12 Best Unique Gifts of 2025: Top Picks Reviewed
Get ready for fun with our top board games themed around unique gifts—perfect for new players and unforgettable game nights.
The 12 Best Board Games for Fans of Unique Gifts: Introduction
We always look for something special when picking board games as unique gifts. It’s not just about pretty boxes, but the joy each game brings to the table. We checked for games that are easy to pick up, fun for many ages, and guaranteed to spark laughter or some good friendly chaos. Our friends helped us test these, so each pick brings a story to share. If you want to give a gift that stands out and makes memories, these board games deliver. Get ready to find your next favorite surprise!
On this list:
12 Secret Santa
Secret Santa is perfect for anyone looking to spread joy (and mild chaos) with unique gifts. We played it at our last holiday get-together, and it turned our family into a band of sneaky elves, all trying to out-gift each other in the funniest way. The game is easy to learn, which is great for new players, and it’s always a hit at parties. Unique gifts are at the heart of the game, and every round brings out odd and wonderful presents. If you’ve ever wanted to give your cousin a rubber chicken wrapped in mystery, this is the way.
11 The Gallerist
The Gallerist takes unique gifts to the world of art, and let us tell you—auctioning off wacky paintings makes for unforgettable moments! This game combines worker placement with a bit of juicy market manipulation. We loved how every player becomes both an art shark and a curator with a taste for the spectacular. Bringing odd art to light made us feel like we were handing out the weirdest, most original gifts in the gallery. A perfect pick for artsy friends or anyone who likes their games with a side of style.
10 Gift Trap
Gift Trap is THE classic unique gifts board game. Seriously, the whole thing is about picking gifts for each other and scoring points if you guess right! We played this with our friends and found out, shockingly, that Jerry does not want a pet rock. It’s great for new groups since you learn about everyone’s tastes. There’s plenty of laughter when your choice of unique gifts gets roasted by the group. The best part? No actual shopping required. It’s always fun and a solid icebreaker.
9 Wavelength
Wavelength isn’t about giving unique gifts, but it feels like mind-reading, which is the ultimate unique gift if you ask us! We played this mind-bending guessing game at a birthday party and discovered who really ‘gets’ each other. The game shines at unlocking silly debates and wild guesses. It’s a great pick for groups and easy to explain to new folks. We love how it triggers hilarious conversations, making it a unique gift for any gathering where fun is in short supply.
8 Gizmos
Gizmos is about building the wackiest machines—pretty close to giving unique gifts, if you count Rube Goldberg devices as presents. We had a blast racing for the craziest combos and marveled at our friends’ bizarre inventions. It’s easy to pick up and ramps up the excitement as your engine gets bigger. Giving the gift of a new wild invention to the table is always a crowd-pleaser. If you love a touch of science and chaos, Gizmos fits the unique gifts bill nicely.
7 Secret Hitler
Secret Hitler stands out as a unique gift for groups who love hidden roles and throwing accusations like confetti. We’ve played it at game night and enjoyed the wild claims—turns out giving the unique gift of trust issues can be very entertaining! The roles, secret cards, and dramatic reveals make it absolutely thrilling. It’s a tension-filled but super fun way to shake up any party. Plus, it gets everyone talking and plotting, making it one of our favorite unique gifts for social gatherings.
6 Telestrations
Telestrations is like the best unique gift: it makes everyone cry laugh. We played with a mix of artists and scribblers, and no one cared about talent. Watching the unique gifts of bizarre drawings pass around the table turned our group into a giggle-fest. It’s easy to learn and perfect for breaking the ice at parties or family events. If you want a board game that’s a surefire hit with all ages, this one delivers every time.
5 Quacks of Quedlinburg
Quacks of Quedlinburg is the unique gifts pick for fans of potions and chaos. We brewed odd concoctions and learned the hard way that more isn’t always better. Watching our unique gifts explode across the table never got old. The game is easy to teach and plays quick, so everyone can hop in. Perfect for those who love a mix of luck, strategy, and wild swings that keep things exciting.
4 The Mind
The Mind gives you one of the strangest unique gifts: total silence—and it’s a blast! We stared at each other, trying to play numbered cards in order without using words. It’s a tense and memorable experience that sticks with new players. The Mind is a fantastic unique gift for smaller groups who enjoy something weird and special. It’s understated, but the feeling of connection when you get it right is unbeatable.
3 Codenames: Pictures
Codenames: Pictures puts a unique spin on the classic party game—think of it as a gallery of strange gifts! We love seeing everyone try to connect odd images with crazier clues. It always brings out the creative side of players and lots of funny guesses. The game is easy for new folks and has huge replay value. Handing out unique gifts of weird clues never gets old. Highly recommended for puzzle lovers and big groups.
2 Chinatown
Chinatown is about swapping properties and unique gifts in the form of wild deals and trades. We ended up giving away whole city blocks just to snag a dumpling shop—it’s that kind of game! Negotiation is king, and everyone gets a chance to show off their deal-making chops. It’s easy for new players to jump in, and the wheeling and dealing never fails to create hilarious stories. The unique gifts of clever trades make every session different.
1 Gift Trap
This is our top pick, because Gift Trap IS the unique gifts board game. Every round, you choose presents and try to guess what your friends actually want. It’s simple, but the reveal gets everyone laughing or gasping—sometimes both. When we played, it turned into a roast of who gives the weirdest presents. It’s great for all ages, teaches you way too much about your friends and family, and works at parties or chill game nights. That’s why it’s our #1 for unique gifts: it’s fun, easy, and always full of surprises.
