Top 12 Fantasy Christmas Gifts for the Guy in Your Life

Curated by Izaic Yorks

I spend more time thinking about gifts now than I ever did before becoming a father.

There's something about kids that calls out the best kind of generosity—the kind that doesn't perform or expect applause, but simply delights in watching someone light up over the perfect thing. My daughter doesn't care about price tags or practicality. She cares about whether something matters. Whether it fits who she is and what she loves.

If you're shopping for someone who devours fantasy, catalogs sword types, or whispers "my precious" at his book collection, and/or named at least one pet after a Tolkien character—then you're in the right place. Below are six mainstream picks. Six indie finds. All built to delight and are actually worth giving.

Let's go! Time to check out my 12 fantasy Christmas gifts for the guy in your life (or gal, cause really, I'm niching for the SEO and GEO).

(Links to products at the bottom)

1. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16GB, Latest Model)

Price: ~$149.99 | Amazon

Why it's great: Glare-free, waterproof, and with adjustable lighting and fonts, the Paperwhite makes reading comfortable anywhere—from the couch to the coffee shop.

Why it works: Readers hoard books like dragons hoard gold. Eventually, the shelves buckle. The Paperwhite solves this without sacrificing the ritual. I've cycled through plenty of e-readers, and this one just works. It carries entire worlds without the weight, and that matters when you're six books deep into a series and refuse to stop.

2. Spotify Premium Subscription

Price: $11.99/month (~$143/year) | Spotify

Why it's great: Offers flexible audiobook access alongside music playlists, so listeners can discover new stories and voices without worrying about spending extra credits.

Why it works: Audiobooks while doing dishes. Epic fantasy while stuck in traffic. Spotify Premium has become the Swiss Army knife of story consumption. With flexible story credits, your guy can listen to new voices without the: "sorry, you've run out of listens."

3. Knightweave Ranger Hooded Cloak

Price: $177.99 | Knightweave

Why it's great: Durable, high-quality fabrics make it suitable for LARP, outdoor adventures, or everyday wear, even as a cozy blanket at home.

Why it works: Most "fantasy" gear feels like Halloween leftovers. Cheap fabric. Awkward fit. One wash and it's done. Knightweave is different. This cloak is built. Durable enough for work, cozy enough for reading on the couch, cool enough that you won't feel ridiculous wearing it to a bonfire. And even if this specific cloak isn't his style, Knightweave's entire line holds the same standard.

4. The Silverblade and the Magpie's Blood by Izaic Yorks

Price: ~$14.99 | Amazon

Why it's great: Told in a classic fantasy style, it combines family, adventure, and heroism, making it a solid gift for YA readers.

Why it works: Look, I wrote this one. So take my pitch with salt. But here's what I can tell you: it's a character-driven adventure told through multiple perspectives—two brothers, Rafen and Dravien, navigating family, loyalty, and heroism in a world that doesn't make either easy. It's meant for YA readers, though I'd recommend 16+ due to one intense scene involving attempted abuse. If your guy loves stories where every perspective matters, this might land well. And if not, no hard feelings—there are eleven other gifts on this list.

5. Hand-Carved Wooden Pipe (Shamanic Oak Design)

Price: ~$72.92 | Etsy

Why it's great: Each pipe is hand-carved, offering a tactile, aesthetically pleasing piece for display or personal use.

Why it works: I don't own a pipe yet, but I've slowly become enamored with them. I'll probably try smoking one at some point, or at the very least start collecting them. Why? One part because they're simply beautiful and harken back to a different time. But most importantly, because they're a very clean smoking alternative, and they require so much effort to use that they force men to stop and just be. It's hard to do anything else when pipe smoking other than sitting, talking, and being present—which is in short supply in our technology-driven culture. Even if he never lights it, it's a thoughtful object that invites slowness.

6. Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set

Price: $86.98 | Amazon

Why it's great: Provides all the essentials for tabletop roleplaying, making it approachable for new players while supporting creative storytelling.

