NEW YORK (AP) — Barbiecore has legs ahead of next year's release of the live-action "Barbie" movie and the 60th anniversary of the old gal's Dreamhouse (the 1979 dwelling was the best).
And where there's Barbie, there's pink. Hot pink.
The hue has been everywhere this year and plays into a broader trend for the holidays: all things merry and bright, said Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy's trend spotter.
"Everyone's been crazy about hot pink and really just pink in all shades," she said.
Etsy, the global handmade marketplace of independent sellers, saw a 34% increase in searches for hot pink fashion items over last year.
Valentino created a collection out of the shade, shown on a pink runway in March. LaQuan Smith, Christian Siriano and Tom Ford showed pink in September. Serena Williams wore it front row at Michael Kors. Paris Hilton closed the Versace show in pink, her signature color. Lizzo also wears it regularly, and pink in lots of Barbie-worthy shades rocked the Met Gala.
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This combination of ten images shows, top row from left, American actor Madelaine Petsch, French influencer Paola Locatelli, Meta's Global Head of Luxury Morin Oluwole, Thai model-actor Nychaa and Thai actor-singer PP Krit, bottom row from left, German influencer Jacob Rott, German model Caroline Daur, American real estate broker Christine Quinn, German fashion influencer Leonie Hanne and American singer-songwriter Erykah Badu wearing hot pink at the Valentino ready-to-wear Spring/Summer 2023 fashion collection presented in Paris on Oct. 2, 2022. (Photos by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
Barbie pink has creeped into home decor, beauty and accessories. And Barbiecore has hit heavy on Instagram and TikTok. There are plenty of ways to gift the trend. Some starters:
PINK GEMS
Pink sapphire, rose quartz, star ruby, rhodonite, rubellite, pink tourmaline and — last but certainly not least — pink diamonds. If you're looking for pink in gemstones, there are lots of options but perhaps none so special as the diamond hue. Ben Affleck chose a pink diamond from Harry Winston the first time he proposed to Jennifer Lopez, back in 2002. Pink diamonds are rare and pricey so a lesser gem might have to do. There are also pink opals, pink malaya garnets, pink topaz. I could go on.
Link up with pink gem enthusiasts at gemsociety.org.
PINK WEARABLES
If an outfit right off the runway isn't in your budget, how about some more affordable pops of wearable pink?
The brand Good American has lots. There's a pair of skinny corduroys for $120, a leather bomber jacket for $175 and a body hugger of a midi dress for $99. A pink leather bando, a cropped long-sleeve V-neck collegiate style sweater, a jumpsuit, bodysuit, rugby shirt, pocket T-shirt. The company has thought of it all. Head to GoodAmerican.com.
This photo shows the Collect Rib Short Jumpsuit in pink and black from Koral. All things Barbie is a strong trend from fashion to home decor heading into the holidays. (Koral via AP)
Koral sells a short onesie in pink and black for a good ole fashion Barbie workout. $121.
Look for the Alexander McQueen holiday collection Skull Four Ring Clutch in pink for $1,890, or a less expensive bag elsewhere.
This photo shows the Alexander McQueen Skull Four Ring Clutch in pink. Barbiecore is driving a desire for all things pink this holiday season. (Alexander McQueen via AP
Pink was made for a party. Giuseppe Zanotti makes the velvet pink and very high Bebe platform sandal. $1,050 at GiuseppeZanotti.com. Stuart Weitzman's XCurve Crystal 100 Mule serves the trend nicely. $595 at StuartWeitzman.com.
This photo shows the Bebe platform shoe by Giuseppe Zanotti in pink velvet. All things Barbie is a strong trend from fashion to home decor heading into the holidays. (Giuseppe Zanotti via AP)
How about some pink cloud slides for $19.99?
PINK HOLIDAY DECOR
You could Barbie-fy a giftee's holiday decor.
Etsy seller Plush Fiber Craft Co. has a pompom door wreath rich in bright colors, including pink, for $76.28. Another seller, Schemata, has a hand-painted glass ornament with swirls of pink for $27.50. How about an entire artificial tree in pink? They're all over the place, including Home Depot online.
This Sept 29, 2022 photo shows a pom-pom door wreath in vibrant colors from the Etsy shop Plush Fiber Craft Co. Collectibles of all kinds make great holiday gifts. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP).
MISCELLANEOUS PINK
So much pink, so little shopping time.
The Etsy seller Haydaysy offers a pair of vintage pink coffee mugs for $30.
