07 Oct Crafting Little Luxuries: Why Small Indulgences Matter in a Big Way This Holiday Season
When the economy tightens, people don’t stop spending; they simply shift how they spend.
Economists call it the “lipstick effect”: during an economic downturn, when consumers don’t have the funds to splurge on big-ticket items, they tend to treat themselves to affordable luxuries that deliver joy in small but powerful ways.
From matcha lattes to Labubu plushies to beautifully hand-dyed mini-skeins of yarn, these little indulgences have always become more attractive to consumers navigating uncertain times.
This season, craft shops are uniquely positioned to step into the role of little luxury providers. Because what’s more comforting than a mini skein of yarn, a brand-new pair of embroidery scissors, or a small quilt kit you can finish in a weekend?
These are exactly the kinds of “little luxuries” that feel attainable, indulgent, and giftable. Little luxury products are perfect for holiday shopping, when budgets may be tight but creatives still crave joy.
If you need help marketing your craft business this holiday season, Stitchcraft Marketing is here to support you. Check out our available services
Why Little Luxuries Work in Craft Retail
- They’re emotionally satisfying. Small luxuries deliver that dopamine boost, a sense of joy and accomplishment at a time when people need it most.
- They’re accessible. A $15 kit or a $40 tool feels doable, even when larger purchases feel out of reach.
- They’re versatile. Little luxuries work as stocking stuffers, Secret Santa gifts, or “treat yourself” moments for makers.
- They create loyalty. A delightful small purchase today builds the customer relationship that can grow into larger projects later.
Small Indulgences at Accessible Price Points ($10–$50)
Think of these as the craft equivalent of a holiday latte—small, joyful, and irresistible:
- Mini Kits: Ornament embroidery sets, mug rug packs, mini quilt kits, or single-skein knitting projects like socks and mini shawlettes.
- Craft Accessories: Seasonal stitch markers, enamel pins, whimsical needle tins, or specialty scissors.
- Consumables with Sparkle: Hand-dyed mini skeins, curated bead mixes, or holiday fat quarter bundles.
- Craft + Self-Care Pairings: A tea sachet + embroidery hoop, a candle + tiny weaving kit, small quilted coaster kits, or a “color + create” postcard set.
👉 Positioning tip: Market these as “Five minutes of creative me-time” or “Affordable indulgences to brighten your holiday season.”
For the holidays last year, 5 Little Monkeys Quilt and Sew in Weaverville, North Carolina, created kits to craft mini quilts as coasters. The kits sold well among shoppers and quilters who were eager for something quick and satisfying to make during the holiday season.
Circle of Stitches in Salem, Massachusetts, recently released a “Witch, Please” skein of Halloween-inspired sock yarn. They collaborated up with Valkyrie Fibers to produce the exclusive colorway, which sold out of preorders twice! Collaborating with other craft businesses is a great way to craft little luxuries and boost sales for both businesses.
Every year Thimbles Quilts in Lockport, Illinois, engages in a “12 Days of Christmas” event, choosing 12 small products to put on sale for a limited period of time. Aside from being a fun way to surprise customers with a new product each day, it has also become an innovative means of moving excess products during the holiday season.
Sarah Schira of Imagined Landscapes focuses much of her design work on gnomes. These small knits are perfect little luxuries, because knitters usually only need to invest in a single skein of yarn, or a selection of mini skeins. The knitting is quick and satisfying, scratching that itch for a new project on the needles that so many knitters feel throughout the year. Her gnome designs also support collaborations with yarn dyers and notion makers, creating the opportunity for kits…
Kits as Little Luxuries
Kits have become extremely popular in the crafting space—we’ve included kits in our trends reviews for several years running, because they continue to attract new and devoted crafters year after year.
Kits offer ample opportunity for tapping the little luxuries market. Kits can offer an entry into a craft or technique, enticing beginner-level crafters to explore something new. We’ve noticed more quilt and yarn retailers carrying sashiko, cross stitch, and small embroidery kits—and the response from customers has been largely positive.
