The holidays are creeping up fast, and if you haven’t grabbed all your gifts already in the sales… seriously, what have you been doing? Fear not. If your loved one is into gaming or tech, I’ve handpicked a list of thoughtful ideas that’ll stand out amongst the socks and dollar-store aftershave sets (unless we’re talking Xbox socks, which are obviously allowed).
There’s something here for everyone, depending on your budget and how generous you are feeling this holiday season, so from stocking fillers to premium upgrades, I’ve got a bunch of stuff even the nerdiest of nerds and those people who “have everything” probably won’t have.
Best gamer stocking filler
This ornament is equal parts ridiculous and brilliant. I hesitate to call it a stocking filler because it’s absolutely hideously pricey for a decoration. And that is coming from me, who let my son spend $20 on a Pringles bauble just because they are his favorite snack.
But that’s what makes this such a standout gift. It’s not something most gamers would buy for themselves, but they’d absolutely treasure it if gifted.
With light and sound effects, it’s a nostalgic nod to one of the most iconic consoles ever, and pretty topical given this year, Microsoft celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Xbox 360. It’s also probably the only version of the Xbox 360 you can buy that won’t break down.
Hallmark
Keepsake Xbox 360 Ornament (with light & sound)
A nostalgic Xbox 360 ornament with working lights and Halo 3 sound effects, crafted by Hallmark and ready to hang straight from the box. It’s battery-powered, gift-boxed and perfect for any gamer’s Christmas tree.
Best gamer gift for on the move
Handheld gaming has been in the spotlight more than ever this year, and it’s likely your gamer enthusiast buddy will have some method for portable gaming, whether it be a Nintendo Switch, Xbox ROG Ally, or the Steam Deck. Rather than scramble around trying to figure out what case fits their device, why not go for the one-size-fits-all option?
The Tomtoc Arccos G47 is compact but roomy, with smart internal dividers and padding that protect your gear without adding bulk. Our handheld gaming experts have tested it with everything, and it fits like a glove every time. It even has space for accessories like chargers, cables, and earbuds — making it perfect for travel or just keeping your setup tidy at home.
Unlike some official cases that feel overpriced (I’m looking at yo,u official Xbox Rog Ally case) or underbuilt, this one nails the balance of quality and value. It’s the kind of gift that feels thoughtful and useful, especially for someone who’s always gaming on the move.
See more: Tomtoc Arccos G47 review
Tomtoc
Handheld Carrying Case
A lightweight, shock-resistant travel case that fits nearly every handheld you can think of — from the Steam Deck and ROG Ally to Switch, Ayaneo, and even retro handhelds with room for accessories to boot!
Best gamer customization
Yes, I’m about to suggest you give the gift of stickers this Christmas. But these aren’t just any ordinary stickers. Dbrand’s range of premium vinyl stickers protects devices from scratches while giving them a completely new look, whether that’s sleek carbon fiber, bold neon, or even playful designs like “robot camo.” Because they’re available for nearly every popular device, from Google Pixels and Steam Decks to Xbox controllers and laptops, you can tailor the gift to exactly what your loved one owns.
I’ve jazzed up both my Razer Blade 14 and my Steam Deck with Dbrand’s range of stickers, and they have been a great way to keep my devices scratch-free and looking unique.
The price range makes them accessible to most budgets, and the sheer variety of designs means you can pick something subtle, like the oil spill design in my picture above (it’s only visible when the light hits it), or something a little louder. It’s an excellent gift for freshening up tech and something not everyone would splash out for themselves.
See more: Dbrand vinyl stickers review
Dbrand
Vinyl Skin
dBrand skins are precision-cut vinyl wraps designed to enhance and protect your devices. With a variety of textures, colors, and designs, they offer customization while safeguarding against scratches and smudges. Whether you’re styling up your phone, laptop, or gaming console, dBrand will have a design for you. Depending on device and pattern, prices range from $25-$50.
Best for Xbox gamers
So, in news that will surprise nobody, Xbox gamers generally like Xbox controllers. The official Xbox wireless controller, there are bigger better fancier and more expensive controllers out there sure, such as the magnificent Razer Wolverine V3 if you really have money to burn, but the basic Xbox Series X|S is still by far and large the most popular and comes in such a wide array of colors and designs, you are spoilt for choice when picking one as a gift.
💰Splurge alternative: Razer Wolverine V3
That being said, if you have an Xbox gamer in the family, they already have a controller or two. But watch their eyes light up like a Christmas tree when you give them a new design. As if just in time for me writing this article, I can tell you that the latest patterns (the “Breaker” designs), which only launched in September at $80, are already on sale.
