Gifts
Gifts for a brother who games
He already has the console and the games, and he will buy the next one himself. What he never buys is the kit around it: somewhere to hang the headset, a way to charge two controllers, a light that does not glare on the screen. These are presents for his desk, chosen so that none depends on which machine he owns unless the listing says so.
The picks 5 of 10, in order
Cosi Home heated throw
Warmth for the person on the sofa, without heating the room around them.
For the hours after the heating has gone off: it goes over the chair and has a timer.
The one catchIt runs from the mains, so it is only as free as its cable, and the listing does not say how long that is
BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2
Light on the desk and none on the screen, so he can play late without the overhead light on.
Clamps to the top of his monitor and lights the desk, not the screen, set from a wireless dial with no app. It costs far more than a basic light bar, so make it the main present.
The one catchFar dearer than a basic monitor light bar, and over the top band this site uses, so it is a main present, not an extra
HIHUHEN 80x30cm desk mat
One mat under the keyboard and the mouse, so the desk stops getting scuffed and the mouse stops running off the edge.
80 by 30cm of plain black cloth with stitched edges, enough for his keyboard and mouse, and it washes. The listing’s details table muddles the size and calls it a world map, so check 80x30 Black is selected.
The one catchThe listing contradicts itself: the title and colour option say 80 by 30cm plain black, but the details table gives 3000 by 800mm and a map-of-the-world theme. Make sure the 80x30 Black option is the one selected
KDD headset stand
Somewhere to hang the headset that also charges his phone, so the desk has one stand instead of a tangle.
Holds his headset and two controllers, and charges his phone from the base. It is plastic with colour-changing lights rather than the weighted wood or metal we wanted, and its USB-C port will not charge an iPhone.
The one catchIt departs from the brief: plastic rather than metal or wood, no weighted base mentioned, and coloured lights. The details table even calls the casing rubber while the bullets say hardened plastic
YETI Rambler 414ml mug
A proper mug with a lid that keeps a tea hot through a long game or a cold morning.
A 414ml insulated mug with a handle and a sliding lid, so a tea stays hot through a long session at the desk. It is dishwasher safe, but the lid is not leakproof, so it stays on the desk rather than in a bag.
The one catchThe lid is not leakproof, as the listing says in its own title: it guards against splashes, not tipping over in a bag
Still to come
- 06
Controller charging dock
Charges two controllers; the listing names the controller it fits (one link for PlayStation, one for Xbox, so the page can say which).
- 07
Cable tidy kit
Reusable ties, clips and a sleeve, 20 pieces or more.
- 08
Surge-protected extension lead with USB
UK plug, four or more sockets, USB-A and USB-C ports, surge protection stated, a known brand.
- 09
Wireless phone charging stand
Says plainly which phones it charges; holds the phone upright; cable included.
- 10
Controller thumb grips
A pack of four or more; the listing names the controller they fit.
Prices and stock on Amazon move daily, so we don’t print them — the link shows today’s price. Last checked October 2026. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
