Christmas by the Numbers: Gifts, Songs, and Movies We Love Most

Christmas has a funny way of feeling timeless. The decorations come out, the same songs start playing everywhere, and suddenly there are a handful of movies that feel mandatory. But once I started digging into the data, it became clear that while the feeling of Christmas stays familiar, the way we celebrate it is always changing.

So, I built a Christmas app and went back through decades of data to see what people were actually gifting, listening to, and watching over time. What emerged was a surprisingly clear story about how culture, technology, and nostalgia show up every December.

The most popular Christmas gifts by year

One of my favorite parts of exploring this data was seeing just how serious early Christmas gifts were. In 1924, the top toy was an erector set—a gift that required patience, focus, and a willingness to follow instructions. Honestly, it feels a little ambitious for a Christmas morning activity, but I kind of love that for us.

A few decades later, the tone shifted. Around World War II, Little Green Army Men rose to the top (1943), reflecting both the moment in history and the imaginative, story-driven play kids were drawn to at the time.

Then came the era of novelty. The Pet Rock had its brief but iconic run in 1975, proving that sometimes the hype really is the product. Just two years later, Atari became the must-have gift (1977), marking a clear turn toward digital entertainment. From there, toys started to feel less like objects and more like companions. In 1997, Tamagotchis were a perfect example of that always-on, emotional connection.

What surprised me most was how often old-school play stuck around. Jenga showed up alongside gaming systems (1987), a reminder that not everything needs a screen. And animated, talking toys kept cycling back into popularity, too: from Teddy Ruxpin (1985) to Furby (1998) to Bitzee, the digital pet toys (2023). Christmas gift trends don’t move in straight lines. They circle back, borrow from the past, and layer new technology on top of familiar ideas.

The Christmas songs on the best-selling list

Some Christmas trends come and go. Christmas music does not.

No big surprise here: Mariah Carey reigns supreme. She doesn’t just have one holiday hit on the all-time best-selling singles list. She has multiple songs on it, with “All I Want for Christmas Is You” in the top spot.  

Right behind her is Wham!, which I found especially fascinating. “Last Christmas” remains a seasonal staple, even though Wham! has very few other major hits. (Yes, some playlists insist on Taylor Swift’s 2007 version, which is great, but the original clearly still holds its ground.)

A few other patterns stood out too. Trans-Siberian Orchestra appears twice, showing that dramatic, instrumental holiday music has real staying power. And the range of songs is wide, spanning classics like Brenda Lee’s 1958 hit all the way to newer entries from artists like the Jonas Brothers and Katy Perry. Christmas music, it turns out, is both deeply nostalgic and surprisingly flexible.

The Christmas movies people can’t stop watching

The movie data tells a similar story. Some Christmas films continue to dominate decades after their release, while newer titles try to earn a spot alongside well-established favorites. Whether it’s a family classic, a rom-com, or a movie, people still debate as “technically a Christmas movie,” the list shows how certain stories keep finding their way back into our holiday routines.

What these trends say about how we celebrate Christmas

What I love most about this app is how easy it is to spot your own Christmas memories in the data. Maybe it’s the toy you begged for, the song you never skip, or the movie you rewatch every year without fail.

If you’re curious, take some time to explore the app and see what stands out to you. Christmas traditions may feel familiar, but the data shows they’ve always been evolving—one gift, song, and movie at a time.

Happy holidays, and happy exploring!