The Geekly Grind’s Holiday Gift Guide!
Well geeks, it’s that time of year. The holidays are upon us, and no matter what manner of celebration you observe, chances are you are looking for some gift ideas for that special geek in your life.
At a loss? Not sure what to get? No worries - we’ve got you covered!
Whether it’s video games, anime, tabletop accessories or gadgets…our gift guide runs the gamut! The sections are each organized by pricing brackets as well
As a note, by purchasing using the links provided to Amazon, you are helping us out as we do receive a commission via our Amazon associates program.
With that in mind, let’s get started!
Expensive gifts, in this economy?! [$50 or less]
Anime/Manga
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End ($10/volume)
Currently being adapted into an awesome anime series, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a fantastic pick for the fantasy lover in your life. The story begins at an unconventional place: the end. After a party of four heroes defeat the Demon King, the long-lived elven mage, Frieren, departs to continue living an otherwise unassuming life. After a reunion with her companions some 50 years later, the mage is inspired to learn more about human lives, as well as making a fateful pilgrimage, retracing the steps of her companions in a journey to the northern lands. A fantastic series, well worth the read! [Submitted by Jeremy]
Jujutsu Kaisen: Season 1, Part 1 ($25)
One of the most popular, and superbly animated series currently running, Jujutsu Kaisen is a fast-paced action series that deserves any anime fans attention. If the geek in your life loves shows like Dragonball Super, Demon Slayer or My Hero Academia, chances are they’ll be thrilled to own Jujustu Kaisen! Check out the slightly fancier version in the next price bracket as well…! [Submitted by Jeremy]
Comics
Do A Powerbomb! ($21)
My favorite comic of 2022 was collected earlier this year in a trade paperback volume, and for comic book fans and wrestling fans, it’s a no-brainer! This fantastic tale from Daniel Warren Johnson tells the story of young Lona Steelrose, invited to an infernal wrestling competition in the hopes of bringing her mom back from the dead. The story delivers an immense amount of heart, with spectacular action sequences and a fast-paced and compelling narrative. Definitely pick it up for the comics fan in your life! [Submitted by Jeremy]
Eight Billion Genies ($28)
What if everyone on Earth got a wish at exactly the same time? That’s the absolutely wild premise that kicks off Eight Billion Genies, and this hardcover collection of the series would be a great gift for any comics fan. With a great narrative from Charles Soule (Death of Wolverine, Star Wars, Swamp Thing) and spectacular art from Ryan Browne, it’s an awesome journey that is sure to entertain the comic book lover in your life! [Submitted by Jeremy]
This beautifully illustrated and crafted 12 issue series is perfect for all ages. The exciting visuals captivate the imagination, while the heartfelt story draws you in and forces you to reflect on your own familial relationships. The series centers around Jonna and Rainbow in their hunt to locate their father in a world filled with danger and monsters. Surprises abound and relationships are tested. Creators Chris and Laura Samnee ask, how far would you go for family? Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters is a heartwarming series, perfect for any comic fan. [Submitted by RogueSymbiote]
Tabletop Gaming
Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants ($35)
One of the more intriguing releases of the past year, Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants is a great addition to any Dungeon Master’s library. Featuring rich lore around the history of giants, it helps fill in some of the grey areas regarding this fearsome and curious race. The alt cover is beautiful as well! [Submitted by Jeremy]
Everdell ($48)
This game is a fantastic pick for any geek that enjoys great art. The cutesy depictions of the various forest animals that make up Everdell are enchanting, and the gameplay isn’t massively complex either. It could serve as a good gateway for folks dipping their toes in worker-placement style games. There are expansions as well to up the player count to 6, and add additional mechanics, but the base game is a great bet to get started! [Submitted by Jeremy]
Tech
Mophie Portable Charger/Power Bank ($40)
It’s happened to all of us: we’re at a convention and see an amazing cosplay. We grab our phone for that perfect shot and…the battery’s dead! If the geek in your life doesn’t have an external battery yet, it’s a must-have to supplement any con-goer. Mophie has been a reliable vendor of these sorts of products for many years, and now being offered at a great price, this power bank has tons of juice to keep that battery topped off! [Submitted by Jeremy]
TV/Film
AMC A-List Membership ($25/mo)
AMC's A-List is a great value for movie lovers. At around $25 a month, you can see up to three movies each week in any format, including IMAX and Dolby Cinema. Gifts come in 3, 6, and 12 month varieties. [Submitted by Sam Kahn]
Criterion 4K UHD Blurays ($15-45+)
Over the past year or so, Criterion has started releasing new films and classics in the 4K UHD disc format. Criterion editions always look beautiful and have in-depth extras. This is the perfect gift for the cinephile in your life. [Submitted by Sam Kahn]
Video Games
Octopath Traveler 2 ($40)
