AU
Hard-to-Buy-For Gamer? 15 Gift Ideas They'll Actually Use (2026 Guide)
Buying for a gamer is hard when you don't play yourself. The fastest way to get it right: find out which console they use (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch or a PC), then pick from three kinds of gift. Something for the game itself, like a gift card or subscription. Something for their setup, like a second controller, a headset or a comfy seat. Or something that gets them playing with you. Below are 15 ideas sorted by budget, from $20 stocking stuffers to the big gift under the tree, plus an honest look at gaming bean bags vs gaming chairs.
We've been helping Aussie families buy for gamers since 2020, and every December the same question lands in our inbox: "What do I get them that they don't already have?" This guide is our answer. Some of these ideas are ours. Plenty aren't. All of them get used.
The 15 ideas at a glance
| Budget | Gift ideas |
|---|---|
| Under $40 | Console gift card, gamer drawstring bag, gaming night light, charging dock, gaming book |
| $40 to $100 | Game subscription, second controller, gaming quilt cover, headset, gaming footstool, LEGO game set |
| $100+ | Gaming bean bag, bean bag + footstool bundle |
| Not a "thing" | An experience day out, an afternoon of your time |
Before you buy: three quick questions to ask
- Which console do they play? Gift cards, controllers and subscriptions only work on the matching system. A PlayStation card won't work on a Switch.
- What age ratings are they allowed? Australian games carry a classification (G, PG, M, MA15+, R18+). MA15+ games are legally restricted for under 15s. You can check any game on the Australian Classification website.
- Do they play on a TV or at a desk? This one matters if you're buying something for their setup, and it's the key to the bean bag vs chair question further down.
Stocking stuffers under $40
1. A gift card for their console
PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo eShop gift cards are sold at supermarkets, department stores and the post office. They let your gamer choose the game they actually want, which beats guessing. For younger kids, it's best redeemed through a parent's account.
2. A gamer drawstring bag (ours, $19.95)
Every gamer has the same problem when they head to a mate's place or a sleepover at Nan's: controllers, headset and the charger they always forget, rattling around loose in a school bag. Our Gamer Drawstring Bag holds the lot, pulls shut and wears like a backpack.
Takes the controllers, headset and charger to a mate's place or Nan's. Wears like a backpack.
3. A gaming night light or desk accessory
Licensed lights shaped like a Minecraft Creeper, a Super Mario mushroom or a controller are a fun bedroom touch, and they double as a night light for younger kids. We keep a rotating range in our gaming bedroom accessories collection, but stock moves quickly in December.
4. A charging dock or rechargeable batteries
Not glamorous, but they get used every single day. Standard Xbox controllers run on AA batteries, so a rechargeable pack saves a fortune. For PlayStation and Switch, a charging dock ends the "my controller's flat" meltdown.
5. A gaming book
Official Minecraft handbooks, game art books and novels set in game worlds are a clever way to get a screen-loving kid reading. Ask what they're playing right now and look for the matching book.
Mid-range gifts: $40 to $100
6. A game subscription
Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus and Nintendo Switch Online give access to a library of games, and some online play needs one. You can buy them as a code for a set number of months. Check first, as some families keep online play switched off for younger kids.
7. A second controller
The most underrated gift on this list. A second controller means siblings can play together, or you can sit down and play with them. Double check it matches their console. Need ideas for what to play together? Here are our top family-friendly games.
8. A gaming quilt cover set (ours, from $69)
For the kid whose bedroom is basically a shrine to their favourite game. Our gaming quilt cover sets come in controller, neon and Switch-inspired designs, in single, double and queen. Bonus: every set ships folded inside our gamer drawstring bag, so that's two gifts in one.
Bold gamer style for their bedroom in single, double or queen. Ships in a free drawstring bag.
9. A headset
A headset lets them chat with friends online, and gives the rest of the house some peace and quiet. For younger kids, look for headphones with a built-in volume limiter set at around 85 decibels.
10. A gaming footstool (ours, $59)
Our Gaming Footstool has a built-in drink holder and a carry handle, and comes in seven colours to match our bean bags. It works just as well in front of the couch.
11. A LEGO set from a game they love
LEGO makes official sets for games like Minecraft, Super Mario and Sonic. It's screen-free time that still connects with what they're into, and it's a great one to build together on Boxing Day.
The big gift: $100+
12. A gaming bean bag (ours, from $139)
This is what we make, so take our enthusiasm with a grain of salt. But there's a reason it's our biggest Christmas seller. Our Boss Gaming Bean Bag Chair has a high back for neck and back support, side pockets for controllers, a headphone hanger and a carry handle. It wipes clean with a damp cloth, which every parent appreciates.
