Amidst the chaos of decorating the house, booking flights, or planning Christmas dinner, deciding on gifts for friends and family is liable to be the last thing on your mind this December. Fanbase Press is here to help with the best recommendations for gifts to give the geek in your life as suggested by our staff and contributors. Not everything falls into the categories of graphic novels, movies, or games. Geeks also like gifts that help them decorate their home, entertain the little geeks in their life, and toys to play with. Highlighting such items and closing out our 2017 Holiday Gift Guide, we present to you our geeky extras. Happy Holidays! – Kristine Chester, Fanbase Press Senior Contributor
The Adventure Zone
Recommended by Russ Pirozek
While podcasts are generally free, the gift of The Adventure Zone is one that is priceless. An actual-play Dungeons & Dragons show played by the McElroy brothers (Justin, Travis, and Dungeon Master Griffin) and their father Clint, this is one of those sneaky shows that you give a chance and after a few episodes, you’re hooked. Over the last several years, the show launched, gained a following, and created the incredible story of Magnus (heroic warrior), the lovably goofy dwarven cleric Merle, and the charismatic and hilarious wizard Taako (pronounced, and based on, the food). These three ridiculous characters take the listener on a true journey: one that finds three unlikely heroes doing their best to stop a nearly unstoppable force from destroying their world. It’s full of heart, brilliant collaborative storytelling, and a lot of very good goofs. This family is known for being a bit on the ridiculous side, as their other shows (such as the hit podcast-turned-television show, My Brother, My Brother, and Me) are known for being full of nonsensical jokes and whimsy. But as the show goes on, things continue to move onward and upwards, and with 69 episodes of their first major story titled “The Balance Arc” available, it’s a great gift suggestion for those who want a full, climactic story that will leave you loving every moment.
Also, the series has been optioned as a graphic novel, adapted by Clint McElroy and with art by Carey Peitsch, based on the first arc (about five episodes) of the show. It’s titled Here There Be Gerblins and is due out in the spring of 2018. For those who love the show or those who just haven’t heard it yet, the book is available for pre-order and already looks amazing. You can also support them by donating to maximumfun.org, the company that produces the show.
Cantrip Candles
Recommended by Barbra Dillon
Whether you are shopping for an avid tabletop gamer or someone who simply enjoys soothing scents wafting through their home or office, look no further than Cantrip Candles. Based in Los Angeles, CA, the company designs and manufactures homemade soy wax candles that foster an immersive environment for tabletop adventures. Creating a special ambiance for various gaming parties, Cantrip Candles are themed for specific settings, whether it be an inviting bakery with fresh bed baking in the oven, a walk through the woods that may hide thieves and elves, a pungent dungeon that may hold untold fortune (or impending doom!), or a dark and cozy tavern where you and your mates can enjoy a brew in between dragon battles.
All of Cantrip Candles’ creations are vegan and made with 100% natural soy wax, fine fragrance oil, and cotton-based wicks.
Be sure to visit the Cantrip Candles website (www.cantripcandles.com) to peruse the online selection of scented candles available for the gaming fan on your holiday shopping list.
Neon Geeky Lights
FanFit Gaming
Recommended by Barbra Dillon
Some folks like to enjoy their favorite fandoms quietly, yet proudly, in the comfort of their own home. Others prefer to celebrate with extreme enthusiasm, shouting their geeky adoration from the rooftops. Well, the team at FanFit Gaming has found a happy medium for the geeky loved ones on your holiday shopping list with their neon geeky lights. Made in the shape of fan-favorite logos for Batman, an NES game controller, Overwatch characters, and a PokeBall, these light-up lamps brightly and proudly state, “An avid fan lives here!” Ranging in price from $74.00-$79.99, these gifts may be a bit on the pricier side; however, they will go a long way to making an investment in your most-loved fandoms.
Overwatch and World of Warcraft Holiday Sweaters
Blizzard Entertainment
Recommended by Barbra Dillon
While Blizzard Entertainment is known for being a premier video game and entertainment software developer, they also have an online store that is chock full of apparel, collectibles, books, and other geeky loot that will make great holiday gifts for the gaming fans on your shopping list. A few items from Blizzard’s online store caught my attention this year, namely the World of Warcraft and Overwatch “ugly holiday sweaters.” For all of the obligatory holiday work events that you attend this year, show your geeky, holiday style with the Greench-covered knit sweaters that will make you the talk of the party! At a retail price of $45 (with sales currently available), this snuggly sweater will be sure to provide warmth and fun during the Winter Veil!
TurtleBunny Creations
Recommended by Barbra Dillon
While store-bought holiday gifts will always find their way into our shopping carts, I find myself more often recommending and purchasing handmade items for the folks on my shopping list. One such vendor that I will return to again and again for high-quality, geeky gifts is TurtleBunny Creations, a Los Angeles-based company which designs and crochets all of your favorite geeky characters into pint-sized dolls that are BIG on adorableness. Led by creator Chrissy Callahan, TurtleBunny’s hand-crafted dolls cover a plethora of fandoms, including everyone from Groot and Doctor Strange to the Flash, Mr. Freeze, Daenerys, Jack Skellington, and . . . wait for it . . . PORGS!
All of TurtleBunny Creations’ crocheted creatures are available through Etsy, and Callahan is taking orders in the event that you do not see you favorite fuzzy fandom in her online store.
Unexpected Hobby
Recommended by Barbra Dillon
As a returning entry for Fanbase Press’ Holiday Gift Guide, this crafting company is sure to provide countless gift-giving options for the creatively inclined geek on your holiday shopping list. Founded by Fanbase Press’ very own Claire Thorne in early 2015, Unexpected Hobby is a crafting haven for those who love geek-themed sewing and embroidery. With original stitching patterns and do-it-yourself cross-stitch kits, Thorne has provided a creative outlet for those who want to display their geek pride and don’t mind putting in the needle work to do it!
The patterns and cross stitch kits currently available cover a wide variety of properties within geekdom, including Star Trek, The Walking Dead, Sherlock, Dark Tower, Doctor Who, Firefly, Lord of the Rings, Steven Universe, and Star Wars, just to name a few.
All of Unexpected Hobby’s crafty goodness may be found on the official Etsy store, and you can also stay up to date by following the Unexpected Hobby blog, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.
‘Tis the season to be crafty!
