When you’re holiday shopping, a great starting point is to think about all the things your loved ones geek out over. This Threadless guide will help you find incredible gifts for the different types of nerds in your life.
Once upon a time, “nerd” used to be an insult. Nowadays, it’s a term of endearment. If you’re a nerd, it means you’re knowledgeable about a particular subject. It means you have a unique hobby. It means people with similar interests as you think you’re…dare we say it? Cool. There’s a high probability that your friends and family are nerds about something, so let’s find gifts for them!
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Comic Book Nerds | Horror Nerds | Sci-Fi Nerds | Nostalgia Nerds | Role-Playing Nerds | Art Nerds | Internet Nerds | Video Game Nerds | Fantasy Nerds | Book Nerds
Comic Book Nerds
Comics are where the impossible happens. Superheroes fly, kaiju monsters destroy entire cities, and copywriters named Rafael always spell “guarantee” correctly on the first try (my brain just won’t let me do it). If someone you love appreciates the escapism of comics, you’ll find tons of comic designs at Threadless. This style of art looks fantastic on fine art prints, t-shirts, and even jigsaw puzzles.
Useful Keywords: Archie Comics, Strange Planet, comic, superhero, kaiju, manga
Featured Designs: “Strange Planet: Perhaps I Prefer More Minerals” Canvas Print by Nathan W. Pyle | “Rockin Around with Archie” Unisex Vintage Wash T-Shirt by Archie Comics | “UFO Attack” Unisex Cut & Sew T-Shirt by Jack Teagle | “Captain Obvious” Jigsaw Puzzle by ndstillie and polynothing
Horror Nerds
Unlike those goats that faint when they’re startled, horror fanatics actually enjoy a good jump scare. If you know someone with an insatiable appetite for the creepy, the spooky, the macabre, make their holidays a total nightmare with horror-themed gifts. Threadless is a gold mine for original horror designs. You can also find officially licensed merch for classic horror movies including Killer Klowns from Outer Space and Poltergeist.
Useful Keywords: Midnite Movies, Halloween, horror, horror movie, scary
Featured Designs: “Poltergeist – It Knows” by Hillary White Rabbit | “Horror – Retro Video Rental Sticker” by Glitch Goods by Rob Sheridan | “Creature Feature” Framed Fine Art Print by Tragic Girls | “Killer Klowns Metal Logo” Men’s Women’s Fitted T-Shirt
Sci-Fi Nerds
Science fiction has set unrealistic expectations for the future. It’s 2022, yet we still don’t have teleportation pods, robot butlers, or even online voting. Although you won’t be able to buy your loved ones a flying car this holiday season, you can get them all sorts of apparel and home goods featuring futuristic designs for sci-fi fans. Explore a whole galaxy of art filled with UFOs, extraterrestrial beings, and cyborg law enforcer RoboCop.
Useful Keywords: Midnite Movies, science fiction, space, future, aliens, robots
Featured Designs: “Aliens Gave My Cat a Beard!” Throw Pillow by Steven Rhodes | “Robocop Serve and Protect” Blanket by Hillary White Rabbit | “I Want to Believe” Men’s Classic Fleece Sweatshirt by Andy Pitts | “Extinct Body” Fine Art Print by efexampink
Nostalgia Nerds
Everyone has their own version of the “good ol’ days.” If you know an old soul or someone who still embraces the fashions and entertainment of their youth, find them a gift inspired by their favorite decade. Look for retro patterns and designs that reference old technology or cultural trends. Nostalgia really never goes out of style.
Useful Keywords: nostalgia, 80s, 90s, retro, vintage, cheugy, Memphis
Featured Designs: “Care Bears Care Squad” Men’s Extra Soft T-Shirt by artlahdesigns | “Super Tape” Framed Fine Art Print by mathiole | “Nostalgia” Throw Pillow by rodrigobhz | “90s Funky Pattern” Women’s Leggings by zoljo
Role-Playing Nerds
Trying to find the perfect gift is a lot like a role-playing game. It’s a roll of the dice. But at least you don’t actually have to slay a dragon or lizard race an evil wizard. Roll a nat 20 for the brave adventurers in your life with loot that’ll remind them of their epic quests. You could get them art prints to decorate their game room. Or better yet, something they could use in-game, like a journal for taking notes.
