A gift for a gamer: what do you buy for €5, €25, or €70?
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
5 min reading time
Buying a gift for a gamer is tricky if you don't know their setup. This guide categorizes choices by price and risk: what always fits, what requires prior information, and what you'd better skip.
Someone who games a lot has usually already meticulously chosen what's on their desk. This makes gift-giving complicated: if you buy the same thing again, or something that doesn't fit their system, it will end up in a drawer. At the same time, it's a rewarding category, as there's a lot to choose from between €3 and €70, and not everything requires technical knowledge.
The most convenient way to choose is not by price, but by risk. Some gifts suit everyone who has a computer. Others only make sense if you know which platform someone uses. They are listed below in that order, with their price ranges. Useful to review now: whoever orders for Sinterklaas wants to know what they're looking for in October.
Almost always a hit: accessories that don't need to know anything
The safest gifts are the items that belong on the desk or wall and don't need to know anything about hardware.
A mouse pad is the clearest example. Everyone who plays with a mouse uses one, they wear out, and most people don't buy a new one on their own. The Battletron XXL mouse pad measuring 80 x 30 cm (€19.95) is large enough to place the keyboard on as well, which reduces the shifting of loose items. If you want something more extensive, there's the XXL gaming mouse pad measuring 900 x 400 mm with an A5 notebook (€29.99). Do measure first: a 90 cm wide mat won't fit every desk, especially if there's also a second monitor.
Gamers usually have too few USB ports. Mouse, keyboard, headset, controller, microphone, phone charging — on a laptop with three ports, that's a daily puzzle. A hub solves that and fits almost any computer.
The USB 3.0 hub with 4 ports and individual switches (€14.95) is the sensible choice: the switches allow you to turn off devices you're not using for a moment. If you want it to match the rest of the setup, there's the USB hub with 10 ports and RGB lighting (€24.95). Note the difference: USB 3.0 is for faster data transfer, USB 2.0 is fine for peripherals like a mouse or keyboard, but slower for file transfers.
A mouse is the gift that most often goes wrong because hand size and grip are personal. If you know that the current mouse is broken or clearly too small, then it's an excellent choice; if you don't know, choose something else.
In terms of price ranges, you roughly see three steps:
DPI says something about how sensitively the mouse responds to movement: the higher it is, the further the cursor moves with the same hand movement. A higher number isn't automatically better — many players set it lower for precision. The number of programmable buttons is more relevant: those who play a lot with hotkeys will benefit from them daily, and those who don't will be paying for buttons that do nothing.
What to avoid without consultation
Games are the classic misguided gift. They are tied to a platform, people often already own them, and digital codes cannot be transferred. If you are absolutely sure which system is in the house, then it's possible: there are titles for the Nintendo Switch available, such as Transformers Battlegrounds and Super Kickers League Ultimate (both €9.95). Pay attention to the description for these two: they are physical packaging with a download code, not a cartridge. That's precisely the kind of detail you want to know beforehand — so always read the full product page before choosing a game as a gift.
The same applies to headsets, keyboards, and controllers: too much personal preference, too much chance of duplication. If you still want to go in that direction, ask someone close to them to help you look, or give an accessory that complements it.
Combining into one package
A €30 gift often feels more complete if it consists of two or three items rather than a single box. A mouse pad with a set of door signs, or a hub with a keychain, feels like more than a single item in the same price range. If you package it yourself, keep in mind that an XXL mouse pad is shipped rolled up and therefore requires elongated packaging; mice and hubs fit in a small box, but are sensitive to pressure on the buttons — a layer of padding prevents that.
Briefly summarized
Under €10: door signs, keychain — nice as an extra gift, no risk.
€10 to €25: hub, charging station, mouse pad, entry-level mouse — the safest zone.
Above €25: large mouse pad or mouse with programmable buttons — only if you know what they currently have.
Only with prior knowledge: games, and anything tied to a specific platform.
Further reading
All mice, mats, and hubs can be found under Gaming Accessories and PC Accessories. If you're looking more broadly in electronics, check Computers & Accessories; for just mats, there's Mouse Pads. Not sure if something fits the setup of the person you're buying for? Send your question to info@verpakkingdeals.nl, and we'll help you look before you order.
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