The Best Gift Ideas in the Universe

You’ll notice a particular emphasis to the first half of our holiday gift picks. In honor of the beloved TV series’ 50th anniversary, here’s Space.com’s top “Star Trek” gift picks. Whether you’re a hardcore fan or a general space buff, it’s illogical not to consider these gifts and gadgets to wear, build and bobble.

Scroll through the Trek to see our general holiday picks for space fans.

Buy Pluto’s “Heart” Pendant Chain Necklace on Amazon.com.

Pluto may be petite for a planet, but it has the biggest heart in the solar system! This necklace is the perfect gift for Pluto lovers and stylish space fans. Keep the “king” of the dwarf planets close to your heart with this Pluto pendant chain necklace. ($30 on Amazon)

Why we love it: Featuring real imagery taken by NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft during its 2015 Pluto flyby, the glass pendant displays an accurate depiction of the dwarf planet and its huge, heart-shaped feature known as Tombaugh Regio.

NEXT: The Best Watch for Skywatchers

Buy ASTRO Constellation Watch & Planisphere on Amazon.com.

This watch is outrageously handy for stargazing, especially for rookie skywatchers who are learning where and when to find constellations. It features a rotating planisphere that shows all of the constellations visible from the northern hemisphere. ($145 on Amazon)

Why we love it: In addition to telling time and showing positions of the constellations, the watch can tell you the azimuth and altitude of major fixed stars, nebulae and star clusters, local sidereal time, hours of astronomical twilight and some other handy tools for astronomical observing.

NEXT: To Boldly Communicate…

There was by far the most excitement here at Space.com when we got this communicator in the mail. The lifelike communicator replica connects to a phone via Bluetooth to convey real-world calls, and can also play screen-accurate “Star Trek” sounds and 20 voice clips when on display or if your friends aren’t ready to “boldly go.” And it lights up. ($150 on Amazon)

Why we love it: Created with 3D scans from the real hero prop used during filming and comes in a nice leather case — pretty cool! Check out Space.com contributor Marshall Honorof’s review over on our sister site, Tom’s Guide.

NEXT: Something luxurious.

Whether you want to wear command gold, red for operations or blue for sciences, these original-series “Star Trek” bathrobes will have you covered (while keeping you covered on the way to the shower!). There’s also a shorter red one named for Lt. Uhura. ($50-$60 on ThinkGeek)

Why we love it: Channel Kirk, Scotty, Spock and Uhura while lounging in a thick, fuzzy bathrobe. What’s not to love? Space.com’s writers didn’t seem to want to take it off.

NEXT: Pack it up

“Star Trek Panic” is a cooperative board game, based on the game “Castle Panic,” where up to six players try and defend the Enterprise from attack.

Why we love it: You build a 7-inch cardboard Enterprise, and replace its parts with destroyed versions (and add little splashes-of-fire attachments) as your team attempts to scramble from the jaws of defeat.

NEXT: A money-saving interlude

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NEXT: Hard mode

It may not look like much, but two thin sheets of metal pieces can be popped out and carefully — very carefully — bent and combined into a mantle-worthy Enterprise model. Make sure you have very, very gentle hands, and a few sets of tweezers wouldn’t hurt, either. This model is quite a challenge.

According to Space.com’s managing editor, Tariq Malik, “Metal Earth makes these super intricate models — if you like attention to detail and a lot of really intricate instructions, this is the way to go.” ($12 on Amazon)

Why we love it: The sweat, tears and possible droplets of blood make the Enterprise your own. (Or you might be really good at it, and it’s merely a fun, inexpensive model kit.)

NEXT: An object whose existence is baffling

A 24-karat gold-plated Enterprise bobs on top of a spring, the perfect unusual accent for a car’s dashboard or the top of a computer monitor. We reported on this back in June — it was an exclusive at San Diego Comic Con this year, but is available to buy online now.

Why we love it: Space.com did not understand the purpose of this bauble, but now that it’s in the office it has a strange, irresistible, glimmering allure.

NEXT: A famous scene, bouncy

This bobble head scene plays the iconic music from the “Star Trek” original series episode “Amok Time,” when Spock, in the throes of his seven-year mating cycle, fights with Kirk using traditional Vulcan weapons called Lirpas.

Why we love it: “Amok Time” made Tom’s Guide’s list of the 12 best “Star Trek” episodes, and the classic scene only gets better with oversized, bobbling heads.

NEXT: Drink up

Open up your “Star Trek” 50th anniversary beer in style with an enterprise-shaped bottle opener. It’s the perfect conversation starter to find fellow fans at a party or get-together, and even non-fans will like you because you’ll be able to open their drinks.

Why we love it: It opens bottles! And is a cool keychain!

NEXT: Top of the class

Many “Star Trek” fans were drawn into the franchise from the newest movies, but even fans from the beginning can appreciate this picture-perfect Starfleet Acacdemy replica ring from “Star Trek: Into Darkness” (2013). The ring is big, at around a size 10.5, and is a solid costume piece or conversation starter in its display box.

Why we love it: A little light shines down on the ring when you open the box. It’s awesome.

Read on for our holiday gift picks!

