Christmas is coming and with it, the “sleepless nights” looking for the perfect gift for our loved ones. And giving a gift that makes someone jump with joy itâs not that simple.
We make gifts to show the person whoâs receiving it that they are important to us. We try to surprise with an original present, something that that person has always wanted to have, something that makes them especially excited and would never have thought to buy
So, thinking about tastes is where we start looking for that âideal giftâ.
If you have to give a present to someone who likes superheroes, movies or TV series, video games or someone with a rock or metal soul, you’re in luck. There is currently a wide range of merchandise items for fans and collectors of these types of trademarks and characters. And this “geek thing”, understood as “fan phenomenon”, is growing year after year with new products, new models and new trademarks that every “fan” would like to be able to add to their collection.
Thanks to the superhero movies, the world of comics has managed to reach a larger audience and now itâs possible to see everyone with a Batman shirt.
Star Wars fans can now prepare waffles in the shape of Darth Vader’s helmet. Any gamer would change a “llama” just to get a Fortnite unicorn pick replica.
The âpotterheadsâ can wrap themselves up with a scarf of their Hogwarts house when winter comes and when “winter is coming”, followers of series like Game of Thrones, Stranger Things or Rick & Morty collect all kinds of gadgets with images and phrases from their favourite characters.
Pay attention, because in this article we are going to tell you what are the trends and up to date news and what are the best ideas to gift these fans whatever your budget is.
Average expense in December by Countries
What themes do people like the most?
Harry Potter was by far the most favourite theme last year for gifting during the Christmas season, even more than video games like Minecraft, Disney, Star Wars or Superheroes.
If you are going to give a present to an adult, there are not too many differences between the themes that most appeal to men and women. Harry Potter, Superheroes, Pokemon, Super Mario Bros and Game of Thrones, they both like them. However, while women prefer Disney, The Legend of Zelda and Adventure Time, men prefer Star Wars, Rick & Morty and Assassin’s Creed.
On the other hand, kids have more varied tastes. Although Harry Potter, the Superheroes of Marvel or DC Comics, Disney and the plumber Super Mario Bros also triumph among boys and girls, the little ones also love Paw Patrol, Miraculous Ladybug, PJ Masks or Fortnite.
Harry Potter: merchandise that no âmuggleâ will understand
The items from the most famous wizard in the Wizarding World are the favourite option and also one of the trademarks with the greatest variety of products: clothes and accessories, mugs, bathrobes, robes and scarves of the Hogwarts Houses, figures and advent calendars Funko Pop!, and many collectibles that range from the character’s wands, illuminated showcases of the golden snitch or invisibility cloaks prepared to make you disappear when necessary.
There is no “Death Eater” who resists Harry Potter merchandise!
Minecraft: gifts for the âblockedâ ones
The kidâs audience is the main character for Christmas and those who think that this type of gift “is not for kids” are wrong. Minecraft, one of the games with the largest kidsâ audience together with Fortnite, was the most gifted trademark videogame last year and the trend continues since returning back to school, as it was one of the favourites for kids in purchasing their school supplies.
Backpacks, caps, t-shirts and all kinds of accessories “from the world of blocks”, such as bags or keychains are some of the best-selling products for these trademarks.
Superheroes: merchandise for heroes and villains
If you have to give a gift to a Marvel or DC Comics fan, superheroes merchandise is a safe bet. Last year, with the premiere of “Avengers: Infinity War â(and Endgame in 2019), Marvel gifts were the ones that triumphed among the superhero fans.
T-shirts and sweatshirts, mugs, caps, bathrobes … are some of the products chosen when choosing a gift. The most experts in superheroes surely enjoy Funko Pop!: vinyl figures of each character with special editions of costumes or movies. But if you want to surprise a true lover of the Marvel or DC universe … collector’s replicas will enchant you: the Infinity Gauntlet (or Iron Man’s), a Batman mask …
Rick & Morty: gifts for the most irreverent
If you’ve ever heard someone say âWubba lubba dub”, it’s because theyâre a fan of the Rick & Morty animated series. Being it cartoons does not mean that is suitable for kids, in fact, nothing could be further. The absurdly crazy humour and politically incorrect characters made it one of the fashion series for the Christmas period in 2018. And, this year, with the recent premiere of season 4, it is expected to remain one of the favourite trademarks for gifts to the Public, to the young public this Christmas.
Mugs, special editions of Funko Pop! like Pickle Rick or Mad Max Rick, t-shirts and sweatshirts with Rick’s most famous phrases and well-known scenes of the series are the most in-demand products.
Disney: gifts from a world full of magic
And if there is any trademark that everyone likes, it is undoubtedly Disney. This company is an expert in creating a world of merchandise around its classic films (and more in recent years with the premiere of the “flesh and blood versions” of its animation classics such as Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast or Aladdin).
