Deck the halls…and the trees! Bag charms are this season’s best accessory.
Joy to the world—bag charms are back! Need some convincing? Take a stroll through Condé Nast’s halls, where staffers draw inspiration from the spring/summer 2025 collections and replace boughs of holly with knickknacks and doodads dangling from their everyday bags. From canvas totes adorned with Tamagotchis and bare Birkins “Birkin-ified” into a more is more silhouette (Jane would be so proud), bag charms are quite literally and figuratively “in vogue.”
So in the spirit of Christmas, we put the charm of these trinkets to the test with a decadently decorated tree filled with a few of our favorite things. ‘Tis the season after all!
As one would find, there is a certain nostalgia attached to these summer camp-like beaded strands and ’90s Happy Meal toys. Perhaps it’s the fact that a plush toy Blossom was once latched onto my hodgepodge of a keychain. Or, perhaps this tree of childhood tchotchkes was reminiscent of the “kid’s tree” my siblings and I decorated each holiday season. It was never perfect, nor was it necessarily pretty, but with my mother’s masterpiece of a tree strictly off-limits, it was a work of art in its own right. (Think the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel versus the viral duct-taped banana for a visual.) Thomas the Tank engine lights circled its limbs and many a DIY, dried penne ornaments clung to the faux pine. It was our one little Christmas tree that stood all alone, adorned with a lifetime of memories lighting up our home.
“How long do we predict the bag charm craze to last?,” one may ask. Judging by editors’ reactions to the trays and trays of fanciful baubles that filled the fashion closet for a recent street style shoot, these bits and bobs are here to stay. Bag Craps’ miniature rubix cube may have been a crowd pleaser as a fully functioning puzzle, but the Kermit the Frog bundle reigned supreme. Personality bags are cool again!
So let us all rejoice and give thanks to the latest runways for reviving this beloved trend. May our charms be merry and our bags capture the joy of the season all year round.
Childhood Tchotchkes
Dreaming of a 90s Christmas? Level up your bag charm game with nostalgic toys from your childhood right at your fingertips. Dores Etch A Sketch, Super Mario Bros, or Koosh balls ring any bells, millennials?
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Little Luxuries
A Kelly for a Kelly? A baguette for a baguette? Gone are the days of stealth wealth as logo-clad mini-mes and Polly Pocket sized-versions of the most recognizable styles leave little room for a quiet luxury culture. Adorn your go-to straps with the finer things in life, but keep a close eye on those sneaky Elves on the Shelves.
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Crafty Creatures
There s something special about the beaded baby chicks, sea creatures made of felt, and origami elephant charms on the market at the moment. Like handcrafted ornaments made by a child, these precious pieces add a whimsy touch to any old handbag.
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Strands of Joy
Jolly Old Saint Nick might keep his tricks concealed, but our bag of wonders is on full display.
Unlike the notorious red velvet sack of secrets, classic styles draped with strands of beaded beauties leave very little mystery to the imagination.
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Sweet Souvenirs
Hang onto the holiday bliss with mementos of Christmas’ past! From the mountains to the city and everywhere in between, let your seasonal travels be your guide for an eclectic, yet personal collection of charms.
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New Key Chains
Modern and minimal, but no less merry, the key ring is back in the sleekest of silhouettes.
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