FYC Presents: A Very Movie Gift Guide
From my own spending habits to your holiday shopping lists
As we zoom toward the end of the year like Chevy Chase on his greased-up metal saucer, I thought I’d share some of my favorite creators of film-inspired goodies as gifting inspiration, or for anyone who simply enjoys perusing gift guides, like I do. This is not an ad! I just love to shop and I love to gift.
(Keep in mind that it may be past some of these shops’ shipping deadlines for Christmas, but if you ask me, presents are nice any time.)
Super Yaki
Make sure that “Honk if You’d Rather Be Watching the 1999 Cinematic Masterpiece ‘The Mummy’ Starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz” bumper sticker you’re stuffing in your family’s stockings is the genuine article and shop the one and only Super Yaki! Along with originating the viral bumper sticker, Super Yaki is responsible for an inordinate percentage of my extensive t-shirt collection, including my beloved Directed by Karyn Kusama tee, and one of my favorite sweatshirts, which lets the world know that I thought Crimson Peak was Good. Whether your seasonal Bob Clark flick of choice is A Christmas Story or Black Christmas, get you and your movie-watching buddy a Movies at Home Club blanket to snuggle up under, or add some extra shine to your Mixed Nuts viewing with a Nora Ephron ornament for the tree.
Poltergeists and Paramours
Speaking of my Bob Clark holiday film of choice, who else could you count on to have a whole "Dark Holiday" collection but Poltergeists and Paramours? Featuring the iconic poster image and the infamous glass unicorn, this print is available on everything from a dress or sweatshirt, to a bodysuit or panties. Their full Christmas collection includes other classic slashers, but there’s plenty for your nondenominational shopping needs as well. I for one have my eye on a particular hot pink tribute to character actress extraordinaire Judy F*cking Greer. For a giftee dreaming of warmer days, consider some scary swimwear to give them something to look forward to beyond the cold winter nights.
Small Town Weirdo
If you’re in the market for a really splashy gift for the horror fan in your life, consider a rad, hand-painted denim jacket from Small Town Weirdo. Artist Adam Bucci has a few on hand, like this amazing Helen Shivers one, or you can place a custom order. If you need something with less of a wait and at a lower price, why not get his-and-hers, or hers-and-hers, or whoever’s-and-whoever’s Final Girl/Final Boy tops? May we all make it to the end in style.
Girls on Tops
The founders of Girls on Tops set out to give women in film the rockstar treatment they deserve by printing their names boldly on shirts for lovers of their work to wear proudly like a favorite band tee. Make female filmmakers household names at least in your own household this holiday season with a Greta Gerwig tee for mom who introduced you to Little Women, a Carrie Fisher tee for your brother who’s finding his way back to the Star Wars appreciation of his youth, and perhaps a Céline Sciamma or Desiree Akhavan tee for that cousin you suspect is realizing some things about herself. While these women’s names speak for themselves, some tees include extra flair thanks to artist collaborations, like the Nomadland edition Chloé Zhao shirt, or the Candyman edition Nia DaCosta shirt. Can’t remember which director your loved one loves most? Consider pairing a Girls on Tops gift card with a promise to dive into the filmography of a woman you’re not that familiar with yet!
Pan and Scan
Of all the film-related shops on Etsy, I first found my way to Pan and Scan because their filmmaker portraits were one of the few results that came up in my search for any available Karyn Kusama creations. This shop is a treasure trove of film art and goodies. Pair one of the aforementioned Girls on Tops tees with one or all three volumes of “Beyond the Manly Movie Canon,” a zine celebrating women filmmakers. Finish off your lovingly wrapped gift with a delightful But I’m a Cheerleader greeting card, and stuff your stockings with pins of Agnès Varda, Bong Joon-ho, and many more. I also must recommend their “Greetings From the Beach That Makes You Old” print for all you Shyamalan apologists out there, and their Keanu Reeves calendar, which I will be buying for myself if no one gets it for me first.
Give the gift of movies themselves!
While theaters were closed, movie podcast Maximum Film! changed their high rating for the films they’ve covered from “screen it” to “snag it on physical media,” because what says “I LOVED this movie” more in the streaming age than owning a physical copy of it? The Criterion Collection frequently runs sales on their selection of bonus-laden DVDs and Blu-rays, and you can also find fancy editions of great films through studio shops, like A24’s gorgeous collector’s edition of The Last Black Man in San Francisco, and Oscilloscope’s Wendy and Lucy limited edition digipak. If someone you’re shopping for just needs a copy of an old fave, or is in the market for something out of print and harder to find, don’t forget to check out your local shops that carry both new and used movies and music – they need your business more than… well, you know who. And don’t forget soundtracks! For record lovers, Mondo and Waxwork Records have cool special edition soundtracks on vinyl. Again, also check your local record shops for lingering copies of neat Record Store Day releases. Want to make a movie date of it? Check your neighborhood independent theaters for gift cards and movie passes, like this Loyalty Card offered at San Francisco’s Balboa Theater.
Happy gifting, happy movie watching, and happy holidays to you all!