7 Gifts for the Spooky Soul in Your Life

It’s that most wonderful time of year when the weather gets chilly, colorful lights adorn homes, Christmas trees go up, carols play on the radio and the smell of cinnamon practically permeates the air. And, let’s not forget the holidays are synonymous with gift-giving. Even a dark soul like myself enjoys the season. But, having said that, my macabre factor doesn’t tone down.

I like to compare myself to Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas who had an appreciation for the holiday, but also injected it with his Halloween spirit. He proves that us morbid folk can strike a nice balance between Christmas cheer and ghostly boos. So, what do you buy someone who basks in the darker side of life? To get you started, following is a list of 7 Gifts for Spooky Souls that will work with any spending budget.

Taxidermy

Why not start off with something really bizarre and unusual? For those unfamiliar with taxidermy, it’s the act of preserving a deceased animal’s body through methods of stuffing and mounting. Let me make it clear that I am not talking about animal carcasses attained through hunting, which I do not support. All taxidermy I have encountered is ethically sourced and no harm has come to the creatures in order to obtain them. They have died of natural causes.

Taxidermy ranges in price, from under $100 to thousands of dollars. I attained a bat for $50 when I went to a Los Angeles horror convention. I’d suggest checking local oddities shops in your area. Also, if you’re familiar with Ryan Matthew Cohn of the “Oddities” TV series, he’s the founder of the Oddities Flea Market and tours this event across the U.S. The vendors showcased feature astounding bizarre wares that are rare to find. I’ve gone to the flea market and have discovered wonderful trinkets and treasures for myself.

Dark Art

Anyone who’s been following my blog for a while knows that I love attending dark art shows. If you know an art-lover, a painting can make a nice present. Plus, you don’t have to have a fine art collector’s bank account to purchase these types of items. Many exhibits I’ve gone to have prints available of artists’ work. I’ve usually paid around $20 for the ones I have acquired and they’re beautiful.

If you’re unsure that the person you’re shopping for has a favorite artist, a few I suggest are Menton3, Meagan “Magpie” Rodgers, Rick “Dienzo” Blanco, D.W. Frydendall, Meimaro, Mothmeister, Shane Izykowski and Joseph Vargo, to name just a few. For more ideas, search the “dark art” tag on my blog to check out other artists I’ve covered.

Horror Book & Film Collections

You can’t go wrong with gifting a classic horror novel or movie, and there are so many collections out there that it makes it a convenient option when you’re running low on time, funds and choices. Barnes & Noble sells huge volumes filled with scary tales. The bargain section usually has compilations of works by Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, Stephen King and more for low prices.

Also, consider supporting small businesses and purchasing from an independent bookstore. There are plenty across the globe and one that’s local to me is The Last Bookstore here in Los Angeles, California. Looking for title suggestions? Check out my list of Top 10 Must-Read Dark Books, plus this list I compiled of Top 10 Halloween Books featured on Creepy Kingdom.

Concerning cinema, I’ve found horror film collections from a variety of retailers. A simple search on the internet will no doubt turn up a plethora of results, so you can order from whichever shop you prefer.

Fashion

Maybe you’re shopping for the fashionista in your life. Alternative apparel options are abundant for both men and women. Online shops such as Ipso Facto, Heavy Red, Killstar and BlackCraft Cult cater to the goth scene offering tops, coats and capes, shoes and accessories. I’ve bought beautifully handcrafted jewelry from Le Queen Noire and Rebeauty Creations. For ornate, occult fashion, definitely peruse the goods of Missy Munster’s MM Fabrications.

We mustn’t overlook how the pandemic has made face masks a new addition to everyone’s wardrobe, making them another great gift idea! In these times, it’s important to be safe and cover up and so many fun, spooky options have become available. There are masks adorned with skulls, ghosts, esoteric symbols, Victorian patterns and more. I was recently gifted a few from Vampfangs, a shop in Salem, Massachusetts. The styles are fantastic and macabre. You can see me modeling the Embroidered Sacred Rose Mask and Sacred Bat Mask (currently out of stock). View their full collection here.

I also own an awesome long-sleeve tee featuring a quote from Bram Stoker’s Dracula from The Wytchery Store. Apparel is organized by themes, which include Gothic horror authors; witches, pagan & magick; vices; magica sexualis; and introverts & solitude.

Dining & Drink

For the friend or family member who loves to host dinner parties or cook, there are some delightful options! Miss Havisham’s Curiosities specializes in china and dinnerware with a motto that declares, “Tea without sympathy.” Her teacups and plates are adorned with phrases that carry biting sarcasm. Some of my favorites are, “Kindly fuck off,” “I hope you choke,” and “Dead inside.” Not sets for anyone lacking in a sense of humor.

Foodies and Tim Burton fans will enjoy The Nightmare Before Dinner cookbook. Zach Neil, the man behind the Halloween-inspired Beetle House bar, released the book, which contains recipes from the restaurant’s menu. Other horror-inspired cookbooks have also been published, such as the The Necronomnomnom: Recipes and Rites from the Lore of H.P. Lovecraft by Mike Slater.

No dinner is complete without a glass of wine. Vampire wines offers a selection inspired by Dracula and True Blood. You can shop online, although I’m not sure if they deliver internationally. If the person you’re shopping for enjoys crafting their own adult beverages, I recommend WitchCraft Cocktails by Julia Halina Hadas. The book includes 70 recipes that show you how to incorporate magick into your drinks with herbs. It’s quite informative and adds a spiritual element to cocktail making and shaking.

Occult & Witchcraft

Those spiritually inclined will appreciate sacred items such as crystals, candles, incense, divination tools or ritual supplies. Depending on where you live in the world, there is most likely a metaphysical shop located close to you. I’ve found some unique and rare gifts for close friends that included healing spray oils, an intention candle and blessed jewelry. If you reside in Southern California, there’s an event called Witches Brew that features a variety of vendors selling pagan, occult and other spiritual wares. It typically happens monthly and is a great way to support small businesses. It has replaced a similar market called Witch Walk, which no longer takes place as of now, but many of the sellers that used to participate are present at Witches Brew.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Yes! A section dedicated to my favorite Tim Burton film tops off this roundup. It just makes sense to include the cult classic that (un)officially united Halloween and Christmas in a way that audiences hadn’t seen before. As soon as autumn descends, stores are stocked with a variety of merchandise and memorabilia inspired by the movie, but there are also retailers that carry The Nightmare Before Christmas items year-round.

You can find Jack Skellington, Sally and other characters on luggage, apparel, coffee mugs, décor and much more. Special editions of the movie and soundtrack have been released over the years. I own the soundtrack on vinyl, which makes for a nice collector’s item. Retailers such as Hot Topic provide many options, but a search on Etsy will also provide a slew of small business owners crafting their own unique merch and because their goods are most likely not mass produced, you have a better chance of scoring a one-of-a kind keepsake for that special someone.

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There you have it—7 spooky gift ideas to hopefully lessen the stress of holiday shopping. Keep in mind, this list can also come in handy for birthdays and other special occasions. If you have other suggestions, please do share!