Ultimate 2020 Geeky Holiday Gift Guide for the Mediavores in Your Life

Last week, when I published a guide of 20 stocking stuffers for mediavores under $20, I explained how important I think it is to celebrate the holidays however we can during this tumultuous year. That may or may not involve presents in your family, but if it does, I wanted to put together a guide to help you shop for any video game, movie, or TV show-fanatics–aka mediavores–you may be struggling to find gifts for this year. With that in mind, here’s 2020’s Ultimate Mediavore Gift Guide.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, we will–at no additional cost to you–receive a small portion of the profits. Thank you for supporting our family this holiday season.

Best Gifts for Gamers

Big Ticket Gift Idea for Gamers

Playstation 5 | $400-$500

The PS5 was released on November 19th. It’s currently sold out in every store near Vuk and me. So if you’re looking for the gift for gamers this season, this is it. If you have the money to splurge and you manage to get your hands on a PS5, you will make some mediavore VERY happy on Christmas morning (or whenever present-giving happens in your family). The $400 console only allows for digital game downloads, while the $500 console also accepts physical copies of games (and plays DVDs), so you’ll have decide if that extra $100 is worth those features.

5 More Great Gifts for Gamers

Gaming Headphones | $50

A good pair of gaming headphones is a must-have for competitive gamers, who need to be able to hear which side an enemy is shooting at them from and need to be able to communicate with their teammates via the built-in microphone. Non-competitive gamers will also appreciate the ability to hear their audio the way it was meant to be heard–in surround sound–without disturbing the other people in their lives–while the microphone can be equally good for twitch streamers who want to be able to narrate while they play.

Game Console History Book | $25

There was a trend that went around a few years ago talking about the four gifts of Christmas. You can read all about the idea here, but the basic premise is that, to save on holiday expenses (and reaffirm that Christmas isn’t just about getting presents), each family member receives just four gifts: something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. Whether or not you stick to just those four gifts, I know many people–parents especially–like to include books as part of what they purchase the people in their lives. If you’re planning to do that anyway, why not get a book they’ll be eager to dive into? This photographic history of game consoles starts with the Atari and moves all the way up to the XBox, giving the mediavore in your life a history lesson about something they truly care about.

Nuka Cola Checkers | $25

Fans of the Fall Out franchise will love this checkers game, which uses bottle caps from an in-game brand, Nuka Cola, as the pieces. They’ll feel like they’re playing checkers with a makeshift board in an actual post-apocalyptic wasteland. Meanwhile, for those of you parents eager to get some 1:1 interaction with your gaming-obsessed kids, this will also drag them out of their room–at least for the length of a game or two of checkers.

Oathkeeper Keyblade | $20

One of the keyblades from the Kingdom Hearts series, this model Oathkeeper is made of molded foam over a solid frame. It’s like the video game lover’s version of a foam sword. Younger gamers who were drawn to the Kingdom Hearts series because of the fun Disney characters will enjoy play-fighting with this, while older gamers will be just as happy keeping the replica on display. (Okay, they’ll sneak in a play-swordfight or two as well).

World of Warcraft: Official Cookbook | $35

There’s no better way to elicit help in the kitchen than to get someone excited about what they’re cooking. This cookbook cobbles together recipes from World of Warcraft, one of the best-selling game franchises of all time. However, they also have an Overwatch cook book and a Elder Scrolls cookbook if either of those are more to your gamer’s tastes.

Best Gifts for Movie Lovers

Big Ticket Gift Idea for Movie Lovers

LED Movie Projector | $530

There’s nothing better than seeing your favorite movie on the big screen. With this home movie projector, the mediavore in your life can have their own big screen at home. This projector is compatible with phones, TVs, Amazon Fire Stick, laptop, XBox, and Playstation–so, basically, whatever format their movie is in, this projector has a way to make their movie-watching dreams a reality.

5 More Great Gifts for Movie Lovers

Blockbuster | $25

This Family Feud-style movie trivia game is the perfect place for a movie lover to put their skills to the test. Last year this became Vuk’s favorite party game, hands down. It’s simple and easy to learn, but the thing that makes this game stand out against more traditional trivia-style games is that you have to work with your team. So, even if you have a movie guru on your side, you won’t automatically win. It evens the playing field, allowing it to be fun for the whole family.

100 Movie Scratch-Off Poster | $28

It’s always good to have goals. For movie lovers, this scratch-off poster offers a range of 100 must-see titles that they can work through. This updated version includes movies released in 2020, and while they’ll be proud of any movies they can scratch off as having already seen when they get the poster, they’ll be amazed by how many more movies they haven’t seen.

