Doing well at a craft show is always about striking the right balance between offering something that is uniquely you and something that is in high demand at the time. This is never more true than during the holiday season, so crafters planning to attend holiday or winter shows should definitely make sure they take the seasonal shopper’s needs into consideration. Let’s take a closer look at some of your best bets at making a killing at this year’s 2012 holiday craft shows.

Items Great for Gifting

Just about everyone is on the lookout for giftables during the holiday season. They’re also willing to make impulse buys more readily than they normally would be. In fact, people who come to craft shows around that time of year are often specifically hoping to stumble across something unique and handmade.

Try including small items that are relatively inexpensive as part of your inventory. Jewelry items are always a great pick, as are stationery and small items for around the house. Kitchen items like homemade jams or artisan oils are always a good pick as well, as are scent-based choices like candles or potpourri. Also consider handmade clothing items that are one-size-fits-all like shawls, scarves, and gloves.

Decorative Items for the Home

Just as people will be concerned with what to get their friends and family, they’ll also be looking for wonderful ways to decorate their own homes for the holidays. Holiday tree ornaments, garlands, and other such options are always a good idea to include around this time of year. This is especially the case if you can find a way to make them unique and set them apart from the generic drug store decorations people are used to.

Items That Are in Step With the Trends

Smart crafters always do their homework as far as what’s popular in general before hitting a holiday trade show. A great trick of the trade is to see what’s selling through websites such as Etsy and coming up with some similar items that are uniquely you. Jewelry that is unique and one-of-a-kind is hot, hot, hot right now. So are handmade clothing, candles, and any sort of bath and body product. Special, homemade perfume oils and potpourri options are both good choices as well. This is always the case, but it only becomes more so around the holidays because of what good gifts these items make.