This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Ky Tanella. Find them on Instagram at @ky.tanella. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
There are so many things to nerd out over—trust me, I’ve been a fangirl since I got my grubby little fingers on a Tumblr account. As a bit of a nerd with a nerdy partner (with specific taste), I understand how hard it is not to overthink! Geek gifts are hard to pinpoint; they can be expensive, or you might not have a geek-oriented shop near you, making it all the more difficult. My partner’s birthday is coming up, and I overthink what I will make/get them every year, but fear not! Here’s your ultimate guide to a great geek gift for him, her, or them!
TTRPG/Deck-Building/Board Games
Do you have someone in your life who’s super into D&D, but isn’t sure what to get them that isn’t dice? Don’t worry, I’ve been there before. Of course, dice are super cool, but if they’ve been playing for a while, they might already have a few favorites! If they happen to be a DM (Dungeon Master), the best way to go is to get some of those awesome rulebooks for physical media purposes (and they’re super cool to display). Or, a cool dice display holder and a custom screen if they play in-person! If they aren’t a DM, mini figurines of a character they play in the campaign are fantastic little additions to their game, even if they don’t play on a physical board. If you’re a skilled painter, you can even paint the mini figure to make it even more custom-made (just as what their character looks like, I guarantee they’ll want to discuss it)!
There is seemingly an endless number of deck-building or collectible card games: Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, Marvel Overpower…, and the list goes on. I tend to avoid getting any card packs; I’ll probably get the most basic one or get something they already have. I tend to veer closer to physical media in this category, including plushies, figurines, custom cards (with pets featured), or wearable merch! I was sifting through Etsy for some of these gifts, and I found this adorable Snorlax glasses holder, which could even be great to hand-make if you happen to be a master crocheter.
My local geek store has an entire section dedicated to board games, whether inherently nerdy or an expansion pack on an already beloved game. They have so many different subtypes of Catan (especially Game of Thrones niches), Ticket to Ride, Splendor, and Villainous! This could also be said for puzzle nerds; heading into a Target or Walmart could help you find fandom-related puzzles, or getting a small custom-made one from Etsy could be adorable!
The Gamer
Again, billions of games are out there; it can be super hard to pinpoint which ones to shop for! I’ll be going off of mostly personal experience, but start to pay attention to what games your gift-ee fixates on!
Lots of my friends are into more cozy games like Stardew Valley, Minecraft, Sims, and Animal Crossing! It’s not hard to find stuff like this on Etsy! For my Stardew people, physical media is always a way to go (or maybe buy a mod pack for them); things like a custom farm box (especially if you play together), Junimo crochets, or even the Stardew Valley Cook Book if they’re a chef/baker! A Sims player would especially enjoy an expansion pack; dozens of these can make their evil gameplay even more immersive!
Bethesda and FromSoftware have some particularly geeky/nerdy games (seriously, no offense, I’m one of you)! This might sound familiar if your partner/friend is into games like Elden Ring, Dark Souls, Fallout, Skyrim, or Bloodborne (all great games, btw). The Erdtree DLC is a great expansion pack for those who play Elden Ring, if they’re looking for something fresh but aren’t too into the Nightrein release. With these games, I tend to lean towards the associated art books as they dive deeper into the game design and iconic characters, and can be great physical media!
If nothing is resonating here, I recommend getting a cool controller if they’re a console gamer (just check with the console, I’ve definitely made that mistake before). PC gamers can be a little more demanding to shop for, so getting a mat, mouse, or keyboard may sound a little basic and can be super expensive! If they have a Steam account, get them a gift card with a good bit of money in case a game on their wishlist goes on sale; or, buy it for them if they mention it enough times! Lastly, if you’re short on ideas but know they game with headphones, get them a cute stand to hold them.
Anime/Manga
Oh man, this is not my element, but I’ve had enough friends like anime to know what to get!
If they keep their manga collection out in the open, sneak by to see if they’re missing any editions or are actively waiting for a new chapter drop! I know I keep hitting on this, but physical media can be super cool and heartfelt to (me) geeks, so don’t shy away from even a little trinket related to their favorite anime. Even special editions of manga, like the deluxe Berserk books, can go on sale, and a really special edition to their little collection. Don’t flame me if you don’t consider Studio Ghibli to be anime, but plenty of cute little creatures from those movies would be incredible as plushies or 3D prints!
Tickets to a local anime convention, comic con, or geek-related flea market can also be a fantastic experience-based present! This site is great for finding these events near you, just in time for Summer!
Fantasy-Lovers
I’m just now getting into some fantasy (ie, reading ACOTAR) and reverting to my Merlin phase from middle school. But, I will mostly be talking about Game of Thrones (and its spinoffs), The Lord of the Rings, The Witcher, and Harry Potter. What can I say, I operate in the realm I know!
First, if your geek is book-ish, I literally cannot recommend the book version of the shows/movies they love enough. You can get pretty cool editions of Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings for relatively cheap, and they can cherish them for a lifetime. However, if they tend to lean more towards the “Romantasy” genre, getting them some ACOTAR books or anything from the Throne of Glass series has always been where I’m told to start. While I don’t love the ACOTAR books, I respect the readers who do, and since Romantasy is such a popular genre right now, going to your local bookstore and perusing that section should give you lots of ideas. Lastly, if they have so many books in their collection, they might enjoy a custom Book Embosser with their name!
