Featured in this article
I have received many, many Star Wars gifts over the years. I spent the first Christmas Day that I can remember flying Luke and his X-wing around the house. I met Darth Vader (David Prowse) when I was 6. I can still feel the shiver of fear as he strode through the double doors, reaching over the crowd to shake hands with me as my dad held me up. I never questioned why the Dark Lord of the Sith was in Woolworth’s.
When I became a dad, I had a fresh excuse to visit that galaxy far, far away and buy new toys. (I still regret selling my own in a garage sale to raise funds for our first home.) My wife and I love the original movies, and our kids prefer the prequel trilogy, but we all enjoyed watching the latest shows together. And because just about everyone knows I’m a fan, and I have received (and given) countless Star Wars gifts over the years. These are some of my favorites.
For more recommendations, check out my picks for The Best Gifts for Lego Fans, Best STEM Gifts for Kids, and Best Gifts Under $25.
Updated November 2026: I added a marble run, a jigsaw puzzle, and an advent calendar. I also updated prices throughout.
-
A Helmet
Hasbro
Star Wars The Black Series Boba Fett Helmet
Hasbro’s Black Series of Star Wars helmets strikes the right balance between quality and price. They look good enough to satisfy collectors but come cheaper than high-end movie replicas. My favorite is the sadly discontinued original battered Boba Fett helmet. You can still find it or the newer re-armored version if you’re prepared to pay an inflated bounty. Many other Black Series helmets, including Vader and various Troopers, are also excellent and still available.
-
A Lego Set
Lego
Star Wars Smart Play Throne Room Duel and A-Wing
I have spent many hours building Star Wars Lego sets with my kids, and nothing compares to the Death Star (if you’re looking to push the boat out), but you may also want to check out one of the new Smart Brick sets. While it’s not perfect and lacks authentic Star Wars sound effects, I did have fun with the Star Wars Smart Play Throne Room Duel and A-Wing set. Recreating the iconic final light saber battle in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, as Emperor Palpatine sits on his throne, watching Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker fight, with light saber swooshes as a synth version of “The Imperial March” plays, will put a smile on any fan’s face.
-
Darth Darts
Target Darts
Darth Vader Darts Set
-
A Metallic Print
Displate
Revenge Of The Sith 20th Anniversary
If you’re unfamiliar, Displates are metallic artworks with a clever magnetic mount system that makes it quick and easy to switch your prints when you want a change. The artwork is layered and textured with gloss varnish on the details, and this one, released for the 20th anniversary of Revenge of the Sith, depicts Darth, flanked by Clone Troopers, with Anakin and Obi-Wan duelling on Mustafar in the foreground. If you don’t like this particular print, Displate has an enormous Star Wars section to browse.
-
A Lightsaber
Padawan Outpost
Combat Saber Model Vader E6
Any aspiring Jedi or Sith needs a lightsaber. If you want a high-quality replica that’s right for you, be prepared to research. I tried a Combat Saber from Padawan Outpost, Model Vader E6 (Xenopixel), inspired by Darth’s lightsaber from Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. There is a learning curve, but this lightsaber really looks and feels the part. You can change the color, trigger countless sound effects, and even play music. There’s also an app, so you can connect to the saber from your phone and tweak the settings. No worries if you’re not a fan of Vader, because the Outpost offers a wide range of realistic lightsabers (check here if you’re in the UK) based on those wielded in the movies and shows by everyone from Obi-Wan to Count Dooku.
WIRED readers can get a 5 percent discount with the code WIRED5.
-
A Marble Run
Ravensburger
GraviTrax Star Wars Action-Set Death Star
Marble runs are universally popular with kids (mine loved them when they were younger), and this Star Wars-themed one is part of the GraviTrax series. Kids can get creative when they construct it, building different types of runs with X-Wings, Tie Fighters, a Star Destroyer, and the Millennium Falcon—all on a Death Star board. They can also potentially connect it to other GraviTrax sets.
