Got a geek on your Christmas shopping list this year and struggling for ideas? We’ve got you covered with picks from the latest toys, collectibles, tabletop games, and books!
It’s that time of year again when the weather gets cold, and the Christmas decorating/shopping has begun. If you have movie lovers, gamers, or nerds in general, on your shopping list the Cinelinx team is here to help you find the perfect gift with our annual gift guides.
Be sure to check out our previously released Movie/TV Guide and Gaming Gift Guide (along with our Geek Pick of the Week features) for even more great Christmas ideas this year!
Toys & Collectibles
LEGO Star Wars: Death Star – File this gift away for someone you really, REALLY love. Coming in at $1000 it’s LEGO’s priciest set, but it’s also among their coolest. This thing is absolutely massive. Significantly bigger than either of their previous Death Star sets. What I think is best, however, is the presentation. It can sit flat against the wall, offering a cutaway view of iconic scenes without taking up a bunch of display space (like the others did).
Star Wars: The Black Series – Hasbro’s Black Series line continues to go strong and 2025 brought a lot of new figures (and announcements) fans have long been waiting for. From getting all new figures based on the old Shadows of the Empire characters, new Halloween/Holiday figures, Star Wars Visions offerings, and a whole line of Revenge of the Sith anniversary figures, there’s no shortage of excellent toys to choose from. And that’s not even including their mainline releases.
2025 Holiday Gift Guide: Perfect Presents for the Gamer in Your Life
LEGO Batman: Arkham Asylum – Yes, there’s a lot of LEGO on this guide, but when it comes to toy gifts, it’s hard to go wrong with LEGO. Everyone loves them and they have so many neat sets to choose from. Among their newest, is this big Batman set which allows fans to build their very own Arkham Asylum. With all the villains and neat features inside, Batman fans have plenty of reasons to want this for display.
Star Wars Micro Galaxy Squadron (Jordan) – I’m a sucker for tiny collectibles, mostly because I’m short on space and they don’t take up much of it! Jazzware’s line of Star Wars ships has been amazing, and some of the latest waves have added even more iconic vehicles from the galaxy far, far away in stunning detail despite the scale. It’s quickly become one of my favorite lines to pick up. Not to mention they’re actually cheaper than the action figures these days!
LEGO Desert Skiff & Sarlacc Pit (Katy) – The Star Wars fan in your life will appreciate the Desert Skiff & Sarlacc Pit set which LEGO is retiring soon! You’ll want to make sure you grab it before it’s gone into the vault for good.
Spongebob Squarepants Claw Machine – Arcade1Up’s latest cabinet release brings the fun of a claw machine into your own home, with some Spongebob flair. I’ve always loved the Arcade1Up releases, and while I don’t necessarily need a claw machine, I have no doubt this new special release brings the same quality they’re known for. This one is a Costco exclusive!
Reading Material
Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd (Becky) – I’ve been in love with this story since it came out so I’m bringing it up as a gift option if you’re looking for a spooky story to gift to a friend. Author Delilah Dawson brought Castle Ravenloft and Barovia to chilling life in a story that will keep you guessing right until the very end. Buy it for yourself or a friend, you won’t be sorry.
Stocking Stuffers
Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy
LEGO Wicked: For Good – Glinda’s Wedding
The Bridge Kingdom Deluxe Edition (Jordan) – Bestselling author Danielle L. Jensen has plenty of fans out there for her many fantasy/romantasy stories out there. One of her best works, The Bridge Kingdom (originally published in 2018) is now getting a swanky deluxe edition hardcover for book lovers to snag. Featuring beautifully sprayed edges, new interior art, new slipcover, and a spine design meant to go along with the other books in the series (getting their own deluxe editions), there’s a lot to love. It’s just…neat. If you’re shopping for someone who loves these kinds of books, it’s hard to go wrong with sprayed edges.
10 Speed Press’ Dungeons & Dragons Collection – Part of Random House Worlds, 10 Speed Press has long given D&D fans tons of great books and collectibles. This year is no different, bringing not only a new coloring book, but The Warriors & Wizards Compendium, and The Player (and DM)’s Campaign Journals. Plenty of great, new, offerings if you’re shopping for a tabletop nerd this year.
The Flyers: Do You Dream of Flying? (Katy) – A modern fantasy and mystery about fairies wrapped up into one.
Batman: Revolution (Jordan) – Batman: Resurrection was one of my favorite books of last year, and its follow-up (which still takes place between the first two Tim Burton Batman films) doesn’t disappoint. It puts a unique twist on an iconic villain that meshes seamlessly into the Burton-verse, while managing to enhance the films we already know and love. If you’ve got a nerdy reader on your list, this is a great call.
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Deluxe Edition – This is easily one of the best anniversary/collector’s edition books out there. On top of looking incredible with its sprayed edges and new artwork, the incredible amount of annotations from Matthew Stover makes this a treasure trove of insight for fans. Perfect for any Star Wars fan you’re shopping for.
Quite Literally Books (Jordan) – This is a fun, niche, idea for the book lover on your shopping list who seems to have everything. The whole idea behind this “women-owned independent heritage press” is to re-publish overlooked novels from women authors for new generations to enjoy. This November brings three new novels to their collection, each with new cover art, specially designed bindings (so they won’t crease) and more thoughtfulness put into them. As a limited run pressing, these are already set to be great collectibles while practically ensuring you’ll get something a person hasn’t read before.
