Board gamers are a rare and delightful species. They’ll spend hours plotting, building, trading, or battling, all while surrounded by hex tiles, dice, and an ever-growing mountain of cardboard. But when it comes to buying them gifts? That’s where things get tricky.
You can’t just hand them another game; odds are, they already own it (and three expansions). What they don’t have are the thoughtful extras that make their game nights smoother, their setup faster, and their space look even cooler.
That’s where this guide comes in. We’ve rounded up 25 amazing gifts for board game lovers, divided into easy-to-browse categories (so you don’t have to be a gaming expert to find the perfect present):
- For the Table: everything that elevates the gameplay experience.
- For the Painter & the Tinkerer: gifts for creative types who love customizing miniatures and components.
- For the Gamer’s Lair: décor, lifestyle items, and home touches that show off their passion.
- For On-the-Go Play: gear that helps them take game night anywhere.
- For the Gamer Who Has Everything: smart, surprising ideas for the player who’s seen (and played) it all.
Whether you’re shopping for a dungeon crawler, a card-shuffling strategist, or the proud owner of a Catan empire, these ideas will help you gift like a pro — even if you’ve never rolled a D20 in your life.
For the Table: Gear That Levels Up Game Night
1. Collapsible Dice Tray
Every great adventure starts with a dice roll, and sometimes ends with dice flying off the table. A collapsible leather dice tray keeps the chaos contained and the rolls satisfying. Bonus: it folds flat for travel.
2. Premium Dice Bag
A real gamer never travels without their dice. Choose a velvet dice bag and seek ones that come with embroidered designs or custom initials for extra flair. Perfect for dice, tokens, or secret victory snacks.
3. Card Protector Sleeves
Whether it’s Wingspan, Ark Nova, or Terraforming Mars, the cards take a beating. These Dragon Shield card sleeves will keep them pristine, and they make shuffling feel deluxe.
4. Card Holder Stands
Help them ditch the clumsy card-fanning. Adjustable acrylic card holders keep everything organized and visible. A lifesaver for games like 7 Wonders or Everdell.
5. Board Game Organizer Inserts
Nothing kills a mood faster than a 30-minute setup. Folded Space and The Broken Token make laser-cut inserts that tame chaos and slash setup time.
6. Custom Playmat
Turn any surface into a premium game zone with a neoprene playmat. Inked Gaming’s mats come in endless designs, from sci-fi galaxies to cozy taverns.
For the Painter & the Tinkerer
7. Airbrush Kit for Mini Painters
For the hobbyist who paints every Gloomhaven or Frosthaven mini, a Badger airbrush or similar starter set is the ultimate upgrade. It makes priming and shading smoother (and faster).
8. Weighted or Metal Dice Sets
Add a little drama to every roll with a set of solid metal dice. They clink, they gleam, and they make even a critical fail sound epic.
9. Wooden Dice Tower
Rolling dice through a handcrafted tower adds spectacle and practicality. Perfect for dice-heavy games like Betrayal at House on the Hill or D&D nights.
10. Metal Coins & Token Replacements
Nothing beats the satisfying clink of metal coins replacing cardboard money. Grab a set of board game coin collections and upgrade their economy in style.
For the Gamer’s Lair
11. Metal Board Game Poster
Whether they’re rolling dice in Dungeons & Dragons, battling in Magic: The Gathering, or cheering on The Legend of Vox Machina, Displate metal posters bring their favorite worlds to life. Many designs come in themed sets, variants, or seasonal drops — perfect for collectors building a gallery wall that grows with their adventures.
12. Meeple Shaped Tray
Snacks are the unsung heroes of every game night, fuel for strategy, laughter, and that one player who always “forgets” the rules. This meeple-shaped snack tray turns munchies into part of the fun. Fill it with popcorn, candy, or trail mix to keep energy (and morale) high all night long.
13. Themed Glassware or Mugs
Why sip from a plain cup when you could drink victory in style? Try an etched table top gaming glass or D20-themed mugs.
14. Board Game Coaster Set
Protect that table from condensation (and coasters from boredom). D20 coasters or Catan-inspired sets keep things tidy and nerdy.
15. Board Game Room Sign
Declare the space sacred: “Game Room – No Rage Quits Allowed.” meeple cutout sign makes the perfect personalized touch.
For On-the-Go Play
16. Board Game Travel Bag
A Game Haul backpack keeps boxes safe between game nights. Padded, structured, and often big enough for Gloomhaven. Perfect for conventions or gaming nights.
17. Compact Dice & Token Case
For players who bring their gear everywhere, a dice vault or token organizer keeps everything in one place.
18. Cable Organizer Pouch
More gamers use apps and digital score trackers these days. A small tech pouch for chargers and accessories keeps the digital side of gaming running smoothly.
19. Board Game Apparel & Totes
Let them show off their fandom outside the table. A Catan hoodie or a tote bag covered in meeples says it all: “Yes, I trade wood for sheep.”
For the Gamer Who Has Everything
20. Tabletop Gaming Books
Not every adventure has to happen at the table. Some live on the page. A great tabletop gaming book lets fans explore the worlds, mechanics, and creativity behind their favorite pastime. From deep dives into game design theory and strategy guides for classics like 7 Wonders, Catan or Gloomhaven, to beautifully illustrated art books that celebrate board game aesthetics, there’s something for every kind of gamer.
21. Tabletop Gaming Magazine Subscription
Perfect for staying in the loop. Tabletop Gaming delivers reviews, previews, and interviews right to their door.
22. Subscription Boxes for Gamers
Monthly dice drops, mini paints, or card sleeves from Dungeon Crate and Geek Crate keep the excitement coming all year long.
23. Gift Card to a Local Game Store
Support their favorite FLGS (Friendly Local Game Store) and let them enjoy the joy of choice. Pair it with a handwritten note for extra thoughtfulness.
24. Art Supply Store Voucher
If they’re into painting minis, a gift card to an art store for brushes, paints, or primer is thoughtful, practical, and much appreciated.
25. The Ultimate Board Game Table
When it comes to dream gifts for board game lovers, this is the big one. A dedicated board game table transforms any session into an event, complete with felt-lined play surfaces, modular cup holders, built-in storage, and even optional LED lighting for late-night marathons.
Think of it as the throne room of tabletop gaming: practical, stunning, and designed to make every roll, deal, and draw feel cinematic. For the ultimate upgrade, look at the craftsmanship of Geeknson’s board game tables, beautiful, customizable pieces that are as impressive as the collections they’ll host.
Game On (and Give Brilliantly)
Every dedicated gamer already has enough boxes stacked to the ceiling. What they don’t have are the thoughtful extras that make game night smoother, their setup faster, and their fandom truly shine.
From dice towers to décor, mugs to collectible posters, these 25 ideas go beyond the board, proving that the best gifts for board game lovers aren’t more games, but the magic that surrounds them.
When the table is cleared and the dice are packed away, a Displate turns their favorite game into sleek, metal art. With designs for every fandom, multiple sizes, and tool-free mounting, it’s a finishing touch that keeps the adventure alive long after the last roll.
And if you snag a few for yourself… we fully endorse the concept of “one for them, one for me.”
For even more board game inspiration, check out our blog: Tabletop RPGs Beyond D&D: A Beginner’s Guide.
