December 6, 2022
It seems easy enough – go to the nearest retail store and pick up a T-shirt of the person’s favorite band, TV show or sports team, right? Please don’t do it. Resist the temptation to pick out the first branded item you see. Chances are the person you’re shopping for has that very tee in their closet. And an official calendar. And action figures. What was once a thoughtful gift is now considered impersonal. The gift will be acknowledged and added to the person’s vast collection in the back of the closet, never to be seen again.
But if you want your giftee to be wowed, dig a little deeper. There is a lot of great
Wearing Your Fandom on Your Sleeve
Not all merchandise has a big logo on it. There are lots of elevated branded apparel for the discerning fan. Taylor Swift fans covet the
Red (Taylor’s Version) cardigan sweater
. Like her concert tickets, the cardigan sells out the moment it’s available online. The logo on the branded cardigan is strategically placed, and it’s a great consolation prize if the Swiftie on your shopping list was unsuccessful in getting tickets to Swift’s Eras tour.
Bands with generations of fans have expanded their merchandise beyond the merch booth.
,
and
have pop-up and e-commerce stores with branded merchandise ranging from standard graphic T-shirts to sweaters, team jerseys and housewares.
Subtle Pop Culture References
What do you get the mature rock fan who buys all the album reissues but no longer wears concert T-shirts? More bands are diversifying their merchandise program to include food and beverage. The
has a wine brand. Kiss, who released a collection of spirits in the past, finally released a
this year.
If someone on your list is passionate about pop culture and coffee, you’re in luck. There are plenty of branded brews that would make great gifts.
, the coffee shop from “Friends,” is now a standalone shop with a coffee line. Starbucks has extended its
to include destinations seen in “Star Wars,” like Naboo.
Loud and Proud
Perhaps someone on your list spends time in the metaverse? Get a gift they can wear IRL. Forever 21 is bringing its Forever 21 Shop City on “Roblox” to its brick-and-mortar stores (and website) this holiday season.
features hoodies and T-shirts inspired by the brand’s virtual offerings including its Forever Beanie, the top-seller at Forever 21 Shop City. But act fast – Forever 21 Shop City will offer a limited-edition virtual accessories collection, launching one item each day that will be available for less than 24 hours.
If you have a WWE fan on your list, bold is the only way to go. The
is a replica of a WWE title. A stroke of genius for both brands, a fan can emulate their favorite wrestler and keep their essentials handy, especially at a WWE live event.
No matter what you buy the superfan as a gift, encourage them to use a gift. What fun is getting a gift if it’s going to sit on display, gathering dust?
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