In yet another unprecedented year, deciding on gifts for friends and family is likely to be the last thing on your mind this holiday season. In order to help those who have been impacted by the pandemic, this year Fanbase Press is focusing ONLY on the geeky crafts and collectibles which may be purchased from small businesses and independent creators. Give your friends and family the gift of geek with which they can decorate their home (or home office!), partake in their own geeky activity, and more!
Bubbles and Things Soaps
Recommended by Barbra Dillon
At Fanbase Press, we support creators of all innovations, and this year’s Holiday Gift Guide would not be completed without the simply wonderful Bubbles and Things Soaps. Founded in 2018 by the supremely talented Chris Rubin, Bubbles and Things Soaps provides one-of-a-kind scented (and unscented) soaps that are perfect for the hard-to-shop-for geek on your holiday shopping list. Made in small batches and hand-designed with fun, health, and safety in mind, available soaps often include holiday favorite Candy Cane Soap made with Peppermint Essential Oil Scented Shea Butter and Glycerin Soap and the Jack Soap (inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas).
Cost: Prices range from $9 and up
Click here to purchase.
Calliope Candleworks
Recommended by Barbra Dillon
It is often said that one’s sense of smell carries with it the strongest link memory. Perhaps this is why certain aromatic fragrances conjure such delightful recollections of holidays gone by, of cherished time with family and friends. As the holidays fast approach, there can be no better gift for your loved one than a Calliope Candleworks candle, capable of evoking the most wonderful of holiday memories (combined with a bit of geek-themed merriment).
Led by the very talented Lauren Rock, Calliope Candleworks is an LA-based company that makes hand-poured soy candles with geeky, bookish, pop-culture-y themes! From Twin Peaks, The Princess Bride, and Little Shop of Horrors to Ghostbusters, Elf, and Stranger Things, Calliope’s candles pack a powerful aroma while adding elegant geek style to your home or office.
Calliope Candleworks’ most popular candle series continues to be the “Wheel of Flame” candle, each of which represents a different terrain you might visit on a tabletop game campaign. Your game master can light a new candle every time you venture into a different realm, setting the stage — and the mood — with an evocative scent. Plus, these candles also have a hidden treasure inside: a metal die from Norse Foundry! You will find a beautifully crafted and satisfyingly heavy D4, D6, D8, D10, D12, D20, or percentile die embedded in the wax, emerging after several hours of burn time. The “Wheel of Flame” candles can be purchased individually or as a set.
Cost: Starting at $17
Click here to purchase.
The Fandom Baker
Recommended by Barbra Dillon
Does the geek on your holiday shopping list have every movie, book, game, or action figure you think they could possibly want? How about something a little different? The Fandom Baker (Amy Dienhart) creates custom treats for all of your fandom party needs!
Ranging from $24 and up, The Fandom Baker creates custom cookies (generally in amounts of 1 or 2 dozen) for every imaginable fandom: from Star Wars and Dark Crystal to IT, Game of Thrones, and Doctor Who. Don’t see your fandom listed in The Fandom Baker’s Etsy shop? Not to worry! The fan-tastic baker accepts custom order requests, as well!
Cost: Starting at $24
Click here to visit the website.
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. Plus, Cantrip Candles now has gaming-themed patches, matches, pins, tote bags, and more!
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.
Cost: Starting at $14.50
Click here to purchase.
Lullaby Quilts & More
Recommended by Barbra Dillon
In addition to quilts, shoppers can also find a variety of baby bonnets and tag (sensory) blankets!
Before the next baby shower or birthday party, please take a peek at their inventory at LullabyQuiltsandMore.etsy.com, and remember that custom orders are always welcome.
Cost: Starting at $15.00
Click here to purchase.
Miss Daisy’s All Natural Boutique – Hannah Daisy Mills-Ernest
Recommended by Angie Martin
Miss Daisy’s all-natural candles are so fun and will fill your home with the best aromas. The Winter Wonderland collection is perfect for the holidays, but there are many others to choose from. Every jar comes beautifully decorated, and there is even a scent quiz on the website to match you up with your perfect scents!
Cost: Starts at $5
Click here to purchase.
Middle Tennessee Pallet Art
Recommended by Angie Martin
These handcrafted pallet art pieces are so fun, and Zach can create just about anything. I purchased Iron Man for my husband, and he wants more! They are great for superhero geeks, horror freaks, sports fans, and literally everyone else!
Cost: Varues
Click here to purchase.
THE GEEKY PARENT GUIDE’S TABLETOP GIFT RECOMMENDATIONS
The Geeky Parent Guide is a semi-monthly editorial series by Fanbase Press Senior Contributor (and father of two) Travis Lakata that will help parents and other caregivers to safely and positively navigate various avenues of pop culture with their children.
Unexpected Hobby Cross-Stitch Kit
Recommended by Travis Lakata
Are you or someone you know interested in cross-stitching? Well, look no further than the Unexpected Hobby store for all of your needs. There are tons of geeky designs, and you can get yourself or someone you know, an entire Cross-Stitch Kit with everything you need to get started!
My daughter has been thinking about this idea for a while, and she’s started to slowly work her way on crafting more and more, so I foresee this specific thing in her future. If you’re looking for a way to spread your geeky crafting wings, then snag this kit!
Cost: $19.99
Click here to purchase.
FOR THE HORROR FANS ON YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING LIST
Creepy Characters
Recommended by Angie Martin
The cutest creepy (and uncreepy!) crocheted characters. Everything from Jack Skellington to Jack Torrence and even Michael Jackso’sn Thriller, Creepy Characters are the perfect holiday gift. Their Facebook page has a full list of characters, and they can also accommodate most custom requests.
Cost: Starts at $35
Click here to purchase.
1TrueCreation
Recommended by Angie Martin
Unique hand-molded works of art, everything from phone cases to lighters and more. These are beautifully horrific 3D pieces that you’ll treasure for years to come.
Cost: Starts at $45
Click here to purchase.
TVartScape
Recommended by Angie Martin
Toni Vingle creates mind-blowing art that will satisfy any horror fanatic (and also has some non-horror works). These gorgeously detailed prints are great for your shopping list!
Cost: Starts at $17
Click here to purchase.
Dante Dellamore Photography
Recommended by Angie Martin
Dante Dellamore is one of the premiere photographers around, and his work showcases that. He works with several models, including this one, Robert Kelly, producing prints that are perfect for displaying. I personally love the horror collections.
Cost: Varies
Click here to purchase.
