30 Gift Ideas for the Pop Culture Obsessives On Your List

By Stacy Lee Kong

From funny stocking stuffers (hello, please buy me a Drake air freshener) to super thoughtful presents (hello, please buy me a custom Ideal Bookshelf print), I’ve rounded up a ton of beautifully-designed, on-trend gifts that will make any pop culture lover swoon. Better yet, many of them are from Canadian small businesses and indie artists, who need some extra support this year. And, you’ll even find gift-giving suggestions from some of my most plugged-in friends, including author Anne T. Donahue, journalist, podcast producer and fellow newsletter creator Hannah Sung and Friday Picks co-pilot Lora Grady.

Note: All prices are accurate as of publication, but they are subject to change.

Mean Mugging

Sorry, is there someone who wouldn't want to drink their morning cuppa out of a Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion-themed coffee mug? 15 oz. “WAP” mug, $43, etsy.com.

House Rules

Perfect for your friendly neighbourhood rap-obssessed clean freak. (AKA, me.) Roddy Ricch doormat, $35.20, etsy.com.

Take Note

I'd love to receive this bright and bold set of notecards, which feature L.A.-based illustrator Monica Ahanonu’s portraits of some of the most inspiring women in contemporary culture, including Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Oprah Winfrey and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Icons notecards, $25, rosecitygoods.com.

Tight Knit

I love a subtle Beyoncé reference... and since we can expect to spend more time outside if we want to see our friends at all this winter, a toque is practical, too! I Woke Up Like This embroidered toque, $20, makevancouver.com.

So Fresh, So Clean

This is the ideal stocking stuffer for your most OVO-obsessed friend, especially if they like scents such as Bahama Vacation, Black Coconut or Fruity Pebbles. Drake air freshener, $10, etsy.com.

Break A Sweat

"Even as a die-hard Gaga stan and total merch head, I couldn't justify the price tag on these $129 Chromatica sweatpants. But if someone else were to buy them for me, I'd be So Happy I Could Die. And if they want to toss in a pair of $40 Chromatica socks, all the better" — Russ Martin, social media editor, writer, academic and pop culture expert. Lady Gaga sweatpants, $129, urbanoutfitters.com or shop.ladygaga.com (similar).

The Write Stuff

This fun pencil set features catchphrases from Ru Paul's Drag Race. (And, if this kind of things matters to you or your giftee, the writing utensils themselves are made by Musgrave, one of the last surviving pencil manufacturers in the U.S.) Drag Race Pencil Set, $19.50, etsy.com.

Book It

"I love Jane Mount's Ideal Bookshelf illustrations and would love a custom print of my favourite contemporary romance authors like Talia Hibbert, Jasmine Guillory, Helen Hoang and Mhairi McFarlane" — Mishal Cazmi, founder of 100 ML, a website that looks at beauty from a travel perspective, and Small Joys, a newsletter about the little things that bring great joy. Custom print, from $105 (USD), idealbookshelf.com.

Royal Treatment

Gift your royals-obsessed loved ones enamel pins featuring the coolest members of the fam. Harry Meets Meghan lapel pin pack, $18, sadtruthsupply.com.

Diva Lessons

Every friend group has that one Mariah Carey superfan, and this is the gift you should give them this year. Mariah Carey Invented Christmas sweatshirt, $51, etsy.com.

Stitch and Bitch

Bookmark this one for the realest Rihanna fan in your life. This cross stitch features a lyric from "Lemon," her 2017 song with N.E.R.D., but it feels super relevant for 2020, tbh. Mad Ethnic Right Now cross stitch, $30, etsy.com.

A Whole Damn Meal

"This holiday, I'm looking to spread love and positivity among my loved ones. Which means someone (maybe me...) is definitely getting Melissa Falconer's beautiful Lizzo portrait to hang in their living room. How can the Queen of Self-Love not make you smile?!" — Lora Grady, writer, editor and body positivity advocate. Lizzo print, from $28 (USD), mfalconer.com.

Light My Fire

For hip hop heads, those who enjoy a bit of humour with their motivational affirmations and anyone who misses the old Kanye. Coconut and soy candle, $35, etsy.com.

Hello, Dolly

Sarah Smarch's tribute to Dolly Parton—and the music icon's particular brand of feminism—is a must-read for fans of country music, Dolly and thinking about the intersections between gender, class and culture. She Come by it Natural, $30, typebooks.ca.

Common Thread

"I love these patches and pins from my friend Morgan. His Instagram is A+. I've bought matching pins for my girlfriends and it feels like giving little, fun, glittering jewels. I bought this patch for my mother-in-law, a big gardener. If you knew her, you'd know composting is a lifestyle. I'm pretty sure she stitched it onto a fleece instead of a biker or leather jacket, which is even cuter" — Hannah Sung, journalist, podcast producer and founder of At The End Of The Day, a newsletter that offers a people-first perspective on the news. Embroidered patch, $25 (USD), innerdecay.com.

