RPG Gift Guide

By: Joe Gaylord (Lazarus Game Lab)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! When tiny lights twinkle in windows, people sing holiday songs, fruitcakes emerge from their eldritch slumber, and we all go into a collective panic over what to get people. Ah, I can feel the stress emanating through the internet as you read this. But don’t panic, we’re here to help. Whether it’s a group gift for your DM, a Secret Santa gift exchange with your party, or a present for a family member who plays, here are some thoughts on RPG holiday presents.

The Obvious

There are some things that almost any RPG player would be interested in having. While it might be generic, there’s nothing wrong with:

Custom artwork (Price: Variable, typically $15+)- This is great for a player with a character they love, a DM with a favorite monster, or a group that shared a great moment together. The lowest tier prices will be very simple sketches, but you can basically pay any amount you want, depending on color, size, style, detail, etc. Shop around on RPG Discords, Reddit, Etsy, and similar sites. Please avoid AI art. It’s easy, but it’s better to have something more special, and to support human artists working in our community!

The Forever DM

The one who’s always behind the screen, setting up the adventure and helping others look awesome. Don’t they deserve:

A day off! (Price: Free+)- Give the poor DM a break and let them play for a change! You can create your own short adventure; get an adventure, especially a holiday-themed one-shot from DMsGuild or DriveThruRPG; or you can check out the one-page games from Grant Howitt like Honey Heist, which are easy to pick up and play.

For the Dice Goblin

With a million dice, which have been named, salt-float tested for balance, and sent to jail more times than a Batman villain, there is an unusual, but perfect choice:

A bottle of Crown Royal (Price $28)- It seems strange at first, but the dice goblins in the know have been on to this trick for ages. The key here isn’t the whiskey, it’s the sumptuous drawstring velvet bag, which many goblins consider better than most dedicated dice bags for that purpose. Please get this only for someone who can drink legally and responsibly.

For the Note-Taker

Possibly the most thankless job at the RPG table, the player who can find the name of “that wererat in that place” is a boon to any party, as is the DM who had the name of said wererat in their extensive prep notes. For them, the only gift is:

A stylish notebook (Price $20+)- They can never get enough notebooks, and it’s always nice to receive a useful gift that’s just a little nicer than what you’d get for yourself. My picks would be Natalizia or Paperblanks, but there are so many options, that it’s hard to choose. 

For the Homebrew DM

The DM who always has a custom item, spell, or creature, who spends the time and effort to give their players a unique experience; to give them something back, what about:

Blank Playing Cards (Price $10)- It’s another offbeat pick, but these are a great, cheap tool for a DM. They can put item stats on the cards, use them for notes, or even turn them into initiative markers, they’re a super useful little item.

For the Snack Bearer

The hero of the table, they come with chips, order pizza, and maybe even bring homemade treats for the table, to give them a boost:

Heroes Feast (Price $20)- This is the official D&D cookbook (with a sequel) which is full of good, mostly simple recipes, with references to lore from the game. There is also an Exandria-themed cookbook and RPG cocktail guides available.

For the Wargamer

The player or DM who always knows the distance to the enemy, has strong opinions on squares vs hexes, and still mourns the loss of the 5-foot step would absolutely love a:

Chessex Mat (Price $25)- These are a beloved old-school tool for RPGs. Chessex makes wet-erase battlemats in a range of styles and colors. If you’re on a budget, you can get factory seconds, too. (The dice goblin might like their Pound of Dice offer, too, just saying)

Or a:

Set of miniatures (Price Cheap+)- You can get minis in a range of quality levels. Flat-pack minis are cheaper and easier to store and transport, while 3D minis will usually look more impressive. You can even get a custom mini from Heroforge, or make tokens cheaply using Magic: The Gathering cards. 

For the Speedy DM

They are always checking if you’re done, ban phones at the table, and check who’s on deck as a turn starts, to help them keep up the flow of combat, how about:

A fancy hourglass (Price $10+)- These have come back into fashion as home decor recently, and are a great tool at the table. 1-5 minute timers keep combat flowing, and longer ones are fantastic immersive props for the table. 

For the Rogue

Their “I loot the body” t-shirt might get some stares, but they never forget what the party has and how much money is on hand, add to their bank account with:

Prop coins (Price $15+)- There are a lot of choices here, from simple pirate coins to specific Waterdhavian currency, but having a stack of gold always feels powerful and they’re a prop that will see a ton of use. (Also a choice if you’re starting out Waterdeep Dragon Heist or Keys from the Golden Vault soon)

For the Clever DM

RPGs shouldn’t be competitive, but god, it feels hard to beat this player behind the screen. You’ve been outsmarted, outplayed, and now they can beat you with:

The Monsters Know series (Price $15+)- Keith Ammann is a legend, and any DM preparing for combat would do well to heed his advice for combat at the table. His books should be on everyone’s bookshelf. (You can also consider The Lazy DM, The Game Master Series, or Grimtooth’s Traps, all good options as well) 

For the Game Room Owner

You’re in their house or basement every week, and it’s the best. Perfect lighting, good table, everything works, but you could maybe add:

Fantasy-themed candles (Price $15+)- There are a number of places to get these, but the most popular is probably Cantrip Candles. They make a range of themed scents from locations to events, and any of them could work. 

The Fallback

Listen, we’re all busy, I get it. There’s no shame in not having the time to get something specific, or not knowing the right thing. In that case, I’d absolutely recommend:

A gift certificate to your friendly local game store (FLGS) (Price: Any)- It’s impersonal, but it’s hard to miss. You’re throwing some money at people helping to keep the RPG community alive, usually a local small business, and letting your friend pick the gift they want, everybody wins! 

Just a few last thoughts. Remember not to stress too much over all this. The fact that you’ve taken the time to think about the RPG players in your life, and gotten them something special is already an incredible kindness. Just try to get something that says “I see you, I appreciate you, and I want you to be happy”, that’s enough. And, of course, happy holidays!

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About the Author

Joseph Gaylord has been playing TTRPGs for 25 years, with almost 50 titles to his name on DMsGuild as an author, coauthor or contributor, including The Great Meltwater Festival, a short adventure centering on a winter carnival in a small town. He is on most social media as LabLazarus.