2018 NZ Star Wars Christmas Gift Guide
Looking for new or novel Star Wars gift ideas, for friends, family, or maybe to stack under your own Christmas tree? We’ve scoured the major retail chains in New Zealand, and checked out online options, to compile the following list of ideas to help you out with your Star Wars shopping this holiday season.
In addition to the retailers listed below, you can also check out our ongoing Store Reports tag for up-to-date info on the latest Star Wars products to show up locally. Prices correct at time of writing.
Toyco
Auckland-based toy retailer Toyco also have a comprehensive online store. They carry everything you’d expect in terms of Star Wars toys, such as Hasbro and Lego products, and are rotating through some significant discounts in advance of Christmas.
Check out Toyco’s Christmas specials here, including Star Wars Black Series Darth Vader Electronic Helmet, reduced to $164.99, and Star Wars Force Link Resistance A-Wing Fighter, reduced to $32.50.
Links: previous store reports – official website.
Mighty Ape
We report on Mighty Ape and their extensive Star Wars catalogue on an ongoing basis, so make sure you check out our previous coverage of their new and interesting items. Mighty Ape have got you covered for practically everything you can think of that can have a Star Wars theme applied to it, from apparel and gift sets through to high-end collectibles and life-size statues… too much to list here, so do check out their website, but the following is a sampling to convey an idea of their inventory:
- Darth Vader Modern Plaid Tie (100% silk), $90.00
- Tribe: Darth Vadar Gift Pack Limited Edition, $105.00
- Star Wars – Rebel Tumblers (Set Of 2), $20.00
- Star Wars: Cloned To Be Wild – Black T-Shirt, $30.00
- Boba Fett (Deluxe Ver.) – 12″ Articulated Figure, $480.00
- Darth Vader – Life-Size Statue, $13,000.00
Links: previous store reports – official website.
Toyworld
Toyworld also have reductions on some of their stock, such as the Star Wars Lego advent calendar reduced to $39.99, and discounts on Lego sets. Depending on your local branches stock levels, you may even be able to grab some of the more recent, harder-to-find The Vintage Collection action figures (photos below are from the Albany Toyworld branch).
Links: previous store reports – official website.
Crackerjack (previously Clearance Shed)
The range of Star Wars stock in branches of Crackerjack (the clearance outlet previously called Clearance Shed) varies from region to region, but out at the Albany store we spotted a few Star Wars Funko Pop! Vinyl figures for $12 each, as well as figural Darth Vader alarm clocks. If you’re lucky, other Pop! figures may show up in your town.
Links: previous store reports – official website.
Spotlight
Spotlight stores carry a range of printed Star Wars fabric that will vary from branch to branch, but they also stock Star Wars party supplies (including the pictured “Santa hats” and piñatas), bedding (duvet covers and sets), cushions, and a few random items like tote bags. At the moment, you can get some good discounts on licensed duvet cover sets and accessories.
Links: previous store reports – official website.
Cotton On
Cotton On seem to be coming to the end of their current Star Wars garment run, but there are still a good few t-shirt designs for both men and women available in many stores (check out our previous coverage for more info on recently available designs). You can also make purchases online.
As well as the Cotton On exclusive apparel, branches that include Typo stationery and homeware sections have a lot to offer – see our Typo section below.
Links: previous store reports – official website.
Cotton On Kids
Cotton On Kids are specifically worth checking out if you are shopping for clothing for infants or pre-school children.
Links: official website.
Typo
Typo, and the in-store Typo sections of many Cotton On stores, have a huge range of exclusive Star Wars products that include: t-shirts, drink bottles, key chains, badges, Christmas tree decorations, cushions, badges, stickers, notebooks, pencil cases, plates, mugs, decorative lights, luggage tags, gift tags, wrapping paper, greeting cards, travel neck pillows, cheese boards, aprons, headphones, lava lamps, pens, socks, children’s pyjamas & rompers… and probably something else that I have forgotten. There’s just so much stuff! Many of the designs are shared across products, so you can assemble your own matching sets of, for instance, plates & mugs etc. If you are a vintage action figure fan (or are shopping for a vintage action figure fan), you’ll probably want to check out the many bits and pieces that feature graphics based on the old Kenner Star Wars toys.
Links: previous store reports – official website.
The Warehouse
Branches of The Warehouse have assorted action figures and Lego sets, as well as the recently added mug and tin lunch-box sets from Park Avenue, and ranges of adult and kids apparel. One thing that particularly caught our attention was the Black Series 6″ stormtroopers that were previously Disney Store exclusives in the US, now available locally for $39.00 (you can grab them online too). At the moment, The Warehouse has a Buy-One-Get-One-Half-Price sale going on for many of their toys. And don’t forget their exclusive range of very well priced stationery items, including diaries, notebooks, pens, and calendars.
Links: previous store reports – official website.
Farmers
You can get your action figures, Lego sets, and Funko Pop! Vinyl figures at Farmers as well, but in terms of exclusive products, they have plenty of Star Wars apparel in their kid’s sections, and a couple of bathroom gift sets that we have reported on previously.