I couldn’t put this list together without giving some love to one of my favorite games of the year: Octopath Traveler 2. This gorgeous HD-2D title has not one, but eight wonderful stories contained within, complemented by an intensely fun and engaging combat system and stellar music. An absolute delight, and a great gift for any RPG fan. [Submitted by Jeremy]
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate - 3 Month Membership ($45)
Game Pass Ultimate is one of the best values in gaming, with a large library of game available to play. It's common to see new releases debut on the service, such as hit titles from the past year including Starfield and Lies of P. Ultimate also gives you access to XBox Cloud Gaming, which works very well if you've got a solid network connection. [Submitted by Sam Kahn]
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 ($40)
This iconic JRPG is on sale right now, and offers a rich narrative, great visuals and addictive combat. A great pick (at a great price) for any RPG fan! [Submitted by Jeremy]
Guess you like this person… [$50 - 100]
Anime/Manga
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, Part 1 Limited Edition ($90)
With Crunchyroll, Netflix, and a host of other streaming services, you would think the era of physical media would be rushing headlong to its end. Not so! Many geeks (myself included) still love collecting, and VIZ Media has provided a great limited edition set for the highly popular Jujustu Kaisen anime. Included in the box set is a sketchbook, as well as a supplementary booklet with more information on all of the characters, and finally some art cards to enjoy. It’s all encapsulated in a sturdy sleeve that looks great on a shelf as well. [Submitted by Jeremy]
Comics
Batman: One Bad Day Box-Set ($85)
Batman has one of the most recognizable rogues’ galleries in the comic world…so what better way to have an amazing mini-run than to spotlight eight of these villains in separate stories penned and drawn by some of the biggest talents in the industry? This is a library of absolute quality, and the hardcover set is currently enjoying a healthy discount of nearly 50%. The Batman and/or comic book fan in your life will thank you for it, trust me. [Submitted by Jeremy]
Clothes
Cloudy Day Clothing ($5-100)
Cloudy Day is a shop primarily featuring apparel, with a particularly special Genshin Impact-inspired collection of cardigans, hats, and jackets. Featuring sturdy material and unique designs, Cloudy Day offers has pieces that will make a statement. Since this is a small business, they offer orders on a preorder basis, meaning you may not get your item before the holidays, but this could be a great gift for your fashion-forward loved ones to look forward to even after the holidays end!
Tabletop Gaming
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse ($51)
Another great addition to the Dungeons & Dragons library this year, Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse is a 3-book set that includes an introduction to the Planar world and its character class options, a contained adventure, and an encyclopedia of beasts and NPCs to refer to. Everything a DM needs to weave a rich narrative web for their players! Currently enjoying a healthy 40% off discount so make sure to snatch it up if you can!
Tech
Akko (Price Varies)
Akko is a keyboard and keycap seller that features something for everyone, and a style to match any desk setup. From options for the Sanrio lover in your life (even featuring their favourite character!) to choices for anime fans that range from Saint Seiya to One Piece and Sailor Moon, jazz up your friends' offices - or even your own!
8Bitdo Retro Mechanical Keyboard ($90)
If I hadn't already just bought a different keyboard for home, I might have bought this one. I love the NES console style. The Famicom version isn't bad, either! It's got a nice analog volume dial, and also comes with a pair of giant programmable A/B buttons. [Submitted by Sam Kahn]
Video Games
8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller ($56)
This fantastic controller with Hall Effect Sensing joysticks is the perfect gift for PC or Switch gamers. This may be 8Bitdo's best controller yet. Comes in several colors, too! [Submitted by Sam Kahn]
Super Mario RPG ($60)
This remake is a great choice for any gamer, whether they're reliving a classic from their childhood or taking on a new adventure. Featuring updated graphics, modernised cutscenes, and some great quality-of-life updates, the Super Mario RPG remaster is a solid game night choice
The Nitrodeck ($60)
It's basically an alternate controller for the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode. I personally love the portable nature of the switch, but found it super uncomfortable to play due to having arthritis in my hands. This has been the perfect solution for me. Before I could maybe play a hour tops, now I can go for several hours. If you buy it, I recommend getting a stick top pack as well -- I did find they pop off fairly easily. That said this is a solid Nintendo Switch accessory, and definitely worth the asking price. [Submitted by PossumCoffee]
Hey, big spender! [$100 - 200]
Accessories/Jewelry
BisouLovely (Varies)
BisouLovely is a small business specialising in magical girl-inspired jewelry deisgn, perfect for that fancy, chic geek in your life. Now they sell a range of collections from anime inspired (Madoka Magika, Inuyasha) to video games (Genshin Impact, Legend of Zelda) to even Dungeons & Dragons so you can represent your favourite classes. Need something extra special? BisouLovely also sells 14K and 18K gold pieces that will make your engagement or other important moment stand out, with prices ranging from about $1,400-$2,100
