Five Star Gift Ideas

For your girlfriend who enjoys board game design, I have a few gift ideas that she will surely appreciate:

1. Board Game Design Books: Help her enhance her knowledge and skills with books specifically focusing on board game design. "The Kobold Guide to Board Game Design" by Mike Selinker is a fantastic resource that provides insights and tips from experienced game designers. Alternatively, "The Board Game Designer's Guide" by Joe Slack is another comprehensive guide that covers all aspects of designing board games.

2. Game Design Workshop: Enroll her in a game design workshop or class where she can learn directly from professionals in the industry. These workshops often offer hands-on experience, feedback on her design ideas, and networking opportunities. Check out local game design schools or online platforms that provide interactive courses.

3. Prototyping Materials: Encourage her to bring her game ideas to life with a set of prototyping materials. This can include blank game cards, dice, counters, game boards, and colored markers. Having the necessary tools will allow her to experiment with different mechanics and test her game designs more effectively.

4. Customized Game Components: Personalize her game design experience by creating custom components for her games. For example, you can get custom-made meeples (small wooden figurines), cards, or dice with unique designs, symbols, or colors. Many online platforms offer customization options for game components.

5. Designer Board Game: Surprise her with a board game designed by renowned game designers. "Codenames" by Vlaada Chvátil or "Ticket to Ride" by Alan R. Moon are excellent choices that can serve as inspiration for her own designs. As she plays these games, she can observe the mechanics, game flow, and innovative ideas implemented by professionals.

6. Subscription to Board Game Magazines: Subscribe her to a board game design magazine like "Casual Game Insider" or "Tabletop Gaming Magazine." These publications provide valuable insights into board game design trends, interviews with designers, and reviews of the latest games. Subscribing to these magazines will keep her updated and inspired by the ever-evolving world of board game design.

7. Design Collaboration: Connect her with other board game enthusiasts and designers through board game design communities or forums. These communities offer opportunities to collaborate, discuss ideas, share knowledge, and playtest each other's games. This interaction will provide valuable feedback, networking, and inspiration for her own designs.

Remember, the most important thing is to show your support for her passion. Encourage her to pursue her board game design dreams, and let her know that you believe in her talents. With any of these gifts, you're not only giving her a thoughtful present but also providing her with tools, resources, and opportunities to further explore her passion for board game design.

Or you can get her a star map with an important date you share.