Holiday Gift Guide for Horror Readers

Updated: Nov 16, 2023

If you love a horror reader but worry the weight of one more paperback will send their home plummeting into the underworld, fear not! There are plenty of gifts out there for you to consider this holiday season. Books are great but weird swag is fun too! So, get the horror fan in your life something truly unique and/or unnerving this year. Whether you're looking for a stocking stuffer or a show stopper, here are some of our favorite ideas!

Shipping fees not included in price.

VU Analog Meter Button

Price: $2

Description: We love the analog vintage vibes with this 1.25-inch button. The artwork is designed to look like an old volume meter in orange and yellow and it supports Shortwave Publishing.

Available at: Shortwave Publishing

Ghoulish Magnet

Price: $3

Description: A 3-inch wolf magnet from the Texas-based publisher and bookstore. We love the detailing here, especially those eyes!

Available at: GHOULISH

Planchet Earrings

Price: $12

Description: These adorable acrylic studs are shaped like Ouija board planchets with "HELLO" on one and "GOODBYE" on the other. They have a glossy finish and soft plastic backing.

Available at: Lilliput Little Things (Etsy)

Carmilla Fine Art Print

Price: $15

Description: Caitlin McCarthy has a ton of gorgeous art prints but we like this one as it harkens back to J. Sheridan LeFanu's classic gothic novel, Carmilla. It is printed on matte archival paper and measures 5 inches by 7 inches in size.

Available at: Caitlin McCarthy Art (Etsy)

Cryptid Club by Sarah Andersen

Price: $15.80

Description: I know we said no books on our list but this one makes a great gift! You might know Sarah Andersen's work from her Sarah Scribbles comics or the graphic novel Fangs. This fun little book is all about cryptids with fun illustrations.

Available at: Bookshop.org

Funko Pop! Icons: Edgar Allan Poe with Skull

Price: $16

Description: Look at this cute lil Edgar Allan Poe! Funko POP! has released a ton of these vinyl figures over the years, but we think the horror fan in your life will appreciate this one. He has a tiny mustache and a tiny skull!

Available at: Amazon

2024 Universal Monsters Wall Calendar

Price: $17.99

Description: If you know someone who loves old Universal creature features, this is a fun calendar to grab going in 2024. It even includes the last four months of this year so they can start using it whenever they want.

Available at: Barnes and Noble

Stephen King's Study Candle

Price: $21.95

Description: This soy candle is is smoky with notes of deep plum and oak. It comes in an 8-ounce jar with a fun label so the user can imagine they are sitting in Stephen King's own study as they read.

Available at: Nubble Light Candle (Etsy)

Legends of Horror Bookmarks

Price: $22

Description: This set comes with three illustrated bookmarks highlighting the works of Anne Rice, Stephen King, and Shirley Jackson. Each bookmark is 3 inches by 7 inches with a white tassel.

Available at: Stephen Foster Design (Etsy)

Scream Ghost Face Slippers

Price: $24.90

Description: What's cozier than some warm, fuzzy Ghostface feet while you read? These polyester slippers have red and white accents and come in sizes ranging from S-XL.

Available at: Hot Topic

Tenebrous Skull & Laurel - 3/4 Sleeve Raglan Shirt

Price: $29

Description: This shirt comes in heather denim and navy or black and white with the Tenebrous Press logo in the center. It is made from cotton and polyester. Sizes range from XS-XXL. We've long admired the Tenebrous logo and anyone who loves indie horror will enjoy this shirt.

Available at: Tenebrous Press

Debra Hill Producer & Horror Queen T-shirt

Price: $29

Description: This t-shirt is perfect for Halloween fans as well as women in horror. Available in black or vintage black, this unisex t-shirt honors iconic producer Debra Hill. It's made from cotton and comes in sizes ranging from S-XXXL.

Available at: Nightmare on Film Street Podcast

Lily the Haunted Doll

Price: $30

Description: Lily is a 13-inch doll with a face you won't forget. She's billed as the Halloween "elf on the shelf" equivalent. We wrote about Lily earlier this year when we received a Lily Doll from US Ghost Adventures. She's a beautifully detailed doll with plush limbs, a cute burgundy dress, and haunting as hell eyes.

Available at: US Ghost Adventures

Butcher Cabin Books Hoodie

Price: $30

Description: This logo sweatshirt represents Butcher Cabin Books, a bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky devoted to the horror genre. It comes in black and sizes range from S-XXL.

Available at: Butcher Cabin Books

Goosebumps The Haunted Mask Hoodie

Price: $59.90

Description: Looking for a zip-up hoodie with vintage vibes? This cotton and polyester sweatshirt features the Goosebumps logo and artwork from the original book cover of The Haunted Mask by R.L. Stine. Sizes are men/unisex and range from XS-XXXL.

Available at: Hot Topic

Black Pentacle Dress

Price: $64

Description: Absolutely everything from Midnight Hour looks like a horror goth's dream, but we're going to recommend the Black Pentacle Dress specifically because our editor has purchased this piece and can attest to the quality of it. This modal and spandex dress has an elastic waist, pockets, and short sleeves. There is a pentacle design on the back, a scoop neckline, and a hemline that hits around the knees. Sizes range from XS-XXL. It's very soft and washes well.

Available at: Midnight Hour

Frankenstein Book Purse

Price: $77.13

Description: This gorgeous vegan leather book purse is inspired by Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. It comes in two sizes with a magnetic closure, gold tone accents, and an adjustable shoulder strap. Well Read Company also makes purses inspired by Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca, Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, Bram Stoker's Dracula, and The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe.

Available at: Well Read Company (Etsy)

Fortune Ring

Price: $78

Description: We love all the weird little wonders at Little Rooms, but this is probably our favorite. This palmistry ring is inspired by the 50 methods of fortune telling found across the world. It comes in sterling silver or 18K gold plated sterling silver with black cubic zirconia stones. Sizes range from 5-10. We also recommend checking out the Nevermore Earrings and Immortal Necklace.

Available at: Little Rooms

Loungefly Freddy Sweater Mini Backpack

Price: $79.95

Description: Know someone who loves Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street? The pattern on this backpack is based on on Freddy Krueger's iconic sweater, complete with claw slashes across the front. It's about ten inches in height with two zippered compartments.