What Do You Buy the Gamer Who Already Has Everything?
Christmas shopping can be difficult at the best of times, but buying presents for somebody who enjoys tabletop gaming brings its own particular challenges. They already have shelves filled with board games, cupboards full of miniatures and enough dice to supply a small army. Ask them what they would like for Christmas and the answer is often something so specific that you would need a detailed explanation just to understand what you were buying.
It is a familiar problem for the partners, friends and families of tabletop gamers. You want to buy something connected to their hobby, but the chances of accidentally purchasing something they already own, do not need or have absolutely no intention of playing can be surprisingly high. Perhaps the answer is to stop thinking about what they could own next and start thinking about what they could actually do.
When Another Box Isn't the Answer
Tabletop gaming can be an expensive hobby, particularly for people who collect miniature armies or enjoy larger board games. Many players spend years building impressive collections, yet finding the time, space and people to actually use them is often a different matter entirely.
A new box of miniatures might be appreciated, but it will probably join an existing collection waiting to be assembled or painted. A new board game might look wonderful on the shelf, but it still needs people willing to sit down and learn it. Sometimes the one thing a gamer really needs cannot be found inside another box.
Giving Someone Somewhere to Play
That is the idea behind The Gift of Gaming, a Christmas membership initiative from Barnsley Association of Tabletop Gamers, or BATG. Rather than buying another game, you can give somebody three months at a friendly local gaming club where they can meet other players and enjoy the hobby they already love.
Based in Barnsley town centre, BATG brings together people interested in miniature wargaming, board games and roleplaying games. Whether someone already owns several armies or simply wants to spend more time playing games with other people, a club provides opportunities that can be difficult to organise at home.
A Christmas Present That Lasts Beyond Christmas
For £30, the Gift of Gaming provides three months of BATG membership from 1 January to 31 March 2027. Recipients can enjoy the club's facilities and take part in a programme of New Member Nights designed to help them settle in, meet people and discover different games.
There are just 20 gift memberships available, with the offer intended for adults who are new to BATG and have not been members during the previous three years.
So, if you are struggling to find a Christmas present for the gamer in your life, perhaps they do not need another box of miniatures after all.
Perhaps they just need somewhere to play them.
Find out more and purchase a Gift of Gaming membership at giftofgaming.batg.org.uk.
