We know how tough it is to come up with the right gifts for the hard-to-please animation lovers on your holiday list. They either have everything or seem reluctant to tell you exactly what they would love to get. That’s why the thoughtful elves at Animation Magazine have come up with this handy list of items to put a smile on their faces. Of course, nobody says you can’t make yourself happy first! Right? Here we go:
Nick Fix. Viacom has been doubling down on creative partnerships for its classic brands — which is good news for Nicktoons fans! Earlier this year, Hot Topic debuted the SpongeBob X Lisa Frank line, joining its Retro Nickelodeon collection. Box Lunch has a great variety of exclusive apparel and accessories — from Rocko Boxer Briefs ($17) to the Danielle Nicole X Rugrats Baby Bottle Coin Purse ($19), even collectible toys and unique toon-inspired dog collars.
Coveting Cartoon Network. The CN online shop is your go-to for the perfect gifts for cool, toon-loving kids (and grown ups). Anyone would be happy to sport a We Bare Bears Cali Stack tee ($25), stay cozy in a cute and subtle Summer Camp Island Sweatshirt ($40) or Are You Puff Enough Pullover ($50), or celebrate love in all its forms with Steven Universe Enamel Pins ($13-16). We also love the Teen Titans Go! Night Begin to Shine Funko POP! Raven and Beast Boy ($15 each). Urge to splurge? Snag an Adventure Time Limited Edition Guitar ($999) by ASG Guitars, featuring an illustration by Jason Edmiston — perfect for composing a heartfelt ode to the end of a great show.
Wreck the Halls. Bring home the fun of Disney’s big holiday release with a variety of goodies. Soak up the plugged-in creativity in The Art of Ralph Breaks the Internet (Chronicle Books, $40). Make a playdate with interactive Wrecking Ralph figure ($28), Laughter & Lights Vanellope Plush ($16), super-fab Fashion Yesss ($19) or Funko POP! Knowsmore ($13). Or wear your love on your sleeve with new apparel, like the Vanellope Leggings ($29) & Hoodie ($45) from Hot Topic.
Fantastic Gifts and Where to Find Them. A new Wizarding World movie means new magical merch to get your favorite Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw — heck, even a Slytherin. WB’s HarryPotterShop.com has got you covered (literally) with a Crimes of Grindelwald Niffler Beanie ($21) and a variety of cool tee/hoodie designs, from subtle stacked Wands to the elaborate Beast Sigil or the excellent quote There Are No Strange Creatures Only Blinkered People ($25-40). Of course, there are Funko POPS! of favorite beasts … And, we wouldn’t turn down a Baby Niffler Plush ($20) or one of the gorgeous Wand & Collector Box sets ($40), either.
Winter Is Coming. Any true knight of Westeros would love to have a bottle of Diageo’s White Walker by Johnnie Walker Blended Scotch Whisky ($36) or any/all of the eight Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection ($30-$65) waiting under the tree. It’s the perfect sip to keep you warm while you read George R.R. Martin’s new history of House Targaryen, Fire & Blood (Bantam, $35), and wait for Game of Thrones season 8 to arrive on HBO in April. HBO Shop has lots of apparel, accessories and home goods to make up a custom GoT gift basket — as does BoxLunch.com, where you can find a great Danielle Nicole x Game of Thrones bag or backpack to cram it all in.
Don’t Worry, You’ll Guro into It. One thing we love about the animation/comics/nerdery licensing boom is that you can finally get merch featuring less mainstream titles and artists from around the world. Case in point: the beautifully creepy Junji Ito apparel collection at Hot Topic, perfect for the horror manga fan on your list (tees $20-25, long sleeve tees $27, sweatshirts $39-44, patches $6).
You Got Sole! Longtime readers know that we’re suckers for cool footwear collaborations featuring our favorite characters. Some recent highlights are the Disney x Vans collection tied to Mickey & Minnie’s 90th birthday (SK8-HI Sorcerer’s Apprentice, $80), Diadora x Rick and Morty apparel/footwear capsule for Foot Locker, adidas x Beavis and Butt-head skate apparel/shoes collection (3MC in black, $70) and adidas x Dragon Ball Z, rolling out new designs through the year. Hey, almost everyone needs shoes!
Oh My Disney! Amidst the avalanche of WDS brands and their piles of product, here are a few eye-catching playthings new this year: Disney Doorables (MooseToys, $4 each) My Friend Fancy Nancy (Jakks Pacific, $35), Star Wars Ultimate Co-Pilot Chewie (Hasbro, $130), Star Wars Jedi Challenges Kylo Ren Starter Kit (headset, beacon & lightsaber; Lenovo, $200). Avengers Hero Inventor Kit (littleBits, $150), Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors articulated figures (Hasbro, $20 each) and the Incredibles 2 Interactive Edna with Voice Recognition (Thinkway Toys, $35). Plus, gorgeous new Taschen books The Star Wars Archives, Walt Disney’s Disneyland and Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse: The Ultimate History, each $200.
If you’ve got a serious Marvel fan on your list, there’s a variety of high-end options that will really impress. The Manga Realization Kabukimono Deadpool (Bandai, $90), Wakanda Baseball Jersey (Mizizi, $80), Captain Marvel Faux Leather Jacket (HerUniverse, $80), Wolverine Cosplay Mini Backpack (Loungefly, $68) and Marvel Legends Series Infinity Gauntlet (Hasbro, $100) are all great options, and easier to wrap than the Deadpool Pinball Machine from Stern ($6,000)!
Merry Rickmas! Need something that says, “I’ve got holiday spirit, but also a superiority complex and a drinking problem?” Festively schwifty gifts inspired by Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty got ya covered. Entertainment Earth has a variety of ornaments (including Pickle Rick and Plumbus) for $6-$10 as well as a faux fur-trimmed stocking ($14). And pop-culture apparel design shop Numskull has added two R&M looks to its hilarious holiday sweater collection, which come with free gift box and bonus pin ($50).
What a Load of Horse Stuff. Everyone’s favorite equine has-been will return for a sixth season on Netflix, but in the meantime you can delight your friends with BoJack Horseman POP! Television vinyls ($100 for set of five on Amazon) and a sassy Mr. Peanut Butter “Key to Being Happy” shirt from HappinessTees ($20). You can have fun horsin’ around Hollywood with the BoJack Horseman Monopoly game ($40) and count the days til your comeback with 2019 Art of the Art Calendar inspired by iconic paintings ($15). Of course, every ultimate fan needs the informative and lovely BoJack Horseman: The Art Before the Horse from Abrams ($35).
Happy Birthday, Totoro! It’s the 30th anniversary year of Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved film My Neighbor Totoro, which is the perfect excuse to spread the fuzzy forest spirit love. RockLove offers a limited collection of handcrafted silver jewelry with three charming, three-dimensional sculpted designs by Allison Cimino ($79-$89). Bluefin teamed up with Japanese manufacturer Sun Arrow for a lovable new nine-inch plush (with leaf hat!), at Barnes & Noble for $30. And online shop Vio has a whole range of full-color, all-over print hoodies and tees inspired by the world of Studio Ghibli — many now on sale!
Buildable Fun. Head over the shop.LEGO.com for new buildable playsets and figures inspired by your favorite franchises, including: Star Wars set Betrayal at Cloud City ($350), Ninjago ship Destiny’s Bounty ($160), fancy Hogwarts Castle ($400) and an ultra cool Voltron ($180). There are also irresistible pop-culture BrickHeadz duos, like Homer Simpson & Krusty the Clown, Groot & Rocket or Jack Skellington & Sally ($15-19).
