Buying a gift for someone who is a gamer can often be a difficult thing, unless you too are a gamer and know what they like. I am a hardcore gamer, and have repeatedly been told by family members and my significant other that they hate buying "gamer stuff" for me, simply because they don't know what I would like. Apart from the obvious gift card or popular video game title that you know they want, there are some other ideas that I will try to help you with.

Now based on the type of platform they play on (Xbox 360, PS3, Gaming Computer, etc.) this will influence your decision, as not all products are cross-compatible with each other, though some are. I will break down the gift ideas by platform with links to specific brands. Your best bet, when buying for a gamer, is still to ask them what they want. Some are very picky about products that they use, while others simply enjoy new shiny things. If you really want to surprise them, however, these brands will not let you down.

Before we get started, I want to mention that when buying "gamer gear" NEVER follow the high price must equal better quality rule by itself. Always do a search, I usually use Amazon, to check user reviews on products before you buy them. Now let's look at what to look for, how to recognize good brands, and what to buy for that gamer close to you.