10 Christmas Gift Ideas for a Role-Playing Gamer
Many sites do Christmas gift idea lists, but they tend to lean towards the technological (new TVs) or the classical (Dad needs a new tie!) None give a decent list for the role-playing gamer. Sure, these other lists might help with choosing an RPG gamer’s gift, since many RPG gamers are also deeply into tools, technology or other “manly” toys. Well, no more I say! I put together a list of ten items that should jingle the bells of any gamer. I do not earn a dime from any sales of these items, so this list is not a sales gimmick paid for by the marketing department.
AvatarArt is offering a discount for Livingdice.com readers! Read on for more details.
If you have other ideas, please throw them in the comments.
1. Custom Dice
Nothing says “I am a gamer with disposable income” more than custom dice. Q-workshop has fascinating designs and reasonable prices.
2. Kilts
Every major convention has a booth filled with kilts. Sadly, most gamers pass them by without a second look. Too bad. Wearing a kilt means one of two things.
A. You saw “Braveheart” too many times and wish you were as badass as a real Highlander.
B. You ARE as badass as a real Highlander and will knock skulls to prove it. Anyone making fun of your “skirt” has a 50% chance of guessing wrong. Go on. Scare the locals. Wear a kilt.
3. Custom Binder for Character Sheets
Admit it. Every gamer has a character binder with some art lifted from a book as a cover. Amateur night is over. Get your binder professionally printed up at Avery.
4. Custom Dice Bag
Custom dice need a custom bag. I am a fan of my leather dice bag, but dicepouch.com can stitch “Gaming Love Machine” into a purple dice bag for those that need to advertise their gamer might.
5. Swords
Yes, it is a cliche, gamers with real swords, but at least you can stab anyone that reminds you of that fact. There are literally dozens of shops that sell replica weapons, but a2armory.com has a nice website.
6. Antique Maps
Most gamers I know are actually closet cartographers. Do the gamer you love a favor and send them a framed map of the old world, complete with sea monsters! Art.com has a few, but there are many fine vendors just a Google search away.
7. Custom Character Portrait
Tire of explaining that “Throkgar the Warlord” has a big scar on his face? Throw a custom character portrait on your folder and display his horrible countenance! AvatarArt has some nice samples on their page and the BASIC portrait is dirt cheap at $25.00.
Offer From AvatarArt: LivingDice readers get $5 off their initial commission, while LivingDice itself will get either $5 cash or $10 in AvatarArt credit (which never expires & is fully transferable) for each unique patron they send our way.
So an even better deal + a way to help support a site you enjoy.
8. Buy Something from Indie Press Revolution
Indie Press Revolution has a large assortment of great games and no corporate overlords. Amazingly, companies besides “Wizards of the Coast” actually produce quality role-playing games. Stick it to the man and shop independently!
9. Zuca
Conventions are tiring affairs. Lots of waiting in lines and carrying heavy books through a 25-kilometer long convention center. A Zuca solves both issues. It is a wheeled cart for your books and a portable chair in one small package. A bit expensive, but cheaper than a new spine after 
Gen Con.
10. Dwarven Sweat Shoppe Custom Dice Tray
I reviewed these lovely items a few weeks ago and continue to be impressed by its craftsmanship. At about $40.00 for a base model they are a great gift that will see years of use.
Happy shopping!
Trask, The Last Tyromancer
About the Author: I am a long-time gamer with a blog. No game or topic is too obscure and I welcome the opportunity to discover new games to share with the world.
[...] Trask has been asking me to do a review for a while. He even featured it in this year’s ‘10 Christmas Gift Ideas for a Role-Playing Gamer‘ due to all my man-love [...]
Hi!
I’m a professional stunt and fight guy for film, tv and stage (I’m sure you’ve seen things I’ve been in). I respect all gamers even though I am not one. I found your Christmas Gift List via my friends at Utilikilts in their latest newsletter.
I would like to recommend some sites that sell battle ready swords because the one you listed here are what we call “wall hangers”. The reason here is obvious.
Most swords you find out there would never stand up to the challenge of real combat. This is due to several reasons. The main two are: crap steel as opposed to high carbon steel and rat-tail tangs as opposed to full tang. On both counts you need the latter.
Check these sites, people and forges for the real thing:
http://www.coldsteel.com
http://www.museumreplicas.com
(most of their swords are forged by Windlass Steel)
Paul Chen
try http://www.bladematrix.tv
and the two absolute best; where most of the pieces in my armoury are from:
http://www.deltin.net
and
http://www.angelsword.com
I’m not trying to talk down to you or insult you in any way by writing this. You all deserve to know what’s out there and get your money’s worth.
Happy Christmas and Game On!
Utilikilts are kilts. Not just “skirts for men”
Hi – thought I’d mention a post you made in October about Custom RPG Figures by Alex Garrett – although given it is early December – probably not a lot of time to get a custom figure produced – but with enough advanced notice – this would be an awesome gift.
What a thrill to be included on this list! It’s always such a pleasure to meet and find new people who are passionate about gaming.
Wishing you all the best this Season-
TheBagLady
dicepouch.com
Also, LivingDice readers get $5 off their initial commission, while LivingDice itself will get either $5 cash or $10 in AvatarArt credit (which never expires & is fully transferable) for each unique patron they send our way.
So an even better deal + a way to help support a site you enjoy.
We’re thrilled to be included on this gift list! Our custom character portrait services have various ‘Levels’ of detail letting you decide which version is right; for you or them.
Our ‘Character Cloning’ allows for future pieces of the same figure to be done at 1/2 off the already silly-low pricing.
And should the hero/heroine someday fall, with our included ‘Character Insurance’ we will do their part in the death scene for gratis. You can read a professional review of AvatarArt services/’Character Insurance’ at Gamer Bling:
http://gamerbling.wordpress.com/character-sheets-tools/custom-character-portraits/
Please contact us with any questions or ideas on how we can bring your character to life. From the holidays on, we will also be offering a poster-printing service that uses more colors to print higher resolution on better quality paper. And at less than Kinkos.
Happy Holidays & Good Gaming,
Steve G.
Project Manager
AvatarArt
“Drawing Your Imagination.”
I’m will DNAphil on this one. I love the custom binder link. While outside my price range for the all gamers I know, I might be using it later for a few others that I know.
Awesome list.
I will say one thing, though. Utilikilts are not kilts; they are skirts for men. Now this is a kilt: http://rpgcentric.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/gencon_kilt.jpg
First, let me say that the Custom Binder link is awesome! I just completed a 3-year campaign, and was starting to archive my notes into a single binder. No doubt that I am going to order a custom binder for it now. Thanks.
As for the Dwarven Sweatshoppe dice trays, I bought one at GenCon, this year, and I can say they are outstanding. Great construction, beautiful looking, and a great addition to any gamers, collection. Other places may sell dice trays…forget about them, and go with the Dwarves.
Thanks for the info!
Trask