games
A PS4 Controller
12th March, 2023
This gift suggestion is for the casual gamer, not a console owner. Someone who likes to play a game occasionally on their laptop, phone, or iPad. You can use a PS4 controller with a PlayStation, of course, but it’s also a bog standard Bluetooth device. They’re robustly built and have decent battery life. They charge via micro USB, so you probably have a suitable cable already. They’re officially supported in the Apple ecosystem - so you can game on your Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Apple TV.
Hanabi
30th December, 2021
Hanabi is one of my favourite card games. It’s got a lot of good points: It’s a cooperative game - all the humans versus the game itself - which removes the stress of player-versus-player competitiveness. The game owner will not dominate the other players, both because it’s co-operative and involves some chance. There’s little setup required and the rules are easy to understand. The game feels different depending on the size of the group playing.
A Jigsaw Jigsaw
7th December, 2021
I’m not convinced that jigsaws are good gifts. A jigsaw seems like something that’s better when borrowed, rather than owned. I can’t imagine they have a lot of repeat value. And this won’t click with everyone: a jigsaw fan friend of mine says she hates ones with repetitive patterns, gradients, or solid colours. She uses jigsaws as a way to spend time immersed in artwork, studying the details rather than just looking at the whole.