Crafting the Perfect Board Game Gift Basket 

Link for credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-wicker-basket-lot-0kvS01RVKQI 

Christmas is almost here! And as that glorious day of cheer and merriment draws near, we’re all thinking about delights to give to our loved ones. This year, a great suggestion we’ve got for you is putting together a board game gift basket. These included anything from games and snacks to accessories and more, making them perfect for enhancing a family game night. They’re the perfect choice for your board game crazed loved one, they’re easy to put together, and they’ll always be remembered as one of the best gifts ever received. A fantastic present that enhances the recipient’s gaming experience, it can be customized to include various items that appeal to anyone who enjoys board games and social gatherings.

Board Game Gift Basket Ideas

Below we’ve got specific board game ideas, types of baskets or containers, snack ideas, accessories, and fun trinkets to add to your board game gift basket to make it a great gift for families, newlyweds, college students, and your board gaming friends.

Board Game Gift Basket Container Ideas

Classic Basket

Perhaps the easiest choice for your board game gift basket is the classic woven basket. These come in all sizes and shapes and are widely available at local stores, online shops, thrift stores for the budget-conscious, and may even already be hiding in a storage closet. Just be sure to choose one large enough to hold the largest stuffers for the basket, with plenty of room to spare for all the extra goodies you’re tucking in.

Large Popcorn Bucket(s)

Grab a large popcorn bucket or two and use these as your gift basket(s). Add the games, accessories, and other goodies, plus, of course, some popcorn and popcorn seasoning to top it off with a fun, thematic bonus.

Galvanized Tin Pail or Crate

Why not serve up a dual-purpose board game gift basket? Grab a galvanized tub large enough for drinks, and fill it up first with games, dice, accessories, and snacks. Then, when game night comes, the recipient has a drink cooler ready for the crowd. Just add ice.

Picnic Basket

For recipients who love the great outdoors, consider using a picnic basket for the container. The gift pulls double duty this way and encourages healthy activities all around.

Game Storage

Gamers always need someplace to keep their games organized, easy to access, and portable. So, why not grab a board game bag, bin, or similar that’s designed specifically to help with this. There are backpacks and shoulder bags perfect for this gift basket idea, many of which offer specific organization options like dividers, windows, and pockets perfect for cards and dice.

Custom Gift Box

Hop on to sites like Etsy to find custom gift boxes for board games. They usually bear thematic images and words that center on gaming. They’re designed specifically to contain board game boxes, deck boxes, and similar, and they’re worth the custom price for making that board game gift basket just a little extra special.

Skip the Basket and Build a Game Tower

Or skip the container altogether and build a game tower instead. Ensure you’ve got a few different sized games to build your base with, then stack games, accessories, and more to create the tower. Then cover the tower in plastic gift wrap sheets, tuck in any loose accessories or gifts (like snacks, cocoa packets, or dice bags) and tie it all up with a bow.

Possible Themes For Your Board Game Gift Basket

You don’t need to pick a theme, but often doing so can help you narrow down your best picks and create a truly unique gift.

Some thematic ideas include:

• Dice games

• Card games

• Star Wars – games, accessories, extra goodies, and more!

• Dr. Who – also plenty of games, accessories, and more available

• Horror

• Zombies

• Mystery/whodunnit

• Cats – Think games, snacks like goldfish, cat-themed socks or covered cups

• Dogs – Same! There are tons of great dog-themed games and accessories out there

• Racing – Go for a mix of horses, dogs, horses, unicorns, cars, boats, bikes – they all have games and provide plenty of creative opportunities!

• Unicorns – You’ll find Unicorn Fever and other games, along with plenty of unicorn game accessories, snacks, and other goodies on this theme.

• Dragons

• Japan

• China

• Norse mythology

• War games

• Lord of the Rings

• Medieval

• Renaissance

• Adventure

• Travel

• Comics

• Marvel Comics/MCU

• Harry Potter

• Fantasy

• Pirates

This gift basket can be tailored for any occasion, whether it be a birthday, holiday, or special celebration.

