We might still have plenty of summer left to enjoy, but there is no denying what is already starting to appear on the horizon.
The holidays are coming.
And as retailers begin making room for another season filled with festive favorites, even some of the most classic holiday staples are getting caught up in one of the biggest toy trends around.
Only this time, they are getting much, much smaller.
MGA Entertainment’s Miniverse is preparing to make some waves ahead of the holiday season with “Make It Mini Holiday” Series 4, giving collectors another opportunity to unbox a little miniature holiday cheer.
And considering just how massive blind boxes, miniature collectibles and surprise toys have become, it was only a matter of time before more seasonal traditions joined the fun.
The upcoming fourth holiday series appears to feature several festive creations for collectors to make and display, including a Gingerbread Snow Globe, Candy-Filled Christmas Stocking and Ugly Christmas Sweater Cake.
Already, that sounds like a miniature holiday party.
But there is one particularly familiar visitor joining the festivities this year.
The Elf on the Shelf is getting the Miniverse treatment as the licensed rare item in Holiday Series 4, appearing as part of an Elf on the Shelf Christmas Tree Treats set.
It is a rather fitting crossover.
Since becoming a modern holiday tradition, The Elf on the Shelf has turned the weeks leading into Christmas into something of a daily surprise for families. You never quite know where the little visitor is going to appear next.
Now combine that with the mystery surrounding a blind box, and suddenly the surprise starts before you even get the package open.
That is also what makes seasonal blind boxes such an interesting extension of the current collectible craze.
The appeal of blind-box toys has always been rooted in discovery. You know the collection, you know what you might find, but there is still that moment of anticipation when the package finally opens.
Holiday traditions thrive on much of that same excitement.
What is hiding underneath the wrapping paper? What is inside the stocking? What little surprise is waiting for tomorrow?
Miniverse is essentially taking that feeling and shrinking it down into something collectors can make, display and bring back out with the decorations year after year.
And with gingerbread, stockings, wonderfully questionable holiday sweaters and even The Elf on the Shelf joining the lineup, some familiar seasonal staples are officially entering their miniature era.
The temperatures might not be dropping quite yet.
But the holiday toy season is already starting to unwrap itself.
And this year, everyone can unbox a little mini holiday cheer.