The Definitive 2019 Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Holiday Gift Guide

With interest in Mister Rogers at the highest it's been in years, there will no doubt be some Neighborhood gifts given this holiday season. But there's just so much out there! Where does a person even begin? In hopes of easing your burden, here is the Definitive Mister Rogers Gift Guide for 2019!

As the definitive source for all things Mister Rogers, I have chosen my favorite items among the many new books, memorabilia, and ephemera that have hit the market this fall. If it's older items you're looking for, I certainly encourage you to check out the Neighborhood Archive site itself where you're sure to find more gift options than you ever knew existed!

Right off the bat, let me throw out three resources for amazing gifts too numerous to list here! Steel City, Papersalt, and Little Shop of Pins have definitely been the leaders when it comes to the best Neighborhood merchandise made available throughout 2019! Hands down!

Through their respective online stores, you'll find options to purchase everything from amazing t-shirts and hats to creative enamel pins and high quality stickers! I can't begin to describe the amount of marvelous products you'll have to choose from by way of these three stores alone! Click the logos below to check out their Neighborhood collections!

  

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GIFTS FOR KIDS

So your kids have caught on to the fact that Daniel Tiger wasn't the first to sing the words "won't you be my neighbor" and they've caught the Mister Rogers bug that seems to be going around? Some terrific new books have hit shelves this fall specifically geared towards the younger market.

• A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
  • I simply cannot recommend this book highly enough! Not only was it one of the first this year to help get this Neighborhood resurgence in full swing, the combination of Fred Rogers' song lyrics presented as poetry and the amazing artwork of Luke Flowers will not disappoint any reader -- young or old.
  • Purchase from Amazon

• Who Was Mister Rogers?
  • If my own kids are any indication of the popularity of the "Who Was...?" series of biographical books, the new title about Mister Rogers and his Neighborhood is sure to please your young reader!
  • Purchase from Amazon

• Henrietta Meets Someone New
  • You can't resist a classic. Seriously. If you grew up in the 1970s or 1980s, you probably had the original edition of this Little Golden Book on your bookshelf. Although the cover art has been slightly updated, the content of the story and the artwork inside are exactly the same as they were a few decades ago. This would be a great book to read with your children -- especially if you are able to share with them that you read this book yourself as a child!
  • Purchase from Amazon

• You Are My Friend: The Story of Mister Rogers and His Neighborhood
  
  • This is a charming book to share with the children in your life. Essentially, it is a very concise biography of Fred Rogers in a simple children's storybook format filled with beautiful illustrations. If you'd like, you can even get an audio version of the book read by Bronson Pinchot ... although he does not read it as Balki Bartokomous. Don't be ridiculous.
  • Purchase from Amazon

• Snowflake Songs
  • If kids know Mister Rogers, there's no doubt that they also know Daniel Tiger. In fact, it's more than likely that they knew Daniel first. Either way, Snowflake Songs is a great book to read (and sing) along with on a snowy winter day. The buttons on the side allow for the tunes to be played as you and your children sing along!
  • Purchase from Amazon

• Daniel Tiger Ornaments
  • It's tradition for my kids to chose a new ornament each year to add to our Christmas tree. Their choices have evolved over the years since their younger days of Dora and Elmo ornaments, but maybe your own family has a younger child and a similar tradition. You can pick up either the regular Daniel Tiger Hallmark ornament or the 2019 Hallmark Keepsake ornament for pretty reasonable prices.
  • Purchase 2019 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament from Amazon
  • Purchase Daniel Tiger Hallmark Ornament from Amazon

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FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING

• Blank Boxed Note Cards / Mister Rogers' Neighborhood: A Journal / Pocket Notebook Collection
  • Everybody needs something to write on once in a while, right? Why not help your friends and loved ones stay organized by encouraging them to get rid of their to-do lists written on scratch paper and replace them with a pocket notebook? Maybe they need something larger...like, say, a journal. With the blank cards, they could even send you a thank you card after the holidays!
  • Purchase the Blank Boxed Note Cards from Amazon
  • Purchase Mister Rogers' Neighborhood: A Journal from Amazon
  • Purchase the Pocket Notebook Collection from Amazon

  

• Cat's Meow Village
  • Do you know someone who likes cats? Do you know someone who likes cats and Mister Rogers? How about someone who likes cats, Mister Rogers, and finely handcrafted replicas of the Neighborhood of Make-Believe? Yeah? You've just found the perfect gift. These pieces can be purchased individually or as a full set to be displayed as a subtle representation of true Neighborhood appreciation.
  • Purchase from Cat's Meow Village

• 2020 Wall Calendar
  • Most calendars are kept on digital devices these days and paper calendars seem to be on the road to becoming as obsolete as a TV Guide, but there's still that space on your grandmother's wall that would be naked without a calendar. One has hung there for decades and with each new year, she takes down the old and replaces it with the new. This year, rather than letting her hang the free calendar she picked up at the bank or the one she bought for for $25 from the kid down the street raising money for his travel sports team, why not let Mister Rogers and his wisdom walk her month by month through 2020?
  • Purchase from Amazon

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SOMETHING FUN

• Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Coffee Mugs
  • Much like the market for Neighborhood socks (as you'll see later), the options when it comes to Mister Rogers coffee mugs are certainly plentiful! Of the new ones to hit shelves this fall, my favorites are probably the new color-changing options -- one black and one white. They work in the same way as the popular sweater-changing mug from a few years ago -- pour in a hot liquid and watch the mug's design change. If you're interested in the countless other mugs on the market, visit the Neighborhood Archive site for details.
  • Purchase black color-changing mug from Amazon
  • Purchase white color-changing mug from Amazon

 

