We here at The Nerd Stash love the holidays, as it is a time for family, wonder, fun, and of course a lot of free time for nerdy activities! With the festivities right around the corner, time is running out to find the perfect gift for your loved ones (or even yourself) this holiday season. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Below is a list of Holiday gifts we endorse, from board games to clothing to books, that will fit your Nerdy Needs!
Xbox Design Lab Controllers
Where to purchase: https://xboxdesignlab.xbox.com/en-US/customize
Sometimes your gaming gear needs that little extra something to make it your own. Well, with the Xbox Design Lab, you can create an Xbox controller that is undeniably and unequivocally you!
Ranging from $69.99 to $92.96, the Xbox Design Lab provides you with a myriad of options and variations to make a truly unique piece of Xbox hardware. Customization options span the whole spectrum, including metallic triggers, rubberized grips, and an engraving option. The controllers also come in a ton of different colorways from solids to gradients and even camouflage.
The price tag is totally worth having an exclusive piece of Xbox memorabilia that is unlike any other. So, grab one for yourself or treat your favorite Xbox One owner to this thoughtful gift that they will never forget (and ensure that they will never “accidentally” take your controller again!
Infinity War Mood Lamp
Where to buy: Amazon
The Infinity War Mood Lamp is a beautiful recreation of Thanos’s infamous Gauntlet. An officially licensed Marvel product, the Infinity Gauntlet is 10” tall and projects light through its replica Infinity Stones. It can be powered either through USB or with three AA batteries.
So, while the lamp is a portable mouth-watering addition to any Marvel super-nerd’s collection, there is just one flaw – this Infinity Gauntlet does not possess the ability to wipe out half of life in the universe. Try as you may, nothing will happen. However, you will get a cool, snazzy light and arguably become a lot more popular because of it.
Dungeons and Dragons Campaign Books
Where to buy: Barnes and Noble, or Amazon
Visit: https://dnd.wizards.com/
Wizards of the Coast has recently released a few new campaign books to bring more fun and intrigue to your tabletop table.
Waterdeep Dragon Heist is designed for player levels 1-5. Taking place inside the enormous city of Waterdeep, players must prevent a hoard of gold from falling into villainous hands. Dungeon of the Mad Mage takes places from level 5-20, venturing deeper underground into a multi-level dungeon beneath a mountain. And Guildmaster’s Guide to Ravnica is a collaboration with the card came Magic! The Gathering. Taking place in its world of Ravnica, ten guilds battle each other for wealth and power.
All of these can be purchased at your local game store, Barnes and Noble, or Amazon. They go for $50 full price, but can often be found for half that.
Star Wars: Rise Against Skywalker The Resistance Deluxe Figurine Set
MSRP: $34.95
Available: At shopDisney.com | Disney store Oct. 4
The Force will be felt with this Star Wars Deluxe Figurine Set. Featuring ten characters from Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker, this set will take imaginative play to a galaxy far, far away.
Image Comics
Where to buy: https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/isola
For fans that enjoy fantasy settings, stunning art that matches Studio Ghibli and beautifully crafted storytelling like filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, Isola is a comic series worth checking out. Written by Brenden Fletcher and artist Karl Kerschl, Isola is set in a world full of magic and mystery. It follows the story of Royal Guard member Rook as she tries to undo a spell that turned the queen into a tiger. She must lead the queen to Isola, land of the dead.
It feels like a world set within the realms of Dungeons and Dragons. Not only is the story engaging and interesting, but every issue also contains gorgeous art each with a different color palate. It’s like reading an anime directed by Miyazaki. While it can be a bit graphic, there isn’t anything you wouldn’t find in a Ghibli film. For those seeking to dive into a fantasy story with intrigue, suspense, and detailed art, Isola is a fun read.
Nintendo Switch
Where to buy: Amazon
The Nintendo Switch is way too valuable to pass up this holiday season. With so many games coming out that will give you endless hours of entertainment, there’s no reason to not buy it at this point. Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, Let’s Go Pikachu, Breath of The Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and so many more paid games. If you didn’t want to spend any more money besides the switch, the free game lineup is just as impressive. Warframe is worth the price alone. This holiday season, get the Switch!
Price: $300 for a bundle
Games: Way too many to count.
Xbox Game Pass One Year Subscription
Where to buy: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-game-pass
Although it may be considered a “generic” holiday gift for some, this is a must-have subscription service for any Xbox fan out there.
For $70 right now on Amazon and Best Buy (normally priced at $120), Game Pass owners get access to a library of some of the best games to release this generation of consoles. Games like Mortal Kombat X, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Rocket League, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, DOOM, and Gears of War 4.
If you enjoy playing more classic Xbox titles, Microsoft has you covered. The entire Gears of War, Fable, and Halo series (including The Master Chief Collection) are available on Game Pass as well.
Not only will you immediately have this impressive library to choose from but all future Xbox exclusives will be available on launch day for the service. This means you’ll be able to play Crackdown 3 at no extra cost when it releases February 15, 2019.
Activision Games Lineup
Where to buy: Amazon, BestBuy, Walmart, and GameStop
When it comes to gaming this holiday season, Activision has something for everyone in the family—kids, teens, and adults! Whether it’s the return of an iconic purple dragon (Spyro), a throwback to the 90’s (Crash Bandicoot), avenging fan-favorite character Cayde (Destiny 2: Forsaken) or a new Battle Royale-inspired mode and Zombies (Call of Duty: Black Ops 4), we’ve got all the best games to showcase for your holiday gift guides or suggested holiday must-haves!
For Kids – Teens and Longtime Fans (E – 10+):
- Spyro Reignited Trilogy brings the nostalgia to new levels through the return of the iconic purple dragon Spyro! As a fully remastered version of the first three titles – Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage!, and Spyro: Year of the Dragon – both new and original fans will have the opportunity to Spyro, now ready to fly high and burn baddies in scaled-up HD visual fun!
- Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy – the record-breaking series remaster series featuring the super popular 90’s character – is now available for the first time ever on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PC! Fans will enjoy the remaster of the first three titles – Crash Bandicoot, Cortex Strikes Back, and Warped – as they play as Crash or sister Coco in their fight against Doctor Neo Cortex!
For Teens and Adults (T – Teen):
- Destiny 2: Forsaken – Legendary Collection brings the award-winning sequel’s largest content release since launch with something for veteran, new and returning players – including a compelling story campaign to avenge a fan-favorite character, a MASSIVE end-game experience, and an innovative new multiplayer gameplay mode that gamers will truly love!
For Adults – (M – Mature, 17+):
CALL OF DUTY: ® Black Ops 4 delivers the deepest and most tactical multiplayer experience ever in Black Ops, the biggest day one Zombies offering ever in the series with triple the number of adventures, and an all-new Battle Royale-inspired mode that brings together characters, locations, weapons and gear from across the storied series in all-out survival combat – all uniquely Black Ops.
What are some of your favorite Holiday Gift items? Let us know what gifts you have on your wishlist for the Christmas Season!