Board Game Gift Basket Stuffers

Link for credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-basket-with-a-name-tag-on-it-sitting-on-a-table-IBDjW_mo9aI

Ideally, you’ll want your board game gift basket to contain at least one of each type of item, or, in some cases, multiples. Cater the stuffers to the recipient, considering if family members typically play with them, the ages of kids, any food allergies or sensitivities, and, of course, any known favorites such as card games versus dice games, colors, and snacks of choice. Adding a handwritten note or heartfelt card can provide a personal touch, enhancing the overall thoughtfulness and sentiment of the gift.

Specific Games to Include

Link for credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-black-table-topped-with-a-box-of-books-mifFICfCh4Q 

Your budget for the gift basket – and size of the basket itself – will help determine what games to include from the following list. You’ll also want to see if you can subtly learn if they already own any of them before grabbing a copy for the board game gift basket. Ask their partner for suggestions (they often hear what the recipient’s been planning to buy or wishing for), their kids, or roommates. Or see if someone can check the game closet to make sure a copy isn’t already on hand.

Cheap board games to pick from include:

• Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

• Sushi Go

• 7 Wonders Duel

• Patchwork

• Codenames

• Targi

• Star Realms

• Jaipur

• Splendor

• For Sale

• Love Letter

• Monopoly Go

Mid-range board games to choose from include:

• Catan

• Ticket to Ride

• Azul

• Monkey Palace: A Lego Board Game

• Abducktion

• Trekking the National Parks

• Cascadia

• Mind the Gap

• Dixit

• Pandemic

• Quacks of Quedlinburg

• Carcassonne

• Bedlam in Neverwinter

• King of Tokyo

• Casting Shadows

• Machi Koro

Expensive board games to consider include:

• Cthulhu Death May Die

• Everdell

• Sleeping Gods Distant Skies

• Scythe

• Zombicide

• Terraforming Mars

• Mansions of Madness

• Spirit Island

• Star Wars Outer Rim

• Smallworld

• Twilight Imperium

• Frosthaven

• Charterstone

• Nemesis Lockdown

• Dead Cells: The Board Game

• Marvel Zombies

Snacks

Because no game night is complete without a load of delicious goodies for all to share, grab some snacks as part of the game board gift basket fillers. Sweet treats like candies and cookies can complement the gaming atmosphere, making it more enjoyable for participants. Consider food allergies and preferences, as well as how messy the snack is. Avoid things like Cheetos or greasy chips to keep things cleaner. Instead go for things like popcorn, crackers, candy, and similar.

Some great snack options include the players’ favorites, as well as:

• Candy – skip un-coated chocolate (like M&Ms) and pick non-melting candies like gummy worms, taffy, and others that don’t leave behind sticky, chocolatey, or powdery residues

• Popcorn – include kernels for the healthiest choice (assuming they have a popcorn popper!) or microwave popcorn bags, plus some favorite seasonings

• Cheez-Its, Goldfish, and similar flavorful crackers that don’t leave behind loads of dust

• Soda cans or bottles

• Sparkling water cans

• Beer or wine for the grownups

• Hot cocoa packets

• Teabags

Game Night Recipe Book

There are game-themed cookbooks, recipe websites, and more that theme both on specific games like Catan and the board gaming hobby in general. Some of the best books include:

• Catan: The Official Cookbook

• Ticket to Ride: The Official Cookbook

• The Ultimate Gamers’ Cookbook

• The Game Night Cookbook

Playing Surface/Mat

In case you’re not familiar with them, playing surfaces and game mats are one of the best accessories board gamers can add to their collection. These mats are specifically designed to help game playing run smoother – literally. That is, the mats help prevent cards from sticking (meaning they’re easier to pick up) and provide protection for gaming surfaces like dining tables. Consider including a game mat in the board game gift basket, especially for someone who might not usually indulge in such an accessory on their own.

