Finding the perfect gift is incredibly satisfying, yet surprisingly difficult. It’s one of my favorite things about the holidays! With the plethora of new games releasing this year, it is an even more daunting task. However, the look on the receiver’s face when you present your token of affection is well worth the effort. But where to start?

No matter how much you love a particular game, it may not be the right choice as a gift for someone else. Maybe they already have a copy, or it’s the wrong number of players, or even the wrong type of game. This is where a little bit of homework will go a long way.

~ Your Gaming Group Friends ~

If you are looking for a gift for a member of your gaming group or another hardcore gamer, consider what types of games they usually gravitate towards and what games they already own. Do they like to play lighter/shorter games or epic 4X battles? Do you have a way to sneak a peek at their board game collection to check if your potential purchase is already on the list? Maybe you happen to know their BGG user name and can check out their online game database. These will all help you hone in on the right game or at least narrow the options.

New arrivals are great for the gamer that already has a huge collection. If your friend already owns Lanterns: The Harvest Festival, they may be interested in the expansion, Lanterns: The Emperor’s Gifts, arriving in December to participating stores.

~ Casual Gamers and Family Members ~

If your holiday target is a less avid gamer, you might want to start with more beginner friendly games, but tie it in with a strong theme that will appeal to them. Find out what interests they have and pair it with the perfect game. What do you have in common that could be related to a board game?

~ Games for Your Significant Other ~

If you’re looking for something you can do together, games are a great choice. Cooperative games can help if one player is more familiar with games than the other, but you must be careful to equally share the choices.  If one player is too over bearing, the other will be bored or worse! You may also want to consider party games that you can enjoy with the company of your friends for a more casual gamer.

FUSE is an intense co-op game that scales perfectly for 2-5 players. Work as a team to defuse the bombs and celebrate together when you complete this fast paced challenge!

~ Games on a Budget (or running out of space?) ~

The holidays can be a real drain on the budget, but you’ll feel terrible if you leave someone out. The last few years have seen an explosion of awesome micro games that will save you money, but deliver a quality experience.

If you’re not even sure where to start, try checking in with your favorite local game store (FLGS). With so many new games each week, specialty hobby stores can be an invaluable resource.  Their carefully curated selection will allow you to browse through games and often demo several options before making your final selection. They’ll know what’s been selling well to other similar gamers and they’re invested in helping you find the right game. You’ll also be supporting a small local business!

Need a great two-player game that fits into your shopping budget and on your shelf? The Blood of an Englishman is an asymmetrical, two-player game for only $15. The art will pull you in, while the strategy will captivate you. Preparing for a larger crowd during the holidays? Dicey Goblins is a blast with a large group and is short enough to play between other family activities!

More than anything, make sure that you find a game you’ll be excited to share with someone else. Your enthusiasm will go a long way towards adding to the fun of the game. There are so many wonderful choices that with just a little effort, you’ll find the perfect gift!

Everyone Loves Pets! Do your friends spend the weekends hanging out at cat cafés or are they always showing you adorable pictures of their dog? Check out Kitty Paw or Doggy Go!