As much as we’d like to run and hide from this fact, ’tis now the season for thinking gifts. And when thinking gifts for members of our community, thoughts turn towards the geeky side of life. So for the latest community blog discussion, I asked our members where they turn to celebrate the geeks in their life—kinda thinking a few Christmas presents might be found, not gonna lie!
Below you’ll find a selection of the answers from the discussion, and it was great to see a good chunk of the suggestions surround small and independent makers. And it goes without saying that a great present for the SFFH-loving types in your life would be a book, artwork, game or anything else from our incredibly talented members!
Got your own suggestions? Let us know by leaving a comment at the end of this article, or jump back into Discord to get involved. Are you a member but not yet in the BFS Discord server? Contact us to request your invite.
-Lauren McMenemy, BFS Marketing
@laurenwrites.bsky.social
Comments are presented as they were in Discord, including back-and-forths between multiple members. Where an individual contributor came back with more thoughts separately, those comments have been summarised as one.
I have a friend who makes custom dice, his wife hand makes dice bags, and they are so lovely. They are in the Netherlands and have an etsy. Can’t go wrong with a pretty d20 in a lovely bag! I’d collect every pretty dice in the world, despite never getting the chance to use them. Find their Etsy store, Nether and Fable, here.
[Later]
I was treated to a sneak peek of the latest bank account draining items (see image). I will show restraint! Maybe… This is how everyone ends up getting the same gift, it’s an excuse to retail therapy and over indulge.
-John McCloy
Books? It’s books, right? I feel like it’s books!!
Also ravenswordpress.com : Full of all the queer books as well as loads of merch! Keyrings, stickers, charms, suncatchers, washi tape, notebooks. What bookish person doesn’t need another notebook in their life?? And also a keyring of a sweary raven. Obviously.
Abi Stevens also does amazing merch based around neurodivergent, disability and LGBTQIA+ pride themes! Bi pride ice lolly keyrings, spoonie warrior art prints, neurospiky mace stickers!
[Later]
How could I forget Portal bookstore in York! It’s one of my favourite places! Queer books as far as the eye can see, as well as jewellery, stickers, keyrings, fans, flags, all the queer gifts you could want!
-Katie Bruce
I’ll add one I’ve been going to for YEARS – like, since I moved to this country almost 20 years ago. It’s not exactly a small creator, but it does good geekery. An oldie but a goodie: truffleshuffle.co.uk
-Lauren McMenemy
I’m gonna be the rude one who touts her own gear, lol. Commissions on small goodies like gloves are still open! Visit Two Crows Crochet.
-Helen Rose Thwaite
My advice? Spread the joy out with little gifts scattered along the way. Don’t wait for the big day. Start early, finish late. In keeping with that, I opened the Christmas twiglets last night and scarfed half the pack. I’m hoping for anything chutney, cheese and port shaped. And I’ll stop by here for a bit shopping.
-Stephen Frame
I get my nerdy gifts from GenkiGear—I have literally never been to a convention without buying stuff from them to give to those at home.
-Oli Arditi
I am obliged to plug my friend’s nerdy yarns: gamercrafting.com
And for something not owned by my friend, as someone who actually loves getting soaps and smellies, I have picked up a few things from this place in York with a very cute goth/witch vibe: thesocietyofalchemists.co.uk
-Heather Valentine
I can recommend the Literary Gift Company, they have a few good things including a map of British SFF authors made up entirely of their names.
-John Berkeley
I often check out Present Indicative for gift ideas, and have to stop myself buying tonnes of stuff for me as well.
-Sian O’Hara
It’s a bit out there. But a friend got me this a few years back and it’s in my office as it makes me laugh: Become a Lord or Lady of the Principality of Sealand.
-Rick Danforth
If you like giving the gist gift of queer books, the Space Wizard online shop is always open, and SWSF has a campaign going right now… They do also have geeky rainbow merch.
-Robin CM Duncan
My scarves (which someone at WFC was asking after) came from storiarts.com—they have a range of gifts with story themes.
-Vecna | Richard Hussey
I’ve been making lino prints for a couple of years (see examples below), and last year opened an Etsy store. I even have a Black Friday sale going on over at my Etsy store right now. I do linoprints on pages from books. My Muppet Christmas Carol prints are popular this time of year, but I started out doing horror prints. Plenty for Stephen King fans on there: linocuthorror.etsy.com
-Ben Langley
Seconding Ben Langley’s store; I need to get myself a Muppets Christmas Carol print this year! Last year I bought the Nicholas Cage activity book for a friend and it was very well received!
-Katie Bruce
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