It wouldn’t be Christmas without some craven consumerism, so here’s my contribution to holiday magic: a bunch of ideas of gifts for reality TV fans—or for yourself—whether they love Love Is Blind, Vanderpump Rules, The Real Housewives, Survivor, RuPaul’s Drag Race, or The Great British Bake-Off.
I’ve updated this list for 2023, adding some really fun new things. I also confirmed that, as of this update, everything is in stock.
How I chose these items
Everything on this list was hand-picked by me; they’re not ads (though ads may appear on this page to make things confusing!).
I own some of these, but not all, so YMMV. Most are not products that have appeared on reality shows, such as Shark Tank products, but are instead are reality TV-themed items.
Some are ironic; some are iconic. And most of them can be at your doorstep quickly, thanks to the magic of quick, free shipping and all the people who are suffering to make that possible.
I’ll keep updating this list, so check back—or send me suggestions! And if you end up buying anything I’m recommending here, you’ll get the thing and, in some cases, I may receive a small commission, so we all win. Happy shopping!
Reality TV show gift ideas
We've made it to the end of 2023, the year that brought us the earth-shattering Scandoval, when Tom Sandoval's infidelity was exposed. Mark the occasion with this sweatshirt, which will also help Bravo make even more money off of the Vanderpump Rules crew.
Not from Bravo is this delightful Christmas ornament that says "Merry Christmas to everyone except Tom Sandoval"
Love is Blind’s iconic wine glasses are made by VonShef, and while the actual wine glasses aren't on Amazon now, you can get similar knock-off gold wine glasses—or get them in other colors, such as silver or rose.
And don't worry about not being perfectly authentic: you'll be just like the show! Zing!
There's a t-shirt for fans of Dr. Pimple Popper, but I say just do it yourself: Pop-It Pal, which was on Shark Tank, allows you to squeeze and pop fake pimples without hurting yourself or another person.
If you'd prefer pulling out blackheads with tweezers, try this fake ear.
So many of Survivor’s challenges end with a puzzle—and now you can try them at home, even if you don't have your own 3D printer!
A reader pointed out two shops that sell them: VexzlePuzzles and OutplayPuzzles, which also has Big Brother puzzles.
Note: None of the puzzles come with a middle-aged man to yell at you while you complete them, alas.
From the author of The Best of Housewives Coloring Book comes Hello Harlot, an entire website full of hilarious cards and other merch inspired by pop culture, including great moments in Bravo reality TV history.
That includes this card ("Please don't let it be about Tom... ...it's about Tom") and others, such as "Happy Birthday, You Prostitution Whore" and "Condragulations"
Whether you need stocking stuffers or have a friend who loves RuPaul's Drag Race and loves to cover things in stickers, try these 100 stickers for under $6.
You can also get phrases from Drag Race as stickers.
Whether you want to announce your obsession with Bravo shows or allow your friends to wipe their feet on Bravo, doormat will make it possible.
If you decide to stop watching TV and invite people inside, you could also serve them wine in your own custom Real Housewives of (your city name) wine tumblers or liquor in your Watch What Happens Live shot glasses and ski.
I cannot recommend these escape room games enough! Whether you're a fan of The Mole’s challenges, love escape rooms, or want to host your own reality TV game night, they're so much fun to play—and take about an hour.
This brand, Unlock!, works with a free app, which provides background noise and sound effects, plus in-app clues. Although you're just using cards to play, it's surprisingly immersive.
There are three games in one box—plus, the games are reusable (unlike this brand, which basically requires you to destroy the game as you play), so you can pass it along to friends after you've played.
Know someone who needs to vote someone out? Get them the perfect pen to write down that person's name: a replica of the one used on Survivor.
While it looks like wood, it's made of "ultra durable plastic, that gives the appearance of wood."
Amazing Race creator Elise Doginieri has gathered locations from the series 34-season history, and paired that with behind-the-scenes info. It's perfect for the person you want to go on TAR with, or your favorite travel companion.
If you prefer reading about The Bachelor, there’s Amy Kaufman’s terrific behind-the-scenes book: Bachelor Nation: Inside the World of America’s Favorite Guilty Pleasure.