There is a wide variety of Disney items to gift to fans of all ages and followers of all movies: Disney Princesses and Villains (because “bad girls” also like them), Mickey and Minnie, Toy Story, The Lion King …
The most desired products are of all kinds, from household items such as mugs or collection lamps to t-shirts for adults and kids.
Also adorable are plush toys that rival Funko Pop! One of the most emblematic characters.
And, thinking of the little ones: school supplies such as backpacks with and without wheels, cases, notebooks … This year, with the premiere of Frozen 2 so close to Christmas, the possibilities of gifting merchandise of this trademark multiply. Elsa and Anna, will be the most desired characters for kids in the Christmas period.
What merchandise products do you prefer?
Based on last year’s sales during the Christmas period, we have compiled the five products that the adult audience liked the most.
Harry Potter Gryffindor Scarf
The favourite for all potterheads. In scarlet red and gold, the official colours of Gryffindor. And with the lion shield of the well-known Harry Potter house.
Beauty and the Beast Chip Mug
The most adorable, sweet and tender mug for tea you’ll ever find. It doesnât lack any details. The most wished for by every fan of the Disney World.
Beauty and the Beast Enchanted Rose
An illuminated display case containing the rose that enchanted the prince in Beauty and the Beast. If you want to gift it to someone, youâd better do it before the last petal falls.
Green Minecraft Creepy Creeper backpack
A practical backpack for going on a classy trip or excursion. With a multitude of pockets for notes, the computer and even âpickaxes”.
The Rick & Morty Mug that changes colour
A mug that besides being very practical, is original. The picture changes when a hot drink is poured into it.
As we mentioned earlier, kids have other preferences in comparison to adults.
Gryffindor Harry Potter beannie and gloves pack
If Gryffindor’s scarf was one of the star gifts among adult Harry Potter fans, this was the article chosen for the “freshmen” of Hogwarts.
PJ Masks Catboy beannie
The PJ Masks are one of the favourite superheroes for the little ones. This beanie hat will keep them warm while they play fighting against Romeo with their friends.
Fortnite Dancing T-shirt
If there is something original from Fortnite, itâs their dances, which kids like so much: âflossâ, âdabâ, âtake the Lâ …
Avengers school bag
The little fans of the most famous superhero group, loved this backpack in order to face day-to-day school, with as much strength as Captain America, Hulk or Thor. Note! This backpack is reversible.
Kids Batman Sweatshirt
And for the followers of Gotham’s superhero, thereâs nothing better than a sweatshirt to fight the villains and the cold. You’ll love the hood with the Batman mask.
And if the gift is for someone who is passionate about all these trademarks, and someone who has already started their collection, then official replicas are a great idea. Theyâre reliable recreations of objects used in movies and video games. Theyâre very exclusive items that are not available for everyone. And, again, the replicas related to Harry Potter are the most popular:
Harry Potter wand
It is said that “the wand chooses the magician”, but the truth is that we have a liking for it. The authentic Harry Potter wand. Since it is not made of holly nor phoenix feather in its centre, we cannot guarantee that your spells will work. But what we can assure is the joy for the person receiving this wand, and in having it for Christmas.
Thanos Infinity Gauntlet
A full-size replica, full of detail of the Infinity Gauntlet worn by Thanos in Infinity War. With articulated fingers, lights and sound … Something that every MCU fan would like to incorporate into their collection. It is an article so precious for MCU fans that they are disappearing as fast as a âsnap of a finger”.
Fortnite Rainbow Unicorn Pick
As fresh from the rainbow, this Unicorn Pick is a faithful replica of one of Fortnite’s most coveted objects. It doesnât lack detail, and in case a unicorn was not enough reason to give this pick to a game, this article comes with a glitter finish and wheels that move, in order to for roll back to the country of unicorns.
What is your budget?
A budget is one of the conditional factors in making a gift. Even, if sometimes, itâs marked by the “rules of the game”, as in the case of the “Secret Santa”. But that should not worry you because there is a wide variety of âgeek giftsâ that fit all types of pockets and sizes.
Here are a few suggestions.
Gifts for less than 20ÂŁ
If your budget is tight or you are going to play âSecret Santaâ at the office or with your friends, we have several proposals for original and fun gifts which are very affordable.
From clothing accessories (key chains, socks, underwear, caps …) to items for home or work (cushions, mugs, Funko Pop! … ).
Also, for less than 20ÂŁ, you will find many ideas for gifts of kids merchandise for the smallest in the house, such as: t-shirts or hoodies, pencil cases, notebooks and backpacks, pajamas …
Gifts for less than 40ÂŁ
If you have a bigger budget and want to make a different gift there are many surprise options for different gifts that every fan would like to have.
