Every day may seem like Star Wars Day with constantly new insight and speculation about the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. But no. There is only one Star Wars Day and that happens on May 4 every year.
Oh yes. You've probably noticed that a lot of wishes of "May the fourth be with you" tend to clog up your social media feeds on May 4. Get it? Say it out loud. Slowly. Do you get it now?
Hopefully, you noticed that wish was a play on "May the force be with you," the iconic Star Wars phrase. Though the Internet has certainly helped Star Wars Day take on a life of its own in recent years, it may have actually gotten its start not long after the first film, A New Hope, was released. The earliest known appearance of the phrase "May the fourth be with you" was in a half-page ad in the London Evening News taken out by the Conservative Party to congratulate Margaret Thatcher, who was sworn in as Britain's first female prime minister on May 4, 1979. The message read, "May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations." I did not expect that to be the origin story of this unofficial holiday, but there you go.
Star Wars Day really took off with the advent of the Internet, allowing fans to connect with each other all over the world. A grassroots movement grew with the goal of making celebrating all things Star Wars on May 4 an annual event. Mission accomplished.
In case you couldn't make it to the Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, Calif. this year, May 4 is your chance to celebrate Star Wars big time. You could do so by watching all six movies of the franchise or, you know, going to an actual party. However, the most fun and cost effective option might be for you to take advantage of the gazillion deals being offered on Star Wars products in honor of Star Wars Day this year. What's more, you'll also find some new Star Wars products in stores.
Here's what you need to put on your shopping list this Star Wars Day, and you know, may the fourth be with you and all that jazz.
Star Wars Day Deals
1. Amazon
There are so many discounts on Star Wars merch, from Hasbro toys to books to video games. Check them all out here.
2. ANOVOS Productions
If you don't want to take a chance on winning that ANOVOS Productions Darth Vader costume from GameStop, you can always just buy one for 15 percent off on May 4 only with the code MAYTHE4TH.
3. Cufflinks, Inc.
You really can wear your Star Wars pride everywhere, can't you? Cufflinks, Inc. is offering a 40 percent discount on all Star Wars cufflinks and accessories this Star Wars Day.
4. Disney Store
The Disney Store is offering 30 percent off of select Star Wars items for Star Wars Day, which is no surprise, considering the company acquired Lucasfilm in 2012. You can also score a Star Wars pin or watch gift with your purchase. Now aren't you glad this acquisition happened?
5. FanWraps, Inc.
Your car may not be able to go into hyperdrive IRL, but at least you can make it look like it with Star Wars vehicle FanWraps that are 30 percent off with the code Maythe4th, good from May 4 through May 15. You'll also get a free Boba Fett mini wrap with your purchase.
6. Fathead
Do you want to pretend you're best buds with Luke Skywalker or feel like you live on the Death Star? Well, Fathead is offering 35 percent off all of its Star Wars products through May 5, including character stand outs and wall decals. You can also score a 20 percent discount on anything else on the site, just in case something not Star Wars-related happens to catch your eye.
7. GameStop PowerUp Rewards
Now through May 18, GameStop customers can use their PowerUp Rewards points to enter for a chance to win a Darth Vader costume from ANOVOS Productions. If the force is not with you to win that grand prize, a Sony PS4, Force FX Lightsaber and Star Wars Battlefront games are also up for grabs.
8. Good Old Games
There are plenty more Star Wars game deals to be had over at Good Old Games. Most notably, you can score a ton of Star Wars games in two different bundles, or buy each game individually also at a discount. Head over to Good Old Games to see everything that's on sale.
9. Hallmark
Say "May the fourth be with you" to all of your friends and family this May 4 by sending them a free Star Wars Day e-card from Hallmark. You can also receive 20 percent off personalized Star Wars cards by using the code MAY4 at checkout.
10. Hanna Andersson
Let your kids have sweet Star Wars dreams with 20 percent off Star Wars sleepwear from Hanna Andersson.
11. Her Universe
Hey, the ladies love Star Wars too, you know. You can show your heart on your sleeve by getting some Star Wars designs on sale at Her Universe as well as two free Star Wars stickers with every order of $25 or more.
12. Hot Topic
On May 4 and May 5, you can save 25 percent on Star Wars merch at Hot Topic, which includes everything from underwear to jewelry to Pop! figures.
13. Kohl's
Kohl's has lots of Star Wars deals for you. You can get 20 percent off Hasbro Star Wars toys now. Star Wars graphic tees for young men are also now on sale for $12.99 each or two for $20. Star Wars tees for boys are on sale for $8.99 each. All Star Wars jerseys are also on sale for $14.99 each. All of these discounts are running now through May 10, so get 'em while they're hot.
14. Mimoco
Mimoco is giving you 20 percent off on all tech accessories, and yes, there are Star Wars-themed items.
