Gifts are challenging.
When thinking about the board gamers in your life, a lot of folks start to think that gift-giving might be a bit easier for that group. Just get them a game, right?
Wrong.
Board game lovers are an intense and opinionated bunch. They own most of the games they want, and the ones they don’t own are going to be nearly impossible for anyone else to determine.
Board games are actually one of the worst gifts you can give to board gamers.
So if you can’t gift them a game, what can you do?
Upgraded Bits
You will probably need to do a bit of research here. Ask the gift recipient what their favorite games are, or go snooping on their shelves, and get the names of any games that really shine in their collection.
Then, go on Etsy, and search the name of the game, followed by the word “upgrade”.
There is no limit to what you can find for a lot of the most popular games on the market. Some crafters are offering upgraded wood, metal, or acrylic tokens to replace the standard cardboard punchboards that come with the game. Others are offering card stands, or box inserts that make it significantly easier to unpack the game and start playing more quickly. One of the more unique items we have (that I love) is a lighting kit for the game SETI that puts a small LED inside the plastic sun that sits in the center of the board. There’s no practical use for it, but it is very cool.
Game Room or Table Accessories
Most gamers have a game room. Shelves or storage will receive a lot of the attention that isn’t dedicated just to the games, and that means that sometimes, these rooms leave a lot to be desired from an aesthetic point of view.
Cup holders that attach onto tables, or mugs that match the common player colors included in most games are a low-cost gift that most gamers would enjoy. Card racks or bit holders that can be used across multiple games are also going to be a hit. If they have a standard-sized table and play a lot of card games, a monochromatic play mat that stretches end to end gives the room a high-quality feel. Or go simple – coasters are a must for every game night, and they come in thousands of varieties.
For a convention addict, a nice metal water bottle color-coded to match their default player color is also a solid choice for a practical gift.
Board Gamer Apparel
This one might seem obvious, but board gamer apparel makes a surprisingly good gift — especially if you know the person well enough to find something that fits their particular brand of gaming obsession.
A good board game shirt isn't just clothing. It's a conversation starter. Put the right phrase on a shirt and someone at game night, a convention, or your local game store is almost guaranteed to recognize it.
That’s exactly why we make the shirts at BoardGamingTees. We design shirts for people who actually play modern strategy games — the people who know what worker placement means, have strong opinions about player count, and probably own more games than they have shelf space for.
So if you're looking for something your gamer probably doesn't already own, take a look at our collection of strategy-inspired board game shirts.
Escape Room Experiences
Get them a gift card for a local escape room, or better yet, book the experience with them. Puzzles and logic games are a central part of the board gaming hobby, and almost every gamer will love the rules and deduction that powers this tactile experience.
And you’ll definitely do better with them in your group.
Gift Cards to FLGS
An FLGS, for those who aren’t into gaming, is a “friendly local game store” and supporting these stores is a celebrated part of board gaming culture, despite the fact that they are often pricier than online alternatives.
Most gift cards are a rather impersonal gift. A gift card to an FLGS, especially one that your gamer giftee has supported before, shows that you really get it.
Now get to shopping...
The best board game gifts are NOT board games.
In fact, if your gift recipient already has a shelf full of games, buying them another one might be the fastest way to discover that they already own it, have played it twelve times, or have a very specific reason for not wanting it.
Instead, look for something that adds to the hobby they already love.
Upgrade their favorite game. Make their game table a little nicer. Give them an experience they can share with their gaming group. Support their local game store. Or find a shirt that perfectly captures the way they feel about game night.
The goal isn't to give them another thing to put on the shelf.
It's to give them something that makes their next game night a little better.
And honestly, that's probably the best gift you can give a board gamer.
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