News
Best Gift Ideas for Gamers This Black Friday & Christmas
Shopping for gamers can be a minefield. They already have every console, half a dozen controllers, and an endless Steam library. But fear not! If you’re on the hunt for gifts for gamers this festive season, we have a wide range of gaming gifts that celebrate their favourite fictional universes.
From epic swords to immersive desk mats, these Christmas gifts for gamers are packed with authenticity, style, and no small amount of steel. Whether you’re buying gamer gifts for kids dreaming of adventure or adult gamer gifts for those who love to bring their passion into everyday life, here are some of the gifts for gamers this Christmas.
Merchandise
Merch is always a firm favourite among gamers, so here are some of our top picks.
Geralt’s Silver Sword – The Witcher
You can’t defend yourself against monsters without the proper gear. The Silver Sword is the Witcher’s trademark weapon for cutting down all things supernatural. Our replica perfectly captures the essence of a true warrior and is complete with game-accurate engravings. Crafted from tempered steel and boasting the same forging methods as the real weapon, this is much more than a simple costume piece.
Geralt’s Steel Sword – The Witcher
Where the Silver Sword handles monsters, the Steel Sword deals with mortals. Every real Witcher fan knows you need both, making this the perfect pairing gift if you’re keen to impress. Among adult gamer gifts, there are few things as exciting as an actual sword, and this one is a spectacular example at 1.3m long and weighing nearly 2kg.
Altair’s Sword – Assassin’s Creed
Altair’s sword from the original Assassin’s Creed is instantly recognisable to anyone who has spent hours diving off rooftops into hay bales. For fans of the franchise, this replica is pure nostalgia, and a gaming gift that goes beyond the usual standard of pop culture swag. Having been made at a 1:1 scale, we used more than 200 references to get the design spot on.
Yasuke’s Wakizashi – Assassin’s Creed
For the gamer who loves the elegance of Japanese craftsmanship, Yasuke’s Wakizashi is a beautifully made replica inspired by Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. Deadly in design and historically accurate, it’s one of those gifts for gamers who appreciate a bit of historical flair in their home décor.
Everyday Use
Display pieces and replicas do make for stunning gifts, but if you’re looking for something with a little more practicality, here are some gifts for gamers that will get plenty of day-to-day use.
Dungeons & Dragons A5 Notebook
Not every hero needs a sword - some need a place to write their character’s backstory, sketch out their next campaign, or even just make notes at work. This officially licensed Dungeons & Dragons A5 notebook is ideal for tabletop players, storytellers, and office warriors alike. Both practical and easy on the eye, this notebook is foiled on both the front and back, and despite its baroque appearance, it keeps its gaming inspiration fairly subtle.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Hip Flask
Sometimes you just need a little something to unwind with after a long gaming session. The Black Flag hip flask is a mature-yet-fun addition to any gamer’s collection, especially those who see themselves more as Edward Kenway than Altair. Stylish, useful, and full of character, this is a prime example of the perfect gift for adult gamers.
Cyberpunk 2077 Desk Mat – Night City Views
If you’re looking for something a little more modern, this Cyberpunk 2077 desk mat brings a splash of neon to any battlestation. Ideal for PC gamers, coders, or anyone who secretly believes they belong in Night City, it could also double up as a tabletop gaming or card mat. Made from waterproof neoprene and with a non-slip base, it’s drink resistant too.
Get Shopping!
When it comes to choosing the best gifts for gamers this Christmas, the trick is to think beyond the console and into the lore. Choose items that make gaming about more than just the game itself. Whether that’s Geralt’s sword proudly mounted on the wall, a pirate’s flask stashed in the desk drawer, or a D&D notebook ready to use for the next campaign, these pieces remind every gamer why they fell in love with those worlds in the first place.
The Best Lord of the Rings Gift Ideas For Christmas 2025
Since most Lord of the Rings fans have read every book back to front and watched each film countless times, wondering what to buy a Lord of the Rings fan can feel like a quest of its own. If you’re in need of some Lord of the Rings gift ideas that go beyond your typical merchandise, then you’re in the right place.
From epic swords to novelty tankards, we’ve gathered a range of Lord of the Rings gifts for him and her. Let’s get into it!
LOTR Movie Replicas
When it comes to Lord of the Rings gifts for adults, replicas are always a safe bet. These carefully-crafted pieces will make any fan feel like they’ve stepped directly into Tolkien's world. Here are some of our top picks:
A truly eye-catching piece of craftsmanship, the ancient Elven sword that Gandalf claimed as his own will no doubt bring joy to your giftee. Authentically detailed and featuring a stainless steel blade, faux blue jewel inlays, and a genuine leather grip, as well as a metal wall display for proud presentation, this is the perfect addition to any LOTR collection.
Small but mighty, much like a hobbit, this replica perfectly embodies the bravery of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. Any Lord of the Rings fan will spot this sword from a mile away, but if it starts to glow blue, then keep your eyes peeled for goblins!
Gimli’s Axe
Unique and remarkable, Gimli’s double-headed axe, often referred to as his walking axe, is the perfect gift for anyone looking to join the brotherhood. Recreated with exceptional detail, your giftee will truly feel like a member of the Fellowship of the Ring.
LOTR Memorabilia
To scratch that nostalgic itch or gain a deeper connection to the LOTR world, memorabilia is the way to go.
