Features

There’s no shortage of panic these days, but the numbers indicate that business is decent — if not booming.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) reported a healthy 2024 holiday season, with core retail sales growing 4% year over year, as well as 3.6% for all of 2024. Overall January 2025 retail sales were down 0.9% seasonally adjusted month over month, but up 4.2% unadjusted year over year.

This is somewhat disappointing on the heels of December 2024’s 0.7% increase month over month and 4.4% year over year. Regardless, in the retail world, the shiny and the new can still overcome practical considerations, especially if presented just so, pointed out Anna Bond, co-founder and CEO/ CCO of Rifle Paper Co.

“I have been loving the trend of pattern and color rising to the forefront of home and gift over the last few years,” she exclusively told Stationery Trends. “Although they have never gone out of style, it has been refreshing to see the trend shift away from neutrals and minimalism to a traditional, pattern and color-rich aesthetic. We have been designing products in colors such as plums, browns, burgundy, greens, along with patterns that are complex, smaller scale and British-inspired.”

That particular aesthetic is but one currently elevating merchandise from simply exquisite to absolutely essential in the baby, bridal and gift/home segments. Keep reading to see what else is trending up!

BABY

What’s Hot: Where the prevailing wisdom was once to “put a bird on it,” these days, tie it up with a bow, recommended Gina Cullen, vice president of product development at Mud Pie. “Bows are having a ‘moment.’”

Tried & True: Some things never change, Cullen noted. “Pink for girls and blue for boys, along with white, remain tried and true. Sweet baby icons, such as ducks, bunnies, lambs, puppies and rocking horses, continue to be timeless and universally loved. Soft fabrics are essential for blankets, clothing or anything that touches a baby’s skin. Plush animals remain a classic gift option, and we’ve expanded our collection significantly to include a wide variety of animals to more whimsical ‘princess’ animals adorned with tulle and crowns.”

Also Look For: Neutral and gender fluid presentations do appeal to many new parents. “Ungendered” colors like orange, yellow and green set the tone here.

Designer Quote: “We draw inspiration from current colors and trends in the broader world, such as bows and ballerinas. While these icons have been around for a long time, they are currently trending everywhere — whether in home décor, women’s fashion or kids’ products. We aim to stay ahead of trends and incorporate our unique Mud Pie spin into everything we create.” — Gina Cullen, Mud Pie

BRIDAL

What’s Hot: “As we are seeing in other areas of design such as fashion and interiors, color and personality is hot for 2025!” said Gina Peterson, owner and designer of Ginger P. Designs.

“We just did a save-the-date with a pink-and-red color scheme as the couple sent them out around Valentine’s Day. However, that same color palette will be used alongside an emerald green for their December wedding, which is so fun and cheerful, and definitely something we weren’t seeing a few years ago!”

Tried & True: Paper products like invitations, RSVPs, place cards, guest books and vow books set the event tone and live into posterity, said Karen Adams, designer and owner of Karen Adams Designs. “When my daughter was getting married, she could not find many options, so I figured out where we could provide beautiful paper products for any wedding.” The maker’s bow-tied Vow Books are just such a creation. Tied with satin ribbon and tucked in vellum envelopes, they’re modern heirlooms in the making.

Also Look For: “A design element you will see us use a lot within our wedding invitation suites is our ‘timeline of events’ that has definitely been used for years with our customers, but still remains fresh today,” explained Peterson, who just released a new wedding collection with TOG.ink illustrating these and many more market trends. “It’s a nice detail that also adds a lot of value for guests.”

Designer Quote: “I love being inspired by beautiful places and ‘vibes.’ Expect to see more couples wanting to express their personalities to their guests and really focusing on having a ‘fun’ wedding and/or wedding weekend. Having good vibes at an event is important, and it’s important that those vibes carry through the invitation and stationery. You’ll see lots of ‘fun’ elements in our latest offerings — a disco ball, for example, lets guests know to bring their dancing shoes for a night of celebration!” — Gina Peterson, Ginger P. Designs

GIFT/HOME

What’s Hot: The Karma Home and Karma Gift team outlined several trends currently on their design radar. If you’re seeking a timely motif in addition to bows, look no further than Swancore, said Karli Gabriel, senior product developer of Karma Home. “Following in the footsteps of sparrows and peacocks, swans take centerstage. This icon [can be] both sophisticated yet whimsical.”

Also in a similar vein, “Our Austen collection for Spring 2025 is driven by color and femininity,” Gabriel added. “From. melamine plates to teacups, it’s a perfect set up for entertaining friends this spring and summer.”

“For giftable items, humor and clever sentiments paired with bright eye-catching designs are always a no brainer,” said Kelsey Smith, senior product developer at Karma Gift. “Bright, colorful illustrations with a sense of whimsy and nostalgia lift spirits. We strive to create items that are functional as well as mood boosting.”

Tried & True: Sometimes classic is best. “Florals and stripes never go out of style,” emphasized Bond.

Also Look For: Reimagined flowers and fruit! “Larger, Rococo-esque flowers can be seen on many new prints, with vibrant pastel petals and soft, blended lines,” noted Gabriel. “Think peonies, marigolds, lilies, and roses.” Meanwhile, “We leaned heavily into fruit for our Spring 2025 season,” said Smith. “We took a timeless element and updated it to meet the current trends and color stories.”

Designer Quote: “I am very inspired by so much of the interior design in the UK: sophisticated, pattern and color heavy, and a sense of tradition mixed with comfort.” — Anna Bond, Rifle Paper Co.