Star Wars gift guide: How to unleash the savings force
In honor of “Star Wars: Episode VII” we’ve listed seven of the best gifts, toys and gadgets that fans will want this holiday season.
Fans dressed as Star Wars characters shop at a toy store at midnight in Hong Kong as part of the global event in September called "Force Friday" to release new toys and other merchandise from the new movie 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens.'
Kin Cheung/AP/File
As fans flock to see “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” on movie screens nationwide, kids and adults alike all over the galaxy hope they awaken Christmas morning to find the most popular movie-related gifts under the tree. In honor of “Star Wars: Episode VII” we’ve listed seven of the best gifts, toys and gadgets that fans will want this holiday season.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for these items is shown when possible. But it pays to comparison shop, as some stores may have them for a lower price. We recently found the best “Star Wars” deals on toys and merchandise at Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, Target, Sears, and Kohl’s.
‘Star Wars’ Lightsabers
Lightsabers have come a long way since the last batch of “Star Wars” movies, and some are now equipped with two little crossguards coming out of the side of the lightsaber handle. The most exquisite — and expensive — version is Hasbro’s Black Series Kylo Ren Force FX Deluxe Lightsaber ($199.99). But a USA Today study found this model too confusing for kids to use, calling it “more man-cave/fanboy fantasy collectible tool than really fun toy for kids.” Kids (and parents’ budgets) might prefer the more modest Hasbro “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Kylo Ren Deluxe Electronic Lightsaber ($29.99).
BB-8 Droid
This is the droid you’re looking for in the new movie — a roundish little imp called BB-8. The Sphero BB-8 ($149) is the high-end, high-tech version that can be controlled by your smartphone, responds to voice commands and even records and plays holograms. Fans of low-tech and a lower price will look to Target’s exclusive Remote Control BB-8 ($79.99) that moves around via remote control, or the Funk Pop BB-8 Bobblehead (generally priced from $8.99-$9.99).
Lego
One of the most enduringly popular lines of “Star Wars” toys has been Lego’s franchise, and there’s a slew of new Lego “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” toys. Using the Jedi mind tricks of our DealFinder tool, you can find the best Lego X-Wing Starfighter deal.
Air Hogs Remote Control Millennium Falcon and other spaceships
The drone craze has created some buzz in the “Star Wars” toy universe too. Drones and “Star Wars” are two of the hottest gift ideas this holiday season and the Air Hogs “Star Wars” drone collection combines the two with little aerial versions of the Millennium Falcon, X-Wing Fighters and Tie Fighters. Prices range from $30 to $50 for the most affordable models, and $89 to $109 for the fancier numbers, so it pays to comparison shop.
‘Star Wars’ action figures and big figs
Action figures always figure to be popular “Star Wars” gifts, and the reboot offers corresponding action figures of many sizes. The traditional 3.75-inch Hasbro “Star Wars action figures ($7.99) feature many of the characters from the new film; Jakks “Star Wars” Big Figs ($99) stand 4 feet tall and can talk and make out-of-this-world “Star Wars” sounds.
‘Star Wars’ bedsheets
Kids will love awakening in “Force Awakens” sheets or comforters, and a wide range of“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” linens are available through many online retailers. Nostalgic grown-ups may yearn for the classic “Star Wars: A New Hope” bedsheet set at Pottery Barn ($69/twin, $99/full, $119/queen) that faithfully re-creates the “Star Wars” bedsheets from the 1970s.
PlayStation 4 ‘Star Wars Battlefront’ 500GB Bundle
The dark side has never looked as good as on the deluxe PlayStation 4 “Star Wars Battlefront” 500GB Bundle video game console. This limited-edition console is emblazoned with Darth Vader’s visage and comes with a Vader-themed DualShock wireless controller, a copy of the “Star Wars Battlefront” game and a voucher for four other classic “Star Wars” video games. This deluxe set has a suggested retail price of $449.99, but we found it for $299.99 at Best Buy and Target.
Prices and availability on these items are current as of publication.
This article first appeared in NerdWallet.