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Gift Guide:

The Board Game Geek

The Ultimate Boardgame Backpack

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$150

Card sleeves

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Top 100 Board Games scratch-off poster

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$21

Steampunk dice tower

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$45

Gorilla Grip liner for the ideal board game surface

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$19

10x10 customized wooden challenge board

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$38-76.50 (or $23-48 for the smaller version)

This challenge board makes an awesome gift for serious board gamers, particularly someone who plays multiple games with the same people or has family game nights. It can be used in a bunch of different ways to track game play, such as: 1) write in 10 board games, move 1 meeple per game across the spaces to track the number of times you’ve played a game (the challenge being play each game 10 times); 2) write in 10 board games that are always played with the same people, get 100 meeples in up to 4 colors & assign each player a color – then put the winner’s colored meeple in the slot (i.e. board game 1, play 1, won by player 1 followed by the 2nd play of the same game won by player 3, etc.); 3) write in peoples’ names, move the meeple in their line along each time they win a game to see who wins 10 games first. Ok, yes that was super confusing, but hopefully you get the general idea/possibilities. Etsy seller Braddock & Co offers full customization for the title of the board, board stain, and meeple colors. Prices vary based on the number of meeples & the number of different colors you want – a board with 10 meeples is $38 for 1 color, $42.50 for 2 colors, $47 for 3 colors, or $51 for 4 colors; a board with 100 meeples is $60 for 1 color, $68 for 2 colors, $72 for 3 colors, or $76.50 for 4 colors. They also make a 5x5 option if you think 10x10 is too intense.

Dungeons & Dragons Mindflayer dice pouch

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$12

Based on the Mindflayer character from classic D&D lore, this lil guy is angry & adorable. It’s perfect to bring to games at other peoples’ houses with its carabiner attachment & zippered pouch that holds dice, small tokens, & other small accessories.

Board games t-shirt

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$20-25

Fairly certain all board gamers love t-shirts, so we’ve rounded up some of our favorite board game shirts here:
1) I like board games & maybe like 3 people by MoodCatz ($22)
2) Introverted but willing to discuss board games by DesignEclipse ($22-25)
3) I am sorry for the things I said while playing board games by ManateeGifts ($25)
4) It’s your turn by TantrumHouse ($25)
5) Retro meeple by DarksApparel ($22-25)
6) Settlers of Catan by BootsTees ($25)
7) Let’s party dice by Snorgtees ($20)

Get shirt one, two, three, four, five, or six from Etsy or seven from Snorgtees.

Crochet baby Cthulhu by Manatee Gifts

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$15

If you don’t think these lil crochet baby Cthulhus are fucking adorable, get out of here. While Cthulhu was 1st created by writer H.P. Lovecraft in his literary universe, the character has gone one to reach fantasy world heights and is featured in many games (both table and digital/video). If you have gamer friends, you most likely know someone who would love to get one of these lil cuties.

“Game Night” socks gift box

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$34

A gaming candle by Gametee

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$7.50-9

These hand-blended vegan soy candles burn for 20 hours and were specifically designed to burn while gaming – they’re all inspired by gaming tropes & whimsical themes. Maybe it’s boring to list out all 39 options, but we’re so tickled by all the names & options that we’re gonna do it anyway. Here goes: Moorland Moon, Smuggler’s Cove, Rogue’s Hideaway, Springtime Shire, The Captain’s Fate, The Mermaid’s Kiss, The Bard’s Sonnet, The Queen’s Secret, Health Potion, Mana Potion, Love Potion, Luck Potion, Restoration, Destruction, Illusion, Enchantment, Dwarven Mead, Eldritch Shrine, Dragon Fire, Paladin’s Prayer, Wizard’s Tower, Black Mage, White Mage, Ranger’s Retreat, Koopa Beaches, Druid’s Salve, White Wolf, Elven Wellspring, Fey Meadow, Celestial Sanctuary, Call to Adventure, Soulstorm Brew, Hyrulian Forest, Apothecary Shop, Misty Mountains, Unicorn Tears, Arcane Library, Sea-Salt Ice Cream, Devil Made Pies. Their scent descriptions are great, the packaging is fun, and buying from them supports an independent, ethical company founded by two gaming sisters.

Meeple coasters by BeamGeeks

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$14 for a set of 4

These coasters, made of sturdy cork, are perfect for hosting game night, because you know you can’t be getting condensation on the table near the game. Etsy seller BeemGeeks says that each of their patterns was selected because they thought it relate well to board games (eg. The hex pattern because the hexagon shape is associated with Settlers of Catan, Terraforming Mars, Castles of Burgundy, etc.) Between their two listing options, there are a total of 40 patterns to pick from – they let you pick 2 for your set of 4, but if you wanted to try to do all different patterns, they would likely customize. If you’re stuck, our favorite patterns are “Armor”, “Dwarven”, “Facets”, “Foothills”, “Hex”, “Plain Jane”, “Tartan”, “Triplicomplicated”, & “Waves”.

Get them from Etsy seller Beam Geeks listing one or listing two.

An enamel pin by ChittyPins

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$10

These pins by Etsy seller ChittyPins are great – our favorite is probably “Deck Building”, but we already have someone in mind for the “Rules Teacher” pin also.

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Books

For the Love of Board Games by Erin Dean

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$35

“For the Love of Board Games is a book that explores how modern, popular board games were created and features interviews with the designers behind the games. The industry’s biggest board game designers, including Uwe Rosenberg, Richard Garfield, Bruno Cathala, Reiner Knizia, and many others, share their behind-the-scenes stories.
Each chapter features a different board game designer discussing not only the inspiration behind the game(s) they designed, but also why they started playing and how they got their start in the industry. Designers will also share stories about the board games they designed, but never published.
Readers will discover fun facts and learn about the challenges behind some of their favorite board games while catching an exciting glimpse of the designer’s future plans. Full of exclusive interviews and never-before-told stories, For the Love of Board Games is a must-have gift for tabletop gamers of all ages as well as a great addition to your own game room.” – Goodreads

The Culture series boxed set by Iain M. Banks

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$40

Gametek: The Math & Science of Gaming by Geoff Engelstein

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$35

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