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The Ultimate Deadhead Gift Guide

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The Deadhead fandom lives on, if not in an intergenerational obsession with the iconic rock band but in ongoing collaborations and products that celebrate their legacy.

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The newest Grateful Dead merch on the lineup is a new limited-edition cooler from Igloo, donning colorful Dancing Bears. The Little Playmate cooler is the latest product added to the company’s Grateful Dead collection, which includes insulating backpacks and tumblers outfitted in Grateful Dead imagery.

The band’s iconic dancing bears also march across luxurious Nixon watches and atop Hedley & Bennett aprons, while their famous skull-and-roses imagery is splashed across everything from luxe sweaters to fine china.

Here are the best, most unique Grateful Dead merch to gift the Deadheads in your life this year.

Pact Wharf Rat Tee

Courtesy of Pact
Courtesy of Pact

A subtle tie-dye look for the fan who doesn’t need all eyes on them. The “Wharf Rat” tee is made of GOTS certified organic cotton and comes in all sizes from small to extra-large. The style is also available as a cute little muscle tank as well.

BUY NOW: $58

Igloo Cooler

Courtesy of Igloo
Courtesy of Igloo

Keep your whole 2022 hippie vibe flowing all the way to the beach or the park with this cute Igloo collab. The vintage-styled coolers have returned with a playful dancing bear in a gorgeous turquoise blue, surrounded by the band’s signature tie-dye.

BUY NOW: $44.99

Grateful Dead Nixon Timepiece (30% Off)

Courtesy of Nixon
Courtesy of Nixon

While most Deadheads are content rocking their Birks year-round (we don’t blame them!),  you can’t go wrong with helping them add some elegance to their style. This brand new Sentry Chrono from Nixon is the perfect choice, marrying technical functionality and Grateful Dead style in a rugged timepiece. Three 3D Steal Your Face subdials are individually applied to the custom etched psychedelic texture on the face to create a six-hand chronograph enclosed in a 42mm case. Plus, the custom stainless steel band can be swapped out for its embossed leather counterpart in a snap to unleash a new look. Here, check out more watches from the Nixon x Grateful Dead collection.

BUY NOW: $42 $475

Keen Together x Garcia Mask

Courtesy of Keen Footwear
Courtesy of Keen Footwear

Mask up in tie-dye with this artistic Grateful Dead-inspired face mask. Check out more of the best Hollywood-loved face masks to prevent yourself this winter here.

BUY NOW: $20

Jerry Garcia Funko Pop

Courtesy of Amazon
Courtesy of Amazon

Jerry Garcia is the definition of cool even in Funko Pop form, which sees the famous rocker in his classic aviator sunnies and electric guitar.

BUY NOW: $97.00

Grateful Dead in Concert, 1966 Print Poster

Courtesy of Art.com
Courtesy of Art.com

Your gallery wall will get a vibrant, psychedelic edge with this stylistic poster from one of the band’s many 1966 concerts.

BUY NOW: $22 $18.70

Grateful Dead Truffle Collection (20% Off)

Courtesy of Vosges Chocolate
Courtesy of Vosges Chocolate

Go on tour with the iconic ’60s band…through chocolate. Vosges Haut-Chocolat, famous nationwide for their truffles, have made a special 16-piece package for Deadheads, with each candy inspired by a specific Grateful Dead album or show. From the Yeah Dave, made with ceylon cinnamon and ancho chili powder, to the Dusty Delilah, packed with reishi mushrooms, rum tincture and coconut, the bundle has a diverse range of offerings for every type of Deadhead and sweet tooth.

BUY NOW: $60

Steal Your Face Backpack (23% Off)

Courtesy of Igloo
Courtesy of Igloo

This special Daytripper Backpack from Igloo will make the perfect companion for everything from the hiking trail to the beach to an outdoor concert. Tagged with the legendary “Steal Your Face” album artwork, the limited edition backpack also features MaxCold insulation, padded straps, two divided compartments to keep items organized and even a built-in bottle opener.

BUY NOW: $64.99

Hedley & Bennett x Grateful Dead Apron (20% Off)

Courtesy of Hedley & Bennett
Courtesy of Hedley & Bennett

Dancing bears carry whisks and pans in Hedley & Bennett’s recent collaboration with the Grateful Dead, which is made up of two funky aprons inspired by the band’s psychedelic imagery. The louder option of the two features blue and purple tie dye, in addition to dancing bears holding culinary tools such as cutting knives and whisks. Both aprons are made out of 90% Cotton, 8% Polyester, 2% Spandex. Plus, you can personalize the gift by adding custom embroidered letters on the right chest for an additional $15.

BUY NOW: $105 $84

Grateful Dead Tie-Dye Playing Cards (48% Off)

Courtesy of Amazon
Courtesy of Amazon

These make the best addition to any camping trip or long car ride. The full pack comes with different funky images, all featuring the band’s classic skull imagery and tie-dye patterns.

Grateful Dead Playing Cards $19.19 $9.98

Slowtide Blanket

Courtesy of Slowtide
Courtesy of Slowtide

Started by three friends, Slowtide creates comfort for outdoor hangouts. The brands whole vibe is basically creating various blankets and towels to keep your beach hangs both comfortable and stylish. You’ll spot their towels at trendy places including the Los Angeles, Portland and Palm Springs Ace Hotels. However, it’s their recent Grateful Dead collaboration that keeps selling out. This line includes over 12 different Grateful Dead-inspired blankets, towels and robes. There’s also a little California quick-dry towel and this white “Truckin” towel.

Fillmore Blanket $145

 

Grateful Dead Warner Bros. Studio Albums Vinyl Box Set

Courtesy of Amazon
Courtesy of Amazon

In the period of four years (1967 to 1970), Grateful Dead put out five studio albums (and one live album) that would establish their jam band ethos. That collection has been bundled together in a vinyl box set and includes the albums: “The Grateful Dead,” “Anthem Of The Sun,” “Aoxomoxoa,” “Workingman’s Dead” and “American Beauty.” If you’re just looking for one, simple Dead album to add to your collection, we recommend “Aoxomoxoa.” “American Beauty” is by far and away their most popular studio album, but the “St. Stephen” track on Aoxomoxoa will literally change your life. If you’re looking for a live vinyl, we normally don’t plug “best” albums but this live compilation from ’69 to ’77 is pretty great.

BUY NOW:

Guitar Strap

Courtesy of Amazon
Courtesy of Amazon

If you’re a true deadhead, it’s time to represent on your guitar while you slowly pick through the opening of “Uncle John’s Band.” If you’re looking for something a little less dancing bear, we love this steal your face strap with the bands name printed across. And while you’re at it, pick up a few guitar picks as well. 

Grateful Dead Guitar Strap $25.77

Stickers

Courtesy of Amazon
Courtesy of Amazon

Let’s not even pretend for a second that you’re not into stickers. If you’ve made it this far in the “Best Grateful Dead Merchandise” list, you definitely have a steal your face sticker on something or another in your life. What’s a few more?

BUY NOW: $8.99

 

Tubbs Frontier Snowshoe

Courtesy of Backcountry
Courtesy of Backcountry

If you’re not going to go the traditional snowshoe route, then best to lean all the way in and go full deadhead snow bunny. This collaboration between the Dead and Tubbs is using the best-selling model from their whole snowshoe line. The limited edition shoes has EZ binding with a single buckle it makes getting in and out of the shoe simple.

Tubbs Grateful Dead Frontier Snowshoe $175.95

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