-
An Arcade Machine
Basic Fun
Arcade Classics Atari Star Wars Ultra Series
I spent an entire summer as a kid in an Atari Star Wars cockpit cabin at my local arcade, reliving the climax of the movie in wire-frame form as I blasted TIE Fighters, sped through the Death Star trench, and timed proton torpedoes to blow it up. That 1983 release is bundled with The Empire Strikes Back (1985) and Return of the Jedi (1984) games in this ROTJ-styled arcade cabinet. It takes some building and feels a little cheap, but it does include the original yoke flight controls, and it’s still very fun to play. Just make sure your giftee has room for it, as it’s 61.5 inches tall, 19 inches wide, and 24 inches deep.
-
A Phone Case
Casetify
Star Wars Phone Cases
A Darth Vader phone case will go down well with most Star Wars-loving dads, and this range from Casetify features some excellent Galactic Empire designs. My wife and kids have been using Casetify cases with a mix of iPhones and Pixels for over a year, and we find them durable and protective, if a little chunky. Unfortunately, it’s not just the Star Wars designs that are on the dark side; these cases are also pricey.
-
A Book
Basic Books
How Star Wars Conquered the Universe
Of the many excellent books about Star Wars, this might be my favorite. It charts the rise of the franchise, offers countless nuggets of trivia, and acknowledges the role fans have played in making Star Wars so special. It’s an entertaining peek behind the scenes that is affectionate but also dares to be critical. Perhaps mercifully, it ends with the new trilogy still on the horizon.
-
An Apron
Hedley & Bennett
Star Wars Aprons
It’s way too easy to get messy when cooking, which is why aprons exist. Respected apron purveyor Hedley & Bennett makes some top-quality aprons, and it has a Star Wars line. I tried the Darth Vader Essential Apron (a great gift for dads), and my wife tried the Ahsoka Tano Crossback Apron. We love them. The thoughtful designs include lots of wee Star Wars character references (there are eight options). Mine has an adjustable neck strap, while the Crossback goes over your shoulders. Both are comfy, with lengthy straps to tie and three pockets. Made from protective cotton canvas, these aprons can be machine-washed cold.
-
A Board Game
Ravensburger
Star Wars Villainous
This beautifully themed spin-off of the Villainous series challenges players to take on the role of a Star Wars baddie. You can play as Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, General Grievous, Asajj Ventress, or Moff Gideon. Each has unique abilities and a specific set of victory conditions, and there are chances to meddle with your foes as the game unfolds. One of the best family board games, it works best with four players aged 10 years and up.
-
Action Figures
Hasbro
Star Wars Action Figures
Kenner sold over 300 million Star Wars action figures in the late ’70s and early ’80s. I spent every penny of my pocket money on them for years, and there’s a roaring trade in secondhand figures. When Hasbro realized its potential, it started making new figures under the Kenner brand, and there are three main lines today. The Retro Collection is all 3.75-inch figures like the originals Kenner sold, with a peg hole in the bottom of their feet and legs that don’t bend. The Vintage Collection figures are the same size but with more detail and bendable limbs. The Black Series figures are larger, at around 6 inches tall, and tend to be much more detailed.
-
An Ornament
Nemesis Now
Three Wise Stormtroopers
Based on the three wise monkeys and the Confucian maxim “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil,” this trio of ornamental stormtroopers is a great gift for Star Wars fans. One of mine took a tumble and broke both his legs, but after a quick superglue treatment, he made a full recovery. I advise putting them out of reach of young kids and cats.
-
A Jigsaw Puzzle
Ravensburger
Star Wars Universe 2000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
This challenging 2,000-piece puzzle packs in more than 60 characters from the Star Wars universe (some appear twice), with a starship-filled space battle backdrop. It’s a fun activity for fans of any age, but expect to take a few days assembling it. The finished jigsaw is huge, measuring 39 x 30 inches, so make sure you’ve got a proper table for the job.
