As the weather gets colder, and Black Friday/Cyber Monday have passed. December is here, it came really fast. Families gather as the Christmas trees begin to go up. The decorations, the lights and ornaments erupt! Working hours, overtime and cram studying begin to increase. We all go into overdrive before there can be peace. The time for your holiday spirit and cheer is now. You better buy your presents soon, or your loved ones will frown. This is why, at CGMagazine, we made a little something to get you in the mood, a classic holiday list. We checked it twice, we edited it thrice, for holiday deals you will not want to miss!
Movies, TV and Anime
Hawkeye
Can Be Found On: Disney+
What better way to kick off the holiday season than with some Marvel goodness in the latest streaming TV series, Hawkeye. Here is the synopsis for the show provided by CGM’s reviewer, “Taking place after the events of Avengers Endgame, Hawkeye sees Clint Barton spending time with his children in New York City, then struggling to get home in time for Christmas when a threat from his past reemerges. On the other side of the coin is Kate Bishop, a young girl who has idolized Hawkeye most of her life, who finds herself embroiled in a growing conspiracy.”
Laid-Back Camp
Can Be Found On: Crunchyroll
Laid-Back Camp is a great, adventurous anime that will put you in the mood for outdoor journeys this holiday and winter season. It is a great show that begins with two girls meeting on a trek beginning at the base of Mount Fuji and there they share many camp memories, tales and help one another as more girls join the group. This is a sweet, slice-of-life anime fun for the whole family as these girls traverse some tough situations and learn to persevere when times are tough—you may even pick up a camping tip or two.
Home Sweet Home Alone
Can Be Found On: Disney+
This is a revitalized version of a childhood classic we all know and love during the holiday season. Home Sweet Home Alone is the reboot of the known series but still “follows the regular formula of comedic violence in the form of household booby traps” as noted by CGM’s reviewer. Of course, the family leaves their child, Max Mercer, ‘home alone’ and must defend his home at all costs against two burglars who are trying to steal a rare item from the Mercer household. How will Max defend his poor home all by his lonesome? You will have to find out yourself as this Christmas film is action-packed with many laugh-out-loud moments.
Komi Can’t Communicate
Can Be Found On: Netflix
The holiday time means school is out for a couple of weeks, but high school students cannot escape the school drama forever—as the next semester or term begins in the new year. Luckily, Komi Can’t Communicate can help with one of the most common issues students at this stage in their lives—anxiety. Hitohito Tadano is a regular high school freshman boy whose school status is not so high on the popularity scale coming from middle school, so he makes it his priority to stay out of trouble. That is, of course, until he meets the most beautiful girl in his first-year class named Shouko Komi. Although Komi is the most beloved student in the school, no one knows she has crippling anxiety and a communication disorder that renders her speechless to almost everyone—Hitohito gladly helps her.
Star Wars: Visions
Can Be Found On: Disney+
It would not be the perfect holiday season without some juicy Star Wars content to binge through. Growing up, there would always be the classic re-runs of the films, but this year, why not try something new. Star Wars: Visions re-imagines the world by blending the known themes of the universe, anime art styles from famous anime studios and the amazing storytelling and action fans know too well. This anime series does deliver its own canon and fighting styles fans may not be accustomed to but are amazing to see how well the experimental style works for most of the show’s nine tales told.
Tech
FireTV Stick 4K Max
Price: $49.99
So, you have all this holiday content listed above to watch, but it is all scattered across different streaming platforms, like the Infinity Gems in Avengers: Infinity War. This is where the FireTV Stick 4K Max comes in very handy. CGM’s reviewer stated on whom this product would be most helpful with, “If you need a more robust library of apps than your Smart TV or game console has to offer—or don’t have a Smart TV or game console available—the newest Fire stick probably has you covered, and it will look fantastic to boot.”
Instax Mini Link Printer (Special Edition)
Price: $99.99
The time to take those holiday family pictures is coming up and what a better way to share those photos with the fam. The Instax Mini Link Printer (Special Edition) is a portable printer in the Fujifilm Instax line that can print photo’s via the user’s smartphone. This special edition was mainly born out of the growing popularity of the new Pokémon Snap game and comes with a special Pikachu slipcover for the mobile printer. The great thing is that there is a Nintendo Switch app that links with the printer if players want to print out cute photos of their Pokémon from the game as well. All your instant photo-printing needs is one compact device.
Razer Chroma Light Strip Set
Price: $129.99
There’s holiday lights for outside the house, so why not have holiday lights indoors as well! The Razer Chroma Light Strip Set comes with enough parts and accessories to take your office or gaming setup to the next level. It also makes a great conversation starter for visiting guests! The set comes with a remote controller to customize the lights and can also be changed via Bluetooth on user’s mobile phones or even on PC thought the Razer Synapse 3 app.