Cry Me A River

Whether you’re buying for a Kardashian super-fan or someone who’s more in the love to hate them camp, this beaded version of KKW’s ugly crying face is a hilarious gag gift. Kimoji ornament, $17, drakegeneralstore.ca.

Show of Hands

You can only give this to someone who actually made the "what-ever!" sign with their hands in the '90s and thought it was the pinnacle of cool. Sorry, that's the rule. Clueless necklace, $90, etsy.com.

To A Tee

Grab this one for your big cousins, coolest aunties and elder millennial and Gen X friends—they're the ones who still know all the words to En Vogue's "My Lovin.'" Never Gonna Get It tee, $65, okayok.com.

Free Advice

Gucci Mane's second book—the follow-up to his 2017 autobiography—is a motivational guidebook that promises to give people with big ambitions a toolkit for achieving them. According to Gucci himself, "This book is a challenge. Don’t underestimate yourself. Don’t think that what you’re saying is not important. Don’t think you can’t achieve the impossible. Everyone needs some game, so here it is." The Gucci Mane Guide to Greatness, $37, mabelsfables.com.

Rih-Markable

Featuring illustrated renditions of Rihanna’s most iconic looks (the Swarovski-crystal-encrusted Adam Selman gown she wore to the CFDA Fashion Awards! The vintage Chanel pearl-framed sunglasses from the 2012 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show! Her blue “Wild Thoughts” look!), this sticker pack is a must for all loyal members of the Rihanna Navy. Rihanna sticker pack, $5, etsy.com.

From a Galaxy Far, Far Away

"I could pretend that I'm too cool for a Baby Yoda stuffed toy, but I'm not and I'm in desperate need. Everything feels terrible, winter is oppressive, and to make it through to spring I'm going to need as many sources of joy as possible. Enter: Baby Yoda aka The Child. Do I watch The Mandalorian? No. But I know cute when I see cute, and this is the holiday splurge I deserve and require to keep me emotionally buoyant" — Anne T. Donahue, author of That's What She Said, a bi-monthly(ish) newsletter, and two books: Nobody Cares and the upcoming Small Tornadoes. Baby Yoda plush toy, $30, toysrus.ca.

Club Kids

Whether they're nostalgic for their childhoods or just fans of this year's really great Baby-Sitters Club reboot (and Momona Tamada as Claudia Kishi), all BSC stans will love this canvas tote. Baby-Sitters Club tote, $25, okayok.com.

Small Fortunes

This fun—and beautifully illustrated—deck of "oracle cards" offers up advice on attitude, lifestyle or inspiration from some of music's most iconic stars, including Prince, Madonna, Beyoncé, Amy Winehouse and David Bowie. Music Oracle cards, $25, iheartscout.com.

Kickin' It Old School

Whether they’re actual ‘90s kids or just into the aesthetic, there’s no better way to feed their need for nostalgia—and to mark the 30th anniversary of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air—than with this cool print. Fresh Kicks of Bel-Air print, from $22.50, etsy.com.

Game Night

The whole Tiger King gang is represented in this extremely 2020 puzzle—from Joe Exotic, his three husbands, Doc Antle and Saff to "that bitch" Carole Baskin, her husband Howard and yes, even a few tigers. Tiger King jigsaw puzzle, $20, A Different Booklist.

Getting Lippy

"The gift I’d happily give (or receive) this year is Stila’s Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso. Red lipstick is of course a perennial power move, and this shade’s famous as AOC’s signature. I love this detail from the recent Vanity Fair profile: Whenever a member of The Squad walks into a committee wearing a bold red lip, it’s a sign that things are about to go down" — Wing Sze Tang, writer, editor and founder of The Knowhow, a newsletter about women sparking change. Stila Stay All Day liquid lipstick in Beso, $29, stilacosmetics.ca.

Tee Up

This illustrated tee by Toronto designer Allie Sweeting is a great gift for a Timmy C. fan, regardless of why they’re a fan. (It’s the perfectly floppy hair for me.) The Timothee Chalamet Tee, $44.50, etsy.com.

Up the Creek

Featuring some of the most iconic quotes from Schitt’s Creek, this cardstock calendar is a must-have for a fan who’s not quite ready to let go of the show. 2021 Schitt’s Creek typographic calendar, from $20.58, etsy.com.

Spaced Out

Who knew a song from Ariana Grande’s last album would be the perfect mantra for 2020? I love this for Ari fans and anyone who needs some (social) distance rn. I Need Space “NASA” crewneck, from $53.50, etsy.com.

Boom Goes the Dynamite

Do you know a BTS fan? Of course you do. Well, I guarantee they’ll love these embroidered patches, which were inspired by the band’s summer hit, “Dynamite.” BTS “Dynamite’ iron-on patches, from $11.50, etsy.com.