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It’s that time of year. You saw family for Thanksgiving and now you have to see them again for Christmas. You bought something for yourself on Cyber Monday, but still have to buy something for the people in your life, whether they deserve it or not. Money is going out the door. All you really want to do is walk down a snowy sidewalk, all relaxed and wearing a scarf like they do in Netflix or Hallmark rom-coms, but you’re too harried. No doubt about it, the lead up to the holidays is stressful.
Well, we’re here to help. This is a short, curated list of things that we like and find cool — and we think that you will, too. And if it gives you some ideas and makes your life easier, even better.
Alien Romulus VHS Courtesy of Disney Alien: Romulus VHS
Alien: Romulus was the movie of the summer here at Heat Vision, and the movie dropped on Blu-ray, DVD, etc on Dec. 3, with all the usual bonus fixins. But in a nod to the franchise’s roots and heyday, Disney also put out a fully functioning VHS tape version of the movie exclusively from Walmart. The packaging has a “limited edition” note as one of those round little stickers from the era and features artwork by poster artist Matt Ferguson. The bad news is that the VHS version, which was priced around $60, is already out of stock. The good news is that it’s already on eBay (where it’s now an instant collector’s item and selling for around $100).
Spider-man and Star Wars Watches Courtesy of Citizen (3) Marvel and Star Wars Citizen Watches
With phones in everyone’s hands, many feel like the need for watches is obsolete. Wrong. This just makes watches more of a statement and more of a personal expression than ever before. Enter Citizen.
Citizen’s collaborations with Disney includes watches with an eye for the geek collector, like the Wolverine and Deadpool offerings, and more subtle items that let your nerd out in more stylish ways.
The popular Tony Stark watch has glow-in-the dark detailing highlighting the hand, eyes and markers, which is a very popular element in the Citizen line. We like Rebel Pilot (on sale for $337.50), which also takes good advantage of luminous opportunities (check out the hands as lightsabers and the little X-Wing at the bottom of the face).
At the top of our list, however, is the Spider-Man Classic (on sale for $262.50), which features the iconic “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility” phrase on the back of the case, and the Spider-Man Chronograph ($318.75) with a blue dial with web designs and red accents.
Indiana Jones Collection Courtesy of Disney Music Group Disney Vinyl
Whether you play them or display them, records are back like it’s the 20th century. And they are great gifts. If you want to be current, there’s the Deadpool & Wolverine vinyl two-record set (one red and black, the other blue and yellow) that features pop songs from the movie.
But Disney also re-issued music from the 1960s era of the Merry Marvel Marching Society and the animated series The Marvel Super Heroes, the latter with its fun Jack Urbont-composed theme songs for Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and Namor. The vinyls sell on Disneymusicemporium.com for $14.98.
For those looking for something more expansive (and more expensive), check out the Indiana Jones Complete Vinyl Collection. It features John Williams’ score from The Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny, each as two-LP sets. There is also a poster from each film and a map, all packaged in a neat satchel-looking box. We hate snakes, but we love this one. $299.98.
Dungeons and Dragons Stamps Courtesy of Borys Kit Dungeons & Dragons Stamps
Yes, this year we’re recommending actual postage stamps. But what stamps these are. Timed to the 50th anniversary of the role-playing game, the USPS put out a set of commemorative stamps. You can get a sheet of 20 for $14.60. (If you’re feeling fancy, there are also options for such items as a pressing sheet, first day of issue envelopes, framed stamps and more.) It all comes after D&D saw a massive resurgence in the last few years, partially thanks to Stranger Things, which featured the game.
Batman Year One Courtesy of IDW Publishing. IDW’s Batman: Year One Artist’s Edition
Batman: Year One, written by Frank Miller and drawn by David Mazzucchelli, is one of the seminal Batman stories. It’s been reprinted many times, but never like this: through Mazzucchelli’s original art. Batman: Year One Artist’s Edition, from IDW’s line that showcases the original art of key comics and creators, is the art book of the year, whether you’re a Bat-fanatic or an aficionado of the sequential artform. The book is a massive 14 x 21 inches, reproducing the artist’s pages in their original size, and uncolored form. The museum gallery-worthy art would cost a few million to own in its entirety, but this is only $150.
Jabba’s Sail Barge Courtesy of Lego Lego: Jabba’s Sail Barge
Have someone that needs an exclamation point of an art piece for their place? And wants to show their love of Star Wars? And want to immerse themselves in the hyperfocus of building? Then look no further than Jabba’s Sail Barge set ($499.99) from Lego’s Ultimate Collector Series. The 3,942-piece set is in the top 10 biggest Star Wars Lego sets of all time, and it’s a beauty. The sides fold down, the sails lift and the interior brings Return of the Jedi to life with a cockpit, prison cell, armory, kitchen and entertainment room equipped with Jabba’s bed. It also comes with 11 minifigs – Jabba the Hutt, Princess Leia, Bib Fortuna, C-3PO, Max Rebo, Kithaba, Vizam, Wooof, Gamorrean Guard, Salacious Crumb and R2-D2 with a bar table accessory. And there’s a display stand along with an information plaque.
Endurance Ship Courtesy of Lego Alternate idea: A different sail ship hit Lego stores last week and is aimed at a different collector, this one less galactically-minded. It’s a 3,011-piece set replica model of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s The Endurance ($269.99). The majestic ship features three towering masts, 10 full sails, a flying red ensign flag and intricate rigging. A detailed multi-level deck, connected by stairs, has removable sections for access to port and starboard cabins and the ship’s steam engine. There’s also four detachable lifeboats, a chained bower anchor and a ship’s wheel that operates the rudder. It too, comes with a display stand.
Star Trek mugs Courtesy of Pop Culture Coffee Star Trek Coffee Gift Set
A great stocking stuffer idea: Star Trek coffee mugs from Pop Culture Coffee. Even better, a gift set that pairs the mugs with Star Trek-themed coffee. The company run by founder Ethan Terra, Disturbance in the Force producer Kyle Newman and Film Score Monthly publisher Lukas Kendall, has a “black sunshine”-glazed Klingon mug, the “denim-dipped” Starfleet Command mug, a “midnight with plum” glazed Enterprise mug, a Vulcan sky-colored Vulcan salute mug, and a teal and rose white colored Voyager mug, which go for $42.99 each. Paired with Star Trek blends — Vulcan Vanilla, Captain’s Choice, Klingon Raktajino, Borg Blend, Federation Roast, and Janeway Coffee Black – the gift sets are $55.99. (The company also has Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles coffee and mugs as well.)