But if you’d rather draw your own windmill scene, well, there are other options. I can’t vouch for the experience of actually coloring images of “your favorite shocking moments in Bachelor history,” but The Bachelor Unofficial Coloring Book had me at its subtitle: “The Most Dramatic Coloring Book EVER!”
Its author, Jenine Zimmers, has also created Survivor and Big Brother versions. and now offers trivia books (which you can win below!):
I'm not sure these are practical, or the best way to communicate your love of Below Deck, but you and/or the gift recipient will have the satisfaction of knowing you're a true fan. Also available in 90 Day Fiance.
Yes, you can actually buy the golden power of veto. It's made of "metal alloy" and is "approximately 8.5" in diameter," so it's not just a tiny charm.
Who will you give immunity to? Or will you keep it for yourself?
Earlier this year, I published an excerpt from Brian Moylan's book that focused on how produced The Real Housewives shows are behind the scenes.
The actual book is a perfect gift for those in your life who also like the Housewives—or just want to know more about how reality TV. Or buy it for yourself!
I still miss Holey Moley, and while only its winner get its jacket, you can buy a t-shirt that looks like the jackets worn by commentators Rob Riggle and Joe Tessitore.
Or just get an "I Miss Uranus" coffee mug.
From the visionary creators of Bic for Her (a dumb product with absolutely hilarious Amazon reviews) come these temporary tattoo markers, which come with helpful stencils.
You can play Ink Master in your own house, and not have to worry about regret, other than giving the creators of Bic for Her your money.
Yes, this is a real thing: Kim Kardashian Air Freshener (Tears Scented).
I don’t know what tears smell like, and I also don’t know if this is funny or cruel, but it surely belongs in every car.
Troy DeVolld is a longtime reality TV producer and friend of the site, who’s offered insight in these pages about reality TV producer credits and the first reality TV awards ceremony.
In his book, Reality TV: An Insider’s Guide to TV’s Hottest Market, Troy breaks down production of shows and the industry itself, including how to break in either by creating shows or working on them.
If you want to find your way into reality TV, this should be your first step.
The Masked Singer’s performers wear "don't talk to me" shirts to ensure that, when they're on set, their identity won't be accidentally revealed.
These are perfect for a Masked Singer fan—or for your favorite introvert!
If you have to bring something to a holiday family gatherings, why not get some guidance from everyone’s favorite Great British Bake-Off judge, Mary Berry,
You can also show up in a mask as Mary Berry or Paul Hollywood, though both appear to be out of stock.
This isn’t an official America’s Got Talent product, but who cares because it looks vaguely like the golden buzzer—and even better, you can record your own 30-second message for the buzzer to say when pressed.
There are other colors if you’d rather not send someone straight through to the final round with a press of a button.
Before television came over the Internet and cell phone signals, there were DVDs, and you can still get a hard copy of one of the best unscripted shows of the past 20 years: Manor House.
It was an experiment in which an ordinary family lived as if they were on Downton Abbey, though this series predated that scripted show by many years. Other people became the family’s servants, and the results were both educational and entertaining.
If the Ancient Aliens fan in your life just can’t get enough of the evidence of alien existence from the show, and they also like to read, Ancient Aliens: The Official Companion Book promises “exciting insights and behind-the scenes stories from the show’s creators and leading experts in ancient alien theory.”
It also says it “explores the key questions at the heart of the series: Who were they? Why did they come? What did they leave behind? Where did they go? Will they return?”
Good questions! If they do return, they’ll clearly view this book as a sign of someone friendly.
Whether you want to read about reality TV shows or read books written by those reality TV stars who know how to write, there are lots of options!
As a bonus, you can help support small booksellers by buying through Bookshop.org.
So, yeah, this one’s a cheat. I’m not an objective observer, but I’m still in love with reality blurred‘s dancing fire logo.
If you want to know the story behind the logo, you can read this, or just get a t-shirt with the logo, in any color or style you'd like! (That includes sweatshirts, hoodies, tank tops, and long-sleeved tees.)
I also offer clothing options with the full reality blurred nameplate, should you want to broadcast your love for your favorite reality TV website.
This story was updated Nov. 26, 2023, with new items.
Cindy Lemm
Wednesday 30th of November 2022
Andy-I would love to read an interview with Mike White if you haven’t done one yet. I thought he was a great Survivor player and now I am loving the White lotus and everything about it. The music, the casting, his writing/directing. Thanks!