MiceChat previously posted a Disney Store Gift Guide for the coming holiday season, but there are plenty of other places to find magical merchandise that your family and friends are sure to treasure. After all, the Disney Parks and Disney Stores aren’t the only spots to find the gifts you are looking for. Below, you’ll find my 10 gift ideas that are available for purchase from vendors other than Disney itself. Ho, ho, ho . . . here we go . . . 

[Note: The items in this guide are presented in no particular order.]

1. Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory by Square Enix ($59.99) – Available November 13

The Kingdom Hearts video game series blends Disney characters with those found in Final Fantasy titles along with original characters. And while the series has been based in the role-playing game genre up until this point, Square Enix, the game’s developer, has decided to make this next title, Melody of Memory, a rhythm game for the Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, and Xbox One. We covered the announcement back in June but now there is also a free demo available to download so you can get a taste for whether this is the right game for you and your loved one. I played the demo on the Nintendo Switch and even with my horrible gaming reflexes, I still really enjoyed what I experienced. I think Kingdom Hearts fan or any gamer you know will love this too.

This gift is available here (scroll to the middle to find purchase options).

, 10 Clever Disney Gift Ideas for Christmas

2. The Lion King Simba Cub Hand Puppet by Folkmanis ($67.99)

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Folkmanis Puppets, so I couldn’t resist their latest Disney addition, Simba as a cub. The puppet is an impressive size, measuring 24 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 6 inches tall. Its detailed face can be manipulated by way of the mouth, which you can see in the demo video below. One of my favorite traits of these puppets is that they are stuffed (albeit lightly in some areas), making them very huggable. And the many details on Simba, especially the speckles on his coat as well as the tuft of fur on his tail, are especially endearing. I think imaginative kids, Lion King fans, as well as plush toy lovers will get the most out of this gift. Folkmanis also has other Disney puppet offerings (which I have covered in this guide!). You really can’t go wrong with any of them.

This gift is available here.

, 10 Clever Disney Gift Ideas for Christmas

3. Star Wars – The Child: Animatronic Edition by Hasbro ($59.99)

The Child, affectionately dubbed “Baby Yoda,” has been the fortunate recipient of a huge amount of merchandise lately but few items are as impressive as Hasbro’s The Child: Animatronic Edition doll (he was even the headliner for a recent Merchandise Update). We think this is going to be on quite a few wishlists this holiday season. The big draw for this toy is his animated reactions to your touch, whether you are petting his head or laying him down for some shut-eye. To see him in action, take a look at our video below.

This gift is available here: Target / Amazon.

, 10 Clever Disney Gift Ideas for Christmas

4. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Holiday Gift Sets by Build-a-Bear Workshop ($52.50 and $50.50, respectively)

Build-a-Bear Workshop is no stranger to Disney or holiday products but it isn’t often you find items that combine the two themes. Well, that is what you get with these online-exclusive Mickey and Minnie plush sets (sold separately). The Mickey set includes the Mickey Mouse plush, packaged with a seasonal outfit consisting of a Santa cap, scarf, embroidered shirt, and pants. Minnie’s set features the Minnie Mouse plush, along with her own special outfit including a Santa cap and dress. Both of the plushes in these sets have the option to ship stuffed or unstuffed, the latter of which allowing the recipient to stuff the plush themselves at their local Build-a-Build Workshop.

This gift is available here: Mickey / Minnie.

, 10 Clever Disney Gift Ideas for Christmas

, 10 Clever Disney Gift Ideas for Christmas

5. The Great Mouse Detective Toby Figural Mini Backpack by Loungefly ($79.90)

90s kids will definitely get a kick out of this Loungefly Mini Backpack, fashioned after Toby, the loyal hound from The Great Mouse Detective. The front of the backpack is made to resemble Toby’s sweet face, complete with fuzzy ears. There is even art of little Olivia in the corner. On the sides of the Mini Backpack, you’ll find either Basil and Dawson or Rattigan and Fidget. And to round out the details, the lining is covered with a magnifying glass print. This accessory is sold exclusively at BoxLunch.

This gift is available here.

