Swag Tips for San Diego Comic Con 🛍️

👉 Grab my Comic-Con checklist here

One of the most exciting things about San Diego Comic Con {well almost EVERYTHING is exciting} is the SWAG (STUFF WE ALL GET)! Who doesn't love free stuff?! Here I will share my tips, tricks and experiences on SDCC swag!

Over the past few years of attending SDCC I have gotten picky about the swag I do collect, on the other hand, my Father is the "Swag KING." He will take anything and everything FREE! I know there are both sides of the spectrum out there, I hope that I can help out all of you :)

10 Ways to Keep the San Diego Comic Con Spirit ALL Year Long ✨

👉 Grab my Comic-Con checklist here

Wouldn't we all love to have San Diego Comic Con happen EVERYDAY of the year...yeah me neither! It is an amazing week, but a tiring week as well! Here are 10 ways to keep the SDCC spirit ALL year...but in a much more low key way!

San Diego Comic Con 2014 - The Swag

Since my first year at SDCC the swag count has gone down dramatically.  This year has been the least I have ever seen.  But that means that the things I do acquire are of higher quality and mean more to me.  Here are a few of my favorites and a few things that took my money!

This year everyone at the SherlockeDCC party got an awesome swag bag!  I am so excited to read my High Voltage Magazines!  They are THE people to talk to if you want to learn about awesome music {other than our very own Music Maven}!  Make sure you check out their weekly podcast and follow them on Twitter!

Thanks to Adagio Teas, I will be sipping some yummy SherlockeDCC tea blend while writing all my wrap up posts!  

One of my favorite swags from the very beginning has been the HUGE bags that are given out.  I always collect as many as I can and a LOT of them went into making my Swag Bag Dress this year!  None have ever come more in handy than NBC's Constantine bag!  There was a freak summer shower while waiting in the Lego line and it kept me nice and dry!  I had to take care of my shoes :)

Speaking of the Lego line, I won my very FIRST Lego Mini Figure...UNI-KITTY!!!!  It was a two hour wait in the rain for one second of pure fright, but I won!!  Four out of six in our group did.  I have never worked so hard for swag in my life and it was completely worth it!  I cannot wait to try again next year!

It seemed like outside the con was where it was at for SDCC swag!  You didn't need a badge to play the Simpson's carnival game outside the Hilton Bayfront!  Pink donuts?  Yes please!

Nerd HQ had its annual mini con at Pet Co Park and jumping in the photo booth for some free pictures was one of my favorite things to do!  They even upload them straight away to your Facebook, Twitter, email and Instagram!

The best swag inside the con goes to The Outlander booth!  Along with highly attractive booth cosplayers, they were one of THE busiest booths around because of their gorgeous set up and awesome swag!  The Music Maven {Outlander's BIGGEST fan} went to the booth everyday!  She sadly missed out on the tee and tote, but was happy with the badges, shot glass, iPhone cover and bandana!

Now for what I bought!  My very first stop on Preview Night was the BBC America booth!  It was there that I bought Sherlock stuff for The Music Maven and Doctor Who stuff for myself and The Gamer Geek.  Upon exiting the booth though, I didn't see the heart tee and David Tennant tank!  It took until mid Sunday for me to make it back and purchase those.  I was so happy to have them take my money for a second time!  I was even wearing my hat on Sunday and they remembered me!

What was your favorite swag of the con?!  Did you notice the lack of it on the floor?!  One I'm sad I missed out on was the HUGE Reptar swag bag and the Jurassic World poster.

San Diego Comic Con 2013: The Swag!

I don't know if I was too busy this year, or there just wasn't that much swag this year!  Even in past years the Gaslamp has had MASSIVE swag, but they were at an all time low as well.  Same goes for panels.  Of the 11 panels I attended I received one ticket {then proceeded to loose it}.

I was picker than usual on swag though to be honest.  I didn't take everything that was handed my way.  I had a list and on Sunday {I know too late} I went to gather it all.  I missed out on the Petco Yoda ears.  But really I wasn't too sad to miss anything.  I was super happy to get the exclusive Mad Libs and ECSTATIC when after rolling around in the Ducktales money bin {a childhood dream come true} I was handed a Ducktales PIN!  From purchases at BBCA and Nerd HQ I was given the awesome lanyard and keychain.  But I the Ducktales pin is getting the award for BEST swag of the con!

If you have read my previous swag posts, you know that the SDCC free bags are my FAVORITE!  I wanted the WB Big Bang Theory bag, but Arrow was a good runner up.  I got a nice substantial tote from good friend and author James Morris {which he even signed} and the amazing guys at GraphicLab Designs gave me a sweet lil backpack!  I was on a mission from the get go to get the Geek Magazine Oblivion exclusive bag {with the ruins of SDCC convention center}.  I acquired that on Friday and they were already almost out!  Thank you SDCC Unofficial Blog for the awesome Pop Chips bag FULL of swag and don't ask me where the zombie bag came from...it just popped up one day in our piles of stuff back at the house.

