Holiday Gift Scalping: What Lubbock Shoppers Should Watch Out for in 2026

Holiday shopping can be a strange combination of fun and stress. I love the thrill of finding the perfect gift (especially when I get a great deal), but crowds and a climbing credit card bill can really fray my nerves.

Luckily for me, I'm only shopping for one child, and I already found what she wanted (a Barbie with pink hair and "accessories," a hilarious request from a 4-year-old). However, if you are shopping for kids, you may already have problems finding the most popular gifts because of production shortages, planned scarcity, and gift scalpers.

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What Is Holiday Gift Scalping and Why Does It Happen?

Holiday gift scalping is when a person purposefully buys up a popular item with the intention of selling it for more than retail. This is certainly nothing new; a great historical example is Cabbage Patch dolls in 1983 being resold for ten times their retail value to parents desperate to get one for their child. It happens every time there is an ultra-popular (what we would now call a "viral" toy) on the market. Think: Tickle Me Elmo, Furbies, the Nintendo Wii, and more. It happens, of course, because the person buying up the gift is hoping to make some money on the resale(s).

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Which Holiday Gifts Are Resellers Targeting in 2026?

Here in Lubbock, I've already seen folks reselling Needoh and other viral sensory toys. Of course, Needohs and the like have been popular to the point of scarcity all year, and Christmas will just drive up the demand even further.

Nationally, it is expected that resellers will also target items like Pokémon cards, blind-box toys, gaming systems, and LEGO sets. So if your child has asked for any of these items, you may want to start your holiday hunt early (or ask your kid to provide a longer list).

How to Avoid Paying Scalper Prices This Holiday Season

The best advice is to shop early, broaden your search, and shop at official retailers that set purchase limits on popular items. Don't panic buy anything; you'll always pay through the nose if you allow your emotions to override your common sense. Personally, I would avoid buying items through online marketplaces, as they are likely marked up to make a profit and could possibly be counterfeit items, too. Check the price against the manufacturer's suggested retail price- if it's much more than that, you are likely being taken for a ride.