Christmas Gift Guide 2025: The Gamer Edition

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas again, and to help readers come up with ideas for friends and family who hit the controller hard, we at CGMagazine have compiled our Christmas Gift Guide 2025: The Gamer Edition, filled with great gifts for gamers for the holiday season, so you don’t have to.

With the busy season upon us, CGMagazine has gathered a list of the latest and greatest gaming innovations, so consumers can focus on buying rather than searching for ‘that perfect something’ to make the holiday legendary for family and friends alike. Our Christmas Gift Guide 2025: The Gamer Edition has all the components, accessories, and gadgets consumers need to make Christmas a success behind the sticks and in front of the TV for the upcoming year.

Gaming Laptops

With innovations in gaming laptops becoming increasingly refined each year, it might be time to re-up on hardware for that special someone who still can’t escape their backlog of games. Let’s face it, there’s nothing quite like unboxing a new gaming system, whether PC or console, and giving loved ones a reason to pop the lid on a new PC could be the idea that makes you the coolest parent in the room (or the most punchable).

CGM has spent 2025 testing and reviewing the latest laptop innovations to bring readers the cream of the crop in gaming laptops. Whether that special someone is looking for a lightweight option or a desktop replacement, the Christmas Gift Guide 2025: The Gamer Edition has your six.

• Coming equipped with a double whammy of the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and a robust GeForce RTX 5080 GPU, the Lenovo Legion 9i 18 offers a well-balanced high-end laptop platform that provides a lot of power under the hood for a reasonable cost.
• For a more budget-friendly option, the MSI Katana 15 HX series offers a performance-level gaming laptop experience without breaking the bank. The Katana 15 HX has no issues running load-heavy experiences at 60fps, while also delivering solid visuals.
• For a gaming laptop outfitted as a “jack of all trades,” the HP Victus 16.1-inch Gaming Laptop could be the right option for users who want high multitasking performance and adaptability for multiple functions.
• For an out-of-this-world gaming laptop experience (and for those who don’t have a price limit), the Alienware 18 Area-51 Gaming Laptop “could handle just about anything” thrown at it on “the highest settings” without breaking a sweat.
• For those who want another option that is more tablet than laptop (but still has gaming features), the REDMAGIC Astra Gaming Tablet could suffice for those who don’t need a keyboard (but can use one if needed). The REDMAGIC Astra gives gamers another lightweight option to tote around when the PC stays at home.

Handheld Gaming

The latest handheld gaming craze is here, and what started with the Steam Deck handheld PC experience has now branched into multiple platforms with different designs and tailored experiences for the more avid gamer who needs to stay in the game even when out of the home. CGMagazine has been putting these new handheld PCs through the wringer to determine which is worth playing on (from VR to Legion), and the Christmas Gift Guide 2025: The Gamer Edition has provided answers to the question “which handheld device should I get?” without being asked.

• For the latest in the ROG Ally series of handheld gaming PCs, they’ve teamed up with Xbox to bring Xbox branding to the handheld capabilities of the ROG Ally and the ROG Ally X. For the Xbox fans in families that have been extra good this year, the Xbox Ally is a game changer, letting gamers take their console out of the house without the extra weight and need for a display.
• The upgraded version of the first-to-market modern handheld gaming PC, the Steam Deck OLED, is also a solid option for PC gamers who ‘have everything.’ With an updated display and more customization options, the Steam Deck is a device that can adapt to many scenarios, including outdoor use.
• The updated version of the Lenovo Legion Go, the Lenovo Legion Go 2, comes complete with an updated processor, GPU and RAM but retains a similar size and shape to the original. Lenovo has reworked the overall user experience of the original Legion Go (while carrying over many of the features that made the Legion Go such a unique handheld) to make a true sequel, and a great option in handheld gaming. 
• For those who have openly wanted a VR headset, the Christmas Gift Guide 2025 suggests the latest Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S headsets for aspiring reality jumpers. For Xbox fans, not only is there an Xbox option for Meta Quest 3, but the Quest 3S (without the branding) to seamlessly connect to Xbox Game Pass and play existing libraries in a more portable frame. For gamers, VR could be the next frontier to be conquered this Christmas.

