Game Gifts, Part 2
By Cape Rust
So here it is Dec 19th, or the 20th or even later than that depending on when you came across this article. So let’s say that it is Dec 19th; the end of the world is 2 days away, but there is still a chance that the Mayans were wrong and there might actually be a Christmas. Now if you have already blown your last few paychecks on anti-zombie gear and are hoping that the “I thought the world was going to end” argument was going to explain your complete lack of gifts to give, you are wrong! Don’t fret, there is hope if the world does not come to an end. I have some really cool, really easy and really cheap gift ideas for the rest of your gaming group.
As a GM one of the greatest gifts you can give your players is a good game. Now some people will say that statements like that are poppycock. They will say that someone only says stuff like that when they’ve spent all of their money on zombie slaying gear. If you take that statement at face value and take it literally then you will prove those critics right, but if you provide in-game gifts then you are sticking to the spirit of good gaming and giving a no cost gift that your players could really enjoy.
In-game gifts: MMOs have been using them for years, granted the gifts they provide involve lots o’ grinding, but as players we love them and there is nothing more fun than dressing your toon up in Halloween gear on Valentines’ Day. If it can be done in an MMO there is no reason we as GMs can’t do it for our tabletop gamers. The good news is we can cut out the fetch quests and grinding so it just ends up being a good gift.
The homemade coupon book has been a staple gift from children with no money to their adoring parents. Why can’t you as a GM do the same thing? Now before you stop reading this article, think about it. It might sound juvenile and cheesy but there are quite a few advantages to developing one of these coupon books for your players. First and most obvious is the cost, other than the paper and ink you might use, this coupon book will cost you nothing! Now because your player’s initial reaction to this gift might be the same as your initial reaction to this suggestion, you have to make the coupons worthwhile and interesting. Include things like one free re-roll, add dice to a roll or even a get out of jail free card. A coupon book full of minor boons is tons of fun for the players as well as the GM. Add a few silly coupons as well, 1 free summon rubber chicken is always a big hit. I actually saw a GM give a player the chance to reverse gravity for 1D6 rounds, but it couldn’t be used in combat. How this coupon was used is a whole other story, but you can see how much fun can be had with a children’s solution to gift giving.
The coupon book might not be your cup of tea, and if it isn’t, fine, but who is to say you can’t give your player’s character a piece of really cool, really useful or much desired gear? Here is another gift item that won’t cost you anything and will bring smiles to everyone on your list. Never give a gift that will break the game, but if you have a player that would love to get a bag of holding, give them one, or allow them to add some special ability to a weapon or item they already have. Give them a stat increase, give them a feat, or allow them to ignore one pre-req for a class they want. None of these things should break your game and the players will be happy with their Christmas gift.
See how easy that was? Heck, you can come up with these gifts at the last minute and everything will turn out fine. Your players and your pocketbook will thank you for the wonderful gifts and you, as a GM, will sleep better knowing you put a smile on their faces. Enjoy the Holidays and remember to spend time with the ones you love.
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