The Best Christmas Gift Ideas for Board Gamers 2025 on Reddit
When is Christmas? There aren't many days until Christmas! Christmas is approaching, and it's time to pick out gifts for friends, family, and partners. I'm sure you're feeling a bit stressed about it. After all, a great gift not only makes the recipient happy, strengthening your relationship, but it also makes you feel proud and accomplished because you've brought unexpected joy to someone.
If your gift recipient is a board gamer, you should definitely keep reading. I've gathered some of the best Christmas gift ideas for board game players, all recommended by Reddit users. Whether you're looking for cheap gifts for gamers or gifts for gamers who have everything, I've got you covered. You'll find inspiration for your gift ideas for gamers here, and I'll also directly recommend some actual gifts!
Table of Contents
Board Games and Board Game Expansions
Board games are a very standard and conventional gift idea. After all, which board gamer wouldn't want a fun board game or a board game expansion pack?
However, I have to admit, board games or board game expansions aren't always the best gift idea because board game players likely purchased them as soon as they were released. Even if not, they might have planned to buy them during a sale (or maybe even right now). Your gift idea could easily overlap with their plans.
So, while board games or board game expansions are mentioned here, they're not highly recommended unless you're certain your recipient doesn't have them and really wants them. The Gifts for Gamers - 2025 Edition includes some highly recommended holiday board games, which can be considered great board game gifts for gamers. You can refer to them as well.
You can freely choose from platforms like Etsy and others.
(Credit: amazon)
Board Game Accessories and Board Game Components
Board game accessories and components are probably the perfect and most useful gift category right now. When Reddit or BGG users recommend gifts for board gamers, accessories and components are often the first thing they mention. You can choose affordable accessories and components to give away, or go for unique ones. There's sure to be something that will delight your recipient, even if they have everything.
Game Mats
Game mats (playmats) are highly recommended among board gamers. A suitable game mat can significantly enhance the gaming experience by protecting the tabletop and game components. This is especially helpful for gamers who don't have dedicated gaming tables or those who have one but lack the necessary accessories.
To choose the right game mat, you can read the article Step-by-Step Guide on How to Choose the Right Game Mat. It's important to note that neoprene is a commonly agreed-upon material for playmats, ensuring excellent functionality.
What makes game mats the best gift choice is that they often come with customizable themes. Imagine being a Settlers of Catan player with a Catan-themed game mat, or a D&D player with a D&D-themed game mat. Even a board gamer with all kinds of board game accessories will be excited about a playmat specifically designed for them!
BOXKING offers some themed neoprene playmats that you can check out. If you want to see other vendors' mats, you can also refer to the Step-by-Step Guide on How to Choose the Right Game Mat.
Coasters
Game-themed coasters are also a great gift idea. After all, it's essential for board gamers to have drinks while playing, but they also need to manage spills and stains.
Gift them a set of coasters, and you'll save them from worrying about their beverages! Stop worrying about spills from your drinks and focus on playing board games!
There's one more important thing. Don't forget to choose coasters with fitting themes, just like you would with game mats. You know, the coaster will become a legendary item in your mind, enhanced with your favorite themed design.
D&D-themed coasters, like DnD Class Coasters - Cork (14-Pack) from BOXKING, are bound to be a hit among D&D players. Other stores like Redbubble, Tabletopia, and BoardGameGeek also offer themed coasters.
Board Game Storage Boxes
The importance of board game storage boxes has grown over time, as game components (cards, tokens, miniatures, etc.) have increased. Proper storage is essential, as no one wants to deal with lost or damaged components.
You can consider gifting a board game storage box; these are usually reasonably priced and can be bought directly on platforms like Etsy.
(Credit: etsy)
There's also an interesting choice from Boxking: the Giant BAG of Holding Board Game Toppers. This is a portable board game storage bag that not only helps you carry your board games but also doubles as a board game storage box. It's a unique and practical solution for board gamers on the go, and a BGG user once called it their favorite board game gift.
Metal Coins
Metal coins are also highly recommended on Reddit. As a commonly used accessory in board games, board gamers enjoy handling metal coins. If you give them some high-quality, unique metal coins, you'll see them enjoying them even outside of game time. After all, the weighty feel, the cool touch, and the meaningful theme make these metal coins something that can linger in the hearts of board game players.
This type of gift is truly exceptional! If you're looking to gift metal coins, go ahead and pick a suitable theme.
The Broken Token and Meeple Source offer both ready-made and custom metal coin services.
(Credit: thebrokentoken)
Token Tray
As more and more board game components, such as coins, tokens, and pieces, are added to the board game family, the demand for token trays for board games among board gamers has been increasing. You can never have too many token trays. Therefore, a token tray is also an affordable good Christmas gift.
There is a wide variety of token trays available, including plastic token trays and wood token trays; some look simple, while others feature unique designs. BoxKing's Wood Token Tray - Magnetic Wood Token Trays ($45.00) and The Broken Token's Villainous Compatible Deluxe Game Organizer ($34.99) are both beautifully designed token trays. The Gamegenic Token Tray - TOKENS' LAIR (USD 44.99) is also designed quite professionally. Additionally, both Gamegenic and The Broken Token offer token trays with lids, which you can check out if you're interested.
Board gamers who can afford the cost might consider these as Christmas gifts, while those looking for cheaper Christmas gifts can check out Etsy for other choices.
Dice
Like metal coins, dice are another small and practical in board games, offering flexible design options. This makes them an excellent gift, especially if they're themed. Whether used as practical tools or as artistic collectibles, dice are outstanding gift choices. Board gamers can take out the dice anytime and anywhere to play with and admire.
