The Holidays are Coming - What are the Best Dungeon Master Gift Ideas?

Every group has someone who keeps the table moving forward. They’re the one who built the dungeon, the one who always voices the innkeeper, the one who gave names to each of those goblin NPCs you wiped out in two moves. 

That person is your Dungeon Master, and outside the usual “Woah, that was fun!” at the end of the night, they don’t always get the thanks they deserve. 

But the holidays are a great excuse to say thanks. And we’ve asked a few DMs we know what they get for Christmas, and their answer is typically “Some dice.” 

Sure, dice are a great themed gift. But what if your DM already owns enough dice? (Hint: they probably do.)

Here is a gift guide for your Dungeon Master that you can all go in on together to help them feel loved this holiday season.

What to Get a Dungeon Master Who Has Everything

Okay, if you asked your DM, they’d probably give you a long list of things they need. But what about something they’ll feel a bit shocked by? 

This year, give them a shirt that matches how they run the game. DMs collect rulebooks, screens, and accessories, but clothing for the person behind the screen is easy to overlook. 

So start by picking out a print that fits their style, then choose the cut that fits them.

Here is the quick version. Find your DM, then jump to the section below for the details.

For the Over-Prepared (Okay, “Properly Prepared”) DM

For the DM that always comes prepared, show them that you can also put some thought into a plan. 

Our Dnd Dungeon Master button-up was designed by artist Heather Davenport, and features everything a great DM is known for: pencils, stacked rulebooks, folded game screens, drawstring pouches, d20 outlines.

There’s even a “Game Master” name badge on there so everyone knows who is in charge.

If your DM likes color, there’s another equally great option: the DnD Hero Inventory button-up. This one features all you need for a great campaign, including swords, bows, potion bottles, spellbooks, treasure chests, and – yes – lutes. 

Both prints also come as a curvy button-up, a long-sleeve, a youth shirt, a sleeveless dress, and a bucket hat.

For the Tabletop World-Builder

Some DMs have incredible creative skills when it comes to creating worlds. They don’t need templates or copy-paste concepts. They build out scenes that feel new every single time you play, and worlds that keep on expanding beyond what you thought possible.

For this DM, why not surprise them with a Fantasy World Map Dnd button-up? This print feels inspired by DnD world design, with seas, islands, mountains, and a few tentacled residents to keep things interesting. We like to call it a “campaign map you can wear”.

This one's also great for gamers who enjoy just flying around the world map for hours on end, enjoying the scenery from above.

If they’re more of a cartographer, then the Fantasy Paper World Map swaps the sea for weathered parchment. Both come from artist Nathan Winsor, whose work has gained quite a following around here.

For the DM Who Loves an Ambush

Every table has a DM who gets a little too happy when the party suffers. You know the one. (Maybe you are the one.)

For the more sadistic DM, why not thank them for their service with the Food Mimics Dnd button-up or sleeveless dress?

 

 

This is a fun one that features burgers, tacos, pie, and ice cream cones that are actually toothy little monsters just waiting to pounce.

Another great option is the Gelatinous Cube Dnd Monster or the Mimic Eyes Custom Pocket Dnd button-up.

From across the room, these prints look and feel calm and colorful. Up close, they’re watching you, just waiting for you to fall into that trap that’s been oh-so-carefully written into the campaign.

For the DM Who Wears It to Work

Wild prints are fun. But sometimes you want a shirt that you can wear at the table and in the office. If you want to give your DM something that’s versatile, opt for a print like the Dungeon Wall button-up from artist Claire Murphy. 

This one features visually satisfying stonework in charcoal tones, with etched lines and soft shadowing. Your DM will know it is a dungeon.

And it feels great in Geeknit, which is our ultra-soft, lightweight, and moisture-wicking fabric that feels great all day.

For the DM Running on Fumes

Some campaigns have been going for two years, and even the most talented DM can start to feel the creative juices waning. 

For them, we’ve got a T-shirt that says it all. The Grumpy Cat GM T-shirt features everyone’s favorite cranky cat in DM mode. We’ll let you read the print itself – it may be the last thing you do before the party meets its end.

The Dungeon Meowster T-Shirt is for the DM who’s busier herding distracted cats at the table than world-building. (But a nice shirt for a thank-you gift can help, right?)

Holiday Picks That Hide a Mimic

Buying for Christmas? Go with a print that does double-duty this holiday season! 

One of our favorites is Ardi Tong’s Present Mimics in red and green. These prints hide hungry teeth and tongues inside wrapped gift boxes.

Nathan Windsor’s Snowmen Dnd Classes button-up is a great print that feels holiday-inspired and surprisingly helpful when it's time to create a new character or level up.

Want more festive options that are not tabletop-specific? We covered those in our ugly sweater alternative guide.

All Geek Tropical button-ups are made to order, so you know each one was made specifically for your DM. That said, order now and give yourself time before the session you want to surprise them at.

Going In Together?

A group gift is easy to organize and easy to botch. Two rules help here:

1. Do a bit of DM-style planning for once and pick the print as a group. If you aren’t sure, you can ask others who may know the DM a bit better to get inspiration.

2. Make sure to check the size before anyone pays! Geek Tropical sizes run from XS to 5XL, with curvy, long sleeve, and youth cuts, so there’s an option for your DM (if you plan ahead!)

If nobody knows the size, a gift card lets your DM choose their own print.

A Few Questions We Get During the Gift-Buying Season

What is a good gift for a dungeon master from the players?

Something they can wear outside the game. A themed button-up starts at $42 and a T-shirt at $29, and the print can match how they run the table.

Can a whole group chip in on one gift?

Totally! And doing it together takes the pressure (and price) off any one person. Pick one print together, have one person place the order, and use a gift card if you are unsure about size.

What works for a DM who does not like loud shirts?

The Dungeon Wall for office-friendly stonework, or the Mimic Eyes pocket for a surprise you only see up close.

Thank the Person Behind Your Adventures – They’ll Thank You in the Game

Your DM does so much for the table out of the kindness of their hearts. And while a shirt probably won’t repay the prep hours, it will tell them that someone noticed. 

Pick a print that fits how they run the table, and they will wear it to the next session.

And they can wear each print proudly because Geek Tropical designs are created by real illustrators who are credited and paid royalties on each sale.

Ready to shop? Browse the full Tabletop RPG collection, or check our Gift Guide for Geeks for more ideas. Looking for what to wear to your next session? Our game night style guide has you covered.