The Bazaar #86: Palladium Books Christmas Grab Bag 2025
- Francois DesRochers
- 48 minutes ago
- 7 min read
INTRODUCTION
I have to say that this year was the one year I was NOT prepared to see the Palladium Books Grab Bag announcement come up. Typically, something they roll out around Halloween, I see the Facebook announcement come up, check my calendar, and sheepishly realize I’ve been buried in work and family activities to realize this golden ticket extravaganza is once again upon us! Then I checked last year’s post and realized they did this two weeks earlier last year. Ho-hum. It’s still a fan favorite and some Kevin and the gang have been doing it for decades now. The value and personalization of the whole experience is, as Kevin says in the newsletter, quite frankly not something I’ve seen elsewhere in the industry. I’ve posted on these for the past several years, this I believe being number five? So, let’s examine the Grab Bag and what Palladium Books and their little elves are cooking up this year?
THE CHRISTMAS GRAB BAG
New Form. The first thing return purchasers will note is the change to the online form to fill out. It has been overhauled to match the new corporate website’s look and feel, as well as provide some different functionality to some of the fields. Largely no change to the experience, but there are a few nuanced changes.
Download the Details (The Fine Print). I recommend this each year. Take the wall of text on the PB site and copy it into a Word Document. Without touching any formatting, I was astounded to find it going for fifteen (15) pages, but they’ve taken the font to come out in a respectable 12-point Calibri. There is just as much data there to absorb as before (a lot of data), so let’s go over it together, because there are a few options and points that bear some attention. Some elements/nuggets I found:
Some Hardcover and Special Edition options
Limited previous Kickstarter options
New covers for Black Market and Psi-Ops Psychic War (formerly Rifts Manhunters)
Palladium Weapons Series (a variety of compendium books)
A (long) bulleted list of suggestions based on general themes
(Note: A bit of a hard read without spacers between each bullet)
Ideas for Special Wants. The vast majority of the text is relegated to providing specific details on each game system and certain special books available. I’d recommend scribbling notes as you read through to isolate anything specific you may want to order; ensure you also mark the quoted value next to it (e.g. hardcover edition of game ‘X,’ ‘Y,’ or ‘Z’ are worth $50 or $60 against the total). For items without a value, assume the MSRP or cover price from the website (check to see if currently on sale).
What’s In It? Well, duh? For the bargain purchase price of $62, you get $105 in product. If you’ve never ordered anything from Palladium Books, this is an annual treat I heartily recommend for any new and returning GM or Player to get in on. This goes doubly so for anyone in Continental United States; shipping dosage or reality for non-US folks later. You won’t know until you crack it open, and there is some child-like glee in an otherwise typically adult experience. Of note, these are not limited to books either! Artwork and prints are up for grabs, with some relatively difficult pieces available only during this timeframe, and only if you know to ask for it (hint-hint, nudge-nudge). For some context, I've linked below some previous Bazaar articles involving previous years' orders.:
Payment. Something that does creep up into online discussion sometimes, the payment is typically reserved to credit card sales; most major cards are likely accepted. Specifically though, no to debit cards and gift cards. Outside of that, give them a call to see what’s what. They provide the phone number.
Palladium Books Phone Number: 1-734-721-2900
Wish List. Let’s get to brass tacks! You have a list of items you WANT to order? Place them, in order of preference. If it’s typically something you can order in the Palladium Books Online Store, chances are it’s available. The request is limited to product already in print, so don’t waste your time ordering TMNT and others not yet at the printer; they handily point out which ones to avoid. The specifics of the form, and some things to think about:
Request List. Basically, where you can copy-paste your request. Remember, place them in order of preference! Simply type this up in Word (or similar) and copy it into the field. You could list all the books you DO have, but make sure you specify what you WANT upfront and clearly. I suggest something similar to the following:
Multiple Grab Bags. Not unheard of, and definitely worth the time and effort for those in the Continental US due to hyper-favourable shipping rates. If you are requesting multiple Grab Bags, make sure you have two separate request lists, or you risk doubling up on titles. Does PB handle each request discretely (one at a time) or holistically by order? Unknown, but do yourself the favor and provide a unique list for each Grab Bag requested. They ask for 12-15 titles, but I’ve gotten away fine with just 10 suggestions per Grab Bag, and asked for multiples a few times.
