Can’t Find Pokémon Cards? These Gift Ideas and Collectibles Could Be the Next Best Thing

While trading cards are increasingly hard to come by, there are other ways for fans to celebrate the franchise this holiday season

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It’s no question that Pokémon is having a major moment, and the timing couldn’t be better as the beloved franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary. The milestone kicked off earlier this year with a superstar-studded Super Bowl campaign followed by an epic IRL celebration in San Francisco for this year’s World Championships and the franchise’s first-ever fan expo, Pokémon XP.

The latest Pokémon TCG (Trading Card Game) release Delta Reign, the sixth expansion in the Mega Evolution series, arrived earlier this fall, and was of course hard to come by at MSRP, making it a safe bet if you’re looking to give the gift of TCG (and you can still find it online). Among its most coveted pulls is the holographic Mega Rayquaza ex, which is fetching around $300 on the resale market. 

While trading cards are notoriously hard to come by, there are so many other ways for fans to celebrate the franchise this holiday season. Pokémon has made its way into just about every corner of everyday life, with collaborations and collectibles across almost any product category you can think of. Whether you’re shopping for a long-time collector or someone who simply loves Pikachu, it’s easy to find a Pokémon gift for anyone on your list. 

The Best Gifts for Pokémon Fans

We’ve rounded up a collection of Pokémon gifts for every price point, across toys, home decor, accessories, and apparel for anyone on your holiday shopping list.

BEST cARD SET

Pokémon: Scarlet & Purple Elite Trainer Set

If you know trading cards are all your gift recipient really wants, you can still get your hands on them if you’re willing to pay a little extra. While tracking down packs at retail price can be a challenge, you can still find some available at a  discount on Amazon (as of this writing).

This “Prismatic Evolutions” set includes one promo card, nine booster packs and game accessories. You’ll want to act fast though, especially during the holiday season when a hard-to-find set could make for an especially memorable gift.

BEST CARD DEAL

50+ Official Pokemon Cards Collection

You can also add to a collection (or create a starter set) with this Amazon deal, which gets you 50 random Pokemon cards for under $10. More than 50,000 shoppers have picked up this set on Amazon in the last month alone. Each set guarantees at least five foil cards and one rarity.

BEST GIFT IDEA

Polaroid Go Gen3 Mini Instant Camera – Pokémon Pikachu Edition

Polaroid’s Go line packs everything we love about the brand into a pocket-sized instant camera, without compromising on image quality. Its built-in flash helps capture crisp shots, while the compact film produces prints with an image area just under 2 x 2 inches, making them small enough to tuck into the back of your phone case.

Polaroid has evolved the product into a Pikachu Edition that comes with a wrist strap in the shape of the character’s iconic lightning bolt tail. While any Polaroid Go film is compatible, you can also get the Pikachu edition film that features bright yellow designs for an especially fun gift bundle.

BEST HOLIDAY GIFT

Funko Pop! Countdown Calendar: Pokemon

Collectors will appreciate this official Pokemon advent calendar, which features 24 Funko Pop! figurines hidden behind 24 slots. Each of the so-called “Pocket Pops” is made from vinyl and painted in full color. Each figurine also comes with its own plastic stand for easy displaying. Amazon says more than 2,000 shoppers have picked this set up already for the holidays.

BEST GAME

Guess Who? Pokémon Edition Game

A Pokémon-inspired twist on the classic guessing game, this Guess Who? Edition puts a fun spin on family game night. It features 48 Pokémon spanning eight different types for a playful way to test your Pokédex knowledge and brush up on your favorites. Whether you’re playing with longtime fans or introducing someone to the world of Pokémon, it’s sure to be an easy crowd pleaser.

BEST HOME DECOR GIFT

Pokémon Poké Ball Bath Mat

Pottery Barn Kids has also gotten in on the Pokémon fun with a special collection that can appeal to fans of all ages. Alongside the patterned bedding and lunch boxes you might expect from the retailer, the lineup includes home accents like Poké ball shelves and Pikachu wall art. For a gift that strikes the balance between practical and playful the Poké Ball bath mat is a great gift option for someone who might want a little accent piece.

BEST BLIND Box

Loungefly Pokemon Mini Backpack Bag Charm

Loungefly has developed a cult following over the years especially in the fandom space, so it’s no surprise that you can find a collection of cute backpack bag charms for your favorite Pokémon.

The Loungefly Pokemon Face Blind Box features a random bag charm in each box that you have to unwrap to unveil. Each keychain charm features a tiny backpack with functional zippers, making them useful as coin purses or storage for your earphones, and you can get one of six designs, including an original starter, Pikachu, Snorlax, or Eevee.

BEST COLLAB

Pokémon Adidas Superstars

Adidas Superstars have been a wardrobe staple for decades for their classic designs and comfortable fit. The brand’s Pokémon collaboration gives the classic silhouette a playful makeover, bringing characters to life through signature colors and details inspired by each Pokémon.

This Orange pair highlights Charmander, a fan favorite, with flames on the iconic Adidas stripes and a Poké Ball charm front and center. If you prefer Charmander’s final evolution Charizard, there is also a pair of special Superstar Vintage shoes that come in leather and feature a detachable Charizard wing on each shoe. There’s also a Pikachu pair in bright yellow for a bolder statement, featuring Pikachu’s ears and a furry texture.

BEST BUILDING SET

LEGO Pokémon SMART Play: Mewtwo’s Lab Break Set

LEGO teamed up with Pokémon for a collection that brings its fan-favorite characters to life through its interactive SMART Play technology.

One of the standout sets is Mewtwo’s Lab Break, which lets fans recreate the Legendary Psychic-type Pokémon. The 605-piece set features an adjustable containment chamber, an info screen, and a rare Master Ball, alongside a posable Mewtwo figure standing over 7.5 inches tall, ensuring a fun building experience.

BEST LUXURY GIFT

Baccarat Pokémon Poké Ball Figurine

Baccarat and Pokémon first teamed up five years ago to celebrate the franchise’s 25th anniversary with a special collection featuring a Poké Ball and a Pikachu figurine that comes in two sizes. While Pikachu is only available on the resell market ($472 on StockX), the Poké Ball is still available at $580 at Bloomingdales, although quantities are limited.

The ball features gold metallic detailing and is around 3 inches tall and wide, making it a subtle yet sophisticated piece to bring a little Pokémon fandom into any space without sacrificing aesthetic.

BEST STOCKING STUFFER

BAND-AID Brand Pokémon Adhesive Bandages

Not every gift needs to be big or elaborate. Pokémon Band-Aids make for an easy, affordable stocking stuffer that’s both practical and playful. They’re bound to come in handy at some point, adding a little fun to an otherwise ordinary day of dealing with a minor cut or scrape.

This box gets you a set of 20 bandages in assorted sizes and character designs.

BEST GIFT WRAP

Hallmark Pokémon Wrapping Paper Mini Rolls

Whatever you choose to gift this holiday season, make the presentation on the outside just as fun as what’s inside with Pokémon-themed wrapping paper. It’s an easy finishing touch that adds a little extra excitement to the unwrapping experience while giving your recipient a playful hint at the Pokémon-inspired surprise waiting underneath.

This set gets you three rolls with two Pikachu patterns and one Squirtle roll.

All of the above gifts are officially licensed by The Pokémon Company, which was founded in 1996.