Anime/Manga
Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set ($150)
Gift your anime or manga lover the series that kicked off the modern era with Katsuhiro Otomo’s superb Akira collected in a beautiful oversized box set. This set collects the full run of the series, as well as some supplemental materials. The fact that it makes for a great display piece is just icing on the cake! [Submitted by Jeremy]
Comics
Monster-Sized Hellboy ($119)
1500+ pages of Hellboy! What more is there to say? This book includes everything in Hellboy Omnibus volumes 1-4. In other words, a whole lot of Hellboy. [Submitted by Sam Kahn]
Marvel Comics Library - The Silver Surfer ($200)
The Herald of Galactus and Surfer of the Spaceways, The Silver Surfer, has finally been given the Deluxe treatment from renowned publisher TASCHEN books. This beautiful, oversized edition collects the entire first volume of The Silver Surfer, reprinted in spectacular form. The pages are of stunning quality, reminiscent of the materials used when the run was originally published. This would be an amazing gift for any comic book fan, but especially so if the comic lover in your life is a fan of this cosmic hero. [Submitted by Jeremy]
Tabletop Gaming
Twilight Imperium [4th Edition] ($132)
One of Fantasy Flight’s most iconic and best-selling games, Twilight Imperium is quite the commitment, time-wise, with a standard game typically running between 4 to 8 hours. Yet, for those willing to invest the time, this sprawling title is a delight: thrilling combat, nuanced political games, and layers upon layers of strategy that will sate any board game fan. Granted, this isn’t for your casual Monopoly player, but if you have a passionate board game geek in the house then Twilight Imperium is sure to bring a smile to their face. [Submitted by Jeremy]
Tech
AT2020USB-X Microphone ($120)
We live in an era of content creation. Maybe the geek in your life is interested in streaming more on Twitch, or they have that great idea that will set the podcasting world ablaze. If you’re looking to help them get started on the right food, Audio Technica offers a fantastic microphone that can help them capture crisp audio, no matter what they’re producing. The AT2020USB-X is a fantastic entry-level microphone that offers professional levels of quality. Bundle it with a stand and you’re helping to take your favorite geek’s content to the next level. [Submitted by Jeremy]
nuphy Air75 Mechanical Keyboard ($124)
Nuphy's low profile mechanical keyboards are a great travel keyboard for folks that just can't stand the built-in laptop keyboards. I've got an Air60 and I take it everywhere. You can also get an optional folding case for it. [Submitted by Sam Kahn]
Video Games
PlayStation DualSense Edge Wireless Controller ($199)
Sony's pro version of the PlayStation 5 controller is one of my favorite game controllers. It offers complete customizability on the PS5 with multiple profiles that can be toggled on the fly. Swap buttons, change stick and trigger sensitivity, and more. It's also got easily replaceable thumbsticks, so you don't have to worry about wearing them out. [Submitted by Sam Kahn]
Is it too late to add me to your list? [$201+]
Tabletop Gaming
Beadle & Grimm’s Legendary Edition of Phandelver & Below: The Shattered Obelisk ($350)
This would likely be more of a group gift for your favorite DM, but if your D&D group is looking for an awesome set to elevate your next adventure, this lavish set is just the way to do it. Featuring 32 battle maps, 43 magic item cards, 60 encounter cards and much more, the host of accessories and supplemental material will be sure to delight any Dungeon Master. [Submitted by Jeremy]
Tech
E-WIN Champion Ergonomic Gaming Chair ($295*)
Is the gamer in your life scooting around in an old office chair? Is their current seat tattered and worn? Upgrade their setup with a new Champion series gaming chair from Ewinracing! The premium line retails for about $420, but if you use the code “thegeeklygrind”, you’ll save a whopping 30% off any order! [Submitted by Jeremy]
Video Games
Playstation 5 - Spider Man 2 Bundle ($499)
We just celebrated the PS5’s 3rd birthday, which means there’s still plenty of track for this console to explore. Even considering how packed the past year was for great games, there’s a bright future ahead, with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Ghost of Tsushima 2, Wolverine and many more amazing titles waiting to be enjoyed. If the gaming geek in your life has been very good this year, there’s no better way to reward them than with Sony’s flagship hardware.
Steam Deck OLED ($549)
Steam’s handheld initially came as a bit of a surprise, but quickly became an awesome handheld experience for fans of the Steam library. Depending on the game, however, battery life could be fairly dismal, and it only offered an LCD display.
No longer.
The Steam Deck OLED is here and features not only a beautifully enhanced OLED screen, but enhanced battery performance as well. Topping out our list cost-wise, it’s pricey indeed, but can offer some amazing handheld gaming experiences. Some tweaking can also enable the use of emulators and roms for that gaming geek in your life who yearns for the titles of yesteryear.
A fantastic choice for any gamer.
Well, that’s all folks! We hope this list helped to kickstart some ideas at the very least. Thanks again for giving our list a look-over, and feel free to drop some additional suggestions in the comments below!
