Buying for a gamer is harder than it looks. They already own the games they want, they have strong opinions about hardware, and a gift card feels like giving up. The good news is that most gamers spend hours in one place, at a desk or on a sofa in front of a screen, and that space is where a thoughtful present makes the most difference. Here are gifts for gamers that don't require you to know their favourite game, sorted by where they will use them.
Why a setup gift beats another game
Games are personal, hard to choose and easy to duplicate. Things for the setup are different. A desk mat, a piece of wall art or a pin they can wear say you noticed what they love, without the risk of buying something they already have or would never play. They are also used every single day.
Gifts for the desk
- An extended desk mat. The single most useful upgrade for a PC gamer. It sits under the keyboard and mouse, gives a smooth, consistent surface, protects the desk and sets the colour theme of the whole setup. Our largest size is 31.5 x 15.5 inches.
- A mouse pad in a design they will love. For smaller desks or console players who use a PC sometimes.
- A headphone hook or stand. Cheap, practical and always appreciated.
- A small light. A warm desk lamp or a bias light for the back of the monitor.
Gifts for the wall
The wall behind a monitor is what a gamer looks at between matches, and what appears behind them on stream or on calls. One good piece of art finishes a setup.
- A framed poster arrives ready to hang and looks smart above a desk.
- A canvas is the more permanent, gallery-style choice for a den or game room.
- A tapestry covers a big wall cheaply and hangs without damage, ideal for renters and dorms.
Choose by the colours of their setup rather than by a game. Purple and blue lighting suits cosmic and neon art; a black and white setup suits monochrome pieces. Our guide to desk mat and wall art pairings shows combinations that work together.
Gifts for the bag and the jacket
- Button pins for a backpack, lanyard or jacket. Great for convention-goers.
- Acrylic keychains for keys, bags and controllers' carry cases.
- A graphic tee with art in the style they love: neon cities, space, retro synthwave.
How to choose without knowing their games
- Look at their setup. What colour is their lighting? That is the safest colour to buy in.
- Notice the themes they like. Space, cyberpunk cities, fantasy dragons, retro arcades, cute animals. Original art in that style works better than merchandise for a specific game.
- Check their space. Desk width for a mat; wall space and whether they rent for wall art.
- Pick one good thing. One quality piece beats a box of novelty items.
Gifts for gamers by budget
- Small: a pin or keychain. See keychain ideas.
- Medium: a mouse pad, desk mat, tee or poster.
- Larger: a framed poster, canvas or a matching desk mat and wall art set.
For more ideas by budget, see art gifts under $25, $50 and $100.
Gifts for gamers who have everything
Someone who has the latest console and every accessory usually doesn't have original art. A piece made by an independent artist, in a style that suits their room, is something they would not have bought for themselves. See gifts for someone who has everything.
Order early
Everything we sell is made to order, so allow 2 to 7 business days for production plus shipping. For holiday dates, check our holiday order deadlines.
Browse desk mats, framed posters and the full Artist Shop, or read choosing art as a gift for a gamer.