundreds of options to bring these personalization ideas to life.

The "It's Okay to Treat Yourself" Movement

Here's a trend I didn't see coming but makes total sense: self-gifting is having a moment.

According to CivicScience research, Gen Z is the most likely age group to self-gift, with women showing higher participation rates at 41% compared to 29% of men (CivicScience, 2025). 

What does this mean for you? Your December marketing shouldn't only focus on "perfect gifts for others"—make room for the "you deserve this" angle too.

I've noticed our most successful sellers this month are running dual campaigns: one for gift-givers and another for self-care shoppers. Same products, different messaging.

Think about it: cozy hoodies with empowering messages, aesthetic wall art for home offices, or custom phone cases that match their vibe. These items sell themselves when positioned as "a little something for you this holiday season."

Pink fleece blanket with Christmas tree and snowflake design — cozy personalized gift for the holiday season.

Sustainability Matters More Than Ever

Can I be honest with you? A few years ago, I thought "eco-friendly" was just a buzzword. But the data proves me wrong every time.

Sustainability continues to be a driving force in 2024, with more people opting for eco-friendly materials and thoughtful touches that reduce waste. Now, you might be thinking, "But I'm just selling POD products—how does this apply to me?"

Here's how: messaging matters. When you're creating your product listings on GearLaunch, talk about the quality and longevity of the products. Customers care about this stuff, and it's a real advantage we have over mass-produced alternatives.

Folded green t-shirt with a card reading ‘Printed just for you’ — illustrating the personalized print-on-demand experience.


What December Shoppers Are Actually Searching For

Let me share some patterns I've noticed in what's converting well this December:

Home & Comfort Items: We're talking blankets, pillows, and anything that screams "cozy season." After the chaos of the year, people want comfort—both to give and receive.

Wearables with Personality: Not just any t-shirt or hoodie, but ones that make a statement. Funny quotes, nostalgic references, or designs that represent a hobby or interest.

Small, Thoughtful Touches: Ornaments, stickers, keychains—items under $20 that feel personal and special. These are impulse buys that add up fast.

Wall Art & Home Decor: People have been investing in their spaces, and that trend hasn't stopped. Motivational quotes, vintage-style prints, and modern minimalist designs are all doing well.

Holiday flat lay with blanket, mug, sweatshirt, and Christmas decorations — perfect example of personalized POD gift bundles.

The GearLaunch Advantage This December

Here's why I genuinely believe GearLaunch is your best partner for finishing the year strong:

Massive Product Selection: With over 600 premium print-on-demand items in our catalog, you're not limited to the usual suspects. Want to test ornaments alongside hoodies and wall art? Go for it.

Built-In Tools That Actually Help: Our platform includes automated upsell and cross-selling features. That means when someone adds a mug to their cart, they might see a matching coaster set. More value for the customer, more revenue for you.

Customer Support That Gets It: The POD world moves fast, especially in December. GearLaunch provides industry-leading customer service, which means when you have a question at 11 PM while setting up a new campaign, we've got your back.

My Advice: Don't Overthink It

I see so many sellers freeze up in December because they think everything needs to be perfect. 

But here's what I've learned after years in this business: done is better than perfect.

Start with what you know. If you've had success with a particular niche or design style, double down on that for December. Add a holiday twist, sure, but don't abandon what's already working.

Use GearLaunch's design tools to create variations quickly. One solid design concept can become 10 different products in less than an hour. Test, see what sells, and scale up fast.

The Numbers Don't Lie

US ecommerce sales grew by 8.7% in 2024 to nearly $1.2 trillion, and ecommerce now makes up 16.2% of all retail sales (eMarketer, 2024). Print-on-demand is riding this wave, and December is when we catch the biggest swells.

But here's the thing about December that makes it different from every other month: urgency. People NEED gifts. They're searching, they're ready to buy, and they're willing to pay for something that feels special.

Your job? Be there with the right products at the right time.

Quick December Action Plan

If you're reading this and thinking, "Okay, but what do I actually DO right now?"—here's your simple game plan:

  1. Audit Your Current Products: What's already selling? Can you create a holiday version?

  1. Add Personalization Options: Use text fields, date fields, or family name customizations where it makes sense.

  1. Create Gift Bundles: Group complementary items together. A mug + matching ornament + greeting card = instant gift set.

  1. Update Your Messaging: Make sure your product descriptions speak to December shoppers—gift-giving language, delivery timeframes, and that personal touch factor.

  1. Test New Products: With GearLaunch's huge catalog, there's no reason not to try something new. Even if only 10% of your experimental products hit, that's extra revenue you didn't have before.

Notebook checklist next to a smartphone displaying a custom t-shirt design — visualizing product creation workflow for POD sellers.

Final Thoughts

Look, December in the POD world can feel overwhelming. There's competition, there are shipping deadlines, and there's pressure to make the most of the season.

But here's what I remind myself: every single person shopping online right now is looking for something that helps them show someone they care. Whether that's a family member, a friend, or themselves—they want to feel good about their purchase.

When you use GearLaunch to create products that are thoughtful, well-designed, and genuinely useful, you're not just making sales. You're helping people celebrate what matters to them. And honestly? That's what makes December my favorite month in this business.

Now go check your GearLaunch dashboard and see what opportunities are waiting for you. 

December waits for no one—but with the right approach and tools, it can be your best month yet.

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