GeForce NOW Subscription

Not all gifts for gamers are physical; some of the best gifts can be delivered as a digital service (including Fortnite V-Bucks and other currencies). For our Christmas Gift Guide 2025: The Gamer Edition, a fresh GeForce NOW subscription could be just what a gamer needs to get out of the trenches of their backlog and into a game seamlessly without a weighty download.

GeForce NOW brings the power of an NVIDIA GPU to a device that normally can’t run certain software. This year, GeForce NOW brought the power of NVIDIA GPUs to the Steam Deck, letting players who use their Deck for everything jump into higher-fidelity experiences in the cloud. In the second half of 2025, GeForce NOW implemented RTX 5080 support and NVIDIA DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation for streaming up to 5K resolution at 120 frames per second to the service, giving players without a powerful system true power to play. GeForce NOW is our recommendation for our Christmas Gift Guide 2025: The Gamer Edition.

Digital Currency

In-game funds are always considered a servicable gift, especially for younger family members looking for Minecraft Mine Coins, or Fortnite V-Bucks. Younger family members don’t have their own credit cards, so it’s usually a good choice to get redeemable code cards for members to go shopping at a storefront (with parental permission), without ringing up the credit card bill for mom and dad. For our Christmas Gift Guide 2025: The Gamer Edition, digital currency can answer the “what should I get?” question without stress.

• Steam Wallet Funds – Steam Gift Cards in denominations of $20 and $50 can be found at any local pharmacy or gift card stand, and can even be purchased off the GameStop website for ease of gift-giving.
• Xbox Game Pass/Xbox Currency – Like Steam, Xbox offers gift cards to exchange real currency into either Xbox funds or Xbox Game Pass time, and is a boon for those looking to gift younger family members the right items for Christmas. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate recently jumped in price, but using code cards gets players a significant discount from the secondary market. It’s worth noting that dollar amounts will almost always translate into the same amount digitally, but Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for cheaper is a solid choice.
• PlayStation Plus – Like Xbox, PlayStation has its own subscription service that can be purchased as a digital redemption code alongside PlayStation currency.
• Nintendo Online + Expansion Pass – Lastly, Nintendo also offers digital currency on its storefront, and has an online subscription service that allows gamers to play from a catalogue of its hit titles. Nintendo Online + Expansion Pass even lets players jump into some N64 titles straight from the dashboard, letting older and younger gamers bridge the gap for the Holiday Season.

Gaming Headsets

Communication is the best weapon on any battlefield, and for our Christmas Gift Guide 2025: The Gamer Edition, we here at CGMagazine have scoured the depths of the internet for the best possible headsets any gamer could use to get a leg up on the competition. For any price range, the listed headsets below can cover the needs of any Christmas shopper who needs a headset, in and out of battle.

• For a more lightweight and colourful option, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P is a solid choice that provides in-app customized functionality, long battery life, and AI noise cancelling for a user who could use a new pair of ears.
• For the racing-savvy (and those who want to match McLaren’s signature Papaya Orange colourway), the Logitech A50 X Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Headset McLaren Racing Edition is a tailored choice specific to racing fans that can provide excellent sound and includes a resting base for pit stops.
• For a more budget-friendly, wired headset option, the Turtle Beach Atlas 200 for PlayStation Gaming Headset is a good solution for PlayStation gamers looking for a great deal.
• Shoppers who are looking for the best of both worlds (budget and functionality), the latest Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Headset features an undying battery and comfort in spades to keep players on the battlefield and out of the gulag. With both wireless and Razer app functionality, the BlackShark V3 smells when there’s blood on the water.

LEGO Minecraft The Mooshroom House

For families that want to take the player out of the digital blocks of Minecraft and onto LEGO tabletops, the LEGO Minecraft The Mooshroom House serves that purpose without fail. This LEGO house is shaped like a large cow, and features a removable roof for players to check out what’s going on inside. This playset contains 500 pieces and features Minecraft’s Steve in mini-fig form. CGM’s Christmas Gift Guide 2025: The Gamer Edition brings gamers to real life, too!