If you're interested in themed dice, check out Dice Envy.
(Credit: diceenvy)
Dice Towers
The purpose of a dice tower is to ensure fairness in dice rolling. Problems like dice falling off the game table and being re-rolled are resolved with a dice tower.
Dice towers may not be common for every board gamer, making them a great surprise gift.
Besides their practical use, dice towers often come with themed designs. For instance, Holiday Dice Tower - Stuck Santa, sold by The Broken Token. As mentioned above, the themed designs greatly enhance the potential of a dice tower as a gift. Wyrmwood and BOXKING also have their own themed dice towers. If you're interested, feel free to check them out.
Such detailed board game accessories is sure to surprise your recipient, even if they already own everything!
Dice Tray
If you don't have space for a dice tower or find it too cumbersome to use, you can also consider a dice tray. Like the Dice Tower, a Dice Tray is not an essential item. However, compared to a Dice Tower, a Dice Tray is simpler and more convenient. While a Dice Tray can't ensure the fairness of dice rolls through random movement like a Dice Tower, it can contain the dice within a specific area, effectively preventing them from rolling off the gaming table, especially gaming tables without a game vault. Its protective design also helps prevent damage to the dice.
A dice rolling tray, like those mentioned earlier, also supports themed designs. DnD dice trays, for example, are quite popular. Additionally, there are various materials available for dice trays, such as wooden dice tray and leather dice tray, each offering a different tactile experience. Of course, if you're confident in your skills or have a larger budget, DIY dice trays and custom dice trays are also worth considering.
Wyrmwood's wooden dice tray ($80+) and BOXKING's foldable leather dice tray ($39.99) are both great options.
Large Board Game Furniture
Generally speaking, large board game furniture isn't the best choice for Christmas gifts for gamers. Unlike board games or board game expansions, the high cost of large board game furniture means the recipient should truly want it, or it could lead to awkwardness for both parties.
However, a good large board game furniture is often considered the ultimate goal for board gamers. It resolves many of the frustrations encountered during board game sessions and significantly improves the overall board game experience. That's why I'll still mention it here.
Board Game Tables
A great board game table is the best gift for board game players!
Themed board game tables are a highlight, but a board game table needs to meet the player's needs, as it is quite an expensive gift. Only after meeting the functional requirements should the other aspects be considered.
Therefore, instead of focusing on themed designs, I emphasize more on the material, size, height, game storage box design, and modular configuration options of the gaming table. I recommend the following three articles to help you better choose the gaming table you want: What Is the Best Gaming Table for DnD? - The Ultimate DnD Table Guide, Never Regret Buying a Gaming Table Again – The Ultimate Beginner's Guide Introduction, and How to Choose the Right Board Game Table Size for Your Room. I hope these articles will be helpful in your selection process, especially when you want a DnD table.
Allplay's Jasper ($899+, Wood), BoxKing's Ironside ($599+, Metal, Expandable), and Kingswood ($1,149+, Wood), Wyrmwood ($2,799+, Wood), these are all highly recommended board game tables, whether you're looking for an affordable board game table or a modular board game table, you'll find something here. The BOXKING modular gaming table not only supports interchangeable components but also allows for desktop expansion (Ironside). The same applies to the board game coffee table.
Board Game Storage Solutions
Board game players often struggle with storage. Their love for board games is so strong that they can't stop buying more. It's usually only when they need to organize their collection that they realize the daunting challenge of storage.
For board game fanatics, you can never have too many board game storage shelves. As their collection grows, it will inevitably take up space on their existing shelves, and they'll always need more storage.
These board game storage cabinets are primarily designed to organize board game boxes, rather than game components. Therefore, efficient use of space and a professional, systematic board game storage solutions are key. According to Reddit board game players' reviews, the top-rated board game shelves are featured in the article 5 Best Board Game Storage Cabinets Recommended by Reddit Users I highly recommend reading it! The pros and cons of these five board game storage shelves are discussed in the article. Here, you’ll find what is likely the most widely recognized best board game storage. I hope it provides you with some board game storage ideas so you can DIY board game storage. The Kallax, board game storage ikea, are also mentioned here with improvement suggestions.
Overall, if you're looking for an affordable board game storage solution, check out IKEA's Kallax or Besta, or Target's Kallax. If you want professional board game storage, look into BoxKing's BoxThrone and GamePillar. BoxKing's board game shelves are truly commendable in terms of professional design.
Other
This section includes gifts that are less practical but still very suitable, offering unique commemorative value and surprise. They make great second-choice gifts under board game accessories and board game components.
Gift Cards
The most practical and straightforward gift idea. After all, there will always be many things that will come up in the future. Although it lacks surprise, it eliminates the hassle of decision-making.
The BoxKing and BGG Store also offers gift cards.
Merchandise and Art
Board game posters, books, and other art-related items can bring extra joy and surprise to board gamers. Board gamers will feel that their favorite games are even closer to them.
The BGG Store offers a variety of such items.
(Credit: BGG)
3D Printers
3D printers are undoubtedly one of the most practical tools here. It's not that 3D printers aren't useful, but their connection to board game isn't as strong. However, using 3D printers to create various 3D models is a highly attractive feature, especially for board gamers. With it, you can create any board game accessory you desire! Even miniature models are no problem, and you'll feel like you're suddenly capable of anything!
Want to explore the fascinating world of 3D printing? Then check out the article 3D Printing for Board Games: Two Hobbies that Each Make the Other More Fun! The real 3D printing experience, especially the board game 3D printing experience, will bring even more insights.
Of course, the best 3D printers are expensive, and they also require some skill to use effectively.
