A new industry report just landed, and if you're holiday shopping this year, it confirms what most of us already feel: Americans are still going all-in on tech gifts. According to the Consumer Technology Association's (CTA) 2026 Consumer Technology Holiday Purchase Patterns study, nearly nine in 10 U.S. adults plan to shop for technology as a gift this holiday season — and wireless audio tops the list, with 67% of shoppers considering headphones or earbuds.
Here's the thing, though: when everyone is gifting the same AirPods, power banks, and phone cases, the gadgets start to look identical. That's exactly where a personal touch comes in. A custom keychain or charm turns a generic tech gift into something unmistakably theirs. Here are some ideas inspired by this year's hottest tech-gift trends.
Wireless Audio Is the #1 Tech Gift — Dress Up the Case
The CTA study found that earbuds edge out headphones slightly (58% vs. 55% of shoppers considering them), which means millions of little charging cases are about to enter circulation. Those cases all look alike — white, black, or gray plastic ovals.
A custom PVC charm clipped onto the case loop instantly solves the "wait, is that mine?" problem at the gym, the office, or a crowded airport. Think:
- A mini version of the recipient's favorite hobby icon — a guitar, a dumbbell, a soccer ball
- Their name or initials in 3D rubber letters
- A small business logo, for team gifts that look sharp and professional
Lightweight, durable, and made to survive daily tossing into bags and pockets, a custom charm is the simplest upgrade to the year's most-gifted tech accessory.
Phone Accessories Round Out the Top 5 — Personalize the Setup
Right behind audio, the study puts phone accessories in the top five planned gifts: phone cases (58%), portable power banks (55%), and wireless charging docks or pads (50%). Nobody regifts the power bank itself — but pairing it with a matching custom keychain strap makes the whole bundle feel intentional.
Ideas that work especially well:
- A custom phone-strap charm with the recipient's favorite color or fandom design
- A keychain that matches their new case — same palette, same theme
- A set of two: one for the power bank, one for the charging cable pouch
With 43% of shoppers planning to do most of their gift buying from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, now is the perfect window to order custom pieces so they arrive before the holidays.
Smartphones and Foldables — Mark Your Territory
Smartphones top the wish list, with 53% of shoppers considering one as a gift — and 63% of those buyers eyeing a foldable or flip model, according to CTA. A brand-new phone is a big-ticket gift; the small personal detail on top is what people remember.
A custom keychain on a wrist strap or case lanyard adds personality to the most personal device we own, and it helps a new phone stand out in a pile of identical slabs at a holiday party.
For Small Businesses: Branded Tech Merch That Gets Used
The report also notes that 67% of shoppers may gift a subscription service this year — video, music, and gaming lead the way. Pairing a digital gift with something physical makes it feel real. And for businesses, the logic is even simpler: your team already carries tech everywhere. A custom PVC keychain or a morale patch with your logo on their laptop bag or backpack is branding that travels.
CharmCraft offers a free design service on custom orders, so turning a logo into a 3D PVC keychain or patch doesn't require any design skills on your end — just send the artwork and review the mockup.
Make This Year's Tech Gifts Unmistakably Theirs
The CTA survey of 1,210 U.S. adults (margin of error ±2.8%) makes one thing clear: tech gifts are the safe bet this holiday season — nearly 90% of shoppers are going that route. But "safe" doesn't have to mean "forgettable." A custom keychain, a charm for the earbuds case, or a patch on the tech bag adds the personal layer that mass-market gadgets can't.
Ready to personalize the tech on your gift list? Explore our Custom PVC Keychain (free design service included), browse the custom keychain collection, or check out our Custom 3D PVC Patches for bags and jackets. Order early in November so your custom pieces land well before the holiday rush.