gifts they might actually want

The Best Gifts for Star Wars Fans, According to Star Wars Fans

Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

Whether they’re a Sith or a Jedi, Star Wars fans are renowned for their devotion. In 1977, A New Hope captivated audiences with a fervour which seems to still be growing with each new installment under Disney — a Skywalker-saga sequel, a Star Wars story, or an original TV show. For Star Wars fans, Christmas tends to be momentous. Podcaster Lacey Gilleran points out that “Christmastime is Star Wars time. It’s when every recent premiere has taken place, for both new movies and shows.” Jedi News’ James Burns adds, “If you go back to 1978, there was the George Lucas Star Wars Holiday Special, though it is notorious for how bad it was. It’s never been officially shown since its one airing.”

If you’re shopping for a Star Wars–obsessed loved one this Christmas, the breadth of this universe makes it difficult to know where to start. Luckily, we chatted to six Star Wars experts, including podcasters and bloggers, about the items on their own wish lists this Christmas. Read on for their 15 suggestions, including the best gifts for Chewie fans, Ben Solo apologists, and those who could make the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs.

Best gift overall

Five out of six of our experts recommended a product from the (vast) LEGO Star Wars range. As well as pointing out the popularity of LEGO Star Wars products globally, Burns says he recommends them to any fan because of their quality. “It’s the classic toy, and it’s so creative. So mixing the two things makes for something really amazing,” he says. Burns singled out the LEGO Boba Fett Starship (previously known as Slave I). “It’s such an iconic ship: We’ve seen it in The Mandalorian, and I’m sure we’re going to see it in the upcoming Book of Boba Fett.” The build is on the simpler side, making it suitable for younger children or those just getting into LEGO.

Burns also recommended this Imperial Light Cruiser from an episode of The Mandalorian that features a (particularly exciting) surprise cameo. “Seeing this battle on the ship, building up with the destroyer droids and everything else going on, was pretty incredible,” he recalls.

Bobby from Rebelscum.com particularly liked this set of the Razor Crest, the ship belonging to the title character of Disney’s The Mandalorian. As well as the Mandalorian himself, the set includes a teeny tiny figure of Grogu (a.k.a. Baby Yoda).

This slightly more complex LEGO build (a “master-builder set”) comes recommended by Tim from Bossk’s Bounty. As well as depicting one of the most iconic locations from Episode Four, the set contains “certain mini-figures — many Star Wars fans collect mini-figures — that you will never see in another set,” says Tim. “They’re exclusive to this one and quite rare.” The set’s release is a delight for many LEGO master builders, who (according to Tim) have been requesting its official release for some time. “As a main Christmas present, if I was given it, I’d be very pleased,” Tim adds. “It’s definitely on my wish list.”

When we spoke to LEGO fans about the best sets, writer and LEGO enthusiast Michael East told us that Star Wars LEGOs are the best of the brand’s entire range, “with so many unique pieces and highly collectible figures.” For East, one of the best of the best is this LEGO model of the Millennium Falcon. “While easy to make, the Falcon took several building sessions to complete and will be one of the centerpieces to any Star Wars LEGO collection,” he says.

Best toys and collectibles to gift

Burns covets this vintage collection. “Hasbro has gone back and created figures with the same aesthetic of those that we used to play with in the ’70s and ’80s,” he says. “It sparks nostalgia for those days where you’d go into Woolworths and pick them up for a couple quid.” In addition to producing figures of characters from the original trilogy, Hasbro has developed retro figures for newer characters, such as those from The Mandalorian, and Clone Wars characters like Ahsoka. “With these, they haven’t just taken a figure that was done back in the day and re-created it; they’ve had to go to the drawing board and start from scratch,” Burns says. “They look amazing!”

