Tariff and Inflation hits hard on the emotions of this couple while Christmas shopping.

Will Tariffs and Inflation Shape This Holiday Season? What Ornament Buyers Should Know for Christmas 2025

June 14 2025, by Adam Bishop, 3 min reading time

Rising tariffs and inflation are quietly reshaping the 2025 holiday season. Find out how imported ornament prices may spike — and how personalized gifting can protect your budget and preserve the tradition.

With rising tariffs and persistent inflation dominating headlines in 2025, many holiday shoppers are starting to worry: Will my favorite ornaments cost more—or disappear entirely this year?

In April, a new round of U.S. import tariffs took effect, including a universal 10% tax on most imported goods. Shortly after, some Chinese goods were hit with duties as high as 145%, before settling at around 30%. These sweeping changes also included the elimination of the duty-free exemption on small international orders, meaning nearly all imported goods now face some form of tax—even lower-cost holiday items like ornaments.

So what does this mean for gift-givers, collectors, and families looking to create lasting memories this Christmas? In this guide, we’ll break down the facts, the risks, and the best ways to protect your holiday spirit without overpaying or missing out.

What’s Changing with Tariffs in 2025

April 2, 2025: A 10% universal tariff on nearly all imported goods was enacted (Washington Post).
Mid-May: China-specific tariffs raised up to 145% on certain categories, later adjusted to around 30% (Business Insider).
De Minimis Closed: The previous exemption for duty-free parcels under $800 has been removed.

These changes directly impact holiday inventory—including ornaments, which are largely imported from Asia.

What the Data Says About Holiday Pricing

88% of gift and home décor businesses expect significant disruptions or delays due to tariffs (Kiplinger).
Major retailers like Hallmark have already raised prices by 20–25%.
Economists estimate a ~2.3% short-term rise in household goods, costing families an additional $3,800/year (MarketWatch).

Projected 2025 Holiday Gift Inflation bar graph.

What This Means for Ornament Buyers

With about 98% of ornaments imported globally, the new tariffs increase both risk and price:

Average cost hikes of 11–20% are expected by fall.
A $30 ornament could easily reach $35–$40 by October.
Some mass retailers may limit styles or quantities due to shipment delays or unprofitable pricing.
Small batch and boutique designs may sell out much earlier.

Planning ahead is essential this year.

How to Shop Smart This Holiday Season

Buy early: Avoid inflated prices and stockouts.
Choose personalization: Keepsake ornaments hold value beyond price.
Support small businesses: Transparency and handcrafted care set us apart.
Go for quality over quantity: Fewer, more meaningful gifts are the new tradition.
Avoid last-minute Amazon buys: Major platforms are the first to reflect price hikes.

Stable prices on personalized ornaments as depicted in this image showing price stability at Ornament Shop.

How Ornament Shop Is Responding

At Ornament Shop, we import with care and personalize each ornament by hand right here in the U.S. While we don’t manufacture domestically, we take pride in transforming each product into something personal, emotional, and meaningful.

Here’s how we’re adapting:

Streamlined inventory forecasting
Secure early-bird pricing for 2025 holiday orders
Focused collections with consistent availability

We know times are uncertain—but traditions don’t have to suffer. If anything, they matter more than ever.

Final Thoughts

Rising tariffs, shipping delays, and inflation are real — but your holiday spirit doesn’t have to be a casualty. The best gifts are rooted in meaning, memory, and connection, not price tags or scarcity.

This year, give something that tells a story—and support businesses that care about every detail.

Explore Our Personalized Ornament Collections

Order Early to Lock in Pricing & Personalization