If you’re lucky enough to have a dad who games, you’ll be used to hearing him hum the Legend of Zelda theme tune around the house — and you’ll definitely be used to him insisting that ‘nothing beats the good old days of gaming’.
Even so, settling on the perfect gift for a gamer dad can feel a bit like a final boss level in itself. Do you play it safe with some Space Invader socks? Do you break the bank for a replica retro console?
If you’re feeling defeated by shopping, allow Displate to help. Whether he’s challenging you to another round of Street Fighter II or boasting about his Call of Duty kill streak, this list will truly help you level up Dad’s gift this year.
1. Cable management Solutions (yes, really)
Ok, you may be thinking that this isn’t the most exhilarating gift to start with, but you’re just going to have to trust us on this one. The fact that gaming setups can be pretty complex with lots of plug-ins and trailing wires, and you have the perfect storm. So, make your gamer dad feel seen with the ultimate solution: cable hiders.
If you really want to impress Father Dearest, you could also get him an extension lead with surge protection to help manage power usage from his gaming set-up. Believe us, he’ll thank you.
2. DIY Gamer Survival Snack Kit
If you live with a gamer dad, you’ll be all too familiar with his ritual reappearance for snacks throughout the day (and night). Gaming is a sport and a tough one at that, so gamers naturally require a diet of champions if they are to survive a heavy day at the PC. If your dad often takes part in gaming marathons, a gamer survival snack kit is the perfect gift. From Oreos and Doritos to Mountain Dew and popcorn, make sure to opt for the perfect selection of sweet, savory, and spicy — and don’t forget the drinks
3. Couch Drinks Holder
If your dad can often be found gaming horizontally on the couch, this is the gift for him. A couch drinks holder will let him safely store his gamer juice (beer or otherwise) by his side while he reclines, reducing the risk of spillage and making sure he doesn’t need to get up every time he needs a refuel. 4. Gaming Posters
Depending on how serious of a gamer your dad is, the chances are he’ll have his own gaming room or ‘man cave’, giving you the perfect opportunity to give him some stylish gaming decor to brighten up the space.
At Displate, we have an impressive range of gaming-themed posters in our collections — from PC gaming to good old-fashioned retro consoles. So, whatever your dad’s preferred gaming style, you’ll be able to pick out the perfect poster for his walls from Displate.
5. Gamer Dad T-shirt
Next, we present you with the gamer equivalent of the ‘World’s Best Dad!’ T-shirt. If there’s ever a dress-down day at work, you best believe your dad will be wearing this into the office.
You can’t go wrong with a classic T-shirt, especially one with a funny slogan or his favorite character on the front. The key to this essential gift is comfort — avoid large plasticised designs and consider sizing up for the ultimate lounge fit. Whether your dad needs a new pajama top or could do with a fun new addition to his daily outfit rotation, this is a failsafe option.
6. Game Boy Luggage cover
If you’ve been to the airport with your dad, you’ll know what we mean when we say that ‘Dad Mode’ gets activated. Passports? Check. Boarding pass? Check. Luggage? Check.
This Game Boy suitcase cover is ideal for a dad who travels — and who could learn to have a little more fun when on family vacation.
7. Gamer Doormat
While you might have to check with Mom before putting this one out, if your dad is big into his games, a fun doormat is an excellent gift idea. One step further than the classic “Go Away!” — although there’s probably a Space Invaders version of that out there somewhere — there are plenty of game-specific doormat designs on the market, like this Simlish one for the die-hard Sims gamer.
8. Guinness World Records Gamers Edition
Was it just our dads that religiously bought the Guinness World Records books around Christmas time growing up? While these books are certainly of their time (a time before the internet took over as the dominant mode of information gathering), they make an excellent coffee table book gift.
For gamer dads specifically, the Guinness World Records book has a Gamers Edition filled with everything from top scores, fastest completions, and even the largest in-person gaming events.
9. Desktop Punching Ball
If you’re sick of hearing an assortment of wails and yells from Dad’s gaming room, then you need to get him the desktop punching ball. The ultimate, immediate gaming stress relief, this handy punch bag sticks to the desk and can bear the brunt force of any gamer’s frustration — even after their character dies 0.01 second before the end of the level.
10. Monopoly (Gamer Edition)
For the last gift on our list, we’ve gone a bit meta and suggested a game of a game. Everyone’s favorite family board game, Monopoly, does a selection of different themed versions (including versions of their favorite console games like Fallout or Skyrim). Gifting Dad a board game version of his favorite might be the only way to get him to share his gaming fun with all the family. Just don’t get too competitive…
Make Dad’s Day with Displate
Whether he’s into Call of Duty or he’s more of a Mario man, Displate’s collection of gaming-themed metal posters is bound to win on every level.
From fanart of his favorite characters to whimsical retro-themed gaming posters, browse our collections today or, for more gift ideas, keep up to date with the Displate blog.