Govee x PAC-MAN Gaming Pixel Lights For Desktop

Not all gifts for gamers are game-related. Sometimes, desks need new decorations and CGM’s Christmas Gift Guide 2025: The Gamer Edition has found a new collaboration between the light-decoration maker Govee and everyone’s favourite glutton, Pac-Man. This new limited-edition pixel light features over 150+ displayable Pac-Man pixelated scenes, and fans can have imagery featuring all four ghosts (and the Pac-Man himself). Decorations could be the perfect gift for gamers in 2025.

Atari 2600+ PAC-MAN Edition Console & Joystick

Speaking of Pac-Man, for fans who want to travel back to one of the first ever home consoles, and do it in limited edition Pac-Man yellow, they should look no further than this Atari 2600+ re-release. Both the console and joystick are coated in Pac-Man yellow, and the front of the Atari 2600+ is emblazoned with Atari branding (the norm for the console) and Pac-Man with ghosts (not normal for the console). Fans can excavate the past and past 2600+ titles with this limited console on CGMagazine’s Christmas Gift Guide 2025, and this console plays both Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 original game cartridges.

Accessories

Not all gaming accessories can fit into a neat category, so for CGM’s Christmas Gift Guide 2025: The Gamer Edition, we have included a sub-category of odds, ends, and knick-knacks that gamers could use but they wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves. From a sleek Alienware monitor to decorations, every gamer would want one of these accessories under the Christmas tree.

• The Alienware AW3425DW QD-OLED Gaming Monitor delivers crystal clear visuals and allows PCs to flex their advanced component muscles with a high-quality display. If gamers are in the market for a 240Hz OLED monitor solution, Alienware provides.
• For gamers who love playing with a controller but never have their console or laptop on hand, the Backbone Pro Mobile Controller turns a smartphone into a handheld console with finesse. The Backbone Pro incorporates many of the features of its predecessor for mobile gamers in a more robust and full-size design, complete with over 40 hours of battery life.
• For racing enthusiasts, Turtle Beach’s VelocityOne Race KD3 Steering Wheel Controller could provide a controller solution for those who want to get literally behind the wheel. The VelocityOne Race KD3 is designed as a complete driving system straight out of the box, making it ready for any racing simulation.
• For gamers in need of decorations, the Govee AI Sync Box Kit 2 can enhance the immersive aspects of gaming and media with lighting reminiscent of what’s happening on screen. For anyone looking to take their gaming setup to another immersive level, the Govee AI Sync Box Kit 2 is a solid choice that elevates gaming experiences.
• For a very niche brand of gamers, the ROG XG Mobile External GPU Dock on the Christmas Gift Guide 2025: The Gamer Edition can bring a solution to mobile GPU issues, featuring impressive specs, solid IO, and a small compact design.
• For gamers who need a new desk mat due to theirs becoming worn out (or discoloured), Logitech’s Studio Series Desk Mat can offer a fresh pop of colour and comfort when a replacement (or a first) is necessary.

Controllers

It is a fact that games cannot be played without an input device. So, CGMagazine has compiled some of the best controllers we have looked at in 2025 for CGM’s Christmas Gift Guide 2025: The Gamer Edition. Throughout the year, we have reviewed and tested some of the best offerings on the market, and they’re compiled here so fans can shop without having to research a recommended pair of sticks.

• For gamers who have every console (including PC), the GameSir G7 Pro Controller is a serviceable option thanks to its adaptability. The GameSir G7 can sync up to any Xbox console, Android mobile phone, or PC without issue, and keybinds can be toyed with to let players tailor theirs to their playstyle.
• For a premium option for PlayStation 5 gamers, the Razer Raiju V3 Pro Wireless PS5 Controller is a good choice if players require a host of features and functions, and like included attachments and accessories for their weapon of choice. The included hair-trigger functionality also gives players an extra edge where competitive gaming is concerned, in case the player is serious about their K/D.
• For a more modular design, the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded includes replaceable parts and a multitool for gamers who need to have everything their way. While the BFG includes hair triggers, it can also function as a fight stick with a removable face module that transforms the right stick into six face buttons, adapting to a hard-to-shop-for user without effort.
• The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally out, and so is the add-on Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. With a premium weight, solid design, and compatibility with the new Switch 2, this pro controller is a good option for players who like a more traditional controller design without the bells and whistles of modular or other ‘Pro’ designs.

