It is impossible to buy gifts for some people.  But if you know a person works as a stand-in in TV and film, here are a few ideas that come to mind from Stand-In Central that would benefit nearly any stand-in!

Weather-Related Gifts

During the holiday season, things turn cold, so keeping warm when working becomes a big concern for stand-ins. Some stand-ins only work inside, but plenty of stand-ins have to endure working outside for long hours, risking frozen feet and hands.

There is a whole range of items you can buy for a stand-in when it comes to weather-related gifts. Here are a few ideas.

Lower Priced

On the low end, you can gift stand-ins hand warmers and toe warmers. Although the kind that warm up when you break them open are usually available on set, it doesn’t hurt for the stand-ins who complain of always being cold to have their own supply on hand. One package will only work for part of a day, so if you can spring for a box, you give a really nice gift to the stand-in who doesn’t like to shiver.

Tech has become more focused, and rechargeable hand warmers have become a thing. They are typically powered by USB and run for an amount of time typically shorter than a long day on set, but rechargeable may be a better bet than the disposable ones mentioned above. And they may not be that expensive, either!

Here are some other ideas for gifts that aren’t that expensive:

  • A warm pair of gloves (cheap doesn’t necessarily mean bad — read any reviews!)
  • SmartWool socks (SmartWool is a preferred sock providing really great warmth compared to other socks)
  • A neck gaiter (can serve as a scarf or head covering when on camera, and cover one’s mouth when off camera)

Higher Priced

When it comes to higher priced gifts, we get into the territory of winter coats and winter boots. Many stand-ins swear by their Canada Goose coats and UGGs boots, but there are plenty of other options that will do the trick that may be expensive but not as much.

You don’t necessarily have to buy that high-end, either. You could aim for a warm Patagonia jacket as a base layer. You could also go with NEOS overshoes, which look like moon boots but do great at providing someone without warm boots with a warm layer protecting their feet from frigid temperatures.

Of course, technology hit jackets, too, and now there are jackets that are warmed via rechargeable USB batteries. If you really want to be nice, splurge on longer-lasting batteries for these jackets for the stand-ins in your life, because they will benefit most from their warmth then and not have to deal as much with the battery going dead in the middle of a shoot day.

Equipment Gifts

Stand-ins use different kinds of equipment on set to do their jobs. Getting a stand-in one of these gifts may be really thoughtful and help them do their work better.

Little tech items may help stand-ins do their jobs. Many stand-ins fear running out of phone power when on set, then struggle to find a place to recharge their phones. A USB portable battery can be a great option. We would recommend splurging on a 10,000 mAh battery that also has a plug in it — that will provide power probably for more than a day and an easy way to recharge it without having to bring an extra cable to work. Bonus points if the charger already has its own cables embedded in it!

Many off-set areas are dark, leaving stand-ins to see by the light of their smartphones. A rechargeable flashlight or book lamp may be a nice gift for a stand-in, especially one who likes also to read. Keep it small, though, because bringing a lot of things to set can be cumbersome for a stand-in.

Speaking of bringing things, a roomy fanny pack may be a great option for stand-ins who complain about bringing a large backpack to work or being separated from their things. Stand-ins usually can wear their fanny packs all day, even on camera, so there is little chance of being separated from their stuff — especially when working on location around the general public.

And when working in public, some productions aren’t as attentive to providing seating for stand-ins as they probably should be. Stand-ins sometimes bring their own portable chairs to work. Some portable chairs these days telescope out from the shape of a circular purse, and others have sturdy tripods for legs that collapse for easy transport.

Other Ideas

As some stand-ins age, they start to have difficult seeing when they need to read on set. They might not know it yet, but a pair of reading glasses can really help out these stand-ins. But if you don’t know what magnification might be good for the stand-ins in your life, you could also gift a magnifying glass of some sort. Portable and plastic are keys — nothing bulky or glass or fragile.

Because stand-ins are on camera a lot, they might be conscious of their appearance.  Or they might not be — until they get a zit that won’t quit! Coverup makeup for those times when a blemish forms might be a great item for a stand-in. Sometimes they come in what looks like a lipstick tube.

Conclusion

There are certainly tons more ideas you could gift to stand-ins you know who work in TV and film, but hopefully this list gets you thinking!

Happy Holidays from Stand-In Central!

Do you have any additional ideas to share as gift ideas for stand-ins? Publish them in the comments box below!