The One Ring - Collectors Edition
No Lord of the Rings gift guide would be complete without the One Ring, the symbol of ultimate power in Middle-earth. Whether it be for display or to wear proudly as they run errands, this is one of the best Lord of the Rings gifts for any enthusiasts of the trilogy.
Elendil Narsil Mini Sword (Letter Opener)
A recreation of Narsil, but with a practical twist. What was once used by Elendil in the Battle of Dagorlad can now be used to open letters. Complete with a wooden presentation box, this is an ideal Lord of the Rings gift.
LOTR Practical Items For Everyday Use
If you’re looking to honour their passion with a little more subtlety, these next Lord of the Rings gift ideas are perfect for you.
A novelty mug is a nice gift, but a Lord of the Rings-themed tankard is an excellent one. For those who want to feel like a hobbit in Bree, this officially licensed ceramic tankard can hold everything from ales and ciders to teas and coffees, and is the perfect way to enjoy a subtle reminder of their favourite franchise at home or at work.
If you’re looking for a Lord of the Rings secret santa gift, this Tree of Gondor tote bag is the perfect option. Made with 100% cotton and featuring the White Tree of Gondor, it’s ideal for those looking for a bag with a little more flair to take on their shopping trip or to carry their belongings on their quest to Mordor.
Bring a touch of Mordor’s power into your home with the One Ring Lamp — a glowing tribute to Tolkien’s most iconic creation. Featuring the fiery Elvish inscription that illuminates when lit, this officially licensed piece perfectly captures the dark allure of the Ring itself. Whether placed on a bedside table, desk, or display shelf, it adds a warm, mystical glow to any room. A true conversation starter and a must-have for any Lord of the Rings fan, this lamp is the perfect gift for those who wish to wield the light (and a little darkness) of Middle-earth.
Avoid the Last-Minute Panic Buy!
Instead of scrambling to find something last minute on Amazon, look for a Lord of the Rings gift for him or her that will truly resonate. Whether it be an authentic replica of their favourite weapon or a tote bag that offers a subtle nod to their favourite trilogy, we have everything you need to impress a Lord of the Rings fan this Christmas.
Skeleton of female "vampire" unearthed at cemetery in Poland
Skeleton of female "vampire" unearthed at cemetery in Poland
During excavation works at a 17th-century cemetery in the village of Pień, archaeologists discovered a skeleton with a sickle across her neck ready to decapitate her should she rise from the grave following her death, along with a padlock was put around her big toe. This discovery sheds light on a period in European history where many people were affected by ‘vampire-hysteria’.
Professor Dariusz Poliński, from the Nicholas Copernicus University, told a correspondent from the Daily Mail the form of burial was unusual: “Ways to protect against the return of the dead include cutting off the head or legs, placing the deceased face down to bite into the ground, burning them, and smashing them with a stone.”
He added “The sickle was not laid flat but placed on the neck in such a way that if the deceased had tried to get up most likely the head would have been cut off or injured.”
Bizarre but not unheard of
While the discovery at Pień can be called bizarre, if compared to modern burial rituals, hundreds of vampire burials just like it have been discovered throughout Eastern Europe.
In 2015, archaeologists digging in the village of Drawsko, Poland, found five skeletons that had been pinned to the ground in a similar manner to that seen in Pien. Four of those skeletons – two women in their 30s, a man in his aged 30 to 40, and an young girl – were buried with sickles tightly lodged across their throats. An older woman, who would have been around 60 years old when she died, was buried with a sickle laying across her hips, and a medium sized stone at her throat.
With all this being said it is however possible that these sickles weren’t put in place to protect the living from the dead but to protect the dead from something perceived as much worse. According to folk wisdom, a sickle could protect women in labour, children and the dead against evil spirits. Sickles also played a role in rituals designed to counter black magic and witchcraft.
‘Vampire-hysteria’
Between the 16th and 18th century, people across Europe feared that the dead would rise from the grave as blood-sucking monsters. This ‘vampire-hysteria’ led to executions of people thought to be vampires.
The panic began with an outbreak of alleged vampire attacks in East Prussia in 1721 and in the Habsburg monarchy from 1725 to 1734, which then spread to other localities. Two infamous vampire cases, which were the first to be officially recorded, involved two men from Serbia. After their deaths, many people in the area died from exsanguination, severe blood loss, among the alleged victims was the son of one of the deceased.
These cases are infamous because of the direct involvement of local authorities and official documentation by physicians and officers, who believed vampires to not only be real but to be the cause of these unusual deaths. Nowadays, many believe due to the physicians inadequate understanding of corpse decomposition lead them to the conclusion that vampires were real and at large. Nevertheless, these events led to a mass vampire hysteria in Europe which lasted for decades.
Social Elite
As well as the extreme burial practices, the team found that the woman was buried with a lot of care. Buried wearing a cap made of silk, which would have been an expensive accessory in the 17th century. This implies she was regarded as someone with high social status within the community.
It seems being from a high social class did little to protect the unnamed woman from accusation of being a supernatural creature, the presence of a large protruding tooth may provide some clues to what may have caused such rumours of vampirism.
After many centuries the alleged vampire has risen from her tomb, but not to seek her next victim but to be transported to Nicholas Copernicus University in Torun, where archaeologists will carry out further research.
