For over 50 years, Michaels has evolved alongside cultural trends, not just adapting to, but also shaping how, what, and why people create. As the largest arts and crafts retailer in North America— with over 71% of the population living within 10 miles of a store and millions shopping on Michaels.com daily— Michaels has an unmatched pulse on the creative trends shaping today's culture. This inaugural report explores how in 2025, crafting isn't just for those who consider themselves to be "artistic"— it's becoming a mainstream part of everyday life.
"Crafting is no longer just a hobby—it's self-care, a way to connect with friends, personalize your space, and even save money," said Mandi Clark, Director of Trend & Design at Michaels. "People are also embracing creativity beyond traditional crafting—turning hosting, gifting, and decorating into creative outlets. From curating tablescapes and balloon arches, to making gift wrap as thoughtful as the gift itself, more people are infusing creativity into everyday moments."
The six crafting trends that will define 2025 include:
- Gateway Crafts: Beginner-friendly DIY kits and viral TikTok crafts are making creativity more approachable than ever. Perfect for test driving a new hobby, or as a launchpad into a more advanced skill, step-by-step, guided projects are turning more people into lifelong creators.
- Emotional Support Crafts: As stress, anxiety, and burnout continue to rise in our always-on society, crafting is emerging as the newest mainstream form of self-care. People are ditching doomscrolling for hands-on, repetitive crafts that help them slow down, reset, and recharge, anytime, anywhere—no meditation app needed.
- DIY and Dine: As more people seek meaningful ways to connect, social crafting is becoming a go-to activity for strengthening relationships. Social circles that once revolved around dinner reservations and happy hours are now centered around aesthetic craft parties, weekend 'Crafternoons' and tackling viral TikTok DIYs together.
- Gifting with Love, Not Labels: More people are opting for personalized, handmade gifts over generic, mass-produced ones—prioritizing presents that feel more meaningful, tell a story, and foster deeper connections, all while saving money in the process.
- Manifesting with Miniatures: With manifestation culture surging in popularity, small-scale creativity is becoming a way to dream bigger—using miniature crafting as a tangible tool for visualizing what's possible and inspiring real-world change.
- Dupe-It-Yourself Décor: As inflation reshapes spending habits and viral design trends move faster than ever, more people are channeling their creativity through DIYs, recreating high-end home décor looks for less and embracing one-of-a-kind personalized designs.
Backed by exclusive data and research, Michaels' Creativity Trend Report underscores a fundamental shift in how people are creating, coping and connecting. As crafting moves from a niche hobby to an essential part of modern life, Michaels remains at the forefront—offering the latest trends, innovative products, unbeatable value, and more ways to shop and learn— inspiring new generations and ensuring that creativity is always within reach.
Read the full 2025 Creativity Trend Report here, and shop everything you need to embrace the latest trends at Michaels.com.
For interviews, data requests, or trend insights, contact [email protected], and download the full report here.
About The Michaels Companies, Inc.
At The Michaels Companies Inc., we aim to fuel the joy of creativity. As the leading creative destination in North America, we operate over 1,300 stores in 49 states and Canada and online at Michaels.com and Michaels.ca. The Michaels Companies, Inc. also owns Artistree, a manufacturer of custom and specialty framing merchandise, and MakerPlace by Michaels, a dedicated handmade goods marketplace. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, Michaels is the best place for all things creative. For more information, please visit www.michaels.com.
Media Contact
Rebecca Talley
[email protected]
SOURCE The Michaels Companies, Inc.
Share this article