15. MyCoolCarStuff.com
All Star Wars merch is half price on May 4 with the code PCMAY415.
16. My M&M's
Yes, even M&Ms have gotten in on the Star Wars Day revelry. You can get 15 percent off of Star Wars merch from the My M&M's store with the discount code STARWARS2015 at checkout. Now that's a sweet deal.
17. Party City
Throw the perfect Star Wars Day celebration by saving 50 percent on Star Wars patterned tableware and getting discounts on Star Wars party kits at Party City.
18. PlayStation
If PlayStation is more of your scene, there are plenty of Star Wars games offered at a discount for you to pick up in honor of Star Wars Day this year. These include four Star Wars games released on PSN for PS3 for the very first time: Star Wars Starfighter, Star Wars Bounty Hunter, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Racer Revenge. You can get all four of these games for 25 percent off in the PlayStation Store. You can also get many other Star Wars games for cheap from the PlayStation Store, some of which are up to 77 percent off. Here's the complete collection of Star Wars games that you'll find on sale in the PlayStation Store.
19. Santa Cruz Skateboards
If you order anything with a Star Wars item from Santa Cruz Skateboards' NHS Fun Factory, you'll get a free print.
20. Sideshow
If you've ever wanted a creepily lifelike, mini version of your fave Star Wars character, Sideshow is your hook-up. The online collectibles boutique is giving you $25 to use on select Star Wars merch, good until May 31 or until supplies last. Sideshow also has a contest with ThinkGeek where you cen enter to win a life-size Yoda statue or a Star Wars prize pack if you're the runner-up.
21. SMS Audio
If you pre-order the Star Wars Second Edition headphones by May 3, you'll get a free limited-edition T-shirt. This will probably be the closest you'll ever come to looking like Chewbacca anyway.
22. Spencer's
You can get Star Wars novelty items galore all the time at Spencer's. However, from now until May 5, you can get Star Wars stuff for 25 percent off.
23. Star Wars Insider Magazine
Not only do you get a free T-shirt when you subscribe to Star Wars Insider magazine, but you also get to choose between a light side tee with Luke Skywalker or a dark side tee with Darth Vader. Choose wisely.
24. Steam
Steam has a massive sale running now until May 6, offering several Star Wars video games for up to 77 percent off. A collection of Star Wars games and a bundle of X-Wing Series titles are up for grabs for 77 percent and 10 percent off their original price, respectively. You can also purchase the games included in these collections separately for a fraction of their original prices. Check out the full list of titles available in this promotion here.
25. WeLoveFine
Get your Star Wars apparel on with 20 percent off all Star Wars merch on May 4 at WeLoveFine. I mean, how could you not?
26. Xbox
You didn't think Star Wars would leave out all of its Xbox titles, now did you? There are several games on sale, including Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, both of which can be purchased for $6.99. Check out all of the Star Wars Xbox deals here.
27. Zak! Designs
If you've ever dreamed of eating off of Darth Vader's face, this deal is for you. Zak! Designs has a 25 percent discount on all Star Wars and Star Wars Rebels items in stock now.
28. Zulily
Get some Star Wars clothing and housewares up to 55 percent off in Zulily's special Star Wars event running exclusively for members from May 4 to May 7.
New Star Wars Products
1. Hallmark
Hallmark doesn't just have special discounts in store for May 4. It also has new Star Wars products, such as a lightsaber pizza cutter, Princess Leia bottle opener and a Boba Fett apron and "Boba-que Tongs" set. Yes, that pun did just happen.
2. M&M's World Stores
New Star Wars products are heading into M&M World Stores in New York, Las Vegas, Orlando and London for Star Wars Day. This includes a new T-shirt, infant onesie and stainless steel tumbler mashing up your two favorite things in the world: Star Wars and M&Ms.
3. PacSun
The new Star Wars x On the Byas Collection is flying into PacSun stores on May 4. The collection features shorts, Hawaiian shirts and jerseys with fun prints that feature Ewoks, Stormtroopers and Boba Fett, perfect for all the Star Wars hipsters out there.
4. Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals will host its first-ever Star Wars Day on July 19, but Star Wars-themed T-shirts from the team have recently been made available in time for May 4.
5. Zak! Designs
In addition to offering a sale on May 4, Zak! Designs also has some new products coming at you in honor of Star Wars Day, including plates and tumblers featuring R2-D2, C-3PO, Darth Vader and a Stormtrooper and lightsaber water bottles available in a Darth Vader red or Luke Skywalker blue.
If you're still having trouble piecing together the official Star Wars canon, you can take a look at our official guide to everything Star Wars!
For more on Star Wars and the newly reformed Expanded Universe, check out our interview with Wookiepedia's Senior Community Manager Brandon Rhea.
[H/T Star Wars]
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