, 10 Clever Disney Gift Ideas for Christmas

, 10 Clever Disney Gift Ideas for Christmas

, 10 Clever Disney Gift Ideas for Christmas

6. The Nightmare Before Christmas Soup Mug with Lid ($19.90, currently marked down to $13.93)

For a more practical gift, I would recommend this 24 ounce soup mug. I think it will come in good use on those cold nights when all you really want is just a bowl of soup. One of the nice things about this soup mug is that it is microwave and dishwasher safe, which is more than I can say for many mugs found at Disney Parks. It even comes with a vented lid so your microwave will stay clean from any potential splattering when heating the soup. Plus, the Nightmare Before Christmas art adorning the sides, ties into the season!

This gift is available here.

, 10 Clever Disney Gift Ideas for Christmas

7. The Little Mermaid Collector’s Puzzle by Ravensburger ($24.99)

I included a puzzle in my Disney Store gift guide but I think they make such great gifts that I wanted to include one here, too. This Collector’s Edition puzzle is sold exclusively at Barnes & Noble and features the “Kiss the Girl” scene from The Little Mermaid. It is made by Ravensburger, a company that makes high quality puzzles as well as board games. I love the art on this one. The fireflies appear to actually glow against the background. And more importantly, they included Flounder and Scuttle in the picture. Sebastian is also there but that is less surprising, given that he is the one actually singing the song in this scene.

This gift is available here.

, 10 Clever Disney Gift Ideas for Christmas

8. Apples to Apples Game – Disney Edition by Mattel ($19.99, currently marked down to $11.29)

Mattel’s Apples to Apples – Disney Edition is a gift the whole family can enjoy. It takes the traditional card-based game and uses Disney characters and themes from movies, Disney Parks, and even Disney Channel shows. This edition also includes a special Poison Apple Card, adding a new layer of strategy. It is intended for four to eight players, aged 7 and up (although younger kids could probably take part, if they have good reading skills). I think the players will delight in seeing characters and scenes they know and love in this form.

This gift is available here.

, 10 Clever Disney Gift Ideas for Christmas

9. Lilo & Stitch Claw Glomitts ($10.90)

With these Stitch-inspired Glomitts (a term I didn’t previously know existed), you can swap between gloves and mittens on the fly. And the details are adorable! Not only do the palms have “paw pads” but fabric “claws” are sewn onto the thumbs and mittens. The “Experiment 626” embroidered on the cuffs is another nod to Stitch as that was his original name in the movie. Don’t they look comfy and cozy?

This gift is available here.

, 10 Clever Disney Gift Ideas for Christmas

, 10 Clever Disney Gift Ideas for Christmas

Related Bonus Item: Lilo & Stitch Claw Feet Plush Slippers ($26.90)

These slippers would work well with the Stitch Glomitts, perhaps as gift set. Like the previous item, these slippers resemble Stitch’s paws. They have a fuzzy, plush exterior and non-slip soles. The slippers are available in small, medium, and large sizes.

This gift is available here.

, 10 Clever Disney Gift Ideas for Christmas

10. Disney Train and Station – By LEGO ($329.99)

This was something I fell in love with last year, but it promptly sold out. Well, no doubt this pricy product will be very popular again this year, but it’s available right now! I love all the little details inside the two-story station. And what a busy little ticket office with Mickey and the Chipmunks! And here’s the kicker . . . this is a working train, and it reportedly goes pretty fast too! 

This gift is available here.

, 10 Clever Disney Gift Ideas for Christmas

 


Looking For More Holiday Ideas?

We’ve got you covered! For more Disney holiday merchandise goodness, check out these recent articles:

It’s Holiday Shopping Time – 10 Great Disney Store Gifts Ideas for the Whole Family

Disneyland Merchandise Update – Holiday Items Arrive in Downtown Disney Anaheim!

Disney Merchandise Update: Baby Yoda for the Holidays


Let’s Hear from You

And that wraps up this gift guide! Did you find something you plan on gifting or purchasing for yourself? What gifts would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!

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Natalie Kipper
Merchandise Editor for MiceChat. A native of Southern California, Natalie’s first visit to Disneyland was on her second birthday. She has been returning regularly ever since. With a love of toys and collectibles, she is constantly scouring the shops to see what is new and fun. When she isn’t in a store, you can usually spot her in line for The Haunted Mansion. Follow Natalie on Instagram @Kipperbun and @TravelswithToys.