Keyboards

For PC gamers, it’s easy to see how important a proper keyboard is for maintaining relevance on a battlefield, and often gamers continue to use their favourite board until the keys (literally and figuratively) fall off. For 2025, CGMagazine has dealt the best mechanical keyboards (especially gaming keyboards), and we have picked some favourites for our Christmas Gift Guide 2025: The Gamer Edition. From heavy-duty to lightweight, CGM has you covered.

• For the mechanical/customizable gamer, the Razer Blackwidow v4 Tenkeyless HyperSpeed Wireless Keyboard features ABS keycaps that can be switched with nearly every other mechanical keyboard on the market (including Drops). For heavier-handed users, if a switch breaks, it can also be easily replaced rather than getting a whole new board.
• Another TKL, the Cherry XTRFY MX 8.3, cuts out the number pad for more desk real estate for easier mouse manipulation. Cherry also includes a keycap remover alongside its small, customizable LCD and metal chassis, so that fans can tailor their board to their preferences.
• Cutting the size by another percentage, the Gravistar Mercury V75 Pro Cyberpunk Keyboard features a mini design, taking even more keys off the board in favour of more desk space. Gravistar V75 boasts HE switches for precision, giving gamers a slight advantage over those without optimized latency solutions.
• Another option for the 75 percent keyboard enthusiasts is the ASUS ROG Azoth X, a premium option with customization options consistent with other mechanical keyboards, and it comes with a sci-fi-inspired profile that stands out from the rest of the pack.

Turtle Beach PlayTrek Travel Case — Nintendo Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 is a hot commodity this year, so you are likely to know someone who has one or is getting one this Christmas. That means you know someone who needs accessories and protection for their fancy new system. Turtle Beach has released the PlayTrek Travel Case for Nintendo Switch 2 for only $29.99, and it is officially licensed by Nintendo! With storage for up to 12 game cartridges, a padded flap for screen protection and a unique lenticular design, you can’t miss. This case comes in a Mario Bricks theme or Donkey Kong, perfect for any true Nintendo fan! You can also go with a Stellar White or Charcoal Black for $24.99 if you want something a little more subtle.

Gaming Mice

One of the best gifts to give any gamer is an upgrade to a needed device, and one of the most needed devices in PC gaming is the mouse. CGMagazine has been testing some of the best gaming mouse options on the market for 2025, and we have compiled some of our favourites below for our Christmas Gift Guide 2025: The Gamer Edition. To become the coolest family member at the table, getting one of these mice for a loved one could net you extra points.

• CORSAIR is instantly recognizable as a quality peripheral manufacturer for PC, and with their latest ultralight mouse line, the CORSAIR SABRE v2 PRO Gaming Mouse is ultralight, has 8K hyper-polling, and will run under $100 for those looking for a premium upgrade.
• Move over ultralight, the ASUS ROG Harpe Ace Mini Gaming Mouse brings a sturdier (but smaller) frame to the desktop. For PC enthusiasts who need everything in a bite-sized presentation, including a light-up scroll wheel (and looks good doing it), the Harpe Ace Mini has your back.
• For users who need a fast and more affordable option, Razer has come to the rescue with the Razer Cobra HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Mouse. Although this mouse is cheaper for a gaming mouse, Razer’s Focus X 26K optical sensor is on board, providing an excellent user experience for a less premium price point.

That just about wraps up CGMagazine’s Christmas Gift Guide 2025: The Gamer Edition! Fans looking for more gift-giving ideas can head to the rest of our 2025 gift guides for more lists as the Holiday Season continues.

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