Gifts For Board Game Lovers

Board games have been around for centuries (if you count classics like chess and backgammon!) However, modern renditions typically feature more intense, imaginative gameplay.

For example, board game lovers today might pick up Dungeons & Dragons, Scythe, or Monopoly instead. These post-modern games can keep players engrossed for hours on end. They also offer an excellent bonding opportunity. Imagine spending quality time with your loved ones over a board game and cups of hot chocolate. Is there anything better?

In case you’re looking for gift ideas for the board game lover in your life, you’re in the right place! We’ve curated a list of top board games and related gifts below:

Top Picks for Board Game Lovers

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Every board games lover has heard of Monopoly…but not all of them own a personal set. Luckily, you can help fix this by gifting them a brand new Monopoly game!

This is the perfect game for people of all ages, offering up to 90-minutes worth of gameplay for the whole family. It’s an excellent option for players who enjoy making intuitive financial decisions and smart investments.

Newer versions of Monopoly include pretend debit cards and an in-game card reader. This eliminates the need for the paper cash previously included in the game’s original version. It also makes for a fun, innovative gift for your board game lover friend!

Pros:

Up to 6 players

Convenient, swipe-able cards

Multiple character ‘tokens’ to choose from

A new outcome every time!

Cons:

Gameplay may exceed prescribed time

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Another classic; millions of people around the globe enjoy Scrabble, making it a staple game every board game lover should own!

If your loved one enjoys spelling out fun new words and overcoming their opponent with their vast vocabulary, Scrabble’s the perfect game for them! It’ll help keep them entertained for up to an hour while they battle it out with their opponents.

This game includes a single board, square letter tabs, and accompanying accessories. It’s easy to play and requires minimum maintenance.

Pros:

Various gameplay levels

Suitable for families

Cons:

Small pieces may get lost easily

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Calling all Downton Abbey fans! This game is an excellent gift for those who love this popular show and admire crime stories. This board game draws players in, allowing them to experience what it’s like to solve crimes first hand. It’s hands-down one of the best tabletop games for those with a knack for getting to the bottom of things.

Pros:

Perfect gift for Downton Abbey lovers

Minimum assembly time

Cons:

Flimsy cardboard pieces

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Hasbro’s Candy Land is a surefire way to engage any child between the ages of 3 and 8. It is one of the best board games for young kids, thanks to its attractive, high-quality design. Plus, its simple interface makes Candy Land remarkably engaging and enjoyable. Even a 3 year old can easily maneuver Candy Land’s board game accessories with minimal parental supervision.

Game players can win Candy Land by successfully pacing their meeple to the finish line. On their way, they’ll encounter all kinds of mouthwatering artworks and surprises. This makes the game extra-interesting. Plus, the outer game box flaunt’s an attractive design riddled with images of the Candy King and Lollipop Fairy. These artworks make Hasbro’s Candy Land one of the best gifts for any young game fan!

Pros:

Easy gameplay

Short game duration – ideal for children

Cons:

Simple gameplay may feel repetitive over time

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Trouble requires between 2 and 4 players, making it the ideal game to play with friends of all ages. It is a fun, challenging strategy game geared towards conquering other player’s meeples. Each time your piece coincides with an opponent’s meeple, you can send them back home. After all, they shouldn’t mess with your territory – that’s only asking for trouble!

This engaging family game features a pop-o-matic bubble for convenient die rolling. It helps prevent the die from getting lost and makes the game more fun!

Pros:

Low minimum player count

Easy rules and gameplay

Cons:

Small, flimsy board

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Gloomhaven’s most popular game to date, Jaws of the Lion, offers up to 100 hours-worth of total game time. Playing out a single scene takes between 30 and 120 minutes, making this game ideal for any board game enthusiast.

It is a role-playing game that’ll make a great gift for fantasy and RPG enthusiasts. Each player must embody a unique character and play out a random scene decided by the game’s card deck. The characters can perform special actions, like attacking monsters or healing themselves. Needless to say, playing Gloomhaven demands a vivid imagination. Its innovative gameplay design sets it apart from other RPG games, like Dungeons and Dragons.

