2019 Pop Culture Gift Guide
Image from National Post

I’m a huge believer in showing off fandom by adding unique collectibles to shelves and walls. In my case, I collect all things Disney related. For my kids, it’s video game characters, YouTubers, or collectibles from their favourite TV shows. If someone on your holiday shopping list loves collecting, displaying, or just basking in the glow of their favourite movies, music, and TV shows, the official 2019 Pop Culture gift guide has a ton of great gift ideas for you.

Funko Pops

Funko Pop figures

My son has several shelves on his wall filled with Funko Pop figures, and I know his collection is growing when he asks me to add on another shelf so he can display even more. These cool figures are created from video game characters, TV icons, sports figures, and cartoon characters he’s loved for years. Funko Pops are so popular that new releases mean long lineups, and some figures increase in value as the years go by.

You can find Funko Pops from games like Pokemon, sports teams, movies like Harry Potter, and themed Pops based on your favourite character in a scene from TV or movies. Take Stranger Things for example. You can find a Will the Wise or Eleven blindfolded.

Choose one, three, or five and fill their stocking or stack them under the tree. For the serious collector, Funko Pops are a must-have.

Welcome to the Upside Down

Stranger Things polaroid camera

Stranger Things is the kind of show that pulls you in within seconds and you can’t stop binge-watching it until you’re done. I’ve watched both seasons and I truly can’t wait for the next one, but the waiting is made easier when you can collect Stranger Things gear.

Any Stranger Things fan will love having a souvenir to remember Hawkins by, and what could be better than the Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 instant camera. You load it with Poloroid 600 film, point the lens, and capture instant pics you can share with everyone. It’s a great piece of Stranger Thing memorabilia you can display on a shelf when you’re not using it.

Stranger things action figures

There are also 6″ Stranger Things action figures you can collect and display. Any Pop Culture fan would love a replica of Eleven displayed proudly on their entertainment unit or rec room shelf. You can collect every character in the show.

Use the force to find a great gift

There is nothing, and I mean nothing, as amazing as a Star Wars movie release during the Christmas holidays. I don’t know what I look forward to more, Christmas or the new movie. It’s a close call, but you can make the most of both occasions when you gift Star Wars collectibles.

I shared a bunch of great Star Wars gift ideas, but there’s so many more you can choose for your favourite Star Wars fan. Anyone would love a Nixon Star Wars timepiece, and there are a few different styles. It’s the little things that make this watch a must-have. Inspired by Boba Fett, it has his EE-3 carbine rifle and the words “Dead or Alive” on the right subdial. There’s also Jaster Mereel’s insignia and Boba Fett’s helmet killstripes on the dial ring.

Nixon Star Wars watch

What do you get the Star Wars fan who has a little bit of everything but also has a set of butterfingers when it comes to their phone? The Otterbox Symmetry Series Star Wars hardshell case will show their love of Vader loud and clear, but it also provides serious protection for your phone.

Lego is a holiday must-have

Hard to find Lego Tron

One of the reasons why Lego is still so popular is because the company embraced all things pop culture. You can find Star Wars Lego, lego sets based on Disney, and Lego from movies like Harry Potter and Jurassic World, and Frozen 2. Real collectors know that hard to find lego sets are worth having, so be on the lookout for a cool collector set like the Tron Legacy set.

Movie fans will love the intricate theme sets of Lego that recreate a scene or a building from their favourite movie, and even little kids can get into collecting with Lego Duplo. They’ll find sets of the Mickey Mouse beach house or a princess and her carriage.

Classic games with a pop culture twist

Risk Game Of Thrones

Board games are making a big come back, and more and more people are choosing to stay in on a weekend night and play with a group of friends. It’s a great way to spend social time together while not looking at your phone, and there are so many great games to choose from. If they’re a fan of Netflix shows BoJack Horseman, they will love BoJack Horseman themed Monopoly. Or, let them head back into the world of Game of Thrones all over again while playing Risk Game of Thrones edition.

If you’re looking for a gift for a fan of all things retro, why not gift a couple of classic board game standards you played when you were a kid? Monopoly, Risk, Clue, and Trivial Pursuit are just as fun to pull out on a Saturday night as they were years ago. You can also find cool puzzles and card games that make the long winter a lot of fun.

Game night on the big screen

Jedi Fallen Order Bundle

I can always guarantee that, after seeing the latest action movie, one of my friends or family members will say that the movie would make a great video game. Some great games have been based on movies, and you can gift video games for PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, or PC that will help them relive the movie and keep them entertained for hours.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is one of the hottest games of the winter because of the movie coming out, and there are also games you can play while waiting for other movie-related games to come out. In 2020 Tomb Raider 2 will hit the screen, so why not play Tomb Raider while you wait?  There’s also Sonic the Hedgehog (minus the teeth) and other great video games coming out in 2020 based on new movie releases, but you can play the old standards now.

What will you gift your favourite pop culture fan this year? There’s so much to choose from, and it’s all on Best Buy right now.

Shelly Wutke
Editor TV & Home Theatre
I'm a Vancouver freelancer and tech enthusiast. When I'm not writing you'll find me on my farm with my alpacas, chickens, and honeybees. Visit my website Survivemag