January 02, 2026

Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

Happy New Year! I hope you’ve had a restful start to 2026. Before we get into our own New Year’s shopping resolutions, we’re using the first days of January to look back on a year of shopping.

And as much as we love talking about our own shopping finds, we’re equally interested in yours. So we’re using our first send of the year as an opportunity to take a bird’s-eye view, analyzing the shopping trends and patterns that emerged during the previous 12 months.

From left- and right-handed pens to buying electrolytes in bulk, here’s a closer look at how you shopped in 2025.

SALE

ADVERTISER CONTENT

READER POLL

At the end of last year, we asked you to tell us about some of the best things you bought this year. Here’s a taste: 

“The Kokuyo book weight. It doesn’t do much, only keeps my book open while I’m at a cafe table, but it makes reading feel easier. I was using my phone to hold down pages before.” —Annie

"A personalized Magic card for my game-loving guy, from a seller on Etsy. I used a picture of our cat and it was made into a creature card. I got to design every aspect, and it looks amazing, just like a real card. I can barely keep it a secret until Christmas.” —Kat 

“I bought this stool when it was on a really good sale; it always seemed a little too expensive, but the cabinets and closets in our new apartment are just a little too high for me, and this is perfect and much easier to grab than the big stepladder. It also functions as an ottoman!” —Anonymous

“Longchamp Le Pliage bag” —Sharman

“I love the Carter mug from the coffee brand Fellow, which you guys have mentioned before. It's the exact perfect travel mug for bringing to work and I am going to buy a second one just to have another on hand.” —Natalie