(Ed Note: This article is intended not so much for the MTG player, but for whomever may be buying that player's gifts this Holiday season.  With that in mind, we here at Gathering Magic suggest you print out this page and use it as a sort of x-mas list for duelists.)

These next few weeks people people everywhere will be running around like savages trying to find the perfect gifts for those certain people.  Acquiring the correct fat loots is much easier with some that with others. Meaning, some are much harder to shop for than others.  To combat this tide the internet figuratively blooms with how-to and gift guide lists.  Concise and helpful as they are, these cheat sheets never hit the true Magic: The Gathering gamer.  So the following is a quick and easy tutorial on how to identify which type of player he (or she) is.  And what products would be perfect for them (with both a frugal and a not so frugal option).

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The Timmy Scenario - Is your player new to the game?  Did they pick it up within the past year (or two) and play only recreationally with friends?  Are they under the age of 14?  If the answer to these questions is yes, then chances are you are buying for a Timmy.  The pros are they are fairly easy to please and cheap to buy for.  The cons are that a few products may go over their heads or go unappreciated because they are can't see the beauty that some other duelists might.  Cards and more cards are perfect for Timmy. Don't worry about which set or how new/old because Timmy will find the cards he likes on his own.  Booster packs (the regular run of the mill card packs) are perfect for this very reason.  He'll never know what to expect, and likely be satisfied with anything.  Booster packs can be found at just about any large shopping center or online for around $3-$4.  That means there is a sliding scale for price here, depending only on how many you want to buy.  If you have a bit more $$$ to spend, the Dual Decks: Garruk vs Liliana is a great option.  This is a product perfect for those who haven't mastered every nuance, and frankly don't care to.

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Shopping for a Johnny - A Johnny is pretty easy to spot.  These are the players who spend late nights 'tweeking' decks and sorting through cards.  Or really any other Magic related activity that doesn't directly involve playing.  When they do play, Johnnys are in it for the long haul.  Grouping together with good friends to play countless hours around the kitchen table or in the dining room.  If you hear them degrading their opponents cards, then chances are they are a Johnny.  If they brag about a particularly amazing game, even if you don't care, that screams Johnny.  Finally, if they talk about the good-old days of Magic then you can be certain: this is a Johnny you are shopping for.  Good news, Johnny's love MTG for more than just the cards.  Books (likely at any major book store) like Agents of Artifice or anything found here are perfect for him.  Because he loves the lore and flavor of MTG trinkets like signed art or collectors items from long ago work perfectly.  Planechase is another great gift for him, especially because it includes new ways to play with friends and new strategies.  And if you don't feel like breaking the bank, booster packs from old sets are perfect.  That brings us to the bad news about your Johnny, he is a little harder to please.  Chances are he has already spent a pretty penny on his collection, and additions he doesn't already have aren't easy to find.  Or cheap.  Creativity within the gift is more important with a Johnny than Timmy or Spike so keep that in mind.  Especially if you don't want to end up paying an arm and leg.

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Getting Spike what he Wants - How do you know if your certain somebody is a Spike?  Easy, how much of their love for the game is based on winning?  Do they attend Friday Night Magic events every week?  Have they ever skipped out on plans because a tournament was in town?  Are countless hours spend hunched over the computer playing Magic Online?  Are they competitive to a fault?  That means you are dealing with a Spike through and through.  This means you won't be spending money on cards, in fact Spike is the only type of player on this list that would be bummed out to see a few booster packs in their stocking.  Because unless you have been keeping very close tabs on pro-Magic decks, chances are you won't have a clue what cards to buy.  And these 'it' cards have such a short shelf-life they could be out-dated be the time you read this.  On top of that lore and flavor are worthless to Spike so art and books are out too.  Perfect, so does that mean Spike is impossible to shop for?  Nope, not really.  Spike is out pounding the pavement every day trying to prove he is the best and he never leaves home without his latest deck.  Therefore deck sleeves with simple art (or flat colors) will please every time.  As will deck holders like Dragon's Eggs are super-handy in a MTG circles.  Cards won't float a Spike boat, but they are very precious to him so guarding them is a must.  Sleeves, binders and deck holders come in a variety of prices.  Choose the one that is right for you and get ready to amaze your Spike with the perfect Magic gift.

There you have it, perfect gifts ideas for any type of Magic player on basically any budget.  Finding these products should not be difficult.  With a working knowledge of the internet searching out these trinkets and their locations will be easy.  And (at risk of sounding like a corporate pitch-man) these products can be found at any major retailer (Target, Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer, etc).  However if there is a local shop in your area (found through the wonders of cyberspace) items will probably be cheaper and the selection larger.  Happy shopping.

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