With Christmas literally a week away, I thought a fun little Christmas-y post was in order!
Some people may have only gamer friends, some may have that one gamer friend that’s cool with everyone else who isn’t one (I’m normally in the latter). I’m sure a lot of you have had many-an awkward Christmas where you are gifted with some absolutely random gaming-related thing or have sat through the same Christmas movie about a gazillion times and really they want to have a more “active” time spent with everyone they love. Where is the middle-ground?!
Fear not, for you are at the right place!
Here’s a little cheetsheet of how you, a non-gamer, can celebrate Christmas with the gamer in your life, by a gamer 😉
Presents 🎁
Not every gamer is a fan of Pikachu, so stop giving them Pikachu-related gifts! Gamers fall into a variety of spectrums and have their likes and dislikes. And every single one of us has our favourite Pokémon (it really isn’t Pikachu). I know that Christmas is a week away but I’m sure that there are plenty of you who are last-minute gift-buyers.
If you’re too shy to ask the gamer in your life what they’re into, here’s a few safe options for presents:-
1. Accessories
Plenty of gamers around the world love to put their own personal touch to the gaming gear that they have.
2. The latest game for their console of choice
Not everyone has every single console known to man. Some people prefer one console above all else, some would have two “go-tos”. Here’s a list of some December releases, categorised to each latest generation console:-
PlayStation 4: Wattam ; Terminator: Resistance
Nintendo Switch: Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition ; Assassin’s Creed: The Rebel Collection
Xbox One: Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey ; Stone
PC: Halo: Master Chief Collection ; Darksiders Genesis
3. A game that you can play together
There’s nothing more heartfelt than a sign that you love the gamer in your life. What better way to show them than to get them a multiplayer game that you can enjoy together?
Here’s another list, but this time with some multiplayer favourites!
PlayStation 4: Rocket League ; Rayman Legends
Nintendo Switch: Super Mario Party ; Overcooked 2
Xbox One: A Way Out ; Halo: Master Chief Collection
PC: Crawl ; Speedrunners
4. Collectibles
We gamers definitely do love physical things that show off our gamerness. Whether its a classic game, a super cool t-shirt, a little pixel statue or other geeky memorabilia like coffee cups.
Brownie points if it does something cool like showing a hidden picture when hot liquid is put in it!
5. Gift card to their game store of choice
When all else fails and you really don’t want to screw up another Christmas present, a nifty gift card is most definitely the way to go. It definitely is the safest route, anyway.
Just make sure you know for sure which console they have as not all gamers have all consoles (like how I only have access to Steam and the Nintendo eshop!). Or, just to play it safe, get a gift card to your local game store! I personally love owning physical copies of video games and I’m pretty sure the special gamer in your life does too.
Christmas Day activities 🎮
I’m certain that there have been a few occasions where the gamer in your life has suggested that you do something other than watch the same Christmas movie again. This is probably a hint that they want to do something a bit less passive than sit around and stare at the TV.
1. Play a multiplayer game together
There’s simply nothing like multiplayer games to bring the group together, especially if there’s a gamer in the gang.
You can’t go wrong with classics like Mario Kart but if you’re feeling cheeky and want to test some relationships, Mario Party is a great choice.
2. Board games are games too!
Card games are included in this category as well. Before video games existed, board and card games were the way to go! While you don’t have to go full-on Dungeons & Dragons, there are plenty of games that are relatively quick to get through (as compared to D&D, anyway) and easy to follow.
My personal favourite is Exploding Kittens.
3. Have a little competition
Add some flair to that multiplayer game activity! Nothing spells F-U-N to a gamer like making any random thing a contest. You could split the family (or friends) into teams and battle it out in Overcooked or go head-to-head in a bracketed Street Fighter competition.
If you want to be cheeky with your Christmas ales, you can play drinking games like Beerio Kart. How about some FIFAle? Chugket League? My pun-abilities are endless!
Or…just have fun!
Because gamers, really, just wanna have fun.
Ultimately the most important part of this holiday season is to show your love to all those around you. Hope you enjoyed this cheeky little list as much as I did making it!
Merry Christmas! x
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Plug/Play by Blaise 