How to Gift Games Without Spending a Fortune

14 January 2026

So, your best friend's birthday is coming up, or maybe it’s the holiday season, and you're stuck wondering how to gift a game without watching your bank account cry in the corner. We’ve all been there. Gifting games sounds like a great idea—until you realize that AAA titles these days come with AAA price tags.

But guess what? You don’t have to drop a small fortune just to be the "cool gift giver" in your group. Whether it’s for your gaming buddy, a little cousin, or even a partner in co-op crime, there are plenty of ways to give the gift of gaming without your wallet giving you the side-eye.

In this guide, we’ll unwrap clever strategies, budget-friendly ideas, and some old-school tricks to gift games without spending a fortune. Buckle up, because we’re diving headfirst into the game gifting treasure chest!

Why Gifting Games Can Be Pricey (And How to Outsmart the System)

Let’s be real—games aren’t cheap. New releases are often $60+, and that's before you get hit with deluxe editions and season passes. Add on the cost of physical packaging (if you’re old school), and shipping? Yikes.

But here's the thing—pricey doesn’t always mean better, and a thoughtful, well-chosen gift can mean 10x more than an expensive one. With a little strategy and creativity, you can still show love and rack up those friendship XP points.

1. Shop During Sales Like a Pro

One word: sales.

If you're not shopping games during sales, you're basically playing on hard mode for no reason. Here’s how to master the art:

🕹️ Steam Sales: Gamers’ Biggest Holiday

Steam holds epic seasonal sales multiple times a year—Summer Sale, Winter Sale, Autumn Sale, and even Halloween. Titles go for 50-90% off, and bundles make it even better. It's like Black Friday, but for your game library.

🎮 Console Stores Join the Party

PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and Nintendo eShop also run their own sales. Keep an eye on them—especially around holidays and big game events (like E3 or The Game Awards).

💡 Pro Tip:

Set up a wishlist on platforms like Steam or monitor sites like IsThereAnyDeal.com. It notifies you when games drop in price across several stores!

2. Dive Into Indie Games

Not every gift has to be a blockbuster title. Indie games are where you'll find quirky, heartfelt, and super creative stuff at a fraction of the price.

Think of indie games like the hidden gems of Netflix—sure, they’re not always in the spotlight, but they often hit harder than the mainstream stuff.

Games like Hades, Stardew Valley, Celeste, and Undertale are not just affordable; they also have massive fan love and replay value.

Plus, gifting an indie game shows thoughtfulness. You’re giving them an experience they might’ve totally overlooked.

3. Consider Game Subscription Services

Okay, this one's genius.

Instead of buying a single game, why not gift an entire library?

🎁 Top Services to Gift:

- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – Hundreds of games across console and PC. It’s basically Netflix for gaming.
- PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium – Access to a rotating library of titles from indie to AAA.
- Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack – Classic games, new DLC goodies, and some serious nostalgia.

You can often buy a month (or three!) for less than the cost of one game. Boom—budget win.

4. Look for Game Bundles

Bundle sites are like those mystery loot boxes, but way better (and way less scammy).

🧩 Try These:

- Humble Bundle – Offers “pay-what-you-want” bundles with multiple games. Plus, part of the money goes to charity. That’s a win-win-win.
- Fanatical – Daily bundle deals and curated picks. Lots of hidden treasures here.
- IndieGala – Smaller indie-focused bundles, still solid bang for your buck.

With bundles, you can even split the package—grab a multi-game bundle and give a different game to each friend. Who said you can’t gift smart?

5. Opt for Digital Gifting

Physical copies can be expensive when factoring in taxes, shipping, and the occasional out-of-stock blues.

But digital gifting? Fast, easy, and often cheaper.

✅ Why Go Digital?

- No shipping cost or delay.
- Sales hit digital platforms more frequently.
- You can send gifts instantly—perfect for last-minute surprises.

Just check the store’s gifting rules. Steam, Epic Games, PlayStation, and Xbox all have digital gifting options, though they might vary by region.

6. Swap, Trade, or Regift (Responsibly)

It might sound old-fashioned, but game swapping is making a comeback.

👾 How to Do It:

- Local buy/sell/trade groups on Facebook or Reddit. Tons of gamers looking to trade.
- Game exchange communities—Try r/GameSwap on Reddit, it’s legit.
- Regifting? Hey, if you’ve got a game code from a bundle you’ll never use, why not pass the joy?

Just make sure to only gift unredeemed keys or physical copies in good condition. Don’t be that person gifting a half-used download code.

7. Go Retro with Classic Titles

Nostalgia is a cheat code for feelings. Remember those old-school games that got you hooked in the first place?

You can often scoop up retro titles for a few bucks—either remastered versions, virtual console ports, or even on platforms like GOG.com which sell DRM-free classics.

Gifting something like RollerCoaster Tycoon, DOOM, or Chrono Trigger is like giving someone a slice of their childhood.

8. Make It Personal with Custom Gaming Gifts

Who said gaming gifts have to be actual games?

If you’re crafty (or just clever), you can create a gaming-themed gift that costs little but means a ton.

🎨 DIY + Affordable Ideas:

- Create a custom gaming voucher—“Redeem for one co-op night and pizza.”
- Design a Steam-themed greeting card with a game code inside.
- Print out cool fan art or frame their favorite in-game screenshot.

Sometimes the best gifts are about the experience, not just the item.

9. Use Reward Points and Cashback

If you’re not using reward points, cashback apps, or even credit card points when shopping for games... what are you doing?

Many retailers offer points for purchases—use those bad boys to grab a freebie or shave off a few bucks from your next game.

Apps like Honey, Rakuten, or Google Opinion Rewards also help you earn store credit with minimal effort.

10. Watch Out for Freebies!

This one might sound too good to be true, but seriously—there are free games all the time.

🌟 Where to Snag Freebies:

- Epic Games Store – Gives away a free game every single week. Sometimes they’re BIG titles.
- Prime Gaming – If someone has Amazon Prime, they likely don’t realize they get free games monthly.
- GOG.com, itch.io, and indie devs – Frequently run “free for a limited time” promos.

If you catch one of these, download the game, and wrap it in a digital bow with a thoughtful message. Free but full of heart.

Final Thoughts: It’s the Thought (and Strategy) That Counts

Gifting games doesn’t have to feel like preparing for a boss battle. With a little timing, creativity, and awareness, you can be known as the person who gives awesome gifts—without going broke.

It’s not about the price tag. A $5 indie title that becomes someone’s favorite game means way more than a $70 game they never touch. You’re building memories, not just libraries.

So next time you’re thinking of surprising someone with a game, remember—you’ve got plenty of ways to do it smartly. Game gifting on a budget? Achievement unlocked.

Quick Recap in Case You’re Skimming (No Judgment 😉)

- Wait for Steam and console sales
- Explore indie gems
- Gift subscription services for mega value
- Use bundle sites like Humble Bundle and Fanatical
- Stick with digital downloads to avoid extra fees
- Try swapping or regifting unused titles
- Throw it back with retro favorites
- Get crafty with DIY gaming gifts
- Earn and spend reward points
- Stay alert for free game promos

Happy gifting, and may your XP and budget both level up!