It comes in two sizes. The Boss Jnr ($139) suits kids up to 130cm tall. The Boss Original ($159) suits taller kids, teens and adults up to 195cm. It's rated 4.84 out of 5 from more than 300 reviews.
One honest heads-up: it ships as a cover only, without the filling. You'll need 200 litres of beans for the Jnr or 350 litres for the Original, available from Big W, Kmart or Target for around $11 to $13 per 100 litre bag. Here's our guide to bean bag filling.
High back, side pockets and headphone hanger. Wipe-clean. Rated 4.84/5 from 300+ reviews.
13. A bean bag + footstool bundle
If you want to give them the full setup, the adult bundle ($195) and child bundle ($181) pair the bean bag with a matching footstool, for less than buying them separately.
Gaming bean bag vs gaming chair: which is the better gift?
Short answer: if they play on a console connected to the TV, a gaming bean bag is usually the better gift. It's comfier for lounging, cheaper, and easy to drag right up to the screen. If they play on a PC at a desk, get a proper desk chair instead.
| What matters | Gaming bean bag | Gaming chair |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Console gaming on a TV | PC gaming at a desk |
| Typical price | $139 to $159 (plus about $25 to $45 in beans) | Around $150 for a budget model, $400+ for well-known brands |
| Comfort | Sink-in, lounge-style comfort | Firmer, upright support |
| Posture support | High back supports neck and back | Adjustable height, lumbar and armrests |
| Moving it around | Light, carry handle, any room | Wheels, but stays at the desk |
| Kid-friendliness | Soft, no wheels or gas lift, wipe clean | Hard edges, moving parts |
| Grows with them | Original fits up to 195cm | Most fit teens and adults |
Where a gaming bean bag wins
- Comfort. Kids can sit, slouch or curl up for a movie, and the high back still supports them.
- Price. Even with the beans, it costs less than most decent gaming chairs.
- It moves close to the TV. No more kids perched on the edge of the couch or sitting on the floor a metre from the screen.
- You get your couch back. The gamer has their own spot, and the lounge is free for everyone else.
Where a gaming chair wins
- Desk and PC gaming. A bean bag sits low, so it won't work at a desk.
- Homework. If the same seat is used for study, an adjustable chair makes more sense.
- Fine-tuned posture. Adjustable height, lumbar and armrests suit older teens playing long sessions at a desk.
For the longer version, read our full gaming chair vs gaming bean bag breakdown.
Gifts that aren't things
14. An experience
A day at an arcade, laser tag, an escape room or a VR centre. For older kids, tickets to a gaming expo. The gift is the memory, and it's one you can share.
15. Your time
Ask them to teach you their favourite game. Kids love being the expert for once, and an afternoon on the couch with a controller each can mean more than anything wrapped. That's exactly what a second controller (idea 7) is for.
Still not sure? Let them choose
If you can't decide on colour or size, a Throne Boss gift card ($20 to $155) lets your gamer pick their own bean bag or bedding.
When do I need to order by for Christmas?
- Standard delivery: order by 16 December
- Express Post: order by 20 December
- Free shipping on orders over $99
- Easy returns, plus our 30-day "use it, love it" returns on Throne Boss branded products
Frequently asked questions
What do you buy a gamer who has everything?
Go for things that get used up or upgraded rather than more stuff: a console gift card, a game subscription, a better seat or a second controller. Or give an experience or your time.
What's a good gaming gift for a 10-year-old?
A console gift card, a gaming quilt cover, a licensed night light or a gaming bean bag in Jnr or Original size all suit this age. Check the game's classification before buying any game itself.
Are gaming bean bags good for kids?
Yes, for console gaming on a TV. They're soft, have no moving parts, wipe clean and give proper back support. For desk-based PC gaming, a chair is the better choice.
Does the Throne Boss bean bag come filled?
No, it ships as a cover only. You'll need 200 litres of EPS beans for the Jnr or 350 litres for the Original, available from Big W, Kmart or Target.
What does an MA15+ rating mean?
MA15+ games are legally restricted to people aged 15 and over, unless a parent or guardian buys it for them. M games are recommended for 15 and over but not legally restricted.
Make Christmas the easy one this year
Gifts your gamer will use every day, long after the wrapping's gone.
Boss Gaming Bean Bag Chair
Their own spot in front of the TV, and your couch back.
Gaming Quilt Cover Sets
Controller, neon and Switch designs for a gamer's bedroom.
Free shipping over $99 · Order by 16 Dec (standard) or 20 Dec (Express Post) for Christmas · 30-day use it, love it returns on Throne Boss products