Special editions of Funko Pop!, scarves or wands replicas for âpotterheadsâ, collectible figures of TV series, movies and video games, t-shirts and sweatshirts, bathrobes, handbags and purses, lamps, costume jewellery, bags, plush toysâŠ
And if you want to make a geek Christmas gift, nothing better than one of these Christmas jerseys or “ugly sweaters” that combine Christmas with the phenomenal fan. They have become very fashionable and there is no Christmas dinner with co-workers or friends where these jerseys are missing. There are Christmas motifs or the characters of well-known video games and superheroes such as Deadpool, Super Mario Bros or Pikachu.
Gifts for more than 40ÂŁ
If for you, your budget is not such a problem and you want to make âThat Giftâ, these proposals will please you. Especially designed for collectors and true fans who are not satisfied with the t-shirt of their favourite movie or video game.
Here you will find ideas as varied and original as: classic board games such as Monopoly or the risk inspired Game of Thrones, Stranger Things or Rick & Morty, Star Wars appliances such as the Darth Vader toaster, Funko’s Advent Calendars, the Harry Potter invisible cloak or replicas as exclusive as the Infinity Gauntlet.
Our âwish list âfor Christmas
But if after all these gift ideas for a geek lover of movies, video games or superheroes you still have doubts about what is the best option, we leave you with our âwish listâ based on the latest market trends. Surely, youâll get it right!
For potterheads
A showcase-shaped lamp with the golden snitch that Harry Potter caught during his first quidditch game is a perfect gift to decorate any bookshelf.
If you have to give a gift to a potterhead with great Christmas spirit, nothing better than to liven up their wait until Christmas with a Funko Pop! Advent calendar From Harry Potter, itâs the edition of the Great Christmas Dance that was held at Hogwarts during the 3 Wizard Tournament!
And, for true Harry Potter lovers, the Sorting Hat cannot be missing in their collection. It impresses like the genuine Sorting Hat. Which House do you want to belong to?
And, for those who have always wanted to be able to travel in time, they may do so with the authentic Hermione Time -Turner pendant. Remember, go back an hour for every lap you do.
For Star Wars lovers
With the premiere of Episode IX a few days before Christmas, nostalgia returns for Star Wars lovers. There are all kinds of gadgets and articles related to “The Force” that every Star Wars fan (no matter whether itâs classic or new movies) would like to have.
A warm jedi or Yoda bathrobe is always a good choice for gifting those coolest of Star Wars fans.
For a marathon of Star Wars movies, whilst preparing to watch Episode IX, surely a popcorn in the shape of the Death Star will leave you with your mouth wide open.
And for those who dream of galaxies far far away, a decorative lamp with Darth Vader’s helmet is whatâs needed.
For gamers
If your gift is aimed at a Pokemon fan, there are many alternatives that you will love: mugs of pokeballs, Pikachu plush toys … even Ash Ketchum’s cap if you consider yourself a “Pokemon Trainer”.
For the “minecrafters”, a backpack to store all the materials collected in a game … or whatever else they want.
For Disney lovers
If there is a Disney theme that will sweep away this Christmas, it is Frozen 2. But not only in terms of merchandise surrounding this movie but also costumes. The film has been one of the most anticipated premieres since when in 2015 it was announced that there would be a part two, and the new dresses of Elsa and Anna, are going to crown the wish lists of the kidâs audience this Christmas.
But this 2019 has seen how great Disney classics like Aladdin or The Lion King became âflesh and bloodâ images.
The Magic Carpet of Aladdin also arrives to stay at the house of Disney lovers, but this time in the form of an original towel. Full of colour and with its characteristic pom pom tassels.
And, for the lovers of the Lion King, those for whom “the cycle of life” involves going for a coffee every morning … nothing better than this nice mug of Simba.
For a gift that will always remembered, here is the Mrs. Potts and Chip Mug, the most beloved characters from Beauty and the Beast. Detailed and so authentic, it seems as if they will come to life at any moment.
Naughty and friendly, just like the original. This is the plush toy of Disney’s cutest alien, Stitch.
For fans of superheroes and villains
Fans who can’t wait for the next superhero movie, may have comfort in this Marvel Funko Advent Calendar. Every day a Funko Pop Marvel figure! From one of the unforgettable Marvel characters.
For the fans whose were heartbroken with the finish of Endgame … the Iron Man Gauntlet will help you through the duel.
And for those who prefer classic comic figures, this t-shirt with the original artwork of The Avengers will be your undoing.
There are countless suggestions and alternatives for all kinds of fans. And if in this post you havenât found what you were looking for, you may find it in our geek gifts and merchandise section.
Methodology
For the elaboration of the information provided in this article we have used Funidelia sales data from November and December 2018 and 2019 across different European countries.