Christmas Gift Cards for a Costume Hobbyist: The Top 5

Christmas is the perfect opportunity for people to receive and give gifts supporting their hobbies. As an anime and sci-fi convention attendee, most of my friends are cosplayers and costumers. Heck, I admit that I am a cosplayer as well. A cosplayer or costumer is a special category of fan who dresses up as his or her favorite character from his or her favorite anime, sci-fi, or other media-related series. They are just like the devoted sports fan who wears the team jersey or paints his or her (mainly his) face in team colors. Regardless of what you call them, it is difficult to shop for itemrs specifically related to the hobby of costume making and/or wearing. Luckily, gift cards save the day. Giving a gift card tailored to the costuming hobby for Christmas says, "I acknowledge your hobby but have no specific idea how to support it. So buy it yourself and think of me when you use this gift card." Here are my five top five Christmas gift cards to support the costume making and costume wearing hobbyist.

#5 Amazon: One important item every costume hobbyist needs is reference material. Books, movies, and even toy figurines are the easiest ways to see what the intended costume will look like and how the character moves, acts, and poses. Amazon is a convenient online shop for books, movies, and the occasional figurine. Purchase gift cards at the provided link.

#4 Cosworx: Cosplay.com is one of the largest forums for cosplay and anime conventions. One great way to support the site and provide a gift for the costume hobbyist is buying a gift certificate from its sister site Cosworx. Cosworx sells wigs and other costume accessories, which every costume hobbyist needs at least one time during a costume project. Purchase gift certificates at the provided link.

#3 Joann Fabric and Craft Stores: If the costume hobbyist plans to create his or her own costumes (as most do), fabric, patterns, and sewing tools are required. Joann Fabric and Craft Stores are convenient one-stop shops for those three items. Pick a gift card up online or at their many store locations. Since some costumes are Christmas themed, using the gift card to grab holiday themed fabric and patterns adds more festivity to the gift.

#2 Starbucks: Since most adult costume hobbyists work or take classes in the morning, only the late night provides time to work on costumes. Coffee is usually the number one drink to fend off sleep (I prefer tea). Pick up Starbucks gift cards at your local Starbucks. If your local Starbucks is too crowded, go to the Starbucks next door. Receiving them during Christmas allows hobbyists to take advantage of the holiday specials and themed beverages while burning the midnight oil during costume construction.

#1 eBay: eBay is a venue to purchase costume items. Sellers sell props, materials, reference art, and entire costumes to the public. If the costume enthusiast is missing part of his costume and cannot find it and you have no idea what it is, giving an eBay gift card allows the hobbyist to pay for it when he or she finds it on eBay. Purchase gift cards at the provided link.