Featured in this article

• A Helmet

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Hasbro

  Star Wars The Black Series Boba Fett Helmet

  Hasbro’s Black Series of Star Wars helmets strikes the right balance between quality and price. They look good enough to satisfy collectors but come cheaper than high-end movie replicas. My favorite is the sadly discontinued original battered Boba Fett helmet. You can still find it or the newer re-armored version if you're prepared to pay an inflated bounty. Many other Black Series helmets, including Vader and various Troopers, are also excellent and still available.

• A Lego Set

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  Lego

  Star Wars Smart Play Throne Room Duel and A-Wing

  I have spent many hours building Star Wars Lego sets with my kids, and nothing compares to the Death Star (if you’re looking to push the boat out), but you may also want to check out one of the new Smart Brick sets. While it’s not perfect and lacks authentic Star Wars sound effects, I did have fun with the Star Wars Smart Play Throne Room Duel and A-Wing set. Recreating the iconic final light saber battle in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, as Emperor Palpatine sits on his throne, watching Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker fight, with light saber swooshes as a synth version of “The Imperial March” plays, will put a smile on any fan’s face.

• Darth Darts

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  Target Darts

  Darth Vader Darts Set

• A Metallic Print

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Displate

  Revenge Of The Sith 20th Anniversary

  If you’re unfamiliar, Displates are metallic artworks with a clever magnetic mount system that makes it quick and easy to switch your prints when you want a change. The artwork is layered and textured with gloss varnish on the details, and this one, released for the 20th anniversary of Revenge of the Sith, depicts Darth, flanked by Clone Troopers, with Anakin and Obi-Wan duelling on Mustafar in the foreground. If you don’t like this particular print, Displate has an enormous Star Wars section to browse.

• A Lightsaber

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Padawan Outpost

  Combat Saber Model Vader E6

  Any aspiring Jedi or Sith needs a lightsaber. If you want a high-quality replica that’s right for you, be prepared to research. I tried a Combat Saber from Padawan Outpost, Model Vader E6 (Xenopixel), inspired by Darth’s lightsaber from Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. There is a learning curve, but this lightsaber really looks and feels the part. You can change the color, trigger countless sound effects, and even play music. There’s also an app, so you can connect to the saber from your phone and tweak the settings. No worries if you’re not a fan of Vader, because the Outpost offers a wide range of realistic lightsabers (check here if you’re in the UK) based on those wielded in the movies and shows by everyone from Obi-Wan to Count Dooku.

  WIRED readers can get a 5 percent discount with the code WIRED5.

• An Arcade Machine

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  Basic Fun

  Arcade Classics Atari Star Wars Ultra Series

  I spent an entire summer as a kid in an Atari Star Wars cockpit cabin at my local arcade, reliving the climax of the movie in wire-frame form as I blasted TIE Fighters, sped through the Death Star trench, and timed proton torpedoes to blow it up. That 1983 release is bundled with The Empire Strikes Back (1985) and Return of the Jedi (1984) games in this ROTJ-styled arcade cabinet. It takes some building and feels a little cheap, but it does include the original yoke flight controls, and it’s still very fun to play. Just make sure your giftee has room for it, as it’s 61.5 inches tall, 19 inches wide, and 24 inches deep.

• A Phone Case

  

  Casetify

  Star Wars Phone Cases

  A Darth Vader phone case will go down well with most Star Wars-loving dads, and this range from Casetify features some excellent Galactic Empire designs. My wife and kids have been using Casetify cases with a mix of iPhones and Pixels for over a year, and we find them durable and protective, if a little chunky. Unfortunately, it’s not just the Star Wars designs that are on the dark side; these cases are also pricey.

• A Book

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Basic Books

  How Star Wars Conquered the Universe

  Of the many excellent books about Star Wars, this might be my favorite. It charts the rise of the franchise, offers countless nuggets of trivia, and acknowledges the role fans have played in making Star Wars so special. It's an entertaining peek behind the scenes that is affectionate but also dares to be critical. Perhaps mercifully, it ends with the new trilogy still on the horizon.