I had a HUGE list of things I wanted to buy this year and was able to get ALMOST all of it!  I had my eye on the amazing BBCA Doctor Who and Sherlock tees but the line for that booth was RIDICULOUS!  Preview night we waited in a pre-line for a LONG time to no avail.  Come Thursday I was worried they would be all gone.  But Being Geek Chic came to my rescue and conquered the line!  I got James Morris' sequel to Skybound, Water Tower, stay tuned for giveaway!  I bought ALL things Futurama and was able to acquire {due to newest and most awesome friend Adam} the Back to the Future Lego set!  He bought it for me Thursday, they were gone the next day.  Nerd HQ had so many amazing tees, but by the time I made it to their merch table they only had 1 out of 3 I wanted.  I also bought a button and magnet from them.  Since they didn't have some of the tees I wanted, they were kind enough to give me a 15% off code for an online purchase and that has been made!

The Toynami Destructor/Gender Bender Deluxe Box Set.

Finally the mini David Tennant in a dashing tux is sitting on my desk with his sonic screwdriver!

One more thing.  I usually try to be super positive and not say anything that isn't going to build people up or support us nerds, that being said, I was super disappointed in the swag given out at the Dexter panel.  I didn't attend personally, The Hunny and Gamer Geek did and were both given a ticket for the fulfillment room.  We were SUPER excited about this as it was Dexter's last year and it is one of our MOST favorite shows!  Come to find out the swag was this....

A paper fan that looks like an egg with a cut on it.  There were no Dexter bags this year {my all time favorite swag of the last 4 years} no buttons, not even a tattoo like last year.  This was pretty insulting.  I would have rather had nothing than this.  They could have even given this out IN the panel rather than make people fight through the crowds and lines.  

Ok sorry nerd rant over....

What was your favorite swag of the con!?  Tweet it to me @thenerdygirlie

San Diego Comic Con 2011: Preview Night

I was trying to contain my excitement until we got there, because it felt like it wasn't really happening!  We got our badges fairly quickly and headed down to the floor!  At first glance it is always overwhelming.  My Dad's eyes popped out of his head when he saw all the freebies!  He was a happy camper after that!!  But our first stop ended up being the Toynami booth to get my Futurama exclusives.  I got the stuffed Robot Devil and Destructor figure, those will be sent to us 8-10 weeks after SDCC.  Today we were able to take home a Tineez Bender. 

With five different people who want to do five different things it was a bit difficult to get to where I wanted to go, but the hunny reminded me that it wasn't all about me!  I get a lil crazy on the first night!  My favorite swag of the night was a set of three Being Human buttons that my Music Maven found!      

We hit up the Bongo Comics booth and I got the 2012 Futurama calendar, but have to come back Friday for the newest comic.

My favorite booth was the Phinneas and Ferb booth,  where I got a limited edition, only sold at SDCC Agent P figure.  There where five different figures in blind boxes.  AND I got to sit on a Perry bench and will have to get my picture next to the Perry bus tomorrow because I forgot  my Nikon! :(.

Luncha Libre Agent P

For the first time (this being our 3rd year at the con) we stayed for the entire preview night we arrive just as the doors were opening at 6pm and left right before closing at 9pm to beat the traffic.  Then had a yummy dinner at Mona Lisa. 

My preview night swag...good haul!!!

 Now we get to sleep for a couple hours before queuing up for the Twilight Breaking Dawn pt 1 panel.  Which doesn't begin in Hall H until 11:15am and as we where leaving there were already a few hundred people in line!  Wish us luck!!

San Diego Comic Con 2011: Swag

I MISS COMIC CON!!!  So much so that I had to blog about it one more time!  I got so much awesome swag this year that just gets put where no one can see it, so I want to share it with you all!!!

It is hard to pick a FAVORITE thing, but it just might have to be my Mockingjay pin from the Lionsgate booth.  It is heavy and made of real metal, it is super nice!  VERY hard to acquire so I am quite proud of it, EVERYONE was asking me to trade them for something, but NO this was my badge of honor! :)  Also was happy to get the Being Human buttons and the Breaking Dawn buttons, they had the SDCC logo, which makes them even more special! :)

I pride myself on being a Nerd!  So was happy to get a Nerd HQ lanyard and bracelet while visiting them for the Nathan Fillion panel.  Both are on display in my Nerd Mobile!

I got a BUNCH of Phineas and Ferb stuff this year...LOVE THAT SHOW!  Buttons and a mouse pad, 3 backpacks and not pictured is the poster for their new movie.

The Conan Museum of Art had to have the best OVERALL swag!  I got oven mitts, buttons, T-shirt and posters.  And the T-shirt was actually in my size so I was able to wear it the next day to the con!.....WHEN....