Addressing the elephant in the room, Harry Potter obviously isn’t the most sought-after fandom right now due to Ms. Problematic Rowling running her mouth on Twitter. There’s nothing wrong with liking it (as long as you detach yourself from the artist), but navigating gift-giving in the fandom can be tricky. Anything related to their Hogwarts house, or special book/movie editions, is usually a safe bet!
If you’ve got the money for it, I guarantee a GOT fan would go crazy over some kind of sword or throne replica (when I have the money, I will spoil you, babe). Alternatively, I found some dragon-related decor, a hangable wall map, and an adorable music box! A LOTR fan would go crazy for a replica (I want a sword so bad), a ring necklace, or some sort of ring decor, but art-related books and even mini collectibles are a great, budget-friendly alternative.
Lastly, I want to shout out the Etsy seller gmdice; they sell super high-quality gaming/nerd-related candles that always smell great (I’ve gotten a few for some nerds in my life, and they always love them)! They also have many hand-made LARP/Cosplay items, which brings me to…
The LARPer/Cosplayer
What an expensive hobby, I earnestly commend y’all. And some of y’all make your costumes? I bow to you, truly. Again, this is not my element, but I will try my best!
This is a shoutout to all partners. If your partner is into cosplay, they might have asked you to roleplay a specific character they… find attractive. I know Ghostface is pretty popular! So, if you can afford it (or just find a costume on Amazon, they’ll appreciate the effort), surprise them by cosplaying as their favorite character! There are so many reaction videos on TikTok that show you this works!
Though if that’s not your thing, I get it! Cosplayers can be a little hard to shop for, so my suggestion above about bringing them to some sort of convention could be an incredible gift for them to show off their talents. Many cosplayers/larpers recommend gift cards to fabric stores, craft stores, or Amazon, which have been super helpful in funding what they’d want to get for their next outfit! If they’re a real crafter/sewer, think wig stands, crafting mats, shearing scissors, or sewing repair kits.
The Comic-Lovers
Oh boy, when I was going through my MCU phase, I would take anything related to the characters or movies I liked. Tickets to movies, themed mugs, a geeky t-shirt, or Funko Pops were always a safe bet!
I know DC Compact Comics are very popular among DC Fans right now (essentially compacting a comic book into a graphic novel-type book) and are very budget-friendly if your gift-ee tends to love some physical media! Related Legos are also a usually safe bet, and Lego keychains of their favorite characters or even some cute matching bracelets can be fantastic ideas.
If your person is into Marvel Rivals right now, getting them a skin they’ve been wanting can be a great niche little present. I know I’m a big Spider-Man girlie, so anything related to him is always a win, especially these Gwen/Miles matching beaded bracelets; the magnet bracelets always get me teary-eyed. Towards the back of a geek-related store, there’s usually a bin full of discounted comic books, if your person is a collector and you want to snag a couple for them!
If you’re a talented artist (or even if you’re not), you can also make a custom comic book, zine, or mini graphic novel! Think of it as a scrapbook of memories, but it can make your partner/friend feel like a superhero (like romanticizing how you first met, your favorite cherished memory, or an inside joke). I’m jealous of those with this talent, as I would make comic books left and right if I had any skill.
The Science(Fiction) and History Nerd
This can apply in two different ways. They could be a technology or science nerd who loves building their own computers, tinkering with tech, or even being super into astronomy/history!
On a larger scale, you could get them a build-your-own PC set (which is surprisingly easier than you think) or a buildable Steam Deck set. Something circuit-board-related is also a great gift if they happen to work from home, or are constantly tinkering with some tech. Alternatively, vintage tech is also a great way to go; things like a Pi Edge or a Y2K-related piece are great if they’re into that vintage vibe!
Next, the Star Wars/Trek nerds! Again, I am you! By the way, I sure hope my partner is reading this article!
Again, if you can afford it, a lightsaber is a great way to go – they can even customize it, or get a replica of one of their favorites. Legos (big or small) are also great bets, especially if they’re harder to make, it’ll take them a little longer (the gift that keeps on giving)! Even little Lego Figurines will sit proudly by their desk or on their shelf, bonus points if you get them at a Con. Star Trek is a little trickier; there’s a lot more media out there, and it can be hard to distinguish which generation is their favorite – remember, it never hurts to ask! I’d recommend checking out this Star Trek Reddit thread!
History nerds might like a ticket to a local museum tour related to history or a historical war! I guarantee there’s some sort of War landmark near you, even if there’s not a museum – and assuming they don’t already know about it, take them there on a little road trip. Also, bring back hand-written, yearning love letters! Even if they’re your friend, I’m sure they’d appreciate some vintage letter – soak it in coffee and have a field day with some wax stamping. JDandKateIndustries is an Etsy shop making adorable history-related and classic book candles!
I probably haven’t hit on every type of nerd/geek out there! Like I said, there are thousands of fandoms, hyperfixations, and billions of things to be passionate about, so it’s hard to pinpoint just a few! So if I missed you, don’t worry; you are valid and should be proud of having a more niche interest. If you’re shopping for yourself, for a partner or friend, I hope this guide has brought you a little bit of solace in knowing that you will find something they will appreciate! Good luck out there, gifters!
Do you have any suggestions for a great geek gift for him, her, or them? Let us know, and drop them in the comments down below!
Leave a Reply