The game’s initial version was launched in 2015 on Kickstarter and garnered almost 5000 backers. It was then re-released and secured 40,000 backers amounting to $4 million.

Needless to say, Gloomhaven is amongst the most popular RPGs out there. Its board version is a real teat for the tabletop gamer. However, Steam also offers a video game alternative of this popular franchise. Common merch includes themes t-shirt kits and posters. You can add these to the mix when gifting the Gloomhaven board game to a loved one.

Pros:

Extensive gameplay

Solo-player mode

Cons:

Complex instructions

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If you’re looking for a less intense alternate to Gloomhaven, consider Sequence! This popular party game is ideal for game night with family and friends. It accommodates up to 12 players (in 3 teams) and offers endless rounds of exciting game play.

Sequence is a card game. It doesn’t require dice or additional accessories, lik a dice tray. The game’s simpicity makes it a game room staple for people of all ages to enjoy. Plus, its game pieces are large and sturdy with minimal choking hazard. So, you can comfortably enjoy playing Sequence around toddlers and younger kids!

Pros:

 Large number of maximum players

Quick gameplay

Easy instructions

Cons:

Heavily luck based

Minimal strategy demand

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Wingspan is a unique card game designed to bring out the competitive side of any game player. It features brilliant artwork and attractive thematic elements to enhance the game play experience. Its sophisticated design has won it multiple awards, including the Best Connoisseur Game of the Year in 2019.

In this game by Stonemaier, you’re expected to collect as many birds as possible. You do so by spending your limited food resources to attract birds (represented by their individual cards). Some birds may display special behaviors or offer bonuses when placed within their ideal habitat. Players can also accumulate eggs and more food. Whoever has the largest aviary by end game wins!

Pros:

Relatively new game

Attractive artwork

Cons:

Complex instructions

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Scythe is a top-rated RPG set in 1920s Eastern Europe. The storyline revolves around a local war brewing amongst Europe’s various factions. Gameplay includes conquering territory around the legendary Factory, building infrastructure, and recruiting villagers. Each role player starts playing with a unique set of stats and resources, including metal coins. These tools and currency help gamers get ahead and establish themselves as successful king or queenpins.

Scythe operates on minimum luck. Most actions and achievements are intentional. Only player-villager interactions maintain some degree of randomness, owing to spontaneous card draws.

Attack and defense outcomes depend on the player’s strategy and personal stats. Each player is guaranteed a unique outcome and must play their cards right to succeed. Luckily, the game doesn’t support player elimination. However, one may fall behind if they fail to secure land and build upon it.

Pros:

Seamless, continuous game play

Heavily strategy-dependent

Compatible with expansions 

Cons:

Simple, repetitive combat style

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Though younger people can enjoy it too, Pandemic is amongst the best classic games for adults. It flaunts a superior game design with randomized challenges surrounding the “pandemic.”

The best part about this game is its unpredictable nature. Thanks to the randomized card system that determines game play outcomes, you never know what you’ll be up against next. Pandemic also highlights the importancce of teamwork. You’ll need to work with your teammates to overcome the game’s challenges. Other players may have better stats in a particular area than you do. Effectively communicating with them can help everyone win together!

So, if you’re looking for the perfect board game gifts for someone who appreciates collaboration, consider Pandemic!

Pros:

Unique and exciting gameplay

Easily available on Amazon

Cons:

Randomized outcomes can sometimes make the game unnecessarily challenging

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Dungeons & Dragons is by far the most popular RPG game of all time. It features a standard gameplay outline that can be enhanced with expansion playmats and cards. There is no time frame for this game. It all depends on the players. Those with creative imaginations and a dedication to RPG can spend the whole day playing it. Less experienced players can end after a 2 to 3 hour session. The power is always in the players hands…until they roll a low score. In that case, your fate lay within the game master’s hands!