I was able to meet the cast of Being Human...just wanted to share my favorite moment EVER again!!:)

I already have a bag addiction, purses, shopping bags, reusable bags, so SDCC is not conducive to that addiction.  They give out bags there like candy!  And with my addiction I will take any bag I can get.  Was supper excited to again this year get my Dexter bag, better than last year, but not better than the 1st year.  LOVE the WB swag bag they give away at check it, this year it was a back pack and it was perfect!  Wearing it like a messenger bag was too long for me!  The P&F bags were great!  So CUTE used mine all SDCC.  And the Pan Am bag, SUPER popular, was GREAT quality messenger bag, my Dad scored to different style of those bags.  

My favorite thing I paid for was my Futurama stuff!  Nothing can beat the 1st year we attended SDCC and their Futurama exclusive, but this years were pretty cool too.  The Bender is adorable.  We also ordered the Robot Devil plush and Destructor figure which is going to be pretty big!  Was happily surprised by the calender this year...last years was EH!  But this year is all the character have their own magazine cover spoof.  Really like when they get creative with the calendar instead of just reusing old pictures.  And was able to get the new comic!

This past week I have been sad that it is over, but was so happy to be able to attend and have the best SDCC of the 3 years I have been going and of course can't wait till next year!

San Diego Comic Con 2012: Preview Night

My annual comic con cake, this year I got a bit lazy on the design, but it taste good all the same :)

Morbo plush

Awesome new Futurama toys, none for sale though! :( 

Cute anime like Futurama figures. 

My favorite thing I saw tonight!  The hoverboard from Back to the Future 2 for sale $150. It does not actually hover, but slides across smooth surfaces.  

@The_Gamer_Geek posing with the Star Wars Scoundrels.

Joss Whedon fans unite!

The Summit Booth.

ADORB Mater exclusive car.

Me with the lego Hulk, my fav super hero!

LOVE the cute Futurama calendar featuring Leela.

LOVE me some Futurama {fav show}!!!!

Can't wait to buy the Phineas and Ferb Christmas ornament!

AWESOME Dexter bus!

One of the many batmobiles on display out in front of the Hilton Bayfront Hotel. 

{free for ALL} 

Favorite swag of the day:  

WB big Vampire Diaries bag (had to trade w/ nice fellow) and TV Guide, Breaking Dawn bag, 4 Futurama posters and my calendar {calendar not free} and last but not least the 10th anniversary Firefly glass from the CA Browncoats booth (only $10!!!).

I am now BEAT!  Feels like the end of the con at the beginning, super crowded tonight...but the fun must go on...see you tomorrow!

San Diego Comic Con 2012: Day 1

We ended up not walking up too early, but I could NOT sleep!  I was too excited!

Our first official SDDC 2012 stop HAD to be the Defiance Cafe to check out all the awesomeness that is my Hunny's game!

In the Defiance chair at the Defiance bar {lots of being a proud wifey this blog post!}.

Eating lunch at the Defiance Cafe.  Me and the Hunny.

The Hunny, @The_Gamer_Geek and Dad.

After lunch, we headed over to NERDHQ where we both got to try out the new Tomb Raider game and looks really good, the Hunny loved it!

Took a quick lil pic in the photo booth {might have to go on the Christmas card this year! :)}

 Shot of the outside of NERD HQ.

LOVED this awesome art work of Capt. my Capt.

We tried out the Nintendo louge at the Marriott and scored a free T.  Last year we went on the last day with the last 20 minutes, so were happy to try out the new Mario Bros. game and Mario Kart 7 without having to rush AND getting Ts that were our size!

Cute lil Hypnotoad toy at the Kidrobot booth that I missed out on...it was sold out :(

One of my SDCC favs Elijah Wood doing his Wilfred signing at the Fox booth. {He was my very 1st crush back in the day!}

The beauty Yvonne Strahovski from Chuck but now on Dexter!

Chillin' out on the Extra WB lawn which was outside the Hilton Bayfront Hotel.  It was a free stage to everyone, even if you didn't have a badge.  With lots of WB stars showing up throughout the day.

We the stars of the new show Arrow {Stephan Amell and Katie Cassidy.} which sounds awesome, can't wait to watch it on The CW this fall!

We initially went to the WB Extra stage to see a Chuck table read with fans taken from the audience, BUT there were a few guest surprises....Mark Christopher Lawrence {Big Mike}.

Mekenna Melvin {Alex, Casey's daughter}.

Adam Baldwin {John Casey}.

 Vik Sahay {Lester of Jeffster}.

AND the one and only Zachary Levi {Chuck}, who ran right past me while we were hanging out at NERDHQ early in the day! :)

My awesome swag of the day was my Dexter bag and pin, my favorite of the con...stuff from the Defiance Cafe, our cute NERD HQ photo booth photos, Mario tee from the Nintendo Booth and a HUGE Wilfred bag (which was found in the Gaslamp).

I have found that I have been either really picky on my swag, or there is a lot less this year than in previous years...after this...I get to sleep for a few hours, then down to get in line for Firefly 10th anniversary panel line...hoping to get GREAT seats for the panel and the Community panel too!

How are you all faring...love to hear everyone's SDCC stories! :)