Five Star Gift Ideas

For your board game-loving husband, it's wonderful that you want to find a meaningful and personal anniversary gift that aligns with his passion for designing and prototyping! Here are a few ideas that could make his heart skip a beat:

1. Customized Game Design Kit: To fuel his creativity, consider putting together a personalized game design kit. Include essential tools like blank game cards, dice, counters, and a game board template. You could even get custom-made components with his name or favorite designs printed on them. This kit will provide him with all the resources he needs to bring his game ideas to life.

2. Board Game Design Workshop or Course: Help him enhance his game design skills by gifting him a workshop or online course tailored specifically for board game design. Look for instructors or institutions that offer classes focused on game mechanics, prototyping, playtesting, and publishing. Such courses can provide invaluable knowledge and guidance that will help him refine and develop his designs.

3. Game Design Book Collection: Expand his board game design library with a collection of books written by industry professionals. Look for titles like "The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses" by Jesse Schell, "Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games" by Tracy Fullerton, or "Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design" by Geoff Englestein. These books offer valuable insights and practical advice that will deepen his understanding of game design principles.

4. Subscription to a Prototyping Service: Consider gifting him a subscription to a game prototyping service like The Game Crafter or Print & Play Productions. These platforms allow designers to create custom game components like cards, meeples, and boards. With a subscription, he can easily design, print, and assemble high-quality prototypes of his board game ideas to share with friends or potential publishers.

5. Attend a Game Convention or Conference: Surprise him with tickets to a board game convention or conference where he can immerse himself in the world of game design. Events like Gen Con, Essen Spiel, or Protospiel provide opportunities for him to playtest games, network with other designers, and learn from industry experts. It's a great way for him to gain inspiration and connect with the board gaming community.

6. Create a Personalized Game: For a truly unique and sentimental gift, consider designing a board game specifically for him. Incorporate elements that reflect your relationship, such as inside jokes, special memories, or significant places. This personalized game will not only showcase your thoughtfulness but also be a fun and meaningful way to celebrate your anniversary together.

Remember, the most important aspect of a gift is the love and thought that goes into it. By selecting a gift that aligns with his passion for board game designing and prototyping, you're showing him how much you value his interests and support his creative endeavors.

Or you can get him a star map with the date of your anniversary.