Daily read · Gift ideas
Christmas gifts for a board game lover: backgammon, CATAN and Ticket to Ride Rails and Sails
Christmas gifts for a board game lover: Addison Ross lacquered backgammon, CATAN 6th Edition and Ticket to Ride Rails and Sails.
Maya · Present Finder
Choose the Ikat Khaki Lacquered Backgammon Set for elegant duels, CATAN 6th Edition for a mixed-age strategy table, and Asmodee Days of Wonder · Ticket to Ride Rails and Sails when they want trains and ships together.
Looking for Christmas gifts for a board game lover? Match the present to how they play: a two-player coffee-table set, the current CATAN base game for family strategy nights, or a bigger Ticket to Ride map when they already know the rules.
Ikat Khaki Lacquered Backgammon Set: for the host who likes a beautiful table
Ideal for couples or flatmates who want a game worth leaving out. The Ikat Khaki Lacquered Backgammon Set pairs a lacquered khaki Ikat exterior with a chambray blue suede interior, mother-of-pearl effect chips, leather-and-suede shakers, four dice and a doubling cube in a 47 x 28.5cm gift box. Buy this when they still borrow a battered travel board.
-
Ikat Khaki Lacquered Backgammon Set · Addison Ross UK
CATAN 6th Edition: for the strategy table that needs a current base game
Ideal for families who trade resources every Christmas. CATAN 6th Edition is the current Catan Studio base game, with refreshed art, a clearer illustrated rulebook, redesigned packaging and card trays, while keeping the settle-trade-build loop for three to four players. Choose it if their box still says fifth edition.
Ticket to Ride Rails and Sails: for fans who want more map
Ideal for Ticket to Ride players ready for a longer Boxing Day session. Asmodee Days of Wonder · Ticket to Ride Rails and Sails is a standalone Days of Wonder game with a double-sided World and Great Lakes board plus train cars and ships, so routes cross land and sea for ages 10+ in groups of two to five.
Quick answers
What are good Christmas gifts for a board game lover? A display backgammon set for two, CATAN 6th Edition for family strategy, or Ticket to Ride Rails and Sails for fans who want ships as well as trains.
Is CATAN 6th Edition the one to buy new in 2026? Yes. Catan Studio released the sixth edition as the current core refresh.
What suits a games night host? A lacquered backgammon set they can leave out, or a base game they already know how to teach.
Before you buy
Check player count, session length and whether they already own CATAN or Ticket to Ride. Compare prices on PriceHaggle AI before you buy.
Save yourself a surprise
Your quick buying checklist
- Ask how many people usually sit at their table
- Check whether they already own CATAN or Ticket to Ride
- Measure coffee-table space for a 47 x 28.5cm backgammon box
- Check the retailer’s Christmas returns window
References & editorial notes
This content is based on the sources listed below.
AI-generated information drawn from public sources. Not to be treated as any form of advice. Check details with the retailer before buying.