This is the perfect game to gift any board game geek. No game lover’s collection is complete without D&D! You can also add to their game play experience by gifting them fun merch or a fancy dice set. In fact, you can even browse Etsy to find additional game accessories and collectables.

Pros:

No time limit

Suitable for players of all ages

No player number limit

Supports expansion packs

Cons:

Highly dependent on improvisation

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If you’re looking for a gift for sci-fi and horror lovers, look no farther! Nemesis makes an excellent gift for adults and teens with an appreciation for the morose. It combines otherworldly elements with human space expedition.

The storyline follows an astronaut crew’s attempt to retrn to Earth. However, they must first battle against spectacular monsters and learn to work together. The twist? You cannot win without seeking crew mate support…but you can’t trust them blindy either. After all, it’s every person for themselves!

Nemesis’ gameplay will never be boring, thanks to its randomized stats allocation. You can also mix things up with an expansion pack!

Pros:

Unique, variable storyline

Highly replayable

Detailed miniatures (meeples)

Cons:

Slow gameplay

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More Gift Ideas for Board Game Lovers

While board games certainly make for excellent gifts, there’s no harm in adding related trinkets to the mix! So, if you’d like to treat your loved one to additional merch or gameplay items, check out the list below!

Themed Coasters

Settling down for a long game of D&D but don’t know where to store your drinks? Why not treat your friend to a set of special Dungeons & Dragons coasters?

Dice Tower

Dice towers help ensure the die is rolled fairly. Plus, they make game play more interesting (and accurate!)

Steampunk Dice

Themed dice? Yes please! Amazon and Etsy both feature an excellent selection of innovative die designs. Any board game player would appreciate collectable dice. You can also commission someone on Etsy to curate a custom dice set for your loved one.

Board Game Bag

Board games can be huge and hefty. Carrying them around is challenging, which is why many people prefer hacing a dedicated game bag. If your loved one doesn’t have a board-holder bag yet, why not buy them one? They’ll definitely appreciate having to put less effort into transporting their games. Plus, you get brownie points for selecting a game-themed bag!

Look into their favorite game and buy merch accordingly. For example, suppose they enjoy Scythe more than most RGPs. In that case, look for Scythe-themed bags to gift!

Game Posters

Nothing beats a quality poster flaunting your favorite game characters! Posters are an affordable, fun gift to dedicate to the board game lover in your life. Plus, they’re easy to come by and can be found in a number of sizes.

T-Shirts

Got your eye on that D&D t-shirt for a friend who’ll love it? Go ahead and buy it right away! There’s nothing better than gifting a loved one comfy clothes for their gaming sessions!

Unique Meeples

A meeple is a game piece typically shaped like a little person. However, you can get creative and buy your friend a unique meeple with a non-human shape, instead! For example, some people employ alien or monster meeples. Others enjoy sporting their favorite car miniatures or pocket-sized pets.

Game Table

Chess fans will appreciate a table with a built-in chess board. Not only is this a luxury gift option, it also facilitates convenient gameplay.

You can also look into standard game tables without built-in boards. For example, an RPG player would appreciate receiving an expansive table with plenty of room for game accessories.

Game Soundtrack

Though vinyls are rare these days, that doesn’t mean you can’t give one as a gift! Try finding your loved one’s favorite game soundtrack on vinyl, if possible. Board games with video game renditions typically have official soundtracks, so look for those!

Final Thoughts

From t-shirts to meeples to new games, there’s no end to the gift options available for board game lovers. You could easily pick at item on this list and nail your loved one’s upcoming birthday or holiday gift.

Be sure to consider your friend’s niche interests too, though! For example, check to see if they prefer high fantasy to sci-fi, or horror to medical games. Also, check to ensure they don’t already own the item you’re gifting them! For example, if you know your loved one adores D&D, chances are they already own a board. In that case, try buying them an alternate RPG or D&D-themed merch instead!