Popcorn Seasoning Sampler Pack | $33

For many people, movies and popcorn go hand-in-hand. With this popcorn seasoning sampler pack, the movie lover in your life can try out 8 different popcorn seasonings throughout the course of the next year. This is especially great during a year when many movie lovers are watching movies at home rather than going out, allowing home-cooked popcorn to have more of the seasoning options they’d have at the theater.

Cards Against Muggles | $70

This offshoot of the ever-popular Cards Against Humanity game makes the perfect gift for the (adult!) Harry Potter fan in your life. Both the question and answer cards make reference to scenes and characters from the series, making it a hilarious game to play with other Potter-oriented friends.

Cinemaps | $30

This atlas offers hand-painted maps for 35 classic films, including charted paths that the characters took throughout the course of the film. For the true movie buffs in your life, you can’t find a more beautiful book than this one. They’ll love perusing it on Christmas morning, and love even more having it to reference on their next watch through of their favorite films.

Best Gifts for TV Addicts

Big Ticket Gift Idea for TV Addicts

Waterproof TV | $460

True TV addicts don’t want to stop watching TV for anything–especially boring stuff like taking a shower. With a waterproof smart TV, they don’t have to. They’ll be able to watch TV while taking a shower, doing their hair, shaving… heck, they can even have a luxurious bath while watching their favorite sitcom. I literally can’t think of anything better than sitting in a warm bubble bath watching Gilmore Girls. It’s a dream that likely won’t come true for me. Make it come true for someone.

5 More Great Gifts for TV Addicts

Wedge Pillow | $57

Anyone who’s ever tried watching TV in bed knows the struggle of getting squishy-squashy pillows to support your back and neck enough for you to feel any kind of comfortable. The wedge pillow turns those issues on their head. It props you up easily, allowing you to comfortably watch a show before falling asleep. And apparently it helps with snoring. So, you know. Bonus points.

Luke’s Diner Candle | $26

Nothing will make you feel like you’re in Stars Hollow as much as the perpetual smell of coffee wafting throughout your home. With this Luke’s Diner candle, any Gilmore Girls fan in your life can have that true Stars Hollow experience day or night. The candle features the logo to Luke’s on the front and his oft-joked-about No Cell Phones sign on the lid as two fun references to this cult TV classic.

Game of Thrones: Pop Up Guide to Westeros | $75

Pop up books aren’t just for kids any more. This beautifully-made pop up guide to Westeros is a perfect gift for any Game of Thrones fan in your life. Detailed recreations of key scenes from the show, including Winterfell and King’s Landing, will help bring Westeros to life like never before.

Rick and Morty Total Rickall Card Game | $15

In the “Total Rickall” episode of Rick and Morty, the show’s main characters have had their minds imbued with false memories of other characters (who are really parasites), and they have to figure out who is real and who is fake. This cooperative card game recreates that show by having you determine which cards hide parasites beneath them. It’s one of those games that’s easy to learn and hard to master, and while Rick and Morty fans will love the reference to the episode, it’s a genuinely good game that’s fun to play even if you haven’t seen the show. This means it’s a good gift to give to a Rick and Morty fan even if you don’t watch the show and you know you’ll be the one dragged into playing it with them.

Wearable Blanket | $45

Remember when snuggies were all the rage? This is WAY better than that. A wearable blanket pulls on like a hoodie, but it’s Sherpa-lined and oversized so you can tuck your whole body into it while you watch TV. It’s a couch potato’s dream come true. And yes, I own one. It’s the best.

Don’t Get Stumped Shopping for Mediavores

Gamers, movie lovers, and TV addicts all have one thing in common: they’re passionate about their fandoms. Ask one or two questions about what they’re playing or watching and you’ll find that you open up a whole world of gift possibilities.

2020’s Guide to 20 Geeky Stocking Stuffers Under $20!

Let’s be real: 2020 has been a shit show. We started with a bushfire in Australia, moved into a global pandemic, had a brief encounter with murder hornets that almost immediately got side-lined by reports of police brutality and civil unrest… The economy is collapsing, natural disasters are on a rise, and those of us who haven’t taken to the streets in protest about one thing or another are just keeping our heads down and praying that the Gods of 2020 see fit to spare us and our loved ones from this barrage of apocalyptic disasters.

I tried praying, but this is all the Gods of 2020 had to say to me.

In light of everything going on right now, holiday celebrations may seem frivolous. Many won’t be making it home for the holidays this year–it’s safer to stay home for one Christmas than to risk anyone missing future holidays–and rising unemployment rates mean that the holidays look different for many of us this year than they did last year. But I would argue that it’s in the face of such adversities that celebrating the blessings you still have becomes even more important. As a mother, especially, I feel like it’s my duty to teach my daughter to enjoy the family she has, help those who are less fortunate than we are this season, and work toward a brighter future. Ultimately, it’s that–and not presents, or ornaments–that makes Christmas such a special time of year.