• An Apron

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Hedley & Bennett

  Star Wars Aprons

  It’s way too easy to get messy when cooking, which is why aprons exist. Respected apron purveyor Hedley & Bennett makes some top-quality aprons, and it has a Star Wars line. I tried the Darth Vader Essential Apron (a great gift for dads), and my wife tried the Ahsoka Tano Crossback Apron. We love them. The thoughtful designs include lots of wee Star Wars character references (there are eight options). Mine has an adjustable neck strap, while the Crossback goes over your shoulders. Both are comfy, with lengthy straps to tie and three pockets. Made from protective cotton canvas, these aprons can be machine-washed cold.

• A Board Game

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Ravensburger

  Star Wars Villainous

  This beautifully themed spin-off of the Villainous series challenges players to take on the role of a Star Wars baddie. You can play as Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, General Grievous, Asajj Ventress, or Moff Gideon. Each has unique abilities and a specific set of victory conditions, and there are chances to meddle with your foes as the game unfolds. One of the best family board games, it works best with four players aged 10 years and up.

• Action Figures

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Hasbro

  Star Wars Action Figures

  Kenner sold over 300 million Star Wars action figures in the late ’70s and early ’80s. I spent every penny of my pocket money on them for years, and there’s a roaring trade in secondhand figures. When Hasbro realized its potential, it started making new figures under the Kenner brand, and there are three main lines today. The Retro Collection is all 3.75-inch figures like the originals Kenner sold, with a peg hole in the bottom of their feet and legs that don’t bend. The Vintage Collection figures are the same size but with more detail and bendable limbs. The Black Series figures are larger, at around 6 inches tall, and tend to be much more detailed.

• An Ornament

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Nemesis Now

  Three Wise Stormtroopers

  Based on the three wise monkeys and the Confucian maxim “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil,” this trio of ornamental stormtroopers is a great gift for Star Wars fans. One of mine took a tumble and broke both his legs, but after a quick superglue treatment, he made a full recovery. I advise putting them out of reach of young kids and cats.

• A PS5 Game

  

  Courtesy of EA

  Electronic Arts

  Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

  Building on Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, this game is bigger and better, with more side quests, fresh environments to explore, and a whole host of new skills and lightsaber stances. Now a Jedi knight, Cal Kestis continues to defy the Empire in this third-person action platformer with an expanded cast of characters. It is one of the best PS5 games currently available.

• A GamePad Holder

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Cable Guys

  Stormtrooper Gamepad Holder

  This authentic-looking Stormtrooper offers a pair of hands to hold your gamepad (or maybe your smartphone). Mine is slightly squinty and a little short for a Stormtrooper at 8.5 inches, but it has no issues guarding my PS5 DualSense controller. The Stormtrooper torso, head, and arms sit atop a circular plinth molded from PVC, and it seems reasonably steady. Other versions include Darth Vader and the Mandalorian.

• A Streaming Service

  

  Courtesy of Disney

  Disney

  Disney+ Subscription

  The streaming home of everything Star Wars, a Disney+ subscription provides access to all nine of the saga movies, the spin-offs, including my favorite, Rogue One, and all the Star Wars shows, from recent hits like Andor and The Mandalorian to excellent animated shows like The Clone Wars and The Bad Batch. Every movie and Star Wars–related show is here.

• A Bobblehead

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Funko Pop

  Star Wars Funko Pops

  You can get just about any character from popular culture as a vinyl bobblehead, thanks to Funko, and that includes all your Star Wars favorites. I am partial to the Stormtrooper and the Mandalorian holding Grogu. Funko released a bumper batch of prequel trilogy characters, including Darth Maul on his Bloodfin Speeder ($27) and Obi-Wan Kenobi ($20).

• A Rug

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  Ruggable

  Mandalore Scarlet Red Rug

  While Ruggable has a whole section of Star Wars rugs and doormats, this Mandalore-inspired rug jumped out at me, and I love having it in my home because it’s subtle. People read it as a traditional Persian rug, and it doesn’t look out of place in front of a regular fireplace in my Victorian home, but look a little closer, and you see references, like the Mandalorian’s helmet and a repeating Grogu silhouette. I got the 6 x 9 foot version, but it comes in various shapes and sizes.

