What do you do if everything on your Holiday Wish List is Digital?
The following scenario will play out thousands of times during the Christmas season, and if you're buying lots of gifts for your family and friends it will likely impact your life in a personal way.
You Have a question: What do you wish for the holiday season?
Them: The new Akali skin for League of Legends!
You: I'm able to get you some Riot Points, but I cannot wrap them. Do you have any other questions?
They are: Fortnite's Staccato Shotto!
You: Same problem.
They: What's Luigi's Mansion 3 for them? You can download it here for my Switch.
You: Ugh.
With the advent of living, online worlds and digital-first storefronts, plenty of gamers' lists of wishes include intangible items like cosmetic upgrades, fresh weapons, extra characters, and brand new games. It's simple to give in-game currency for all major games using gift cards. Download codes make it easier to choose a gift. White elephant gift exchanges can be boring when everyone is handing out boring envelopes. It's not enjoyable to present someone a digital gift, even in the modern age.
There's a simple way to gift your friends and family in-game gifts and also give them something to open. Craft time is here, baby.
These crafts are inexpensive and effective , and can be made using materials you already have at home. Although each craft is straightforward however, if you're frustrated, that's part the fun. Spending an hour fretting over the color of your homemade Fortnite chug jug is actually an hour of contemplating the person who is receiving the gift and that's the reason why we infuse these items with affection. That, and the download codes.
League of Legends Riot points Poro plushie
Materials: Scissors and a hot glue gun.
Notes A few of Poro crafting guides online but the cutest and easiest one we could find comes from an earlier Canadian eSports group eLESGA, and it's right here. As with all of these projects, you are free to play around! If you're looking to cut down on time with your Poro, leave out the mustache and the small feet and create the horns out of brown craft foam instead of modeling clay.
Amazon: Riot Games Digital Gift Cards - $25
Fortnite V-Bucks Chug Jug
Materials: Tall food container, paint (dark blue, light blue, turquoise, silver) paint sponge, foam or modeling clay, scissors hot glue
Time: 45 minutes
Notes: Take your tools, pull up a photo of the Fortnite Chug Jug and go wild. For an overview of the game, watch this YouTube video by Troom Troom.
It's not possible to purchase V-bucks directly, but a gift card for the recipient's preferred platform allows them to purchase the weird weapons and pink bear suits that they'd like.
Xbox Digital Gift Card at Amazon $25
Minecraft Minecoins Diamond sword or pickax
Materials include: Foam-core board, paper or rotary cutter, glue stick, glue stick, paper, and mat.
Time: 1 hour
Notes: If you want to be fancy with this one, print images of the sword or pickaxe at a copy shop to print them on shiny, 11x17-inch sheets. Or , keep it simple and print it at home using standard-sized sticker paper The tools will be small however, that's what makes them even more cute. This method also removes glue. Writer Kerry Ann Morgan provides clear pictures of the Minecraft tools on her blog, along with instructions on how to put it all together.
Get Minecoins at Amazon at $20
Masks and More
Materials: Printer, paper or card stock, glue stick, string (for the vast majority)
Time: 10 minutes
Notes: Nintendo has taken crafting into its own hands, offering an official collection of dioramas, masks, printables tags, and paper projects that feature Mario and his friends. Choose your favorite and you're almost done.
Nintendo eShop Gift Card at Amazon - $50
The 2019 Engadget Holiday Gift Guide
The best gifts for the house
The best audio gifts including DJ gear
The soundbars and media streamers to purchase this holiday season
The books and movies we'd choose to give as presents
The top smartphones, tablets and smartwatches to give as gifts
The best console games and gifts
Mobile and PC accessories that'll make great gifts
These are the top 2-in-1s and laptops to gift as gifts
Gift cards and subscriptions that can be used to buy gifts for last-minute occasions
The most ideal gifts for PC gamers, from laptops to GPUs
The most desirable bags, accessories, and cameras to give as gifts
The best fitness equipment for the athlete on your list
The most innovative STEM toys and tech toys
What do you do if everything on your Christmas wish list is digital?