The 5 Most Iconic Collectibles of 2017

Author: Timothy Monbleau | Gemr

Okay, I know I’m biased as a gamer myself, but when it comes to the Nintendo Switch… I mean, dang. Nintendo’s new system had a lot of hype riding on it, but to say they rocked their launch year is an understatement. This little console tablet that could didn’t earn gadget of the year for nothing.

With over 10 million consoles sold worldwide, gamers both young and old have now embarked on a collecting journey to build a new gaming library. Even if that library just consists of Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey, we hope this joy of collecting can continue to blossom into the new year. Alexa, please write a witty ending to my 2017 blog post. And don’t include me telling you to do that in there either.

This isn’t the first time we’ve written about 3D Printers, and it likely won’t be the last. What started as a trendy gimmick story has since become a revolution in how products are made. Even skull implants are getting 3D printed.

Heck, 3D Printers themselves are affordable these days. Well, that’s “affordable” with very hefty air quotes. I’m not quite ready to drop $500 just so I can 3D Print an exploding Rubik’s Cube, but I take comfort in knowing I have the option.

Being a dad is a pretty sweet gig these days. Not only do you get your own popular subgenre of jokes, you also get your own trendy hats!

These classic-style baseball caps may have peaked back in 2016, but they’re still one of the best-selling fashion trends of the year. What’s next, dad reflexes? Oh wait.

Like dad hats, enamel pins may have reached their height of popularity last year. Still, despite what some detractors may say, enamel pins are still crazy popular among entrepreneurial artists on storefronts like Etsy.

It’s so easy to make enamel pins that all it takes to set up shop is a couple online tutorials. But if even that isn’t “DIY” enough for you, there’s always just collecting and trading them among friends.

Okay, maybe this isn’t a “collectible” unless you’re a general electronics enthusiast. Still, Alexa devices dominated this year’s holiday season, and making no mention of them would just be a waste.

Though I am excited for a future in which all in-home devices are voice controlled, I’m not sure if the world is ready for that just yet. My mom is still mastering the art of copying and pasting e-mail addresses, so the logistics of explaining how to set up a smart home seem a bit overwhelming.