15 Christmas Gift Ideas For The Movie Lover On Your List

Do you need a Christmas present for the movie lover on your list? With the holidays just around the corner, finding that perfect gift may be a challenge. But it's not impossible. All you need are a few clever ideas.

Movie nights are one of life's simple pleasures -- cozy, enjoyable, entertaining time spent with family and friends. Movie events are even more special for film lovers and movie buffs, because they feed a passion that never fades.

Whether your film lover favors adventure thrills, sidesplitting laughter, sentimental tears, or nail-biting suspense, you're sure to find the ideal gift with a little effort and forethought. Here are 15 gift ideas to get you started.

Movies on DVD and Blu-ray disc are popular Christmas presents. And why not? The right movie can provide great entertainment during the holiday season, throughout the year, and for years to come.

Whether you select an older release from the discount bin in a big-box store, or purchase a blockbuster hit at full price online, movies are an inexpensive way to say "Merry Christmas!"

For most people, DVDs are the way to go. Blu-ray versions are great for fans with the technology to play the discs. Some movies are still available in VHS format, although they are harder to find. Many classic movies are available only on videotape.

What are the most popular movie choices for Christmas 2011? According to Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, the current best sellers are Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 2), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Captain America: The First Avenger, and Cars 2.

Movie theater tickets or gift certificates are perfect for any occasion, and they are especially appreciated at Christmas time. What better way to escape the winter cold, not to mention the bustling city streets and shopping malls, than an afternoon matinee?

Spread some holiday cheer with theater gift cards, Fandango Bucks, or tickets from your local theater. Gift cards, certificates, and tickets can be personalized for the recipient.

For many families, watching movies together is one of the most enjoyable holiday activities. For those who enjoy movies at home, movie rental gift cards are just the ticket.

Blockbuster offers gift cards, digital gift cards, and gift subscriptions for movie rentals in-store and online. The gift cards can even be used for on-demand rentals and purchases.

Local movie rental stores may also sell gift cards. And don't forget to include suggestions for great holiday movies. Need some ideas? Check out these classics:

• The Best Classic Christmas Movies Of All Time -- A Baker's Dozen
• Nine Lesser Known Classic Christmas Movies From The 1940s.

A Netflix subscription is another Christmas gift idea for movie fans. Subscribers can watch unlimited movies through any device that streams from Netflix -- Xbox 360, PS3, or Wii. Netflix streams the movies over the Internet to a television screen, through one of these devices.

Viewers can watch any movie they want, whenever they want, and as often as they want. A subscription costs $7.99 a month, and gift subscriptions are available from one month to one year.

Why not a gift that keeps on giving? Amazing Clubs and Flying Noodle are gourmet "gift of the month" clubs. Movie lovers will enjoy receiving one of two gifts tailored just for them -- the "Dinner and a Movie" club or the "Movie of the Month" club.

The "Dinner and a Movie" club delivers a savory pasta dinner each month, along with gourmet popcorn and a Blockbuster movie rental card. The "Movie of the Month" club features gourmet popcorn, seasonings, movie candies, and a Blockbuster gift card.

Most "gift of the month" clubs offers 3-, 6-, and 12- month options, as well as seasonal clubs with spring, summer, fall, and winter selections.

Is your movie lover always on-the-go? Consider a Christmas gift that can go along -- a portable DVD player.

While modern smartphones serve as de facto media players, many film buffs would appreciate having their own personal movie player.

Portable DVD players are perfect for air travelers or back-seat passengers on a long road trip. The best models feature a long-life battery and LCD display for clear, widescreen viewing.

Is your film lover ready to upgrade to a new movie format? A Blu-ray disc player is an ideal choice this Christmas.

Blu-ray disc technology supersedes that of DVDs. Blu-ray discs are the same size as DVDs and CDs (and they look the same, too), but they have a greater storage capacity.

This translates into high-quality images with more details, better contrast, and richer colors.

Is your movie buff using the computer to its full viewing capacity? With more websites offering films for download, the Internet may be the perfect place to find that cinematic gem -- a foreign film, a forgotten classic, or an obscure movie that can't be found anywhere else.

