Five Star Gift Ideas

For a son who is passionate about board game design and prototyping, there are several meaningful and personal gift ideas that can enhance his creativity and help him pursue his hobby. Here are a few options to consider:

1. Board Game Design Book: A book focused on board game design principles and techniques can provide valuable insights and inspiration. Look for titles like "The Kobold Guide to Board Game Design" or "Board Game Design Advice from the Pros."

2. Design Software or Tools: Investing in design software or tools can give your son the opportunity to create and prototype his own board games with more ease and efficiency. Popular options include graphic design software like Adobe Creative Cloud or prototyping tools like Tabletop Simulator or GameMaker Studio.

3. Art Supplies: To further enhance his artistic abilities in board game design, consider gifting high-quality art supplies such as sketchpads, pens, markers, or watercolor sets. These resources will enable him to create detailed and visually appealing game elements.

4. Design Workshop or Course: Enrolling your son in a board game design workshop or course can provide him with hands-on learning opportunities and connect him with experienced individuals in the industry. Look for local workshops or online courses that offer practical guidance and feedback from professional game designers.

5. Game Design Document Template: A game design document template can aid your son in organizing his ideas, mechanics, and artwork for his board game projects. Providing him with a well-designed template or software specifically made for creating game design documents can help streamline his creative process.

6. Playtesting Materials: Playtesting is a critical part of board game design. Consider gifting materials such as different types of dice, tokens, or meeples that can be used for prototyping and playtesting purposes. This will allow him to refine and balance his game mechanics effectively.

7. Customized Game Components: Personalized game components, such as custom dice or engraved player tokens, could make for a unique and sentimental gift. Websites like The Game Crafter offer customizable game components that can be used in prototype versions of board games.

8. Game Design Podcasts or Magazines: Subscribing to a game design podcast or magazine can give your son a regular source of inspiration and keep him up-to-date on industry trends and best practices. There are numerous free or subscription-based options available, such as the "Board Game Design Lab" podcast or "Tabletop Gaming" magazine.

Remember, the most important aspect of a gift is the thought and consideration behind it. By choosing a gift that aligns with your son's passion for board game design and prototyping, you'll show him that you support his interests and encourage his creativity.

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

Madeline Moran Weiler says about Under Lucky Stars star maps:

“The map was absolutely beautiful! My grandson was thrilled with it (it was a Christmas gift) and has already asked me if I would consider getting another one for him as a graduation gift in a couple of years.”