Lore Olympus 3-Book Boxed Set (Katy) – Whether your loved one is a fan of Lore Olympus webcomic already or you have a hunch would enjoy the Greek Mythology brought into the modern age, the Lore Olympus 3-Book Boxed Set: Volumes 1-3 is a great way to start a collection.
Dune: The Graphic Novel—The Complete 3-Book Boxed Set (Jordan) – Abrams Books’ graphic novel adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune has finally wrapped up with its third volume, which means it’s the perfect time to snatch up this set if you’ve missed out on it. It’s a pretty great adaptation of the novel (not the movie), with all the intrigue and depth fans expect. Ideal gift for Dune fans.
2025 Holiday Gift Guide: Perfect Presents for the Movie and TV Fan in Your Life
The Art and Making of Dune: Awakening – I could have put this on the gaming guide, but the amount of depth and art that goes into this great Making of book from Abrams goes well beyond just the world of gaming. This is a great reference book that offers neat insight into the making of this alternate universe story, with great art that every Dune fan can enjoy; regardless if they’re playing the game or not.
Junie B Jones Compete First Grade Collection Box Set (Katy) – For the budding little geek in your life, the nostalgic Junie B. Jones series is a fabulous place to start. The box set includes 11 books.
Legends of Dune, Trade Paperback Trilogy – Speaking of Dune, this year TOR has launched new trade paperback versions of Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson’s Legends of Dune trilogy (The Butlerian Jihad, Machine Crusade, The Battle of Corrin). Even better, they come with all new covers that look pretty great.
The Folio Society…Anything (Jordan) – If you’re shopping for someone who loves books, or maybe just loves a very specific book a whole lot, the Folio Society is a great place to look. While their books are on the pricier end of things, there’s no beating the quality and look of their special collector’s editions. They have a whole bunch of novels to choose from (I’ve had my eye on their Dune sets for a WHILE), with new additions including Stephen King’s IT.
Chainsaw Man Box Set (Katy) – Have you seen Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc and are caught up with the anime? You can pick up the box set that includes the first 11 graphic novels (and the volumes in the box set go past Reze Arc).
Fun & Miscellaneous
Daggerheart Core Set (Becky) – If you’ve ever wanted to try a viable alternative to Dungeons and Dragons, then permit me to recommend trying Daggerheart, which was released by Darrington Press earlier this year. This is a great gift for anyone who loves tabletop gaming or has ever wanted to try it out, as the Core Set contains everything you need to start playing (minus the dice, those have to be purchased separately).
Star Wars Unlimited: Secrets of Power Expansion Cards (Jordan) – Star Wars Unlimited continues to go strong and this year has brought about its best expansions so far. The previous one, Legends of the Force, and Secrets of Power (which arrived just this month) have added so much to the game. Not just in terms of new gameplay aspects/strategies, but in the cards offered up. We’ve got cards now based on everything from Knights of the Old Republic characters to favorites from Andor. So even if you’re not playing the game itself—which remains a blast—there’s a lot of fun here for collectors in general.
Disney Lorcana TCG – Collection Starter Set – Speaking of fun card games, Disney Lorcana is also still going strong. I love this one because it’s really easy to get into even for younger kiddos. There are a whole bunch of options out there, but this Collection Starter Set makes for a nice gift for those getting started.
Candela Obscura Core Rulebook (Becky) – As i have TTRPGs on the brain most of the time, I also need to recommend the core rulebook for Candela Obscura for a gift as well. This game comes from the same minds that created Daggerheart and is an absolute must for anyone who has wanted to try out a spooky, horror themed tabletop game. Everything you need to get started is included in the book.
Critical Role Vox Machina Art Print (Becky) – Fans of Critical Role would love to receive this art print by Matteo Scalera and Moreno Dinisio. It depicts Critical Role’s first adventuring group Vox Machina while the hand and eye of the Whispered One looms menacingly in the background. Measures 24 in by 36 in (US shipping only).
Star Wars Ruggable – You may not think of a rug as a Christmas gift, but the incredible (still expanding) Star Wars line from Ruggable will change your mind. I got one last year and I love it. Hell, I’m looking at getting more! Definitely an outside the box choice for a gift, but that just means they won’t be expecting it!
MCON Phone Controller – This nifty controller snaps to your mobile device magnetically, eliminating the bulky clamps and stuff other mobile controllers normally need, while still bringing hall-effect joysticks and more to gamers. Now, technically these won’t launch until January, but you’ll get them that month if you pre-order now. So it may be a late Christmas gift, but the recipient should still be pretty excited about it.
Star Wars Villainous: Cold Tactics – Ravensburger’s Star Wars Villainous line continued this year with the arrival of Cold Tactics, which brings the iconic Grand Admiral Thrawn to the game. These games are always a ton of fun, and easy enough to get into for more casual players (I’ve got the Darth Maul one of course), but combine it with Thrawn and it’s definitely something fans will love.
A stand + Remote control page turner for eReader (Katy) – You can find any combination on Amazon or other similar sites! But this is a game changer for the reader in your life. I have a Kindle Scribe, so I will share the combination I have: Stand and Remote Control Page Turner.