Target is full of pink for the kitchen, from mini donut and cupcake makers by Brentwood (under $50 each) to a 100-count of disposable K-cup lids for Keurig at a cost of $15.95. Is Barbie into saving the planet?
This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Ryan Gosling as Ken, left, and Margo Robbie as Barbie in the upcoming film "Barbie." (Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
WHAT ABOUT KEN?
Little is known about the plot of the new "Barbie" movie, out next July starring Margot Robbie, and Ryan Gosling as a platinum Ken. Greta Gerwig directs and co-wrote the script with Noah Baumbach. The look of the film has been teased and there's plenty of pink. Ken also rocks some denim gear.
If a jean jacket with the arms cut off doesn't sing the holidays, keep in mind that Ken debuted in 1961 wearing only swim trunks and a matching beach shirt. Celebrate with the gift of Ken gear for the sand and sun.
But Ken has also been a fashionisto. Upgrade to a smart tuxedo, or seek inspiration in one of his other many iterations. You could pick up a pair of neon yellow rollerblades like the ones Gosling and Robbie navigate in leaked set footage. They're dressed in, you guessed it, pink.
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From Wordle to sweets, here are some amusing holiday gift ideas for the grown-ups
The Shakespeare Game
This bard-in-a-box extravaganza has players collecting characters and racing around London's theaters. The idea is to put on as many plays as possible before others “steal your ideas, burn down your theaters or spread the plague!” The winner rakes in the most box office bucks and is the fastest to fame and glory. $35.
Wordle: The Party Game.
Did you see it coming? Hasbro and The New York Times have made the get-it-in-six daily treat a board game. In each round, a player picked as host writes down a five-letter word. Others must figure it out in, you guessed it, six tries, competing to do it in the least number of attempts. Dry erase boards and familiar color coding are used. $19.99.
Paco Sako
This chess variant was originally the subject of a Kickstarter by Felix Albers, the Dutch dad who created it. Played on a regular chess board with regular chess pieces, there are unions that look like hugs and the winner “embraces” the opponent's king, as opposed to capturing it. Pieces move the same as in chess but generally don't leave the board. Still don't get it? Have a look at reviews and how-tos before you plunk down $49.99.
Dylan's Candy Bar
Dylan's Candy Bar is a sugary, gifty playground year round, and especially at the holidays. The company's clear plastic tackle boxes offer a little something for everybody. There's one for $125 full of festive, shiny-wrapped candy bling. Another for $85 is a trip down memory lane for boomers with Zots, Mallo Cups, Chick-O-Sticks and more. Millennials have their own sour feast at the same price.
Licorice Advent calendar
Got a licorice lover? The Danish confectionery Lakrids by Bulow has brought back their Advent calendar filled with 24 days of licorice covered in chocolate. I repeat. Licorice encased in chocolate, with flavors like raspberry and salted caramel. The goodness comes in a sleek, black-and-white packaging design. $55.
Collectibles and nostalgia
Collectibles make great gifts and those mystery packs of miniatures are no exception. Wrap up some minis in minis from Sugar Buzz for a laugh. They feature iconic brands like Mike and Ike but beware. They’re not actually edible.
More options:
For the beer lover, Etsy seller Pretentious Beer Glass has on offer four hand-blown Pilsner glasses for $162.
Feeding the taste for nostalgia, Build-a-Bear has launched “The Bear Cave” line of plush bears and other characters partaking of Champagne, cocktails and beer. All are under $60.
Lite Brite sells a line of ‘50s and ’60s pop art sets intended to be hung on a wall after they're created. They're in the $100 range. Ho ho ho.
Big fans of Little People alert:
Fisher Price has a six-piece collector set of figures from the hit “Ted Lasso.” The gang's all here: Ted Lasso, Rebecca Welton, Keeley Jones, Coach Beard, Roy Kent and Sam Obisanya for a hit of toy nostalgia. $29.97.
Wheels
The American icon Schwinn makes something called the Shuffle Deluxe Scooter. It has two wheels and bicycle-like handlebars but retains scooter status with a nostalgic wood step board. With kickstand. $249.
Razor recently launched the Razor Icon (pictured). It's bigger, faster and electric.
If scooters aren't how your giftees roll, try a longboard. They're everywhere. Koastals are plentiful and come in a range of prices and designs. They're handcrafted in Southern California. From $99 to $280. Buy complete or customize.
