Birthdays, Holidays, or Just Because…These Budget Friendly Gifts Will Be Sure to Please
Are you on a tight budget but still want to show your appreciation for your D&D friends? Look no further! In this article, we’ll explore five affordable gifts that are sure to make your adventuring party feel appreciated without breaking the bank.
Disclaimer: All opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
Plot Twist: Popularity!
As a surprise to pretty much anyone who has been around tabletop gaming for a bit (2001 here, with my first forays into VtM and LOTR), tabletop RPGs are… popular? Weird, I know. Lots of advantages and disadvantages with popularity, but one of the coolest things is the amount of super creative and crafty people who have joined the hobby and are now making awesome things for all of us to enjoy!
Below are some of the most affordable gifts that I have either given or received, so I can vouch for them all.
Condition Rings: For the GM Who Has Almost Everything
Condition rings have become all the rage lately, and for good reason. They come in different quantities, aesthetics, and price points, but I like this offering the best (Amazon). A clear, tough display case, a thoughtful foam insert for holding the rings, bright colors, and easy-to-read text make it a winner. These are the same rings that I use at my table!
D20 Soap with Surprise Dice Inside
I bought these (Etsy) for my table two holiday seasons ago, and later, several more for my own household. I am typically a strictly liquid soap person, so I was skeptical, but I love these! They lather well, and the artisan takes custom requests and REALLY knocks it out of the park. Let me give you an example.
I had a character I was playing a while back named Ziaxori “Ambition,” a tiefling with bubblegum pink hair who smelled of sulfur. I told the Etsy artisan this, and, no kidding–she sent me pink soap, with sparkly pink dice, and it smelled like candy and a campfire. I was blown away. I gave her character descriptions of each of my players’ characters, and she personalized each one. So, so awesome. It was really fun to see what she came up with for each of my players, and ymmv, but she did give me an extra one for free with my order.
Liquid Core D20
Last holiday season, I treated each of my players to a new D20 (Etsy) for their collection. These dice are beautiful, and they match our purple and black drow aesthetic. They do run the multiverse version of Malice Inn & Tavern, after all! They glitter beautifully and roll fairly. There are several other colors to choose from if purple isn’t your thing.
Full disclosure: these dice as a full set are not what I’d consider an affordable gift. I only bought each of my players a D20.
Dice Blind Bag
These surprise bags are cheap, exciting, and hold perfectly good dice. Many of them have fun inclusions! Great for group gifts, a $5 limit gift, or for a prize box, these holographic bags are sure to please!
As of this writing, you get free shipping on a $35 purchase, so you can stock up and have them on hand. I have given these on multiple occasions and even though they are one of the most affordable gifts on this list, they’ve always been a crowd-pleaser.
Padded Dice Storage/Rolling Tray
The most expensive item on this list, as of this writing, at about $40. This is the dice tray I use every time I play. It’s sturdy, AND it has a purple foil raven on it! Love it!
There are lots of other foil image options, though. It travels well, it protects my more expensive precious gem dice, and it holds quite a few sets. If you’re like me and the perimeter compartment isn’t enough space, store them in the center and roll in the lid. My spouse also has this exact rolling tray in the green foil Cthulhu version. They’ve held up really well.
Gifts Are Great, But It’s the Thought That Counts
Sounds cheesy, but it’s true! A handmade map of a player’s homebrew home world, a digitally painted character portrait, a handmade resin health potion from an empty spice jar…. There are so many cool things you can make if you have a few materials around the house and your budget is tight. We’ve all been there.
The sentiment behind the gift is what truly matters. The act of putting thought, time, and effort into selecting a gift that reflects your GM or party member’s personality, needs, or desires demonstrates a deeper level of care and consideration. It’s the thought that counts, and a well thought-out gift can make a lasting impression that goes far beyond the material item itself. So, the next time you give a gift, remember to put your heart into it, and the recipient will undoubtedly feel the warmth and generosity of your gesture, regardless of the cost.
Have ideas for other affordable gifts? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!
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