2024 Giftmas Gallery
Posted on December 30, 2024 by Aywren
While I did not write up a Giftmas series this year since I was on the road and received my gifts in person, I wanted to share some of the awesome things friends and family gifted me. I won’t be able to get into each and every little item – though I appreciate them all – but I’ve consolidated them into groups for easier blogging.
Nintendo Switch Games
Switch games and gift cards are always at the top of my wish list. This year, I’ve been leaning towards collecting physical games more, so that’s what folks gifted me.
I got the two games that were at the top of my wishlist: Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and Dragonquest III HD-2D Remake. I’ve put some hours into both of them already and they are both phenomenal games that I’m looking forward to playing this year. Especially since I really want to focus on playing Switch games in 2025!
Books
I’ve been trying to read more this year, so I had a number of books of various kinds on my wishlist.
I’ve been delving into philosophy books in particular this year, so my brother-in-law was quick to pick up Tao Te Ching – which was on my list – and The Little Book of Stoic Quotes, which is new to me.
The stoic book even has the author’s signature! Can’t wait to start these as they both seem like quick, but deep reads!
Something a little less philosophical, I really wanted Mr. Ballen’s new graphic novel as I’m a big fan of his YouTube channel and stories.
Just look at that cover! It’s going to be amazing!
Speaking of amazing, the final book of my haul was one of a number of FFXIV Endwalker art books. I’m especially excited about this one because it focuses on the post-patch art, which contains the most FFIV content. It’s a BIG book.
DVD Picks
I’ve been apt to pick up more physical DVDs this year, as well – see a trend here? While I had a few on my wishlist, they were mostly nice-to-haves. I did get one that I hoped for as I mean to sit down and revisit the .hack// anime universe in the near future.
I remember really enjoying the series back when it was new and novel. I never got much beyond the base anime and games, though. So this will all be new to me.
Music CDs
Yes, the trend of physical media continues with more music CDs than I could have ever expected! I had a number of them on my list, but some of these were surprises, too!
The Runrig box set was totally on my wishlist. I’m a fan of the group, but I haven’t heard a whole lot of their music in the long run. I was surprised to discover this was a collection of all of their CDs for a good stretch of time, which is amazing!
I’d not heard of Windborne until now, but they’re also an amazing group. I believe my sister picked up this CD, and as you can see, it is a numbered limited edition. Inside is a lovely full color booklet and it’s been signed by the group!!
Speaking of unexpected signatures, my brother-in-law snagged me a totally unexpected copy of John Lodge’s remake of Days of Future Past. I’d worn a groove into playing it on Spotify, and I certainly didn’t expect a signed copy of it!!
My family is big on snagging cool creators’ signatures, and I’m down with it!
Figures and Décor
This is the section where I show off the figures and lovely decoration pieces that I got. All of these were complete surprises to me.
Let’s start with the Amiibos!
The Zelda guardian is a chonker and I’m going to have to figure out where to display him. But he’s super cool!
I am a long-time Luigi fan. I also was a fan of Wii Fit back in the day (still do love that system). Happy to have these Amiibos in my collection!
My sister found this adorable wax candle dragon for me. Isn’t he perfect?
While my brother-in-law found this adorable and very detailed wooden church mouse. He’s exquisite!
Last but not least – my very own FFXIV Loporrit figure! I’m going to have to figure out where to put him on my retro gaming shelf. I have a feeling there’s some reorganization to be had because he’s very cool!
Analogue and Stationery
Another new thing on my list this year was stationery and pens. What I didn’t expect was a fully themed stationery set going hard on the peacock blue! Just look at this!
We’ve got my first ever Paperblanks journal. We’ve got the peacock washi tape set. Then there’s the peacock themed fountain pen. And finally, my first ever shimmer fountain pen ink in artic blue!
This is all going to be beautiful to use this year!
Fun Misc.
There are a few great items that don’t really belong in the other sections but that I wanted to mention including…
A set of NES game coasters – how neat and original!
Also, a set of locally-made honey and beeswax products including lotion, chapstick and soap. Syn always finds very cool things like this.
A new ornament for my tree – NES controller style!
Oh, and finally…
Syn was showing me how her 3D printer worked and I took home this awesome Dragonquest slime! I’d like to maybe buff and paint him sometime in the future, but he looks cool as he is!
As you can see, my friends and family always go all out when it comes to Christmas. Any one of these items are wonderful gifts, and I’m so very lucky and thankful to be gifted such an array of goodies. I will certainly have plenty to do going into the new year!