Ahh, the holidays. The most hectic time of the year, often with the worst weather, the highest stress levels, and the least adequate cash flow. Here we have a festive few months perfect for remembering lost youth, reliving the horrors of family dysfunction, and crying alone at a bar on New Year’s Eve (ahem). Some will cope via righteous stoicism (white), some by overindulging in every fatty food in sight (green), others by gratuitous shopping (black). Some of us will offer to take all the extra shifts at work so we have a socially acceptable excuse to avoid excessive “quality time” with friends and family—quality time that we just don’t have energy for (blue). Some will simply lose it (red).

Don’t despair. Though the holiday season might be overcommercialized crap and far from the time of relaxation and restoration we’d ideally want, it’s still the best time of the year to bring smiles to the faces of the people in our lives we actually like. It’s the expected time for people to be nice to each other, and we can enjoy the sense of community that brings while still rolling our eyes at the fact that all Wal-Mart customers have trample. Also—hello, sales! Time to score schwag we want for ourselves!

Why not give a little Magic this year? Then, go out and do something nice for your community. Perhaps follow that up with the making of some bad (but fun) decisions (make sure to take pictures). Here’s your spell-scroll for dishing out Vorthos beats this holiday season.

For Fellow Planeswalkers

These are all practical, super-affordable items appropriate for your MTG friends and/or significant others—guaranteed to be appreciated in both Vorthosian and Spikier contexts.

Schmazzgordios Guild / festive Scottish-pride deck boxes are available at Troll and Toad.

Wood deck boxes should have green mages rejoicing—these high-end products from WyrmwoodGaming use domestic or exotic wood, depending on which you choose. Personal engraving is an option for a truly commemorative gift for that special Dryad or Elf in your life.

Love love love this slick M13 trade binder. Did I just say “love” three times? Wait . . . isn’t that the Elder Dra . . . I LOVE the stunningly handsome outline and VERY, very large horns on the regal and refined . . . what am I saying? I mean, it’s a nice product but it’s just a trade bOLAS—ok, I give up. Moving on.

Level8Seamstress deck bags are handmade by Anna Mechling (@lvl8seamstress on Twitter) and boast sturdy fabrics and quality construction. I have a deck bag in camo print that I’ll rock at SCG: Seattle. There is a custom choose-your-own-colors option that’s perfect for creating a one-of-a-kind gift.

Leather life counters are a really unique and beautiful gift offered by MooHideArtist. She also has hand-tooled leather deck boxes that can be custom ordered!

Tell it to ’em like it is with these appealing buttons by Inkwell Looter. Available from his store where you can also find art prints and more, let everyone know what you’re ’bout by pinning these on.

Keepsakes and Housewares

These flavorful options are suitable for gifting to non-players or decorating your own castle/cave/lair.

Tally’s Bestiary features handcrafted items by Tally Heilke (@TallysTreasury on Twitter) of plush myr fame. The toys (not just for kids) are artisan-quality family treasures, while creations such as the Surrakar-like Swamp Monster Hoodie may not be heirloom, but are still strictly fierce.

Okay, it’s a Yoda baby hat, but come on, it could be a Squee hat, too.

MTG mini notebooks from Stalking Marla are eco-conscious and cute—bummer you can’t choose exactly what cards you want, but you can specify a land color.

Aw, mana coasters for your Mage-craft cocktails! GeekeryAndMore does some nice things with beads.

And as a complement to the coasters or as a standalone coffee-table catch-all, these MTG woven baskets by prettysmartstuff are super-cute and eco-friendly.

MTG magnets from ValfreyaMagnets are another really affordable Magic gift that can be for one homie or split into gifts for multiple people. Perfect for MTG roommates.

This soldered-glass guru keychain from LyfeArt is a collabo with Terese Nielsen. At $24.95, it isn’t a cheap gift, but maybe it’s worth it for that special MTG friend who’s always got your back at FNM. This is also a perfect option for anyone in your life who simply appreciates art.

Wearables

The following gifts are nice for BFFs or family members. Alternately, if you’re trying to duel your way out of the Friend Zone or need to make up for a glaring personal relationship misplay, these offer utility.

Ravnica Guild t-shirts are on the Mothership with a women’s section. These shirts are sweet even if he/she doesn’t play Magic—the Orzhov and Selesnya designs in particular have non-MTG, non-fantasy, non-nerd appeal. Pro tip: If buying for your lady, note the sizing measurements and that the main differences from the men’s are smaller shoulder width, smaller armholes, and a narrower cut through the body—I am 5’5” and 135 lbs and would not go smaller than a large—I might even go XL. A men’s cut might be preferable to some women, depending on her build and how much she wants or doesn’t want the fabric to stretch over the breastular region. Likewise, it’s been trendy for guys (especially in Japan) to rock women’s tees (and jeans) for a svelte look.

Mortivoreium jewelry has many offerings including those inspired by the MTG color pie and Dungeons & Dragons. These pieces are thoughtfully designed and elegant. My favorites were the creations in Rakdos colors.

Red Monkey Designs’ MTG accessories are dope. Well, they’re dope if you’re a nerd (and maybe an asshole), but it’s rad to see a partnership between Magic and a label that has its stuff showing up on NCIS, musicians, and big-money Hollywood actresses. Pro tip: You are paying for the belt buckle only; the belt is sold separately! Red Monkey also has D&D stuff.

So Guay it hurts. The Magic: The Gathering charm necklaces from PrettyPrettyPegasus look very promising. The designs are romantic and chic, great for the lover (MTGer or not) with sophisticated taste. Pro tip: Keep this delicate jewelry dry, and don’t clean with chemicals.

D20 earrings from Gr0glmann on Etsy are a sweet and frugal gift.

MTG friendship necklaces—brilliant! Offered by LicketyCut in sets of five (one each of each mana symbol), they’re less permanent than MTG tattoos, but still appropriate for the crew. Pro tip: Easily switch out the chain to customize the look—a cord, woven or beaded necklace would work with these charms.

So. Here we are, another year, another chance. For the good of the plane, I suggest looking into making a donation to Heifer (they give livestock as well as agricultural training to those in need so they can support themselves) or check out Extra Life (supported by the Frag Dolls, including MTG’s own Michelle Roberson, a.k.a. @Esper_FD).

Do better. Give the gift of Magic. Till next time, may hope, creativity, and compassion be your sword(s).

-MJ

www.moxymtg.com

@moxymtg on Twitter