Five Star Gift Ideas

For your girlfriend who has a passion for board game design and prototyping, there are several unique and thoughtful gift ideas that can enhance her hobby and inspire her creative process. Consider the following options:

1. Board Game Design Toolkit: One of the most meaningful gifts you can give to your girlfriend is a comprehensive board game design toolkit. This could include a variety of design essentials such as blank game boards, different colored meeples, customizable cards, dice, and a rule book template. This toolkit will provide her with the tools to bring her ideas to life and experiment with various game mechanics.

2. Game Design Books: Help your girlfriend further develop her skills and explore different game design concepts by gifting her some well-regarded books on the subject. Some highly recommended titles include "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, and "The Kobold Guide to Board Game Design" edited by Mike Selinker. These books will offer insights from experienced designers and inspire her with new ideas.

3. Design Software or Apps: Consider gifting your girlfriend a subscription to design software or board game prototyping apps that can assist her in creating and refining her game designs. Tools like Tabletopia, Tabletop Simulator, or BoardGameGeek can be used to prototype games virtually and collaborate with other designers. Additionally, software like Adobe Creative Cloud or Sketch can help her create visually appealing components and artwork for her games.

4. Attend a Board Game Design Workshop or Conference: Check if there are any board game design workshops or conferences happening in your area or nearby cities. Gifting your girlfriend a ticket to such an event will not only give her an opportunity to learn from industry experts but also connect with fellow game designers, receive feedback on her projects, and gain valuable insights to improve her craft.

5. Customized Game Components: Consider getting your girlfriend custom-made game components to elevate her prototyping process. This could include personalized wooden meeples, custom dice with her initials or designs, or even unique player tokens. Websites like The Game Crafter offer a range of customizable game components that will add a special touch to her creations.

6. Playtesting Sessions: Organize playtesting sessions with friends or a local board game group for your girlfriend's prototypes. Feedback and constructive criticism from diverse players can be invaluable for refining her designs. Additionally, you could create a playtesting kit for her, consisting of notepads, highlighters, and questionnaires to gather feedback from participants.

Remember, the most important aspect of any gift is the thought behind it. Demonstrating your support and appreciation for your girlfriend's passion for board game design and prototyping will make any of these gift ideas meaningful and cherished.

Or you can get her a star map with the date when she was born.