Why it works: D&D is a gateway to storytelling, friendship, and realizing you can improvise an entire goblin merchant's backstory on the spot and everyone will believe you. If he's new, start with 5th Edition (not the newest). It's streamlined, approachable, and doesn't bury beginners under mechanics. And if he's really new, point him toward an Actual Play podcast like Critical Role. Watching others play is the fastest way to understand both rules and rhythm. Fair warning: this gift creates lifelong hobbies.

7. The Lord of the Rings Illustrated by Alan Lee (Box Set)

Price: $120.00 | HarperCollins

Why it's great: Alan Lee's illustrations bring Tolkien's world to life with incredible detail, making it visually engaging even for readers who already know the story.

Why it works: You already know the story. Everyone does. But Alan Lee's illustrations make you see it fresh. The texture of Rivendell. The weight of Minas Tirith. The shadow creeping across maps. It's basically a pilgrimage back to Middle-earth through a different door. Perfect for the guy who's read Tolkien a dozen times and swears he won't read it again. (He will.)

8. Magic: The Gathering Starter Kit

Price: ~$19.99 | Amazon

Why it's great: Ready-to-play decks offer a strategic and social card game experience for both casual and competitive players.

Why it works: MTG is chess mixed with poker mixed with collecting rare artifacts. It's deeply addictive. To the right person, it's endlessly strategic and social. To the wrong person, it's a money pit disguised as cardboard. But either way, it's one of the best ways to experience fantasy in a tangible, competitive format. Start with the Starter Kit. See if the spark catches. Then keep an eye on yout finances.

9. Handmade Leather-Bound Fantasy Journal (Alchemy Kit Design)

Price: ~$35.00 | Etsy

Why it's great: A durable, attractive journal for notes, sketches, or worldbuilding, adding a personal touch to creative projects.

Why it works: A good journal changes how you think. Not because the pages are magic, but because writing in something substantial makes your ideas feel more real. It encourages you to slow down, to commit, to treat your thoughts like they matter. Perfect for worldbuilders, planners, or anyone who wants to track the shape of their inner life. Bonus: it looks incredible on a shelf.

10. Fantasy Art Print by Teal Newcomb

Price: ~$15.00 | Etsy

Why it's great: Provides unique, visually engaging prints that make any space feel more personal and inspiring; best of all it has some strong Naussica and the Valley of the Wind vibes.

Why it works: A print won't change your life, but it will change a wall. And that wall might inspire a story. Or a conversation. Or just make coming home feel a little more interesting. Teal Newcomb's work hits that sweet spot—visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and affordable enough to gift without overthinking it.

11. The Strength of the Few by James Islington

Price: $23.80 (Hardcover) | Amazon

Why it's great: The sequel continues the Hierarchy series, combining epic plotlines with strong character development.

Why it works: Islington writes fantasy the way it's meant to be written: every choice matters, every twist lands, and every character earns their arc. The Strength of the Few continues the Hierarchy series with the kind of plotting that makes you want to cancel plans and keep reading. If your guy loves epic stakes balanced with emotional depth, this is the one.

12. Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson

Price: $29.99 (Hardcover, Pre-Order) | Amazon / Dragonsteel Books

Why it's great: Ten short stories outside the Cosmere offer a mix of genres and ideas, ideal for readers looking for variety and experimentation.

Why it works: Sanderson's short fiction is criminally underrated. He experiments here—genre-hopping, playing with structure, proving that his skill isn't limited to sprawling epics. These stories are sharp, inventive, and easy to digest in bite-sized sittings. Perfect for the reader who wants variety without sacrificing craft.

Final Word on The Fantasy Christmas Gifts for the Guy in Your Life

Gifts are about paying attention.

Whether it's a cloak that makes him feel like a ranger, a journal that invites reflection, or a book that keeps him up too late—these gifts honor the fantasy lover without pretending to be something they're not. They're quality items that last and actually get used.

So choose well. Wrap carefully. And watch his face light up.

Yours in adventure.

Veritate et Virtute.

– Izaic Yorks

Check out all my books HERE