Pokémon - Christmas Gifts

OK, so you've asked the dreaded Christmas question and the answer that you've been given is 'Person X is into Pokémon in a big way'. So where to start on the hunt for a great Pokémon gift? If you don't know your Pikachu from your Pichu, then you're in the right place. Welcome to our guide to finding the perfect Pokémon Present for any Pokémon fan.

Pokémon began life in Japan, as a series of Computer Console games in 1996. Since then there have been dozens of console games, hundreds of episodes of the Pokémon Cartoon and countless releases for the Pokémon Trading Card Game. There's also been a wealth of other Pokémon merchandising, including toys and games and much more besides. Pokémon is a shortening of the English words Pocket Monsters. The action from the games and cartoon takes place on an alternate world, where hundreds of types of Pokémon run wild, and are caught and trained by Pokémon Trainers.

Back to the subject though, and lets start looking at some perfect Christmas gifts for fans of Pokémon...

The Pokémon Animated Cartoon has been running for over a dozen years now, and shows no sign in letting up in popularity as it tracks the adventures of Ash Ketchum and his friends. There have been many hundreds of episodes, across loads of series and the cartoon has spawned thirteen Pokémon Movies.

DVDs of the episodes are always popular because with today's modern TV scheduling, it can be difficult to catch the episodes in the right order. I know that when I get the chance to watch, I've always seen the epsiode that's on, but there's loads I've never seen! For an ideal gift, you can either grab the latest episodes to come out on DVD, or get a movie or two, or even track down some early episodes. Whichever way you go, it'll be a gift that's appreciated by any Pokémon fan!

If you live in the US, here's a few bargain Pokémon DVDs that are available right now on eBay...

The current game from the Pokémon series is as usual released in two slightly different formats (this often confuses non-fans). The current ones are Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2 - each has slightly different elements to the game, but the gameplay is essentially the same. That doesn't mean a true fan wont want both versions though!

If the Pokémon fan you're buying for doesn't have both of these games, then find them on the list below from Amazon and purchase. Job done. Anyway - if you want to see some of the action they'll be enjoying, here's some glimpses of the game in video...

Pokémon began with console games and the console games will always be at the heart of Pokémon interest. Any game added to the collection will be a superb Christmas present for any Pokémon fan with the latest Pokémon console games making for easy presents.

The current "main" games are Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2, but if your Pokémon fan already has these, then there are a wide range of off-shoots from the main series. You can look for titles like Pokémon Ranger, Pokemon Colosseum and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon to add to their collection this Christmas.

If you live in the United States, here's a selection of the very best prices available right now...

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Buying Pokemon Cards as a gift can seem like a challenge - there's a good chance that a Pokemon fan will already have a Theme Deck that you buy, and several loose booster packs don't make for a very attractive present to open. Fear not...

For many years now, there's only really been one gift at Christmas time for players and collectors of Pokemon Cards. The Holiday Tins make perfect presents and are released every Easter and Christmas. Each year there are several options to choose from (this year's are particularly good), with each tin containing an exclusive card and four booster packs. The tin itself always looks great and provides sturdy storage for a whole collection of cards.

If you live in the United States, here's a great selection of Pokemon tins available right now on Amazon...

There have been a great many Pokemon Toys released over the years. If you fancy adding Pokemon toys to the christmas present list, you could go with something brand new and recent, or perhaps for the older Pokemon fan, you could track down some cool vintage Pokemon gear from the very early days?

Either way, there's a Pokemon Toy for every Pokemon fan that would make the ideal Christmas Present. Here's some suggestions...

Looking for something very, very special for a really true fan that deserves it? We'll finish up our guide to Pokemon gifts with the rare, hard-to-find, and very very cool. Check these great gifts out...

This guide to Pokemon gifts was brought to you by BSTS, a toy and hobby retailer based in the United Kingdom. We're huge Pokemon fans. Erm, in fact we come close to being obsessive.

If you live in the UK, you can browse our range of cards on the Pokemon section of our website.

What are you buying the Pokemon fan in your life for Christmas? Which of the ideas above looks coolest? Just want to say 'hi'? - That's cool too!

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