Awesome Gifts for Couch Potatoes and TV Lovers

The term couch potato used to conjure images of slovenly, middle-aged dads with an unkempt appearance and vacant eyes. Thanks to much-improved content and a multitude of ways to get a TV fix, the average couch potato is much more likely to be the person you live with, work with, or see in the mirror. Given the staggering amount of time Americans spend watching TV these days, chances are you have a fairly serious binge-watcher in your life, too. Here are gifts ideas for them — yep, even for couch potato dads — that might get them to tear their eyes away from the screen long enough to say "thank you."

Prices and availability are subject to change. 

Related: Awesome Gift Ideas Under $250

$20 from Pinch Provisions
Shop Now

This 18-piece kit contains a snack clip, comfy socks, face- and hand-cleansing towelettes, sporks, and — somewhat disconcertingly — a stain remover and breath drops (guess slovenly is still a thing, after all). The truly committed, however, will also appreciate the sofa yoga guide and a two-sided coin to help decide: "one more" or "go to bed."

Related: 25 Gifts Under $25 for Food Lovers

$12 from Amazon
Shop Now

Who wants to walk away from the big game to grab another beer? No one. This sleeve holds six cans, has a much less bulky design than most coolers, and will keep your favorite couch potato from yelling, "Can someone bring me a beer?"

For more great gift guides and holiday shopping tips, please sign up for our free newsletters.

$16 from Amazon
Shop Now

Every man needs a T-shirt that says, "I'll be in front of the TV today if you need me." Behold this comfy, 100% cotton tee available in five colors and in versions for women and kids, as well.

Related: Stuck for a Gift? Check Out These Hilarious T-Shirts

$20 from Target
Shop Now

A classic game gets a modern twist with Pictionary Air. Draw "pictures" in the air with the special pen, and they'll appear on a smart device or connected TV. Performances can even be recorded and saved with the Pictionary Air app.

$15 from Amazon
Shop Now

Fill this silicone popper with packages of microwave popcorn, boxes of their favorite candy, and finish it off with a couple cans of their favorite beverage to wash it all down. As a bonus, add a gift card to their favorite movie streaming service.

Related: Gifts for Couples That'll Make Them Both Happy

$19 from Amazon
Shop Now

Sometimes you have to say goodbye to highbrow 21st-century fare and kick it old-school with one of the funniest ladies of all time. This set features 16 of the greatest episodes of "I Love Lucy." Customers complain of one downside: no "play all" function.

Related: Christmas Gifts Under $25 for Grandma and Grandpa

$10 from Amazon

Shop Now

These super-soft socks will keep the feet of any wine-loving lady warm and cozy as she curls up on the couch (and let someone nearby know when she needs a refill). They come in cute cupcake-like gift packaging. 

$10 from Amazon
Shop Now

Manicures and pedicures are actually an excellent use of multitasking time while bingeing certain shows, especially ones you really watch only for the final reveal (what's up, HGTV!). This six-piece kit lets you attend to your digits, and keeps everything in a tube branded in a design reminiscent of the Netflix logo. Clever.

$15 and up from Uncommon Goods
Shop Now

These days, no one just watches TV. We check our Instagram, surf sites with insight into our favorite shows, and — as mentioned — groom ourselves. So we need a little something in which to store our phones, tablets, and other assorted items. This gray felt pouch, available in regular and large sizes, is just the thing, and stylish as well.

$10 from Wick and Fable
Shop Now

Not everyone binges shows — many of us marathon movie franchises, and "Harry Potter" is, of course, one of the most-watched of all time. Here's a Hogwarts candle that will not only appeal to the Potterhead in your life, but sweeten their air (which might be a good thing if they're on No. 8 in a no-breaks binge sesh). Wick and Fable has scents available for many other shows and movies, too.

Related: The Most Magical Harry Potter Gifts for True Potterheads

$9 from Etsy
Shop Now

For the TV fan who also loves to accessorize, there's this adorable gift depicting an anthropomorphized vintage TV that's just happy you're spending so much time with it.

$26 from Amazon
Shop Now

Give your favorite dedicated TV watcher an otherworldly glow or a romantic radiance with this LED light kit, which includes 120 light settings and other features, a remote control, and app control.

$20 from Uncommon Goods
Shop Now

We all have those people in our lives: When they're not actually watching TV, they like to talk about all the shows and movies everyone else should be watching. Channel all that condescending superiority into this game, and make sure you're on their team.

$14 from Amazon
Shop Now

For the documentary enthusiast in your life comes this book — inspired by the king of docs — "stuffed full of fun, subtly educational activities."

$45 from The Adventure Challenge

Shop Now

If you're trying to get your favorite couch potato to be a bit more (inter)active, these books contain 50 scratch-off suggestions for fun bonding "adventures" with spouses, partners, family, and friends. Each surprise challenge comes with an estimated time commitment and cost, usually $20 or less. And each entry includes a place to include a photo and notes, so books become cherished keepsakes even after the adventures are long-completed. There's also a version for solo adventures, a "naughty" edition, and bundles that include an instant camera.

Related: Fun Gifts for the Entire Family

$60 from Calm Down Caren
Shop Now

For a show that ended more than 25 years ago, Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia still reign supreme in pop culture, and this set of four candles is one of the more unique GG-themed gifts we've seen out there.

Related: Best Friend Gifts Perfect for Your Sister From Another Mister

$16 from Amazon
Shop Now

These might make more of a gag gift, but we're betting they'll at least try using them. Through a periscope design, these let your TV watcher lie flat on his or her back in bed and still take in their shows. (Bonus: They can also be used for reading.)