With all of that being said, for those of us still in the financial position to do so, presents will likely continue to be part of our holiday season. In our family, we swap stockings, with each adult filling a stocking for one other adult in the family. We’ve found that this is a relatively inexpensive way to make sure that everyone has something special to open on Christmas morning.

As I was looking through stocking stuffer ideas, I kept coming across ideas that would have been perfect had I drawn Vuk’s name. Since I did not, I figured I’d instead pull aside some of those ideas for any of you who may have media-lovers in your lives whom you’re struggling to come up with gift ideas for. These 20 stocking stuffer ideas are small enough to fit in a stocking, cost $20 or less, and would be perfect for any gamer, TV-lover, or movie fanatic in your life.

Note: This post uses affiliate marketing. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link in this post, we will–at no extra cost to you–receive a small portion of the profits. Thank you for supporting our family this holiday season.

1.) Overwatch Face Mask

If you like including practical gifts in your stockings, consider this Overwatch Face Mask. Competitive gamers will love showing off their favorite battle royale game when they’re out in public, and you’ll love knowing your loved ones are staying as safe as they can from the continuing global pandemic. Cost: $14

2.) Blue Light Glasses

Blue light overexposure can lead to tension headaches, blurred vision, and overall discomfort, making it hard for media lovers to enjoy their beloved games, movies, and shows after a long day at work. Enter blue light filtering glasses, non-prescription glasses that help filter high-intensity blue light from screens like computers and TVs, allowing the mediavores in your life to indulge in their favorite hobbies without sacrificing their vision. Blue light glasses come in a variety of shapes and styles, and you might want to shop with your loved one’s face shape or eye color in mind, but if you’re looking for a basic suggestion, try this standard pack of 2 blue light glasses. Cost: $15

3.) Trigger Extensions & Joystick Caps

For competitive gamers, there’s nothing better than having a slight edge over the competition. By extending the controllers slightly, these trigger extenders and joystick caps allow the Playstation 4 controller to respond more quickly to the slightest movement of a player’s hands. Because… science. Cost: $11

4.) Cord Organizers

There’s nothing worse than tangled web or cords that most gamers have spiderwebbing across their living room floor… unless you try to travel with your gaming supplies and find an even worse tangle in your carrying case. The solution? Reusable cable ties that you can tie your cords off with. These ones even come in different colors so you can color-code your systems and keep track of which cords go to which devices. Cost: $6

5.) Legend of Zelda Bow Tie

If you’re shopping for a guy who has to wear formal clothes at any upcoming engagements, you’ll score huge brownie points with this Legend of Zelda bow tie. The mandala design ensures that those not in the know won’t realize it’s from a video game, while those in the know–your happy recipient included–will delight in the stealth Zelda reference. Cost: $9

6.) Apex Beanie

Another practical gift idea, this slouchy knit beanie is designed to look like the death box from Apex. The simple black and white design will look good with whatever winter gear your loved one is already sporting, making this design a cut above some of the other gamer beanies on the market. Cost: $10

7.) Chocolate Game Controller

If you’re the type of family that’s always included candy, of some sort, in your stockings, then you’ll love this chocolate bar shaped like a PS4 controller. This sweet surprise is a surefire way to bring a smile to a gamer’s face on Christmas morning! Cost: $18

8.) Single-Serve Popcorn Maker

Moment of truth: neither Vuk nor I actually like popcorn. But for many movie lovers, popcorn is a staple, and I’ve been told more than once that you can’t have a “real” movie night without copious amounts of popcorn and candy. If the person you’re shopping for falls into that camp, they’ll love this single-serve popcorn maker. All they have to do is pour kernels to the fill line and pop it into the microwave for some fresh, theater-quality popcorn in a portion-perfect container. Meanwhile, it’s silicone, so it can squish or expand into your stocking as needed to give it that perfectly-stuffed appearance. Cost: $15

9.) Poké Ball Bath Bombs

Hoping to indulge your loved ones with something relaxing? Try these bath bombs, which have been shaped to look like Poké balls from the Pokémon series. You’ll look like a genius for having found such a unique stocking stuff, and you can feel good about encouraging your loved ones to take some time for self care at the end of such a stressful year. Cost: $18

