A Gamer’s Gift Request Guide

I know it’s hard to believe, but Christmas is just around the corner. Every year it seems like we can barely wipe the gravy from our mouths before we deck the halls and so forth. This year’s holiday season is fast approaching, and as you shop for your loved ones, you may start to see how difficult it is to find that one specific item your significant other has asked for. It’s a common problem, and its effects can be seen in those post-Christmas return lines at every store in this known universe. So, in an effort to help soothe the sanity of retail cashiers, and increase the household happiness on Christmas, I’ve composed a list of tips to help gamers guide their gift-buyers more accurately.

No Typos

Shopping can be a stressful thing for consumers, especially if they are unfamiliar with the item being shopped for. Chances are your parents or significant others aren’t keen to the whole video game scene. If they are, you’re one step ahead of the pack; but if they aren’t, you’re going to want to make sure they have the specific title of the game you want in hand. Don’t just ask for Madden, ask for Madden 09. Grandmas are always bound to hunt in that bargain bin and come back with Madden 03, so be sure write out the title specifically.

Note the Console

This one is obvious, but can sometimes lead to mass confusion on Christmas day. When you write out your title, be sure to specify which console you’d like to play the game on. It’s only three extra characters tacked onto the end f your request, so don’t forget to add the 360, PS3 or Wii notation.

Find the Deal

Christmas shopping is hectic, and when it comes to things like video games, people want to get their item and get out. How can you help in this endeavor? Tell the buyer the specific location the item can be found at. Maybe Best Buy is running a weekend sale on Call of Duty, or maybe your gift can only be found on eBay. Either way, make a note as to where it can be found, so you can save them the hassle of searching and maybe save them some money.

Hardware Beware

If you thought shopping for games was difficult for the gaming illiterate, things like controllers, battery packs and game add-ons is even worse. Do you think your mom knows the difference between DualShock 3 and Sixaxis, Nyko and Gigaware, nunchuks and Wiimotes? Chances are she doesn’t, so write out the specific name, and tell her exactly what the item does. Let her know you want the controller that vibrates and has motion sensitivity, that way if she misplaces your list, she at least knows what that do-dad does.

So, what have we learned? Be specific. Guiding your gift givers in the right direction is the key to ensuring that your Christmas day transactions will meet their final destination under the tree. And as a bit of a side note, I’d just like to let it be known that even though this article may seem self-centered or selfish, its purpose is not to promote selfishness, but rather to be used as a tool to help less informed shoppers get the gifts they’d like to find. I hope guides like this pop up amongst all sorts of specific blogs; hopefully they offer a bit of insight into shopping for specific types of items, because nothing is worse than disappointment on Christmas, even if it is the thought that counts. So maybe your loved ones will send you a link to shop for their coveted gift, we all know you’ll need help shopping for that Martha Stewart brand baking set. Hopefully your holiday is met with as much enthusiasm as this kid’s. Good Luck, and Merry Christmas.