15 Best Awesome Gift Ideas Reviewed for 2024
Looking for awesome gift ideas that aren’t the usual socks or gift cards? Well, you’ve stumbled into the right party! We’ve handpicked 15 incredible board games, each perfect for newbies and seasoned gamers alike. Why these 15, you ask? We picked those that promise fun, stir creativity, and encourage a bit of friendly chaos. We wanted to focus on games that offer depth without feeling like you’re solving a Rubik’s cube blindfolded. Whether it’s cooperative play, strategy, or a bit of role-playing drama, these games have something for everyone. Get ready to level up your gift-giving game!
On this list:
15 Codenames
Codenames is a delightful party game that turns a simple word association task into a hilarious battle of wits. You know you’re in for a great time when even the most silent pal becomes a chatterbox trying to connect the dots. Great for breaking the ice, it’s a top pick for awesome gift ideas. We once played this with our grumpy Uncle Joe, and even he burst out laughing trying to explain his weird connections.
14 Ticket to Ride
Why give someone plane tickets when you can give them train tickets? Ticket to Ride combines strategy, fun, and geography lessons in one box. This game always makes me wish I paid more attention in geography class! Perfect for awesome gift ideas, it was a hit with my nostalgic friend who dreams of travel without the jet lag.
13 Pandemic
Pandemic is all about saving the world. It’s a cooperative game, so you either win together or watch the world crumble together! It’s a great way to see if you and your friends can handle stress together. Ideal for awesome gift ideas for friends who love a challenge. Once, we tried to play this during a real flu season. Let’s just say irony was not lost on us!
12 Azul
Azul is like painting a mosaic but on a board. Perfect for those who like their games pretty and strategic. If you have a friend who cares more about aesthetics than winning, it’s a fantastic choice among awesome gift ideas. My friend once got too attached to his ‘pretty pattern’ and forgot the strategy part!
11 Carcassonne
In Carcassonne, building cities and roads becomes an art. It’s the closest you can get to being a medieval city planner. Great for awesome gift ideas for those who dream of city planning. We once had a friend who tried to build a road to nowhere—just ‘cause! It still cracks us up.
10 Catan
Catan is the classic resource management game that gets everyone excited about sheep and wheat. It’s perfect for anybody who loves trading, strategy, and winning. Want to create tension at a party? Offer a sheep for a brick! Among awesome gift ideas, this solid choice has seen many friendships tested but always ends in laughter.
9 7 Wonders
7 Wonders takes you on a tour of ancient civilizations with card drafting at its core. Easy to learn, yet complex to master—it’s a game that grows with you. It’s at the top list for awesome gift ideas for history buffs. We once argued for 10 minutes about why the Lighthouse of Alexandria wasn’t located in Greece!
8 Dixit
Dixit is a game of imagination and guessing, full of beautiful and bizarre illustrations. It’s like playing charades but with cards. It’s a go-to for awesome gift ideas for those who are dreamers at heart. We know a pal who once described a card as ‘Bob Ross meets Salvador Dali’. We still can’t explain what that meant!
7 Splendor
Splendor is about collecting gems and making the best use of them. It’s a simple yet addictive game, perfect for strategy lovers and jewel enthusiasts. Among awesome gift ideas, it’s a gem for anyone who dreams of outsmarting others with shiny objects.
6 Patchwork
Patchwork is a brilliant 2-player game all about sewing the perfect quilt. Its simplicity and charm make it a winner in our books and one of the awesome gift ideas for couples. One time, my partner got so competitive, we almost had quilt wars at home!
5 Sushi Go!
Sushi Go! is a fast-paced card game where you draft the best sushi meal. It’s surprisingly strategic for such a simple concept. Perfect among awesome gift ideas for foodies or anyone who loves a fun, light-hearted game. One night, we played while actually eating sushi, and it was hard to separate the real from the cards!
4 Wingspan
Wingspan is a beautifully crafted game that’s perfect for bird and nature lovers. You’re building a bird sanctuary, managing resources, and attracting birds. It’s top of our awesome gift ideas for those who appreciate a well-thought-out strategy game. We once tried to identify the birds outside our window after a few rounds, but let’s just say our guesses were as outlandish as the cards!
3 Kingdomino
Kingdomino is a simple yet strategic tile-laying game where you build your kingdom using domino-shaped tiles. It’s perfect for all ages and skill levels, making it one of the go-to awesome gift ideas. Imagine the thrill of claiming land and planning your layout—it’s what made one of our friend’s inner ‘land baron’ come alive!
2 Gloomhaven
Gloomhaven is an epic, story-driven dungeon crawler that offers countless hours of gameplay. For those who enjoy immersive tales and strategic battles, it’s the ultimate game among awesome gift ideas. With dozens of quests and characters, it was the game that made our gaming sessions feel like an ongoing saga. We once spent a whole weekend trying to save a village, and it’s still the talk of our group!
1 Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
The best of the best among awesome gift ideas, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is like an accessible intro to the sprawling Gloomhaven universe but with less setup hassle. It’s perfect for new adventurers and veterans alike. We loved how it retains the deep storytelling while being more approachable. One could say it’s like having your cake and eating it too, in dungeon form! Perfect for anyone ready to embark on epic adventures with friends.