10.) Light Saber Tooth Brush

A tooth brush is always a pretty safe stocking stuffer. The average person is supposed to swap their toothbrush out every 3-4 months, so even if they just bought themselves a toothbrush, they’ll need another one relatively soon. This tooth brush is designed to look like Rey’s light saber from the Star Wars series, making it extra-cool while remaining affordable and practical–the best of all worlds! Cost: $8

11.) Arcade Light Switch Cover

Maybe you’re shopping for an adult who has a designated gaming-themed media room, or maybe you’ve met someone (like Vuk and me) who enjoys showcasing their passions in their home. If that’s the case, they’ll love this light switch cover, which is designed to look like the buttons on an arcade game. Seriously. I want these to replace every switch in my house! Cost: $11

12.) Sailor Moon Wine Stoppers

Dedicated anime fans will love these decorative Sailor Moon wine stoppers, which will class up any function they invite their friends to while simultaneously showcasing their love for Sailor Moon. This set of two is perfect for people who host friends relatively often, though they also have single wine stoppers for a few dollars less. Cost: $20

13.) Mockingjay Pin

I’ve never been a huge fan of buying button pins as stocking stuffers, because I find that even funny ones still look like generic button pins from a distance. Not so with this Mockingjay pin, which replicates the iconic pin from the Hunger Game series in a stunning way. This can be clipped easily to a purse or backpack to nerd it up in a fun and classy way. Cost: $5

14.) Fingerless Compression Gloves

Gaming puts a lot of stress on your joints, especially in your fingers and wrists. These fingerless compression gloves help gamers relieve early arthritis and carpal tunnel symptoms while leaving their fingers free to move about the controller as needed. Because if you can’t drag gamers away from their games, you can at least make sure they’re comfortable! Cost: $20

15.) Video Game Rage Candle

The issue with a lot of gag gifts is that the laugh you get for your joke is great, but too often, the gift then winds up shoved in a drawer of forgotten things, regifted, or–worst of all–tossed in the trash entirely. Not so with this Video Game Rage candle. The joke is that your gamer will need a relaxing scent to cool down after they rage-quit out of a particularly frustrating gaming sequence. But the truth is that just about everyone can use candles, making this a pragmatic gift that they’ll actually use even after the laughter dies down. Cost: $17

16.) Floppy Disk Coasters

These floppy disk coasters are a throwback to the early days of gaming, when the only “console” you owned was a massive Windows-brand computer and games came not on digital download but on literal floppy disks. These coasters are made of silicone, making them as floppy as the name suggests and a fun call-back for older mediavores and retro-lovers alike. Cost: $9

17.) Dobby is Free Socks

Let’s face it: though he had many positive characteristics, Harry Potter wasn’t often clever. Which is possibly what made the moment he tricked Lucius Malfoy into freeing his house elf, Dobby, by giving him a pair of socks so beautifully memorable to many fans. With this pair of socks, Potter-heads can celebrate this classic moment. Best of all, from the ankle up, they look like a pair of basic blue socks, making it easy to match them with most outfits. Cost: $6

18.) Death Star Salt & Pepper Shakers

At the intersection of classy and nerdy lie these death star salt and pepper shakers. They’re perfect for a Star Wars-loving couple or a bachelor/bachelorette who has just moved into their first home. If you want to be really pragmatic, you can even include some salt and pepper in their stocking so that they don’t have to go shopping to fill these shakers up! Cost: $20

19.) Cards Against Humanity: Geek Pack

This stocking stuffer idea comes with one caveat: you have to know that the recipient owns the original Cards Against Humanity game. Assuming they do, this R-rated booster pack makes for a perfect stocking stuffer. It adds some geek-themed cards to their game, keeping things feeling fresh on their next play through. Cost: $5

20.) Rick and Morty Toxic Energy Drinks

Let’s face it: waking up at the butt-crack of dawn to greet Christmas morning isn’t as fun when you’re the one who had to shove presents under the tree after coaxing hyped-up kids to sleep. And so we have the adult Christmas tradition of drinking copious amounts of caffeine while plastering a pleased-to-be-here grin on our faces for the sake of the small folk running around. When you tuck these Rick and Morty energy drinks into an adult mediavore’s stocking–especially if that mediavore has kids–you’ll be doing the silent nod of understanding while also giving them a little laugh at one of the most outlandish shows on TV today. Cost: $12

Stuff Those Stockings Full of Nerd Love!

There was a time when finding the perfect gift for movie-lovers, gamers, and TV-fanatics was hard to do. Today’s media-laden culture all but begs you to find not just any gift, but the perfect gift for your local mediavore, no matter what their preferred fandom happens to be. So while they’ll still love go-to favorites, like Steam, Playstation, or Origin gift cards, 2020 is the year to branch out with your stocking stuffers and find them something truly unique!