How Tariffs Could Impact Your 2025 Holiday Shopping

How Tariffs Could Impact Your 2025 Holiday Shopping

By TheChristmas.com Holiday Hub Team

The 2025 holiday season faces serious disruptions due to escalating U.S.-China trade tensions, with increasing tariffs on Chinese imports. These measures are already shaking up the Christmas industry, threatening price stability, product availability, and global supply chains.

Here’s what we’re seeing:

• Prices may double on artificial Christmas trees, toys, and decorations.
• Retailers are scrambling, with some delaying price labeling and others planning to pass costs directly to consumers.
• –90% of decorations and ~80% of toys come from China, leaving few viable U.S. alternatives.

Experts predict:

• Shortages and sticker shock for U.S. shoppers.
• Potential layoffs in Chinese factories and import declines of 20% in the U.S., which may worsen inflation.

Key Articles

We used AI to source credible information on this topic and summarized the key articles to help you stay informed and shop smarter this holiday season.

1. Trump’s 104% China Tariff Worries Christmas Industry – Yahoo News

Read Time: 3 minutes

Chinese manufacturers of artificial trees and holiday goods are alarmed by the 104% tariff hike. They expect major disruptions to U.S. supply chains and pricing, with holiday consumers likely bearing the brunt.

 

2. Will Trump’s Tariffs Make Holiday Shopping More Costly? – Today Show

Read Time: 2 minutes

Experts warn that the new tariffs will significantly raise prices on toys, electronics, and decorations. Some retailers are preparing for customer backlash, while others are still figuring out how much they’ll need to increase prices.

3. Has Trump Cancelled Christmas? – Reuters

Read Time: 3 minutes

Chinese producers report a total halt in U.S. holiday decoration orders. With the U.S. historically importing nearly $4B in these goods annually, this could lead to both inventory gaps and price surges by Q4.

 

4. Toy Prices May Double by Christmas – People

Read Time: 3 minutes

The CEO of Basic Fun! says up to 80% of toys sold in the U.S. could double in price by Christmas. Toy companies are halting new orders due to uncertainty, which could lead to less availability and fewer discounts for shoppers.

 

5. Christmas May Be Cancelled, China Warns – Fast Company

Read Time: 3 minutes

Chinese exporters are calling it a crisis: U.S. orders have dried up, workers are being laid off, and factories are idling. Meanwhile, U.S. vendors are struggling to source alternatives before peak season begins.

What Shoppers Should Do?

To stay ahead of the curve, here are some ideas:

• Start shopping early — before inventory tightens
• Set expectations for higher prices, especially on toys and décor, and make a budget to reflect these market changes
• Consider reusing decorations or exploring DIY options
• Watch for smaller packaging or fewer features (“shrinkflation”) as companies adapt to higher costs

This holiday season, preparation is key. Check back at TheChristmas.com for more relevant holiday updates and smart ways to celebrate despite global uncertainty.