Links: previous store reports – official website.
JB Hi-Fi
JB Hi-Fi have DVDs and Blu-Ray discs, obviously, and a few other electronic items like kid’s Star Wars Garmin Vivofit activity-tracking watches. DVDs of The Clone Wars episodes are priced as low as $0.99!!
Links: previous store reports – official website.
Peter Alexander
Australasian pyjama store Peter Alexander have a new range of Star Wars items for boys and men, with new designs on shorts, t-shirts, underwear and pyjamas.
Links: previous store reports – official website.
Whitcoulls
Whitcoulls stores seem to be useful for two main things – grabbing older stock (action figures etc) at clearance prices, and taking the opportunity to have a look through physical copies of the latest Star Wars reference, activity, or coffee-table books. In store, with variation from branch to branch, you’re also likely to find Lego sets, board games, and miscellanea like wrapping paper.
Links: previous store reports – official website.
K-Mart
K-Mart’s main claim to fame are licensed Star Wars t-shirts that are perhaps the cheapest you’ll find locally – men’s garments up to size 4XL for $12, and kid’s for $10. You can also find electronic sound FX astromech key chains, hidden away in the toy section.
Links: previous store reports – official website.
Jay Jays
Buy-one-and-get-one-half-price at Jay Jays at the moment. They have a handful of different men’s Star Wars t-shirt designs, as well as Star Wars sock sets.
Links: previous store reports – official website.
EB Games
Most branches of EB Games (or Zing stores, if you happen to have one of those retailers, which are the associated brand that focuses more on collectibles than gaming per se) will have an assortment of Star Wars gift options, with specific products varying between stores. They carry bags and jewellery from Loungefly, Funko Pop! Vinyl figures, Sideshow and Hot Toys 1/6th scale figures, some apparel, and assorted homeware items such as the ceramic Tiki cups or slightly more recently released and slightly cheaper plastic Tiki tumblers (pictured below).
Links: previous store reports – official website.
Calendar Club
Everyone needs a Star Wars calendar or two in their house. Calendar Club pop-up stores, which can be found in some shopping malls around the country (full list at their website below) have a total of 4 standard square Star Wars calendars. Some of these we’ve seen at other retailers, but the Jeffrey Brown Vader’s Little Princess 2019 wall calendar seems to be unique to this retailer.
Links: previous store reports – official website.
Mitre10 Mega
Just a couple of items to report from Mitre10 Mega stores, but worthy of consideration – Star Wars-themed door mats, available in store or for online ordering.
Links: previous store reports – official website.
Additional Online Shopping Options
Some of the following online Star Wars shopping options may not be able to get items to you before Christmas, as they are generally coming from the Northern Hemisphere, but they are worth considering if you are shopping for yourself, or for scenarios where you are giving gifts after Christmas day proper.
Buy Invite
An online clearance store whose stock changes fairly rapidly, but usually includes a decent range of Star Wars apparel, homewares, and a few toys. Worth checking out just to see what bargains can be had. To access their product range, you will need to first register here. You can also make purchases using OurPay (4 interest free payments over 6 weeks).
Links: previous store reports – official website.
Catch of the Day
Another online clearance store, that currently has a moderate range of Star Wars toys and homewares. Check them out via their official website.
Links: previous store reports – official website.
NZ GameShop
Geek gifts of all sorts, including collectibles, apparel, gaming, figures, and gadgets. Free shipping for orders over $60.
Links: previous store reports – official website.
Amazon
World famous and not really needing additional description, but if you do happen to be purchasing anything through Amazon, please consider bookmarking and/or using the following links. When you do so, SWNZ receives a small commission, at no added cost to you.
Links: official website.
Book Depository
Book Depository sells …books. Pretty much all of them. They take a little longer to ship than some other retailers, but their shipping-inclusive prices are hard to beat, so we generally recommend price-checking there first before making any purchases of Star Wars literary products. Some of the latest in-stock Star Wars books include:
- The Star Wars Archives: 1977-1983, hardback, 604 pages (7kg!), by Paul Duncan, $244.95
- Star Wars Alien Archive : An Illustrated Guide to the Species of the Galaxy, hardback, 160 pages, $31.05
- Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy, hardback, 200 pages, by Amy Ratcliffe, $34.24
- The Overstreet Price Guide To Star Wars Collectibles, paperback, 418 pages, $41.11
- Star Wars: Poe Dameron Vol. 5 – The Spark And The Fire, trade paperback, 176 pages, $24.81
- Star Wars Icons: Han Solo, hardback, 240 pages, $74.34
- Leia, Princess Of Alderaan, paperback, 416 pages, by Claudia Gray, $17.52
- Be More Vader : Assertive Thinking from the Dark Side, hardback, 64 pages, $12.48
- Be More Yoda : Mindful Thinking from a Galaxy Far Far Away, hardback, 64 pages, $12.42
Links: previous store reports – official website.