• A Co-Op Game

  

  Courtesy of Warner Bros. Games

  Lego

  Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

  I love couch co-op games, and this Star Wars adventure is one of my faves, as it strikes the perfect balance between parody and reverence. The gameplay is varied, the gags come thick and fast, and there’s always something to do or collect. The second player can drop in or out at any time, which worked great when I played through this with my daughter. While some levels work better with co-op than others, this trilogy of trilogies is enormous fun to play split-screen as a duo.

• Drinkware

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Corkcicle

  Star Wars Droids Gift Set

  Whether you want a stemless wine cup, a coffee mug, or a water canteen, Corkcicle has you covered with Star Wars–themed drinkware. These stainless steel travel cups have lids with a sliding opening to sip from and are triple-insulated to keep the contents hot or cool for hours. The cross-body sling ($70) is just the thing for staying hydrated, with a pouch for your canteen and a zippy pocket for your keys and wallet. I like the Darth-themed coffee mug ($28), but my wife likes the R2-D2 cup.

• A Water Bottle

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  Disney

  Darth Vader Lightsaber Hilt Inspired Light-Up Water Bottle

  Not only does this water bottle look like Darth Vader’s lightsaber hilt, but it also makes lightsaber sounds and lights up Imperial red inside. There’s a switch to turn the effects on or off and another button to pop open the top for a quick slurp. It holds 12.7 ounces and comes with a handy red strap.

• A VR Game

  

  Courtesy of Disney Interactive

  Disney

  Vader Immortal

  Anyone with a VR headset in the house must try Vader Immortal. This three-episode virtual reality series casts you as a Force-sensitive smuggler imprisoned in Vader’s obsidian fortress on the lava fields of Mustafar. You must develop your powers and learn to wield a lightsaber, with the help of your droid ZO-E3 and a few other characters, before facing off against the man himself.

• Silicone Molds

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Sunerly

  Star Wars Silicone Molds

  We have had a few Star Wars–themed parties over the years, and these molds always came in handy for making ice cubes and chocolate treats. The large Millennium Falcons and the small Darth heads worked best, but everyone loves Han Solo in carbonite. The smaller molds are harder to use and never look as good as the large ones.

• A Darksaber

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Hasbro

  The Black Series Mandalorian Darksaber Force FX Elite Lightsaber

  They are a bit pricier than the helmets, but Hasbro’s Black Series lightsabers are weighty replicas that any Star Wars fan will be happy to display and occasionally swing around their office when no one is looking. A gift from my equally Star Wars–obsessed brother, the Darksaber traditionally belongs to the leader of the Mandalorians. This thing is heavy, lights up, makes sound effects, and comes with a smart display stand.

• A Keychain

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Lego

  Star Wars Darth Vader Key Chain

  Need a Star Wars gift that won’t break the bank? He may have lost a leg somewhere along the way, but my Lego Darth keychain has been in service for many years. Who better to guard your keys than Lord Vader himself? There are tons of other super-cute options, from Yoda ($8) to a Stormtrooper ($14). There's also a slightly more expensive model that includes a tiny light, like this Boba Fett ($17).

• A Timeline

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual History

  The latest edition of this fun book gives you a timeline of Star Wars, covering all the movies but also books, comics, toys, games, and even theme parks. It is easy to dip into because there are pictures galore and countless nuggets of trivia that fans will enjoy. It might be the perfect coffee table book for Star Wars fans.

• Holiday Decorations

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Hallmark

  Star Wars Ornaments and Tree Decorations

  Deck the halls with stormtroopers and droids. Hallmark’s Star Wars ornaments are perfect for your Christmas tree, whether you want to hang a C-3PO head, a teeny Darth Maul, or Han encased in carbonite. The collection is surprisingly varied, and these are high-quality, delicate baubles and decorations starting from around $10. Hallmark also has a wider Star Wars collection, including cards, wrapping paper, and bags.

• The Event

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Reedpop

  Star Wars Celebration

  The biggest Star Wars event on the planet is a must for die-hard fans, but ticket prices are enough to make Jabba blush, and that’s before you get there. We went to the event in London in 2023, and though it was poorly organized, overcrowded, and overpriced, the other fans made it worthwhile. My daughter also got to meet Hayden Christensen. The last one was in Japan in April 2025, but the next one will be held in Los Angeles in 2027.