Kits in adjacent crafts also create a testing ground for your business: if the knitters in your shop tend to buy small doll making kits, it shows there may be room in your business for sewing supplies. If the quilters in your shop like the sashiko kits you carry, then it might be time to consider offering hand embroidery classes.
Craft-themed Goodies as Little Luxuries
When considering little luxuries for the holiday season, don’t forget about the small goodies, notions, and accessories that allow crafters to showcase their favorite hobbies. Platforms like Printify provide ample opportunities for branded little luxuries that crafters will love.
Consider creating craft-themed and branded little luxuries like stickers, magnets, coasters, tumblers, t-shirts, hats, ornaments, notepads, greeting cards, journals, blankets, aprons, wrapping paper, phone cases, embroidery patches, and more.
Elevated Little Luxuries ($50–$125)
Not all little luxuries are small in price. Some shoppers are willing to spend more if the little luxury is packaged and presented well. Elevated little luxuries provide something that feels special, giftable, and worth the splurge. This is where elevated indulgences come in:
- Luxury Project Kits: Cashmere shawl bundles, silk embroidery kits in keepsake boxes, or pre-cut lap quilt kits in designer fabrics.
- Premium Tools: Hand-carved hooks, rosewood knitting needles, sterling silver thimbles, or artisan-made yarn bowls.
- Beautiful Storage & Organization: Leather project bags, handcrafted sewing baskets, or wooden spool cabinets.
- Craft + Lifestyle Bundles: A weekend quilt kit paired with artisan hot chocolate, or embroidery + a premium candle set.
- Advent Calendars + Subscriptions: Group all the little luxury products into a larger, slightly more expensive package via a seasonal advent calendar or monthly subscription.
👉 Positioning tip: Frame these as “the heirloom gift for makers” or “a treat you’ll treasure long after the holidays.”
Monthly subscription clubs sit nicely in the Elevated little Luxuries category. While a year-long subscription might technically qualify as a larger luxury, offering a monthly payment plan breaks up the amount into bite-sized installments. It also gives crafters a treat they can look forward to every month. The same can be said for advent calendars. During the holiday season, advent calendars present a treat—and a surprise—that crafters can enjoy each day.
Forbidden Fiber Co. has leaned into the subscription club and advent calendar model and it has performed well for them. They currently offer several subscriptions clubs for cross stitch kits, fabrics, threads, and other notions, as well as crafty and cross stitch advent calendars and 12-day yarn and cross stitch boxes.
How to Market Little Luxuries
It’s not just what you sell, it’s how you package and position it.
- Highlight quick wins. Call out “finish in a weekend” or “one evening project.”
- Focus on sensory delight. Talk about the feel of the fibers, the sparkle of the beads, the color joy of fabrics.
- Use scarcity. Limited edition colors, numbered sets, or seasonal exclusives increase urgency.
- Elevate the packaging. A velvet pouch, magnetic gift box, or branded tissue paper instantly shifts perception from “supply” to “luxury.”
- Sell the self-care angle. People aren’t just buying a kit, they’re buying time to themselves, a mindful escape, and a reason to feel good.
- Just a little treat. Present little luxuries as comfort items and a way crafters can “treat themselves” to something nice.
The Big Power of Little Luxuries
This holiday season, shoppers will be looking for joy in small packages, and craft shops are perfectly poised to provide it. Whether it’s a $12 ornament kit or a $150 leather project bag, the key is to frame these products as indulgences that deliver happiness without guilt.
By curating a “Little Luxuries Collection,” you not only make your products easy to shop, you also connect with the emotional heartbeat of today’s consumer. In a season where everyone is looking for comfort, crafts offer something no other industry can: the chance to create joy with their own hands.
We also share broader holiday tactics in Maximize Holiday Traffic with these Proven Strategies.
Want help curating or promoting your own “Little Luxuries” collection? Stitchcraft Marketing can help you design the kits, craft the messaging, and position your products for maximum holiday impact. Contact us today.
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