On January 26th, 1974, the pen-and-paper role-playing game called Dungeons & Dragons appeared on the market. I was four years old. By the time I was eleven or twelve, D&D was a well-known entity among me and my friends (yes, we were all nerds). During those years (the 1980s) the fear of satanic ritual abuse – or “satanic panic” – was in full force across the United States. And so, with the dual worries of being labeled both nerd and devil worshiper, we kept our D&D conversations among ourselves and played the game in secret hideouts and dark corners of our parents’ basements.
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Over the past decade, being a nerd has become hip and D&D has risen in popularity – or maybe it’s just that so many who had been playing for decades came out of the shadows. At any rate, D&D is now played online as well as in person and people no longer seem to be too apprehensive about talking about their love of the game, whether they are old or new players.
Gifts for Dungeons and Dragons fans
With millions of players worldwide, there’s likely a Dungeons and Dragons fan or two in your life – or you are one yourself. And what better way to get ready for the upcoming anniversary than some new DnD swag? Here are some great gift ideas for the D&D fan(s) in your life to get ready for the 50th anniversary.
Knowing what a dedicated D&D fan already owns can be difficult but, as most will tell you, there is always a place for another dice set; one of the most necessary elements of the game. There are a plethora of unique and artistic dice sets available, the majority of which can be found on Etsy.
These are two of my favorites: a set made from clear resin with tiny bone skulls and moss and one fashioned with colorful glitter inside and black-inked runes. Both are a full seven-dice set.
Like dice sets, most D&D players will always appreciate another box to store them in. This wooden container has a magnet closure to keep everything secure when not in use and a felt interior. The box holds five sets of dice.
If you know a wizard, sorcerer, druid, or the like, this hand-painted spell tracker scroll makes an excellent gift. Each one is completely customizable in token color and game version and is available in elven, dwarven, or infernal variations.
22 tracking tokens are included and can be stored securely in the scroll ends (which are hollow with a removable cap on one side) when not in use.
I’ve always loved stationery stores and own entirely too many notebooks and journals. This DnD-specific Campaign Journal fulfills all my journal expectations. Made for use during one campaign, it’s available in four different colored covers. A ‘campaign’ (if you’re not familiar), is a continuing storyline created by the game master and players. It includes the characters, setting, and rules of the “world.”
The journal includes character sheets and all the different pages needed including character background, spell lists, setting notes, quest log, allies and timeline trackers, campaign highlights, session logs, and blank lined pages.
For those of us who began playing D&D way back before computers, life and adulthood have possibly required us to continue our D&D adventures online. There are also some players who have only ever played in this way. However they ended up online, and a quality webcam is essential.
This HD one from Logitech features automatic light correction and is compatible with all the usual video call software including Zoom, FaceTime, and Skype.
This set of three core D&D rule books features special edition foil covers in a slipcase. Printed on thick, glossy paper stock, the high-quality, hardcover books are filled with beautiful full-color illustrations. They also have the type of spines that allow the book to lie relatively flat when open. Each set includes the Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual, plus a Dungeon Master’s screen that helps the DM (dungeon master) keep their notes and die rolls hidden from other players.
Every D&D player needs somewhere to keep all their gear and a way to transport it if needed. This tabletop bag provides storage for four to eight books, multiple dice sets and miniatures (in 16-section foam compartments), maps, and snacks (never forget the snacks!). Two front loops hold a rolled map or scroll and a zippered outer pouch gives you room for pencils, tokens, and small notepads.
Printed on high-quality photo paper and available in multiple sizes, these dice patent prints are a great gift for any D&D fan – especially those that have a game room in their home. Frames are not included but you can pick your preferred background color of dark antique, light antique, or chalkboard.
Staying within the wall décor theme, this “In this house” metal sign lets everyone know that yours is a D&D home. It measures at 8x12 inches.
You can never have too much D&D décor or, at the very least, you can never have too many candles. These customizable dice-shaped candles are available in 18 different colors and a variety of scents (including unscented ones). You also choose the number paint color. And there’s an option to get a D20 dice inside as well.
For those who like to have a bit of magic and spellcasting in their everyday life, this set of five bamboo kitchen utensils with D&D graphics is a perfect gift. Made from organic bamboo heat resistant up to 700 F.
Appropriate for the dungeon master on your list, this D&D-themed mug is made from natural wood with an inner stainless-steel flask and engraved brass plaque. Holds 18 ounces of your beverage of choice.
Because what Dungeon Master wouldn’t want this t-shirt? Available in black, white, and heather gray (dark and light) and a full run of sizes.
If you still have no idea what to get your D&D fan or fear that they already have everything on this list, a Dungeons and Dragons wall calendar may be just the thing.
Dungeons and Dragons was a significant aspect of my adolescent and teenage years. To say it (and the friends I played it with) helped me make it through that time is an understatement though, if you had asked me about it then, I never would have suspected it would become as popular as it has – or that, after forty some odd years, being a nerd would be considered kind of cool. Or that there would be so many interesting and cool gifts for the dungeon master in all of us. Here’s to hoping for another 50 years of playing: we can certainly try.