Advent Calendars
Marvel Avenger’s Advent Calendar
Price: $49.99
One of the most fun things to buy before December hits is a lovely advent calendar, which offers gifts leading up to the great Christmas day on December 25th. The Marvel Avenger’s Advent Calendar is here to save the day! One of the biggest, most popular franchises brings joy this holiday season with 25 LEGO Marvel Avenger figurines to build as you begin your countdown.
The Nightmare Before Christmas: Official Advent Calendar of Ghoulish Delights
Price: $29.99
Another advent calendar that might tickle your fancy in preparation for the holiday season is The Nightmare Before Christmas: Official Advent Calendar of Ghoulish Delights. It is inspired by Disney and Tim Burton‘s world and characters and has many secrets within each of its 25 pockets. Many of the surprises include items such as stickers, ornaments and more.
Books
Home Alone: The Classic Illustrated Storybook
This picture book is exactly as the title states—a retelling of the hit 1990 John Hughes film, Home Alone. Home Alone: The Classic Illustrated Storybook highlights all the iconic moments from Kevin McCallister’s family leaving him behind to Kevin creating small traps against the burglars threatening to rob his family’s home. This is the perfect gift to get children and parents in the holiday spirit—reading a modern, classic Christmas story.
Price: $19.99
Star Wars The Life Day Cookbook
Price: $24.99
This is a great recipe book that helps Wookies celebrate their favourite holiday, Life Day. The famous Star Wars chef, Strono “Cookie” Tuggs returns with a curated list of 50 recipes and crafts inspired by the galaxy’s festive foods and drinks—all to share with you and your families this holiday season. This cookbook provides detailed descriptions of scrumptious appetizers, main courses, beverages and desserts for any level of skill of chefs. Even if you do not cook a lot, this is still a great collection piece to add if you are a collector of Star Wars items.
Christmas Sweaters
Pokemon Ugly Christmas Sweater
Price: $49.99
The holidays would not be complete without some festive clothing to wear, even for Pokémon trainers. While it is important to catch ’em all, it is also important to take a break and celebrate the joyful times with loved ones. This holiday sweater helps keep Pokémon fans connected to both loves—also, it helps keep you warm when trying to catch Pokémon in Pokémon Go out in the cold this winter season.
Overwatch Ugly Christmas Sweater
Price: $59.99
“Heroes never die!” While you need to be there for your heroic squad to heal and resurrect them on the battlefield in Overwatch as a Mercy main, it is important to take the time to celebrate the holiday season this year. Show up to your cheery, festive parties with some beautiful Overwatch apparel. Feel the power of the heroes shine their light upon you as you wear this awesome gear.
Diablo IV Ugly Christmas Sweater
Price: $59.99
Keep your soul secured this holiday season by having Diablo, the Lord of Destruction, close to your chest—literally and figuratively. This Diablo IV Ugly Christmas Sweater will not only bring smiles to the Abyss Lilith but will warm the hearts of your loved ones as you present a beautiful pullover sweater to keep your body warm for all December celebrations.
World of Warcraft Ugly Christmas Sweater
Price: 59.99
Winter is coming to Azeroth! It is a time to celebrate and be joyful with your dungeon parties and loved ones. This will bring warm tidings as you don the Bringers of Light Alliance gear. Fans of World of Warcraft will definitely find some appreciation and joy with this festive fashion piece. Enjoy meals at the Feast of Winter Veil with awesome garb that will bring smiles to all of your companions’ faces.
Collectibles and Miscellaneous
Merry Grinchmas (Funko)
Price: $19.99
The iconic Funko Pop brand is proud to present Dr. Seuss: Merry Grinchmas—a board game that will help families and children get into the holiday mood this December. This game features the classic Whos from Whoville as players try to ensure that they get the Christmas the people want, a Christmas Day filled with presents. Players are tasked with collecting presents for the Who peoples before the Grinch can steal them away. The awesome part of this game is that up to six players can play it, and it is guaranteed to provide loads of holiday fun!
Super Mario Gingerbread Castle Decorating Kit
Price: $34.99
“It’s a Mario!” Celebrate with Mario from the iconic games like Mario Party Superstars and Mario Golf: Super Rush. This Super Mario Gingerbread Castle Decorating Kit is the perfect blend of the video game world and the holiday season. It would not be a tasty holiday time without building a gingerbread house to be crushed and eaten right after. Is that just me who does that…anyways, the kit contains a clear template for where each component can go while offering the baker or pastry chef a lot of freedom to design the house how they want. This is a fun way to bring the whole family together to work on.
Muppets Christmas Carol Vinyl Soundtrack
Price: $35.99
Of course, the holiday season cannot be celebrated without some harmonious music. The Muppets Christmas Carol Vinyl Soundtrack is one of the best and most popular music ensembles for this time of the year—that also features the famous Muppets last seen this past spooky season in Muppets Haunted Mansion. Find the room in your heart to relive the classic film by enjoying the great festive music in its purest form, on your record player.
