Blind boxes and collectables: gifts for the ‘kidult’ in your life

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If there’s one thing popping up on UK Christmas wishlists this year, it’s blind boxes. You don’t know which figure is inside until you open it, and that’s exactly the point.

A quick honesty note: we haven’t tested the products mentioned here. This is a round-up of what’s trending and what to look out for, drawn from the sources below.

What is a blind box?

A blind box is a sealed box containing one figure from a set, so you don’t know which one you’ve got. Pop Mart’s Labubu is the one everyone’s heard of. The character comes from artist Kasing Lung’s picture books, and Pop Mart turned it into a collectable. Each series usually hides a rare ‘secret edition’, which Harrods says turns up in only one box in 72 for the Labubu range.

Why everyone’s talking about them

• The surprise: opening a box is half the fun, and unboxing videos have kept the craze going.
• Collecting: every series has a set list, so many fans want to complete it.
• Grown-up appeal: these are marketed to adults as much as children, hence the ‘kidult’ label.

Who to buy for

They suit teens and adults who like quirky desk or bag accessories, and anyone who enjoys a little mystery. If you’re not sure which character they like, a Labubu is a safe guess for a fan, but check their collection first. Other blind-box names worth knowing include Sonny Angel and Skullpanda.

How to buy sensibly

• Stick to official or well-known retailers. Demand has been so high that sellers have used ballots, and fakes and inflated resale prices are common.
• Remember opened boxes usually can’t be returned. Some retailers say so on the product page, so check before you buy.
• Don’t pay silly resale prices. If a box is far above the normal price, it’s usually better to wait or choose a different series.
• Consider a gift card for a specialist shop if you’re not sure which series they want.

Black Friday sales rarely touch the hottest collectables, so if you spot a genuine one from a trusted seller at a fair price, that may be as good as it gets.