Dice Trays

Speaking of smoother play, dice trays also help make games run more easily. They’re designed to hold dice between turns as well as provide a rolling surface that keeps dice in check and prevents them from getting lost. They usually come in multi-packs, so you can grab several for the gift basket – or get fancy and buy one or more of the custom or high-end dice trays made of leather.

Card Sleeves

If the recipient of your board game gift basket loves card games – or is receiving some games like Magic: the Gathering or Marvel Champions – consider stowing a pack or two of card sleeves into the basket. These help protect the cards during transport and play.

Colorful Dice

Link for credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-black-table-topped-with-a-box-of-books-mifFICfCh4Q 

What gamer doesn’t love gorgeous dice? In fact, loads of folks who aren’t even huge into gaming love these small, attractive gaming objects. Discover your recipient’s favorite colors and look for some unique dice combining these – or go for themed dice based on some of the games you’re giving.

Trophy for Competitions (Game Night Champion)

If you’re giving this board game gift basket to a family or someone you know enjoys friendly competition, you could include a small, inexpensive trophy for the “Game Night Champ.” This trophy can enhance the enjoyment of game nights where friends and family gather to play games. Whoever wins the given game night overall can then bring back the trophy, and players can swap it out over time, sending it home with whoever wins the night from month to month.

Notepads and Pens for Scoring and Gameplay

Lots of gamers enjoy doing championships or overall scoring on their game nights. Many games also often require extra math and notes as the game is played. Providing a collection of small notepads and writing utensils can really flesh out that gift basket.

Small Scoreboard or Custom Scorebook

If you dig around on Etsy and Amazon, you’ll find some scoreboards and scorebooks designed specifically for gamers. These help folks track points during a game night or over time for repeated events. They make for a great memento for families and friends, too, reminding folks of great times. They can stick photos on the pages along with the scores and remember all their friends over the years.

Poker Chips

Poker chips aren’t just for poker! In fact, many gamers keep a collection of poker chips on hand and never play with a standard deck of cards. Instead, poker chips often function as coins, point keepers, and other pieces for games. Adding a pack of attractive chips to the board game gift basket can add a layer of thoughtfulness to the gift for this reason.

Cups with Lids or Reusable Water Bottles

Nobody wants spills – but everybody needs something to drink on game night. So, including cups with lids or reusable water bottles is a great way to encourage a hydrated night while avoiding the mess. If you’re giving the gift basket to a family, ensure you include a different bottle or cup for each person – something they can each easily identify as their own.

Card Holders

If your recipient enjoys card games – or you’re going with a card game themed basket – consider adding some card holders into the mix. These do what the name implies, and often help players more easily track their game. These are especially great for kiddos, folks with vision impairment, or folks who don’t easily hold things without pain or struggle.

Card Shufflers

Card shufflers are another great option, especially for games with large decks or multiple decks, and for folks who have arthritis or other hand use challenges.

Game-Themed Mugs, Cups, Socks, or Other Fun Accessories for the Night

You’ll find loads of fun game-themed items out there that may well top off your gift basket with that extra flavor text of fun. You can find accessories like unicorn or dragon socks for a themed gift basket, or specific game-themed accessories. A quick search should show you card holders, deck boxes, dice, dice trays, clothing accessories, and much more that tie into specific games and motifs.

Also Read: The Ten Best Board Game Bags Around

Gift Cards to a Game Shop

Finally, if you’re not quite sure what else to include, grab a gift card from the recipient’s local game shop. These can often be purchased online if you’re not local, or you can make a stop in when you’re on that side of town.

Conclusion

Before you go out and buy everything on this list, take a little bit to consider what options will best suit the recipient of your board game gift basket. Think of themes they enjoy, games you’ve heard them talk about, favorite snacks and drinks, and their favorite colors and themes. These will help you choose the right stuffers and containers for your gift basket. Merry gaming everyone!

FAQ for Board Game Gift Baskets