Featured Designs: “Cursed Demon Sword” Women’s Triblend T-Shirt by obinsun | “Critical Situation – Search the Area” Canvas Print by pixelsmissing | “D20 Dice” Sticker by pointedtemple | “Dungeon Master” Laundry Bag by RARomero15
Art Nerds
Threadless is an entire community of art nerds who make stuff for other art nerds. If you have a loved one who’s always doodling or likes to visit art museums, what better gift is there than literal art? Whether it’s lowbrow or surrealism, figure out what style they’re into and get it on all types of wall art made from premium, gallery-quality materials.
Useful Keywords: abstract, surrealism, lowbrow, painting, illustration
Featured Designs: “Zodiac” Women’s Classic Fleece Pullover Hoody by Running Dog | “Dalicious” Skateboard by rjartworks | “Felicity” Framed Fine Art Print by nicebleed | “Drifting Towards to the Inevitable” Fleece Blanket by benashtonart
Internet Nerds
Memes are like inside jokes that everyone is in on. They get funnier as more and more people remix them. They’re the true gifts that keep on giving. If you have a friend you text memes back and forth with, get them a gift channeling the funnest parts of internet culture. Tees, tote bags, and canvas prints are great ways for your friends to share their favorite memes with the world.
Useful Keywords: internet, memes, Frogwitch, computer, vaporwave, raccoons
Featured Designs: “F Around and Find Out” Tote Bag by Frogwitch | “Cyberstonks Stonks Meme Man…” Unisex Classic T-Shirt by TheWestwood | “Il Meme” Canvas Print by metalsan | “This is Festive” Greeting Cards by EduEly
Video Game Nerds
Who would’ve known when graphics were just 8 bits that gaming would become one of the primary ways new generations hang out. It’s why “go to your room” isn’t a punishment anymore. If you have friends or family who are avid gamers, get them gifts for gussying up their gaming sanctuary. Premium rugs and tapestries will certainly help tie the room together.
Useful Keywords: Video Games That Don’t Exist, video games, 8 bit, arcade, controller
Featured Designs: “I Paused My Game to Be Here” Tote Bag by MadeByBono | “Video Game Gear” Premium Rug by robyriker | “Final Revision; The Last Hope” Men’s Triblend T-Shirt by RARpoint | “I Bought a Van” Tapestry by Dega Studios
Fantasy Nerds
Continuing the theme of escapism, fantasy draws fans in with its enchanting stories of magic, mythical creatures, and adventure. If you know someone who appreciates this kind of whimsical storytelling, search for gifts that will light up their imagination. Help them escape into their own fantasyland with apparel and home goods featuring unicorns, gnomes, and other fantastical characters.
Useful Keywords: fantasy, unicorns, castles, cottagecore, gnomes
Featured Designs: “Mushrooms and Gnomes” Bath Mat by robyriker | “Space Lama Riding Axolotl” Drawstring Bag by Random Galaxy | “Follow Your Dreams” Women’s Triblend T-Shirt by obinsun | “Kawaii Wizard Frog on a Toadstool” Phone Case by MayStudio
Book Nerds
If you’ve ever helped a book nerd move into a new home, then you’re probably really, really strong. Boxes of books are damn heavy! How does a brain even hold that much knowledge? If someone you love is an avid reader, look for gifts that will help them enjoy their favorite pastime more. Weekender bags, for example, are great for carrying around library books.
Useful Keywords: books, dark academia, library, reading
Featured Designs: “Books” Weekender Bag by beesants | “Read All About It” Framed Fine Art Print by Labelsart | “The Book Lover Tarot Card” Journal by Tobe Fonseca | “Stay Home and Read Books” Mug by dfonseca
This is only the beginning of your holiday shopping adventure at Threadless. You’ll find all sorts of gifts for not just nerds, but for any style, interest, or occasion. If you need more help finding gifts, read more of our holiday gift guides.
