A Star Wars Gift Guide for 2017
Star Wars is everywhere again, and with a movie lined up every year for the foreseeable future, it’s a good time to be a fan. The thing about Star Wars is that it was made with tie-ins in mind from the beginning. From action figures to books to clothing to blenders, if you can imagine it, there’s a Star Wars version of it. That makes gift purchasing sort of easy in some ways but also daunting in others. Here’s some of the coolest stuff out there right now.
The New Novels
Thrawn (Star Wars) by Timothy Zahn, $20.29* on Amazon
Aftermath: Star Wars: Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens by Chuck Wendig, $15.99* on Amazon
Fans who were upset when the old Extended Universe was banished were then pretty delighted when Disney immediately asked Timothy Zahn to bring his most popular character back into the new Star Wars universe. But his new Thrawn novel isn’t the only great Star Wars book out there. Chuck Wendig’s Aftermath trilogy tells the story between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens.
Han Solo in Carbonite Ice Tray
Star Wars: Han Solo in Carbonite Silicone Ice Tray/Chocolate Mold, $8.75* on Amazon
Look, this isn’t a new item. It’s not from the latest movie. All it is, simply, is the best piece of Star Wars merchandise that has ever existed. It’s a great way to add a little Star Wars to your daily routine. Not to mention that when a guest comes over to your house and you give them a drink with ice shaped like a frozen Han Solo, they immediately know what kind of person you are.
Tickets to The Last Jedi
Prices Vary, Available at Fandango
With the new movie approaching, hype is at an all-time high. Tickets first went on sale in early October, and they aren’t proving as hard to find as they were in the past. At this point, the midnight showings are probably going to be sold out, but you might still swing a 12:15… Or you could just go for a matinee at a reasonable hour the next day.
The Darth Vader Comic
Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol. 1 by Kieron Gillen, $13.59* on Amazon
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 1 by Kieron Gillen, $12.58* on Amazon
Star Wars: Vader Down by Jason Aaron, $13.59* on Amazon
You remember in Rogue One, at the very end, when Vader goes on that giant rampage? All of a sudden, it’s like those 10 years of movies about Anakin Skywalker whining about stuff just melted away, and Darth Vader was terrifying again. Fans of the comics have been feeling that since 2015. Kieron Gillen’s beloved Darth Vader comic series redeemed Vader well before Rogue One reminded audiences why they loved to hate him. It also fleshed out his relationship with the Emperor and introduced several new fan-favorite characters like Doctor Aphra, who spun off into her own series. Be sure to also check out Vader Down, which shows the Sith Lord at his most desperate–and his most vicious.
BB-9E
BB-9E App-Enabled Droid by Sphero, $129.00* on Amazon
Funko POP! Star Wars: The Last Jedi – BB-9E – Collectible Figure, $8.94* on Amazon
When BB-8 first came out, the internet was rapt. Its strange design brought a little bit of wonder back to Star Wars, and its weirdly expressive personality made us all fall in love. The Last Jedi has what appears to be an evil counterpart to everyone’s favorite sphere. On set, they jokingly called him BB-H8, but he goes by BB-9E. Like with BB-8, there’s an app-enabled, authentic-looking toy version from Sphero. If you want to take one home for a lot less, there’s a much more stationary version from Funko.
Festive Sweaters! (Yes, Really.)
Star Wars Men’s Darth Vader Holiday Sweater, $29.99* on Amazon
Star Wars Men’s Three Storm Tropers Holiday Pullover, $15.38* on Amazon
Star Wars Men’s Holiday Sweater, $29.99* on Amazon
Look, y’all. We can’t explain why there’s a giant collection of Star Wars-themed holiday sweaters. But if you want a sweater that has Darth Vader festooned with candy canes or a trio of caroling Storm Troopers, well…for some reason, that’s a thing you can have. We admit that the AT-AT walking through a winter wonderland does at least make sense. It could just be a really quiet part of the Battle of Hoth.
Porgs?
Underground Toys Interactive Porg Plush Toy Stuffed Animal, $29.99* on Amazon
The second we first saw that weird little fur-penguin thing show up in that first trailer, we knew it was going to be everywhere. Just like the Ewoks, you hear a lot of complaining about these little critters. But somebody you know likes these things more than they want to admit. Encourage them to live their truth by giving them a porg. There’s no shortage of porg merchandise on Amazon, but this plush offering from Underground Toys seems to be the most “realistic.” It won’t be released until November 11, but you can pre-order it now.
From A Certain Point of View Short Story Collection
From a Certain Point of View (Star Wars), $24.48* on Amazon
We mentioned books, but this one deserves special mention. From a Certain Point of View celebrates 40 years of Star Wars with 40 short stories from background characters all across the universe. Wendig contributes, as do Mallory Ortberg, Greg Rucka, Gary Whitta, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Matt Fraction, Paul Dini, and more. The stories range from comedic jaunts to character studies and follow everyone from Aunt Beru to Boba Fett to a middle-management worker for the Empire.
The Games
Prices Vary, Available on Steam
Prices Vary, Available on GOG.com
They may not all be “canon” anymore, but Star Wars has a rich legacy of computer games that stretches back decades, and you can find a lot of them on services like Steam and Good Old Games. Steam, in particular, has a giant bundle with just about every Star Wars game that ever mattered. And while it’s expensive, it’s also subject to their ridiculous markdowns. And we know for a fact that they’re planning three sales between now and Christmas.
This Star Wars Apron
Star Wars Apron, $19.99* on Think Geek
Star Wars is for everyone–up to and including your favorite chef or baker. This stylish, modern apron has a giant Rebel Alliance logo and the phrase “a force to be reckoned with” in a script that wouldn’t look out of place on a hip new planner.
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*Prices as of 10/24/2017*