Autographs. This is just a checkmark (Yes or No) and entirely up to you.
Note: this is the best way to get your books somewhat personalized.
Never Played and Want to Try. Essentially a sort of ‘off-ramp’ that allows Kevin and his elves to consider tossing in something ‘extra’ with the books/products you wanted. There’s no guarantee this will be part of it. That said, I’ve seen enough times where the option was something that fit very well with the top 3-4 choices I listed.
Favorite Game. Just typing in your preferred Palladium Books game.
Note: The “Palladium or not” element is certainly a new addition
T-Shirt. Either No, or a Yes with identified size (Small to 2XL)
Swag. A new option that defines some of the lesser-known items, such as bookmarks, cards, mousepads and other such items. This is just a binary (Yes or No) entry; entirely up to you.
Art Prints. A new option that defines one of the lesser-known choices available.
Note: I’ve specifically requested Art Prints in the past and have thoroughly enjoyed each!
Comments/Suggestions. Just a text box for you to enter whatever you would like. I can attest that Kevin and crew do certainly read and appreciate the positive commentary. I’d certainly appreciate a shout out, just to demonstrate some love for the blog (e.g. Scholarly Adventures Rifts Blog sent me here; or GM Field Guide 4 helped me refine my Wish List). No pressure, really. LOL
Note: As always, Kevin and his ‘elves’ may augment the order with some additional items not on the list. Typically, this means the occasional Rifts, art books or prints, card deck, bookmarks, or some other item. Always a fun little add-on.
Refine Request to Needs/Wants. For more targeted selections based on where you are looking to adventure, I developed a blog post to assist. With nearly 100 books just for Rifts alone, choosing the right ones to start can be daunting. The suggestions at the link below simply help refine what I would consider Required, Recommended or Optional, based on where you are adventuring and what you hope to accomplish. Each title also links to a book review, providing a preview of what they contain.
ANCILLARY ISSUES
International Shipping. This is really a bugbear for many, and typically the tipping point for whether someone orders directly from Palladium Books or not. There’s no sugarcoating the rampant craziness with international shipping. I’ll be honest, there have been several deals Palladium Books has offered that I simply passed on at the time because the shipping was as much or more than the books ordered. Add in conversion rate and things got crazy. This deal, however, allows us to get closer to a break-even point that makes it worth it. For Canadians, it comes out to paying for the Canadian sticker price for the books without paying taxes. It’s not as good a deal as our American neighbours may be getting, but it’s certainly in the realm of acceptable.
Am I Ordering? In case you were wondering, YES, I will be! Given personal finances and whatnot, I will probably limit myself to the single Grab Bag this year. I still have several books missing from a few of the games, and there are always some of the more esoteric options that draw some interest.
CONCLUSION
The reason for getting the Grab Bag is relatively self-explanatory, particularly for US residents. The value for what you order is tremendous. For overseas/international customers, it comes out closer to a zero-sum, but as a gift idea for someone (or yourself, come on – treat yourself), has a certain added intangible element. It is certainly cheaper than ordering retail from their site directly, which hits you with the shipping, regardless. Of particular value for a new GM looking for a starting package, I always recommend this campaign each year. I’m 100% positive that if you include this in your comments, this will garner Kevin’s attention.
So once again, if you are in the position to give a Christmas gift to yourself, gamer friends or family, the Palladium books Christmas Grab Bag is certainly an item that can give you that festive, holiday spirit and bit of a boost. It’s become something of an annual tradition for me, one I don’t plan on letting up so long and Palladium Books continues to offer it! So, what are you waiting for…. click the following link [Palladium Books Christmas Grab Bag] and get started!
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