When it comes to the gamers in the family, there seem to be a near infinite number of gadgets, gizmos, games, peripherals, hardware, and the like that can be potentially gifted this holiday season. Problem is, with so many things to choose from, you run the very real risk of selecting something that your loved one may not like. Oh sure, they may feign gratitude in order to spare your feelings, but deep down they are crying.
Fortunately, for you we have compiled a short list of some of the best gift ideas you can get those special gamers in your life. These gifts are guaranteed to put a smile on their hearts to match the ones on their faces.
5: A Water Bottle
"A water bottle? You must be joking, right," I can hear you already exclaiming. When it comes to staying hydrated, there is nothing to joke about. If your special gaming someone fancies themselves a streamer or simply enjoys long gaming sessions, they may be neglecting some of their most basic human needs without even thinking about it.
Yes, this includes staying hydrated. Thankfully, there are a number of fantastic options when it comes to reusable water bottles. Be sure to pay special attention to the word "reusable" there because not all water bottles are made the same. For instance, you don't want to reuse bottles like those found in vending machines. Those are not made to be reused and can cause a health risk due to the types of plastics used to make them.
Instead, you'll want something like the Kool8 reusable water bottle. This stylish and affordable water bottle comes in a variety of colors. It's insulated to keep your water ice cold or your hot beverages hot for much longer than a typical mug ever could.
4: A "Classic" Console
There are currently no shortage of gaming consoles available on the market these days. Though the gamer in your life may already have the latest and greatest from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, what they may not have are some of the precursors that built the foundation for the modern gaming era.
We're talking about classics like the Super NES, the Sega Genesis, and even the original PlayStation. Though it may be hard to find the original hardware in perfect working condition these days, many of these companies have released "Mini" versions of their beloved consoles.
You can pick up something like the Sega Genesis Mini for just $64.99 from retail chains like Walmart. The Sega Genesis Mini comes packed with 42 Genesis classics like Sonic the Hedgehog, Earthworm Jim, Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition, and tons more.
Perhaps an even better deal is the PlayStation Classic. Priced at just $32.99, the PlayStation Classic includes 20 games from the OG PlayStation era. Some of the includes games are Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, and Resident Evil: Director's Cut. We also hear that many of these classic and mini consoles, like the PlayStation Classic, can be easily modified to play totally legal and legitimate homebrew content.
3: A Custom Star Map
Now, stick with me on this one. While the following gift idea isn't necessarily gaming related, that doesn't mean it's a bad idea for a gamer. Gamers are people like you or me. Just like everyone else, they have special moments in their life that they probably like to remember. Maybe they got married. Maybe they had a kid of their own. Maybe they finally landed that dream job after years of trying. Maybe they're just really happy that they finally beat I Wanna be the Boshy for the first time.
Whatever they accomplished in life, there's no better way to immortalize that special moment than with a custom star map from Twinkle In Time. These custom star maps include a personalized message and a look at what the night sky looked like on a specific date and location of your choosing. These maps measure 18"x24" in size and can be framed for a little extra touch.
2: A New Controller
The chances that the gamer in your life has a controller already are probably quite high. The chances that they have an "Elite" style controller? Well, they probably aren't quite as high. This is why you may want to think about picking up something like an Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2.
These controllers are some of the best, most versatile controllers on the market. They are made from premium materials. They are highly customizable and configurable. Moreover, they will work on the current Xbox One consoles, the next-generation Xbox, and with nearly any PC currently available.
If the gamer in your life owns a PlayStation 4 instead, perhaps you'll want instead to check out the upcoming Back Button Attachment for their controller of choice. This $29.99 add-on unit connects to existing controllers to give them a little bit of added functionality that may just give them the edge that they need to win.
1: Gift Cards
When all else fails, get the gamer in your life some gift cards. These can be as generic as a gift card to a retailer like Amazon or Best Buy.
These general gift cards can then be used by the gamer in your life to purchase special items they may have had their eye on, or spent on more specialized gift cards for their platform of choice. They can purchase things like Xbox Live or PlayStation Plus subscriptions. They can be used to buy digital points or credits at digital marketplaces, which can then be spent on games or other content. Gift cards are a great idea if you know that the person you're buying for is a gamer but maybe aren't 100% sure about what they have already or what they may want.
With this guide and a bit of luck, you will almost assuredly brighten up the holidays for the gamer in your life. Of course when all else fails, simply asking them what they want is a sure fire bet that you get them something you know they will enjoy.
