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Stellar ‘Star Wars’ Gifts to Celebrate the Release of ‘The Last Jedi’

By Bryan Holt Mar 29, 2022 5:41 AM

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Star Wars: The Last Jedi Trailer (Official)

Midnight on December 15 marks the premiere of Star Wars Episode XIII: The Last Jedi, and fans are so excited that some have already lined up to be the first to see the next installment of one of the most famous franchises.

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To ring in the latest episode, we’ve compiled some of our favorite Star Wars gifts for you last-minute shoppers and hardcore zealots alike. You’ll see some things we’ve covered in the past, as well as some new additions to the mix, to help you or fellow fans find something that’s out of this world.

Columbia Sportswear Echo Base Collection – $400

star wars colombia group — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Columbia Sportswear has joined in the hype, releasing three limited-edition jackets inspired by the attire worn by none other than Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Named after the Rebel’s secret base on the ice planet of Hoth, the collection manages to capture the essence of each iconic character and provide protection against winter elements. Each jacket boasts qualities such as water-resistant, cotton-blend fabrics and insulated lining; our favorite is the Han Solo Echo Base Parka. If you hope to tackle the evils of winter, it’s best to have some of the galaxy’s best on your side.

Pangea Brands BB-8 Waffle Maker – $40

star wars waffle maker — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Pangea Brands’ versatile waffle maker was inspired by a Force Awakens fan favorite: droid BB-8. In addition to waffles, this puppy can pump out eggs, brownies, cakes, quesadillas, even homemade paninis. Backed by a one-year warranty, and offering, the BB-8 waffle maker makes pre-work breakfast a painless pleasure. For those of you on the Dark Side, check out the Darth Vader and Storm Trooper variants.

Star Wars Two-Slice Toaster – Buy Now

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Let this TIE fighter-inspired toaster make your bread dark (side) and crunchy. Featuring adjustable settings, wide toasting slots for those tasty but large pieces of Seattle Sourdough or Texas Toast, and self-centering guides, this toaster is one of the more affordable and attentive Star Wars gifts.

Death Star Coffee Mug – Buy Now

Death Star Coffee Mug — Image used with permission by copyright holder

This one is for those who like their coffee dark. And we mean real dark. The Death Star coffee mug is made from heat-holding ceramic and boats a unique shape to add some fun (and planet destruction) into your mornings. Because each mug is hand-painted for a bolstered finish, it’s recommended that you hand wash to keep conditioned. We don’t want this exploding, now do we?

Stormtrooper Espresso Mug Set – $20

Stormtrooper espresso Mugs — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Staying along the lines of caffeine, this Stormtrooper espresso mug set will set anyone’s morning on fire. Whether you’re surprising rebellions at work, or trying to fight off interstellar advances at home, these double-walled ceramic cups are based on the original molds of the Stormtrooper helmets from 1977.

Monopoly Star Wars 40th Anniversary Edition – Buy Now

star wars boardgame — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Relive the Star Wars story on your own board game journey. This special edition Monopoly game is a collectible for ultra fans. Unfortunately, there’s no space technology laser to expedite the game — it’s still just as long.

Onnit Star Wars Fitness Gear – $65-$200

star wars fitness gear onit — Image used with permission by copyright holder

These are great for the the gym rats looking to bring the Force to their workout regime. Onnit’s Star Wars collection features everything from yoga mats to slam balls to three sizes of kettle bells to help you reach the next level in Jedi training.

Philips Norelco Star Wars Trimmers – Buy Now

Philips Norelco Star Wars Trimmers — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Achieving a beard that’s out of this world isn’t an easy task, but it just got easier. Philips Norelco’s stubble-slashing lightsabers mirror different characters from both the Empire and the Rebel Alliance, including the high-powered and destructive First Order-inspired SW9700 ($200), Poe Dameron’s wet or dry shaving X-wing fighter SW6700 ($120), and an R2-D2 SW3700 trimmer ($40).

Burned By Design Grills – Pricing up request

star wars stove — Burned By Design Grills/Facebook Image used with permission by copyright holder

We’ve covered the Burned By Design Star Wars grills in the past because they’re the perfect gift for any Star Wars aficionado who also likes to spend a lot of time grilling meat. BBD will accept requests for existing designs, including the classic Darth Vader helmet, as well as consider new commissions for a themed grill you may fancy. Unfortunately the Death Star grill is sold out once again, but it’s a great grab if you’re looking for something for a future present.

Bryan Holt is a writer, editor, designer, and multimedia storyteller based in Portland, Oregon. He is a graduate from the… Read Full Bio

The Manual Library: 10 action franchises to pass the cold weekends

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Guys need to read more. Every time I start doomscrolling on TikTok or Instagram, the BookTok world is almost exclusively curated for women. That is why we need to start pushing our love for the bang-bang shoot-’em-ups. The debonair spy. The man on his own, cut off from all help, with only his skills and his wits to help him overcome the obstacles between him and his mission. As men, we love these escapes from the mundane lives and diving into the hero fantasy we all have. When women talk about the mental load they carry every day, men are usually creating our own mental load with safety and security: “What would I do if someone attacked from here? Or there?” Really, what we’re asking is, “What would Jason Bourne do?”

I tend to live in this place in my head when I need to escape from the world, but it is more fun to read about it. As the weather begins to turn and our evenings and weekends are colder and darker, we need something to occupy our time to get us from now until we can escape to the great outdoors in the spring. Here are some action and adventure book recommendations to get your heart going and quench that hero fantasy without doing anything dangerous.

5 lessons the military teaches you that you don’t learn in school

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This is not a knock on public school. I went to public school. I liked public school. There is a system of life training built into the social fabric of school where we learn a lot about ourselves and the lives we are about to live. But the truth is we don’t learn a lot about life from the actual curriculum in the classroom. We learn that Paul Revere rode through the streets to alarm everyone that the British were coming. We learned that A squared plus B squared equals C squared. We even learned what an electron is. But there are precious little practical life lessons you can take with you. For me, I picked a lot of those through movies (a lot of parents are shaking their heads right now, but don’t knock it completely; there is a lot you can learn from movie perspectives) and my time in the United States Army.

The military teaches you a ton of practical life skills that will elevate your life when applied to your day-to-day. Here are five of them with a couple bonuses at the end.

Coffee is for closers: How Blake from Glengarry Glen Ross’s iconic scene teaches you more than sales

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There are moments in movies that stand the test of time. They are the first thing we think of when someone uses a turn of phrase or references something that sends your brain down the rabbit hole of movie quotes. These become cultural stalwarts and embed themselves into the very collective consciousness of our society. Some become known for certain industries. Wanna know what law enforcement is like? Check out Training Day or End of Watch. Wanna know what being a firefighter is like? Press play on Backdraft. How about military life? Full Metal Jacket, Jarhead, or Officer and a Gentleman. Want realism? Don’t watch any of them. But what about sales? There are a dozen movies that can teach you how to sell. Boiler Room. The Wolf of Wall Street. But none of them are as iconic as Glengarry Glen Ross. In fact, one scene in that movie every salesman should watch. Blake’s 8-minute tongue-lashing at the office underachievers.

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