Gift-giving is a great way to let a loved one show us a side they often feel like they should hide away, but what do you do when that person is Harry Potter mad and you don't know your quaffles from your bludgers? In this blog post, we will give our advice as expert Harry Potter sellers to help you find the perfect Harry Potter gift, even if you don't know who Harry Potter is!
I often assume every visitor to our shop Swish and Flick knows about Harry Potter. That, however, isn't always the case. We meet lots of people who aren’t familiar with Harry Potter but still want to find the perfect gift for a friend or family member. We have hundreds of Harry Potter gifts in our shop, which is brilliant if you're a fan and somewhat overwhelming if you are not.
In my life, I have read every book, have the films committed to memory and have spent copious hours wandering Hogwarts in the video games. So, with twenty-one years of Harry Potter expertise lying dormant in my head, I am here to present you with a guide to Harry Potter gifts, specifically for those who don't know Harry Potter.
Harry Potter Gifts for Collectors
Where do I even start?
We all have that one friend who is so Harry Potter-obsessed that we are somewhat concerned for their mental well-being. This person may have shelves, walls or whole rooms dedicated to the boy wizard, so what can you get them that you know they won't have?
I know they like wands
Wands are the most popular Harry Potter collector's item. Ours retail between £30 and £33 and are unique to each character. However, because each has a unique design it is hard to know which wand someone may already have, even if you know Harry Potter well! If this is the case, I recommend an Ollivander's sign to accompany their wand collection. They are both unique and add a more immersive level to a wand collection.
But they already have Harry Potter everything!
We have spent years curating the Harry Potter collection in our shop, and there is a lot you will find in our shop that you won't come across in every Potter shop. Perhaps my favourite collector's item is the silver-plated ticket to the Yule Ball, which is a stand-out in any collection. Another unique addition to a Harry Potter room is our banners, with Hogwarts house-themed designs and Hogwarts school lists.
Harry Potter Gifts for Children
What do I get for my grandkids?
The Harry Potter books were written with children in mind, but most of the merchandise is designed for adults. That means that a lot of things that children may dream of having - like wands, tiaras and swords - are designed and priced for collectors. Even some bags and backpacks have a price that might shock you but don't worry. We have plenty of suggestions.
How about something for their room?
A Harry Potter room would have been my absolute dream as a kid. While making a whole room is challenging, we have plenty of little bits that can make a young with or wizard's bedroom more magical. My suggestion would be one of our light tubes, because happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light!
What do I get for an 11 year old?
If you know someone turning 9 or 11, you are in luck. 11 is the age when witches and wizards receive their Hogwarts letters, so why not get them a Hogwarts Letter Notebook? As well, the Platform that the Hogwarts Express leaves from is Platform 9 3/4. We have that iconic 9 3/4 logo on many gifts, so even if they're not quite at the 3/4 part of that age yet, it can still make a memorable birthday present.
Hogwarts House Gifts
Why are there so many lions and snakes?
Harry Potter and his friends attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which takes more influence from British Secondary Schools than you may expect. They have prefects, school sports teams and school houses. Hogwarts has four houses that students are sorted into based on key personality traits: Gryffindor (for the brave and determined), Hufflepuff (for the loyal and kind), Ravenclaw (for the intelligent and creative) and Slytherin (for the cunning and ambitious).
So what do I get them?
If you know someone's Hogwarts House, a gift themed around it can be both personal and fun. We have House gifts at every price point, from pin badges to plushies to collector's items. Although you may think you know someone's House, check before you buy.
What if I don't know their Hogwarts House?
If you don't know, don't try and guess! The Houses have famous rivalries, especially Gryffindor and Slytherin, so you do not want to get it wrong. Don't worry though. You still have plenty of options. Why not go for something with the Hogwarts school crest which features all the houses on it?
Suggestions from Our Staff
Chess recommends:
Many Harry Potter fans would love something Harry Potter-themed but don't want to let the whole world know that they're a Potterhead. My suggestion would be something from our Diagon Alley range because it's subtle in its Potterness but still pretty magical. In particular, I would pick the tote bag or coin purse.
Karen recommends:
Everybody loves Dobby! This Dobby mug is a classic. It's never failed to make someone happy. It's a really special gift.
Mark recommends:
Death Eaters and dementors are terrifying, but we love them. The death eater mask statue is very detailed and very well-priced for the quality of it. More than that, it's unique.
So, what do I get them?
I hope this has given you some ideas for Harry Potter gifts. In short:
Avoid Hogwarts Houses unless you’re sure you know it
If they have a lot of Harry Potter stuff, look for things that are new and different
Kids will want collector's items, but they aren’t made to be toys. Try room decorations, costumes and notebooks instead
When in doubt, ask us!
The world of Harry Potter gifts is wide and varied, but we’re sure whatever you choose will be treasured. Just reading this post proves you care. We hope this helped!
For a full list of all our Harry Potter items, click here!
Happy gifting!
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