The best thing is they have that lovely rubberized grip that I love on some of the special editions, which makes you almost forgive the lack of hall-effect sticks.
See more: Xbox Series X|S controller review
Xbox
Wireless Controller Breaker Special Edition
The official Xbox Series X|S wireless controller, available in dozens of colors and special editions, with prices starting around $60 and premium designs like the new “Breaker” patterns launching at $80 but now on sale.
Best gamer kids gift
I am framing this for kids, but I’m sure plenty of grown-up gamers would love this too. Minecraft plushies are inexpensive and cute as hell. We have a bunch of them in the house, and considering they start from around $12, they are all great quality. The Minecraft Movie was huge this year, and rightly so, with more merchandise than ever available.
I’ve just purchased a squishy Steve and a new Axolotl for my kid for Christmas, and I’m impressed as ever with the quality for the price.
Mattel
Minecraft Basic Plush Characters
Bees, pigs, goats, oh my! Cute and snuggly plush figures for Minecraft fans, young and old, choose between the Fox, Bee, Creeper, Mountain Goat, Enderman, Axolotl and Pig.
Best gift for gamer… feet?
Everything is an Xbox lately, even Crocs. These launched only recently and are so bonkers I’m sure only a handful of people would buy them for themselves, but as a gift? Easy win. Crocs, as disastrous as they look, are actually the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever had on my feet, and your giftee will either already be a Croc convert, or they will be about to be admitted to the church of Croc comfort. Style be damned!
Alternative stocking filler: Xbox Jibbitz Charms $20.
Small caveat is that the only sizes left right now are a women’s 7 or a men’s 5, but they do fluctuate, so keep checking. If you can’t grab your size, I actually think the Jibbitz charms linked above on a plain black or white croc are much nicer. Not to mention cheaper with many plain colours being in the sale for $29.99.
These Xbox Crocs aren’t the only Microsoft collaboration either; there’s also the Minecraft Crocs, which are currently on sale for $40. There were also the geek-level 100 Windows XP Crocs, which are not available to buy… one of life’s small mercies.
Crocs
Xbox Classic Clog
Step into gamer comfort for the rare occasion you do want to go and touch grass, with the official Xbox Classic Crocs. The collaboration that nobody asked for but would make a quirky and easy win as a gift.
Take the stress out of gifting a gamer
If you are still undecided after scrolling through my gift picks, let me take the stress out of choosing for you. My personal top two recommendations from this list would be the Xbox Wireless Controller, because no gamer ever complains about having too many, especially when it’s a fresh design — and the Tomtoc Arccos G47 Travel Bag. After all, it’s actually practical for anyone with a handheld. Between those two, you’ve got either everyday utility or a fun gift covered.
Now remember, it doesn’t have to be the perfect gift. I know “the thought counts” is a tired phrase, but it’s true: showing you have thought about what someone enjoys in their spare time and picked something based on that hobby is super thoughtful and will be appreciated, whatever it is (although I did once see an Xbox soap-on-a-rope and recoil).
Now it’s your turn! Drop a comment below with the best holiday gift you’ve ever received.
Gamer gift FAQ
What do I need to know for the perfect gamer gift?
Crucially, you need to know where your loved one actually games. If you are buying an accessory, then some controllers may not be compatible, so check first. Do they play on PC, Xbox, or PlayStation?
What about the gamer who has everything?
You can’t go wrong with a gift card for their preferred platform. Let your loved one add to their backlog. You can purchase Xbox Gift Cards, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions, which extend existing subscriptions, and even Steam wallet credit. Don’t be afraid to buy cheaper online and write the code on a Christmas card!
What is the best console to buy?
If you have the cash to gift a console, there is no single best choice; you need to pick based on the person. Here’s a quick breakdown:
– Xbox Series X|S – Access to Game Pass, free cloud saving, and a lot of Play Anywhere enabled games (work and save on PC and console)
– PlayStation 5 – Biggest console exclusives, best single player catalog.
– Nintendo Switch – family-friendly and best interface for kids, the only way to legally play Pokémon and Mario!
What is the best gaming handheld?
We think it’s the ROG Xbox Ally X. It’s got a beefy AMD AI Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor and is only getting better with each and every update, but the Steam Deck is pretty fantastic too and Steam OS is much better out of the box. Read our Best Gaming Handheld guide for more info
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