NEXT: Build your own Enterprise>

Trek collectors, set phasers to EPIC! This Mega Bloks model our favorite fictional starship, the U.S.S. Enterprise, warped into stores this year to mark the 50th anniversary of “Star Trek” and pays homage to the Original Series. The set warps in at a whopping 3,098 pieces and, once you have it assembled and out of dry dock, results in a massive starship that measures 33.5 inches (85 centimeters) from saucer bow to nacelle aft. The twin warp nacelles also light up to recreate the TOS Enterprise’s iconic look. Take Note: It took us nearly 12 hours over two days to assemble this Enterprise, so plan your starship build accordingly! ($239 on Amazon)

Why we love it: The TOS Starship Enterprise is the one that started it all and this Mega Bloks model includes a ton of details to do the ship justice. It also comes with Kirk and Spock figures (complete with phasers and tricorder), as well as display base. And if the Enterprise is just too big for your coffee table, Mega Bloks also has a full line of smaller TOS-themed sets to consider, including a Klingon D-7 Battle Cruiser, the Enterprise Classic Bridge (which includes nearly the entire crew), scene from the Day of the Dove, a Transporter Room and the famed Guardian of Forever.

NEXT: Formalwear for star-lovers

For the Startorialist in your life, may we suggest this battery-powered Twinkling Star Skirt that, thanks to an small battery pack, actually twinkles. You might also consider this You might also consider this Planetary Skater Skirt, which does not require a power source. ($60 on ThinkGeek)

Why we love it: Battery-powered clothing that’s also space-themed. What’s not to love?

NEXT: A timely favorite

The 2017 Year In Space calendar from Starry Messenger press comes in two versions: a large-format 16-inch by 22-inch wall calendar and a handy spiral-bound desk calendar for space fans on the go. On Amazon, the calendar is 25 percent off retail, with additional discounts available for purchases of multiple copies. ($14.95)

Why we love it: Every Year In Space calendar comes packed with spectacular space photos to enjoy and vital reminders on major spaceflight and astronomy anniversaries, as well as celestial events like planet movements or meteor showers. Map out your skywatching year!

NEXT: A dapper reminder

New Horizons raced by Pluto and its moons in July of 2015, gathering data along the way. And although the probe quickly flew past the faraway dwarf planet, the spacecraft continued to transmit the detailed measurements and photographs it took of the brief encounter until late 2016. The spacecraft certainly makes some stylish cuff links, too ($26.00).

Why we love it: The handsome design is based on NASA’s original line drawings for the probe, and would definitely be an intriguing conversation starter — whether or not people recognized the sketch.

NEXT: Bold statements

The Lynx Art Collection has dozens of science and space-themed prints for sale. There are portrait-style illustrations of science heroes like Carl Sagan, tourism-style posters for alien worlds and prints that celebrate historic moments in spaceflight history. ($17+)

Why we love it: These amazing images mix art and science, and will provide a classy, space-themed touch to any room.

NEXT: A delicate touch-down

The Pretty Little Earth shop on Etsy features laser-cut wood jewelry and accessories. We’re drooling over this moon lander necklace and the space shuttle cufflinks, and there are plenty of other space-themed items to choose from. (Necklace is under $17)

Why we love it: Creating space-related accessories from wood makes for a unique aesthetic.

NEXT: Stride in galactic style

These out-of-this-world sneakers are decorated with a colorful cosmic print, and there are 19 galactic color combinations to choose from. The online provider For U Design offers various types of shoes decorated with space patterns, plus other galaxy-themed items. ($33 on Amazon)

Why we love it: These shoes let their wearers proclaim a love of space every time they step out the door.

NEXT: A pop-culture must

Around this time last year, the world was first introduced to Rei, Finn, Poe and the adorable BB-8 in the highly-anticipated “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Now, build up your collection of the full set or relive their quest across the galaxy in time for this winter’s movie, which will jump back in time to show how a band of rebels stole the plans to the Death Star. ($25 on Amazon)

Why we love it: As we said in a previous gift guide, look around: Statistically, at least one in five people in your vicinity may not have seen any “Star Wars” movies. To fix that, the Force is with you.

NEXT: A crew’s very bad day

Based on the rapidly-growing series of books, this space opera on Syfy channel is where they’ve been putting their special effects budget. The show offers action, political intrigue and a solar-system-wide conspiracy that threatens to send Earth, Mars and the Asteroid Belt spiraling into war. Space.com talked with the book’s authors here about science and effects on the show, which they were heavily involved in, here ($24 on Amazon).

Why we love it: Catch up just in time for Season 2, slated for early 2017. And the books are coming out every year or so, so there’s no chance the show will overtake them and have to introduce needless side plots!

NEXT: An astronaut’s wild ride

In his new book “Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe,” (Crown Archetype, 2016) NASA astronaut Mike Massimino traces the path he took to space: from weak-eyed kid obsessed with baseball to joining the team of astronauts that serviced the Hubble Space Telescope.

Why we love it: Massimino is a natural storyteller, and the narrative conveys the utter wonder of space, the connectedness of the space community and what it’s like to become an astronaut.