Gift ideas for toy collectors

Toys have been a part of the global culture for a hundred years. And in the last fifty, there has been an increasing popularity in collecting them. People of all ages who can appreciate the artistry, emotion, and thought put into each piece view it as applied art. There is a reason why they’re fun to play with. And depending on how rare or limited the item is, it can fetch for well over what you would expect.

Toy collectors who buy, sell, and hold are some of the craftiest art collectors out there. They move through the culture seamlessly and understand every aspect of it. But how on earth do you get a gift for someone who has everything imaginable in the toy world? Toy collectors are notoriously hard to buy anything for because they’re purveyors of their own taste. 

But there are a few things that nine times out of ten, they’ll go for.

Retro References 

If there’s anything a toy collector likes, its references. The more obscure the better. Don’t press your luck on anything Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, or Firefly. They have all of it, trust us. But cartoon depictions of things like Planet of the Apes, 2001: A Space Odyssey, anything Hitchcock, will definitely do the trick. Toy enthusiasts from thetoyreport.com found that certain classics are always welcome with toy collectors. Just do a little research prior picking one, you don’t want to give a sword from The Lord Of The Rings to a hardcore Harry Potter fan.

Video Game Merch 

Along with toys, another adjacent market is the video game world. Again, look for more classic game apparel and memorabilia. Things like Tetris-based merchandise or The Oregon Trail. These classic games reside in the same place, nostalgia-wise as one’s inclination to collect toys in the first place. More often than not, your serious toy collector is going to have fond memories of these old games. And gifts cents around that is never a bad idea.

If collectibles and video games are out of your price range, you can always go for graphics tees with retro references or even pop culture-inspired designs. The recipient can choose to use the shirt as collectible or wear it to show their love for a certain show, movie, trend, or video game. Make sure to learn about the recipient’s hobbies and interests so you can choose the best design for them.

What’s In The Box?!?!?!

If you’re fresh out of ideas, collectibles and the toy world is here to save you. Some people are truly difficult to buy for, beyond what anybody would expect. So why spend the trouble sifting through endless boxes, poking for the limited edition thing they know is impossible for people to find? Get them a mystery box. A mystery box can be anything. It can be a mug, it can be that hard-to-find collectible. There may or may not be a cat in there (you’ve got to open it to find out, lest we fail to manifest Schrodinger’s quantum gift cat). Here you old play up the mystery. Wrap it in multiple boxes and add a story to it. Build it up like a game campaign. The event itself will be enough to any toy collector smile. 

These are just some of the ideas you can use as gifts for toy collectors. Yes, they may be hard to buy for, but that’s only because you’re putting stock in the item itself. That’s their job. As the bearer of gifts, you need to speak to the things that make them happy. Nostalgia, obscure references, and a whole mystery background to a mystery box, are all things that any person would appreciate. But to a toy collector? Those are the reasons they got in the business in the first place.

Action figures, Funko Pops, Lego Minifigures, and toy cars are not the only toys that collectors love to hoard. Collectors who are massive fans of movies and video games also love collecting replica weapons from their favorite franchise. If the toy collector in your life enjoys collecting weaponry, find high-quality replica weapons to add to their collection. They will love the thoughtful gift.