This year's Christmas gift – "newly awakened interest"

Several factors have influenced Hui Research's choice of this year's trend gift, which, according to the company, represents the time we live in. One of them is the beauty industry's significant growth in recent years – largely due to the fact that the economic downturn has made consumers save on especially more expensive consumption.

During the first half of this year, the beauty industry grew by as much as 17 percent, while impulse buying in other areas remained stagnant, according to Hui Research.

A bit of the money that people have been able to save has been possible to spend on smaller purchases that add a touch of luxury to life, and that's where beauty products have come in, says Hernell and continues:

There's even an economic term called "the lipstick effect" which means that the beauty industry often develops well even in economic downturn.

According to Hernell, the fashion and cosmetics industry is also moving away from typically male and female scents towards more gender-neutral fragrances with a focus on enhancing individual expression. The industry is also growing as a result of attracting new target groups.

She highlights that there are now many newcomers challenging the traditional perfume houses – both with a more gender-neutral range and with new business models and services.

1988: Food processor

1989: Video camera

1990: Wok pan

1991: CD player

1992: TV game

1993: A fragrance (perfume)

1994: Mobile phone

1995: CD disc

1996: Internet package

1997: Electronic pet

1998: Computer game

1999: Book