With the click of a mouse (and a nominal fee), people can now view entire movies on their computer screen. Since most films are best viewed in their original widescreen format, a widescreen computer monitor is another good gift option.

Movies and games, games and movies -- they just fit together. Many of today's popular films are based on video or board games, or on the memories of our favorite childhood games and toys. On the flip side, a number of board games are based on films or movie characters.

Board games make great Christmas gifts for fans of all ages. Trivia games like "Movie Mania" challenge serious film buffs, while casual games like "Pass The Popcorn!" entertain even passive movie goers. "Scene It!" is an interactive board game that uses a DVD.

Some games are cheesy movie tie-ins. Others build on a film's theme or characters to enhance the movie-viewing experience. Toy stores, discount stores, specialty shops, and online retailers offer countless movie-related game options.

Think outside the box office this year, and surprise your film lover with a movie action figure. Chances are, fans who are really into a film already own the disc. But movie toys are fun novelties, and they add color and whimsy to a home office or workspace.

A good thing about movie-related memorabilia is their wide price range. While high-end collectibles can cost hundreds of dollars, many popular action figures sell for less than $20 at a discount or toy store.

Of course, you are not limited to blockbuster action films. You can find something special for fans of cult movies and Hollywood classics, too. You just have to look a little harder. Think specialty stores, online retailers, comic book shops, vintage or thrift stores, and mall kiosks.

A movie trivia book is another good choice for film buffs. Trivia books allow fans to test their movie knowledge while they rediscover their favorite films.

Trivia books are fun to read alone, or as a question-and-answer quiz with friends. They tease the brain with challenging questions about movie stars, directors, movie lines, famous scenes, and more.

Most bookstores and online book retailers sell trivia books. You can find them for a variety of movies (like Gone With The Wind) and film genres (such as classic films or horror flicks).

Movie posters are great gift ideas for film lovers and memorabilia collectors. Less traditional than DVDs and books, movie posters provide fans with lasting enjoyment.

Vintage posters are often good investments. If stored properly, their value will increase over time. The Internet is the best place to look for vintage posters. You can find new posters and prints in poster shops, art galleries, and bookstores.

Has your movie lover "been there, watched that?" Give them the t-shirt!

Surf the web and you will find countless movie t-shirts for sale. IMDTees, for example, stocks t-shirts for nearly 200 films in six different genres. Specialty stores and mall kiosks are also good places to find movie tees.

For fans that already have everything else associated with a particular film, say "Merry Christmas" with the t-shirt.

Movie lovers don't have to leave home for a movie theater experience. Gift baskets filled with movies, popcorn, and theater candy add the perfect touch to a movie night at home.

Order a gift basket online, or create one of your own. Start with a basket or colorful bowl. Insert a gift-wrapped DVD or a movie rental gift card. Add a box of microwave popcorn and a couple of candy bars. Decorate the basket with festive holiday wrap.

Like movie night gift baskets, gourmet popcorn tins make nice Christmas gifts, too. They are available in a variety of sizes, flavors, and decorative designs.

The Popcorn Factory specialized in gourmet popcorn, from small personalized tins to large towers with premium assortments. Most supermarkets and discount stores sell inexpensive holiday-themed tins during the Christmas season.

© Annette Smith. All rights reserved.

• CNET Staff. (2011) "Blu-ray Vs. DVD." CNET Reviews. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
• Kiefer, Kate. (November 17, 2009). "Paste's Holiday Gift Guide For Film Buffs." Paste Magazine. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
• Lammers, Tim. (n.d.) "Gifts For Movie Lovers Go Beyond DVDs." ABC News: The Denver Channel. Retrieved November 7, 2011.

If you enjoyed reading this article about Christmas gifts for movie lovers, please leave a comment below and tell us what you liked about it. Then share the article with your family and friends.

To read more from this HubPages author, see her profile page for the latest, hottest, and best. Or join HubPages to publish your own material. It's fun, it's FREE, and you can even earn money along the way.