Theater
At $129.99 a year, the streaming service BroadwayHD serves up full-length stage plays and musicals, including exclusive livestreams. It's an unlimited, on-demand library of more than 300 theater productions from Broadway, the West End and beyond. Some ballets and concerts, too. Not looking to spend that much? Buy a month or two at $11.99 each.
Or you could pick up an original cast recording of a favorite musical, or a biography on a theater legend. “Free for All: Joe Papp, The Public, and the Greatest Theater Story Ever Told” by Kenneth Turan and Papp himself holds up. It's been out since 2009 so shop around for a good price.
Booze
Can't think of anything unusual? Research and reach for a special bottle. There are too many variables and options for too many palates to make one solid recommendation, but special splurges abound. Consider Garrison Brothers Distillery for bourbon. It has a range of price points.
Look for “premier cru” or “grand cru” on Champagne labels noting top vineyards, as in the Krug Grande Cuvée Brut. It's in the $180 range. Got a wine buff? How about the 2019 Insignia from the Napa Valley Joseph Phelps Vineyards. $330.
'The Office'
For whatever reason, considering all the Lego sets and all the TV shows in the land, folks are frothing for Lego's 1,164-piece set based on the Emmy-winning “The Office.” It's Dunder Mifflin down to the tiniest detail and includes 15 mini-figures of the show's main characters. A dozen of the figures have two facial expressions when the heads are turned around. Classic scenes come to life in Jim's teapot, Michael's World's Best Boss mug and Dwight's Jell-O-encased stapler. $119.99.
Lots of big-kid sets are out there if this one doesn't do it. Among the Lego Ideas sets: a manual typewriter, the “Seinfeld” apartment set and a shoutout to “The Flintstones.”
Outdoors
Remember the cozy hygge phenom? Well, the Scandinavian concept of friluftsliv (roughly FREE-loofts-leeve) is another Nordic secret that's spreading. It's the idea of enjoying slow nature, and being kind to the Earth. Swedish-American Linda Akeson McGurk has written a book, “The Open-Air Life,” sharing the 10 principles of friluftsliv. She explains how to make a more meaningful relationship with the great outdoors. $20.
Outdoors-adjacent
Searches for all things sporty chic, mountainside-style, are up on Etsy, said Dayna Isom Johnson, the handmade marketplace's trend expert. Sellers there, and their buyers, are “looking to the mountains and snowy caps for inspiration,” she said. That includes folks looking for vintage ski gear.
A cheaper alternative to feed the outdoor trend? One Etsy seller, Cai Cai Handmade, offers mountain soy and beeswax candles that can be customized by color and scent, including pine forest.
More friluftsliv
To further friluftsliv a female giftee, wrap up some Moment mints by MotherBar. They're nearly 100% organic and each includes 40 mg of full-spectrum CBD, along with Szechuan flower, peppermint and Bulgarian rose. $65 for 10. Recommended to start with one at a time, but who's counting. The packaging and marketing are gender specific.
The vibrations
Know somebody who needs a little help shaking off their pandemic funk?
Gift a card deck of affirmations and good vibes. Two sisters, Shanna Cancino and Cherish Wilson, have created The Vibe Check Deck of 52 cards with prompts to help people perk up. Such as: “Give someone a hug for 20 seconds" and “Explore your senses. Name five things you see, four things you feel, three things you hear, two things you smell, one thing you taste.” Not feeling those? How about: “Send a positive wish to your water and drink.” Surely, your gift recipient will at least smile, wryly or otherwise. $29.99.
Another option:
Tarot decks are bountiful. For beginners, Clarkson Potter sells “Illuminated: A Journal for Your Tarot Practice.” It offers ways to more meaningfully engage with a deck and log observations and reflections. $16.
Nets and more nets
Move over pickleball, Jazzminton Sport is on your tail. It's an indoor-outdoor game played with paddles and birdies and a unique net with a horizontal cut out. There are no boundaries. No court is required. Set up is simple. Two people play. Just bat the birdie back and forth through the hole until the winner reaches an agreed-upon point number. $199.99.
Another option:
If one net isn't enough, go for four with Crossnet. It's a four-square-meets-volleyball game for indoors, outdoors, on sand or concrete, in water or on grass. Play is, uh, complicated. In a nutshell: Four people are up or break into teams of two. Play goes around one hit per return across four nets until the ball hits the ground or goes out of bounds. People are rotated in and out. The net height is adjustable. $149.99 at Crossnetgame.com.