Related: Fun Gag Gifts for the Prankster in Your Life

$18 from Amazon
Shop Now

If you know someone eager to dig into the real-life history behind "The Crown" (it is fictionalized a bit, people), consider one of the show's companion books. In addition to expanding on the story behind seasons 2 and 3, this second installment also features archival photographs. Volume 1 is available, too.

Related: Best Gifts for Fans of "The Crown"

$32 from Amazon
Shop Now 

Fans of the "Golden Girls" might be surprised to know that the show was originally going to be called "Miami Nice." Or that Bea Arthur had to be persuaded to join the cast. Or that, for one episode, the girls had a gay housekeeper. Here's an in-depth look at how "Golden Girls" came to be a cultural touchstone with this loving history, which includes interviews with Arthur and Rue McClanahan, plus tributes to the girls from Harvey Fierstein, Lance Bass, and other celebs.

Related: Best Gifts for Fans of the "Golden Girls"

$10 from Amazon
Shop Now

Dude, everyone loves movie popcorn! These containers would make a great base for a movie gift basket that can be filled with all the goodies a couch potato could ask for. Set of four.

$99/year from Criterion Channel
Shop Now

Since 1984, the Criterion Collection has been preserving, restoring, and promoting the best of world cinema, from German silent-era classics to modern Hollywood masterpieces, to say nothing of works by leading filmmakers from Iran, Japan, Russia, India, and beyond. For folks who love subtitles, a subscription is a must.

$26 from Amazon
Shop Now

If you're buying for a movie buff, this interactive poster features 100 of the most memorable movies in history. He can scratch off spaces with a coin just like a lottery ticket to reveal art from each movie.

Related: Best Gifts for Movie Buffs

$15 from Etsy
Shop Now

Is your marathon TV watcher bingeing a show that makes them feel, oh, a bit sad or homicidal? ("Handmaid's Tale," we're looking at you.) You can buy them this spoon and still have money to spare for a gallon of comforting ice cream.

Related: 16 Items That Kept Us Going During the Pandemic

$25 from Amazon
Shop Now

Cut the cord for good with this half-price deal on Amazon's streaming media stick that allows you to watch Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO, and more. With Alexa voice-control functionality, you can also use it to check the weather, dim lights, stream music, and so on. Looking for something a little cheaper and without so many features?

$11 from Amazon
Shop Now

After months of staying home more often than not, many of us might be coming up empty on new shows to watch. This book by two TV critics is a great way to give suggestions your recipient might not have thought of yet.

Related: Clever and Creative Gifts for Book Lovers

$18 from Amazon
Shop Now

This anti-slip armrest organizer comes in a bunch of colors and has plenty of pockets and other spaces to put stuff such as remotes, phones, magazines, glasses, etc.

$299 from Amazon

Shop Now

For the guy who has every gaming device known to mankind, there’s the latest iteration of the Oculus virtual reality gaming headset. All he needs is a Facebook account and the smartphone app to get going.

Related: Cool Gifts for Old School Gamers Who Miss the '80s

$6 and up from Etsy

Shop Now

Here's a funny gift imbued with holiday spirit, and likely one that will have him lying around the house singing (while drinking). If he's not really a koozie kind of guy, this Etsy seller also offers a bottle opener with this same graphic. 

Related: Raise a Glass to These Gifts for Beer Lovers

$50 from Amazon
Shop Now

Alfred Hitchcock is one of the greatest filmmakers of the 20th century, especially when it comes to psychological thrillers. This DVD boxed set contains 15 of his films, including “Rear Window” and “Psycho,” as well as 10 episodes of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and “The Alfred Hitchcock Hour” and bonus features including interviews, documentaries, and commentaries.

Related: Awesome Gifts for Couch Potatoes and TV Lovers

$90 from Macy’s
Shop Now

Let him get in touch with his inner Lebowski with a decent robe to throw over those duds he's been sleeping in all week. This cotton robe, available in three colors, is plush and warm for fall and winter.

$228 from Walmart

Shop Now

TCL has become a staple among the value-oriented name brands, and your couch spud would appreciate this hugely if you were to splash for this set. If you want to go even further, you could add a nice upgrade with a Roku voice-control remote.

Related: Black Friday Has Already Arrived on Amazon — See the Early Deals

$150 from Amazon
Shop Now

For pet parents who can’t pull themselves away from the TV, the Furbo lets them reward their pup or kitty without getting up from the couch.

Related: Great Gifts for Dog-Obsessed Humans

$29 from Walmart

Shop Now

This Walmart-brand soundbar is unlikely to satisfy cinema snobs, but for the rest of us, it's an unbelievably cheap upgrade for our home-viewing habits.

Related: Tech Gifts for Men Who Have Everything

$10 and up from SnackCrate
Shop Now

Make movie time that much sweeter or more savory with a sampling of treats from Germany, the Philippines, or some other faraway land? A full-size starter subscription box contains 10 to 12 snacks (half-size boxes are also available) and new shipments arrive monthly.

Related: Subscription Box Gifts That Keep the Giving Going

$79 and up from Goldbelly

Shop Now

Whether they crave deep-dish Chicago-style pizza or wafer-thin Neapolitan pies, a gift subscription from Goldbelly is sure to satisfy. Each month brings new pizza from notable pizzerias such as Gino’s East in Chicago and Table 87 in New York City. Available in three- and six-month options.

Related: 25 Snack Box Subscriptions for Every Type of Eater

$40 from Amazon
Shop Now

Let's call it wrap with this Cheapism favorite, a burrito blanket remains a trendy textile. It's 5 feet in diameter, printed on both sides, and made from soft microfiber fabric that will make the lucky sloth want to wrap up like a ... well, you know.

Related: Unusual Gifts They'll Never See Coming