“If you’re going to invest in a lightsaber, you may as well invest in one that everyone has been waiting for,” advises Gilleran. Whilst the Force FX range has the lightsaber of every major character from Luke to Kylo Ren, Gilleran says Rey’s yellow saber is the must-have item this year. “It’s just so unique, not only with the colour but with the twist ignition that we’ve never seen before. Hasbro has gone above and beyond,” she says, pointing out that even the version produced by the official Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge omits this detail. “It also features sound effects from the movie that didn’t even get used,” says Gilleran. “So whilst it’s an item you get for around two seconds in the movie, it’s something you can really explore at home.”

[Editor’s note: This item is available for preorder.]

Best books to gift

For a family of Star Wars fans, Coffee with Kenobi’s Dan Zehr recommends this holiday gift book by Jeffrey Brown as one beloved by his own family. “Brown has a reputation for incorporating a playful side into Star Wars while still sticking to the themes that make this franchise so enduring,” says Zehr. “Each page has a funny take on the unique dynamics of the Skywalker family tree while adding in holiday-season playfulness.” A Vader Family Sithmas is the sequel to Brown’s New York Times best-selling Darth Vader and Son.

To take a look behind the scenes of Star Wars, Gilleran suggests gifting a book from the Art of Star Wars series. “These books are great for a deep dive,” she says. “They look at how decisions are made creatively, behind not just the concept art but the production.” The Mandalorian (Season Two) book includes interviews with executive producer Jon Favreau (who has also worked on such movies as Iron Man), director Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Rebels), and legendary concept artist Doug Chiang. Lacey says the book would make a great gift for casual and dedicated fans alike: “Whether you’re a die-hard Star Wars fan or not, if you read a couple pages of this, you can definitely go into a holiday party saying, ‘Ah, yes, did you actually know X about Y?’ It’s a fun way to really get into the series.”

Best clothes and accessories to gift

Burns has bought several charms from the Pandora Star Wars collection for his wife and daughter. “So many people I know love Pandora bracelets,” he says. One of these could make an especially thoughtful gift for anyone who already collects Pandora charms. As Burns points out, “Many parents give their children bracelets as they’re entering their teens and then buy them new charms each year.” Pandora’s selection includes quotable moments from the series (such as Han and Leia’s “I love you,” “I know”) and fan-favourite characters from R2-D2 to Chewbacca. “This is a lovely way of saying you’re into Star Wars without necessarily wearing it on a jumper or having it big and bold,” says Burns. “It’s fairly nice and subtle but a nice talking point.”

Best home-décor items to gift

With The Book of Boba Fett set to release on 29 December, any item centred on the new series is sure to earn a nod of approval, according to Gilleran. Boba Fett got his start back in the original trilogy, meaning fans who aren’t well versed in the new Disney content would enjoy the gift nonetheless. Gilleran likes the ornaments from Hallmark (which don’t ship to the UK). We like this option from Etsy.

Gilleran said she bought this LED light to spruce up the background of her YouTube podcast uploads but has since fallen completely in love with it. “It looks even better in person,” she says. “It looks just like the hologram in the movie.” In addition to Gilleran’s favourite Leia light, fans can choose from other characters in the Star Wars universe, including Ahsoka and Darth Maul. The light appears blue to emulate a Star Wars–esque hologram but can also change colour when controlled by a handy remote (that comes included).

Zehr also recommends this festive bedsheet set, which he calls a “perfect blend of Christmas and Star Wars.” “The material itself is really cosy,” he explains. “Plus, they have Darth Vader holding a candy cane. What’s better than that, really?” One final note — the sheets are made entirely of organic cotton.

For tea-and-coffee drinkers, Gilleran recommends a Mandalorian mug. Featuring one of the show’s most famous lines, the official mug also has a retro illustration of the main characters.

For hot-chocolate lovers, Gilleran recommends pairing the mug with a hot-chocolate bomb, such as this handmade set from Etsy.

The Strategist UK is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Read about who we are and what we do here. Our editors update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

Best Gifts for Star Wars Fans, According to Star Wars Fans