• 'It's a Beautiful Day' Puzzles
  • I admit it. I like puzzles. I think they're relaxing and a good excuse to waste away a lazy afternoon every once in a while. If you've got the patience for puzzle completion and the daring nature willing to take a chance of small pieces being lost to the vacuum or family pet, there are two fun new puzzles available this holiday season -- one from Aquarius and another from Buffalo Games.
  • Purchase Aquarius puzzle on Amazon
  • Purchase Buffalo Games puzzle on Amazon

 

• Mister Rogers Talking Figurine
  • Everyone needs a small Mister Rogers figurine that talks to them, right?! Seriously, this thing is pretty fun as a push on the Neighborhood Trolley brings Fred's familiar voice to your ears with words of song and wisdom. It's sort of an updated version of the Mister Rogers In Your Pocket from several years ago.
  • Purchase on Amazon

• Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Replica Sweater
  • If you've always dreamed of following Mister Rogers' lead by coming home from work and changing into a warm sweater before settling for some time of quiet reflection, you're in luck. You can now pick up your own replica sweater designed after those worn by Fred Rogers on the Neighborhood program! Since this item has become available, I've often been asked about its quality. Is it a cheap costume piece or a quality sweater you could actually wear? I assure you friends and neighbors, this is a legit sweater -- thick and very well made.
  • Purchase on Amazon

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BOOKS

• Mister Rogers' Neighborhood: A Visual History
  • Full disclosure. Yes, I was one of the co-authors of this book, but I don't include it at the top of this list because my name is attached to it. I do so because it's awesome! Really, if you're buying a gift for someone who would appreciate an in-depth look at the history of the Neighborhood with never-before-seen photographs and first-hand interviews with cast and crew members, this is the book for you. On a side note, if you can hold off until early December, I will likely have signed copies available for purchase through the Neighborhood Archive site. That's assuming you'd want me to scribble inside your book with a Sharpie in the first place.
  • Pick up a copy directly from co-author Tim Lybarger ... He'll even personalize it and scribble his name inside! :)
  • ...or...Purchase on Amazon

• Dear Mister Rogers, Does It Ever Rain In Your Neighborhood?
  
  • This is one of the all-time great books from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood which features many innocent letters written to Mister Rogers by his young viewers. Along with these letters are Fred's thoughtful and caring responses -- a book sure to touch the heart of any parent who grew up watching the Neighborhood. Beware though ... I've heard rumblings that if you order the updated copy on Amazon, they are likely to send you the old version instead.
  • Purchase from Amazon (if you're a risk taker)

• A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Neighborly Words of Wisdom From Mister Rogers
  
  • This is a re-release of a book previously titled You Are Special: Words of Wisdom From America's Most Beloved Neighbor. Ignoring the fact that it's simply a re-titled book with the poster for A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood slapped on the cover, I've included it here for the simple reason that it now includes the full essay written by Tom Junod in 1998 for Esquire magazine. This essay, of course, is the basis for the movie's plot.
  • Purchase from Amazon

• Everything I Need To Know I Learned From Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
  • If you're looking for an affordable gift book to give this holiday season, this is exactly what you want. Filled with insightful quotes and brand new illustrations, readers will quickly realize that everything they needed to know in life, they learned before kindergarten. Apologies to Robert Fulghum.
  • Purchase from Amazon

• Exactly As You Are: The Life and Faith of Mister Rogers
  • This is a beautifully written account of Fred Rogers and his life lived as a man of God. Exactly As You Are explores the kind and loving character of Fred Rogers and examines the influence he had on those he encountered as well as his lasting legacy.
  • Purchase from Amazon

• Kindness & Wonder: Why Mister Rogers Matters Now More Than Ever
  • Taking a look at the example of Mister Rogers, readers are reminded of the kindness in this world -- both shown and received. As one review suggests, this book "is a love letter to this unforgettable cultural hero and role model, and the beautiful neighborhood he created."
  • Purchase from Amazon

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MUSIC

• It's Such a Good Feeling: The Best of Mister Rogers
  • Heading in to this fall, Omnivore Recordings dropped a new collection of Neighborhood favorites in both CD and vinyl formats. The black vinyl will be available through Omnivore in January while a special red vinyl edition will be exclusive to Barnes & Noble this fall. Or if CDs are still your thing, there's always that option, too.
  • Purchase from Amazon

• Johnny Costa Plays Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Jazz
  • Speaking of Omnivore Recordings, they hit one out of the park with longtime Neighborhood fans this fall when, for the first time on CD, they released the Johnny Costa Plays Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Jazz. A fan favorite for many years, this album was previously available only on vinyl and has been out of print for quite some time.
  • Purchase from Amazon

• Thank You, Mister Rogers: Music & Memories
  • From Dennis Scott, the same producer who brought us Songs From the Neighborhood (a similar album released in 2005), Thank You Mister Rogers is a marvelous collection of Neighborhood classics performed by notable performers ranging from Mickey Dolenz to Vanessa Williams.
  • Purchase from Amazon

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STOCKING STUFFERS

• Neighborhood Socks
  • When I think of stocking stuffers, I think of candy, lip balm, and socks. You've probably seen the Mister Rogers Encouragemints which have been out there for a while, and I'm not quite sure how Neighborhood lip balm would even be marketed, but socks? You're covered. You could give a different pair of Mister Rogers socks to each of your family members over two full generations and you'd likely not run out of options. Seriously. There are a lot of socks out there. Visit the Neighborhood Archive site or click on the image below for specific options.

• Lanyard: Won't You Be My Neighbor?
  • Need something small to fit in that last little crevice of a stocking? Maybe this Mister Rogers' Neighborhood lanyard/ID holder is what you're looking for. Maybe.
  • Purchase from Amazon

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From this neighborhood to yours, Happy Holidays!

Return to THE NEIGHBORHOOD ARCHIVE

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