This year has been weird: one minute it’s February, the next minute it’s Thanksgiving. Some of us can’t wait to get back out into the real world and make up for lost time while others are hunkering down for a quiet holiday at home. Either way, the last week of holiday shopping is always stressful and these strange times only make it that much harder to find a gift for everyone. Still not finished? We’ve got you covered with a few last-minute, easy gift ideas that are sure to please the mystery-lovers on your list.
1. A Murder-Mystery Game That Isn’t Clue
For the friend or loved one who loves to play amateur sleuth, this game is sure to delight. Sure, Clue (or Cluedo, for our UK readers) is a classic but it can go from board game to bored game when you find yourself dragging through the 3rd or 4th hour and still no closer to solving.
There’s Been A Murder brings together the suspicion, deduction, and teamwork of murder mysteries in a quick-playing pocket-sized new take on the classic detective game concept that will keep even the most attention-deficit audiences glued to their seat.
Pro Tip: Add a detective hat and magnifying glass to complete the perfect gift for any aspiring gumshoe.
2. An Escape Room Gift Card
Everyone loves being locked in a room and forced to use their wits to figure out how to escape before time runs out, don’t they? Ok, we’ll be the first to admit that an escape room gift card sounds a little odd to someone who has never tried it, but we promise your puzzle-solving pals will adore the one-of-a-kind experience of live-action escape games!
With Spellbound-exclusive escape games like The Temple of the Laughing God and Aftermath to choose from, there’s something for every interest (and skill level). Best of all, you can send it to your adventurous acquaintances from the comfort of home without even taking off your bunny slippers!
3. Escape Room In A Box
Can’t get to an in-person escape room this year? Bring the fun with a boxed escape room to play anywhere, anytime. The at-home escape game landscape has been growing exponentially over the past few years, stuffing the excitement of a whole escape room into a neat and tidy board game-style experience.
Lost In The Machine weaves together masterful storytelling, lovingly-crafted props, and clever virtual interactions that bring the game to life in fun and unexpected ways.
4. The Complete DVD Collection Of Columbo
Everyone’s favorite bumbling detective is back on DVD with all 69 episodes of the show that made a whole generation say “Hey, isn’t that the grandpa from The Princess Bride?”
Not only is the show itself a classic, but with over 100 hours of Peter Falk’s legendary investigator in action, the crimes-solved-per-dollar in this DVD box set is an undeniable value.
And just one more thing…
5. A Puzzle That’s Truly Out Of The Box
What could be more fun for a fan of mystery than a challenging puzzle? Sherlock Holmes and The Speckled Band is perfect for hours of puzzling pleasure. But there’s more to this puzzle than meets the eye— once the secret image is assembled, the game is afoot! Players use clues within the picture and an accompanying story guide to solve a mystery, answering the timeless post-puzzle question of ‘Now what?’
We hope these ideas have helped to make your holiday shopping a little bit easier. And if you’ve already finished your shopping and want to buy yourself a gift from this list? We say ‘Go for it!’ You’ve been so very good all year, you deserve it.
From all of us at Spellbound Escapes, have a happy and safe holiday season!
