You know you’re desperate if you’re looking to me for help.
The month of December has something like 20 different cultural celebrations to ring out the end of my calendar year; Christmas is just the most commercialised one. End-of-year advertising starts as early as October, though in a subtle, gradual way so as not to clash the red-green Christmas theme with the orange-purple Halloween decor. But as soon as 1 November arrives, the gloves are off. Suddenly, we are drowning in fruit mince pies, toy sales, and Mariah Carey.
In saying all of that, there is a definite substantial growth in chaos and no matter how organised we think we are, there is always something missed in the presents. Believe me, I get it. The end of the year is carried on the back of chaos and the unsupported vibe of managed mayhem. Never mind that medical appointments at this time of year have a 65% chance of being cancelled/rescheduled for the new year (based on my personal research/experience). Never mind that every extracurricular activity your spawnling has signed up to during the year (whether or not they stayed in it) has an ‘end-of-year’ celebration that must be attended. Never mind that one damn teacher who knows your spawnling has closure issues and subsequently dumps a bag of detritus with your kid because “if we throw it out, <unspecified> item will feel dejected and lonely.” Do teachers gain a bonus prize for the least-filled classroom bin? And with all of this going on, we parents are still expected to remember every single idea on the wish list.
You are forgiven if you forgot something. It happens. I, too, hate December. So let me share my emergency backup plan with you. And yes, the internet is your friend today.
Steam’s Winter Sale
Let’s just ignore the fact that I am based in the Southern Hemisphere and thus can only wish for the cool relief of Winter. Steam is currently sharing its “Winter Sale” from now until 5 January 2026. The range of games on sale is pretty impressive. If you’re not sure what games suit your intended recipient, you can always go down the path of gift cards, with almost two (2) weeks for them to decide for themselves.
If you’re looking for something a little more personalised, here are my top suggestions:
Top End / Big Name
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is on sale for AUD$83.96. Perfect for the gamer who is not travelling over the holidays. This game is full of realistic imagery that takes you across Italy, Thailand, and Egypt in true Indy style. This is the closest I will ever get to being Indiana Jones. And the DLC is absolutely worth it. Check out my review here.
Indie Greats
Hollow Knight: Silksong was the most anticipated game for 2025. Its release day crashed the servers of almost every gaming platform. Has it lived up to the hype? Hell, yeah! Personally, I haven’t played it myself because I’m still working my way through the original. Let’s be real: the gameplay is brutal, and I’m here for the story. But if your receiver is into video games, add this to the list. Currently priced at AUD$23.60, which feels ridiculously cheap for the quality of the game and the promise of a substantial DLC in 2026.
Early Access
Valheim is still an ‘Early Access Game’ — offering a new game before most can play it, but with the added risk of bugs and issues. However, all accounts so far indicate this brutal exploration/survival game is going to be big. First introduced in 2021, Valheim offers a deep dive into Viking life, immersing players in every virtual element. The only downside is that I don’t think the devs have quite figured out how to end the game. To be fair, I’m okay with this because AUD$15.20 seems like a reasonable price for some escapism.
Co-Op Chaos
Perfect for a group of gaming friends. Those online ragtag rebels that rarely work together and yet somehow make it out alive. Peak is absolutely the game for you. It best suits co-op gameplay, but you can play solo if you want some practice time. The goal is to climb across four (4) biomes to The Peak and be rescued. For AUD$7.30, it’s a fun game with plenty of laughs with friends.
Cozy Escape
The devs at Little Pink Clouds nailed the laidback Aussie vibe in Letters To Aralla. You are now a turnip delivering mail to the juicy residents on the island of Arralla. Filled with puzzles and exploration, the cute narrative gives the brain a sweet tickle along with plenty of chuckles. Child-friendly but perfect for adults looking for a soft, cozy game. On sale for AUD$17.46, which seems like a great deal since it’s the kind of game you can revisit for feel-good smiles.
Take Me to the Movies, Museums, Galleries, Wherever
Last-minute gifts are made a lot easier with the internet. You still have time to buy vouchers online and gift a virtual card. The top hit right now is Movie Vouchers, thanks to the line-up coming in 2026. Right now, I’m eager to check out Wicked: For Good, filled with magic and music. Later in the year, there’ll be Supergirl, The Odyssey, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. I truly believe a movie gift card will be well appreciated over the coming year.
However, if you are less of a movie buff and more of an exhibitionist (so to speak), museums and galleries also offer a great deal for a 12-month membership. Many also have partnerships with other museums or galleries, giving you extended benefits across borders. For example, I just bought a family membership for the Australian Museum in Sydney. We’re also heading to Canberra in January, and look at that! Our new membership gives us free entry to Questacon. Guess who just got Mum of the Year in the EG Awards Night? Not me, apparently. But I did give myself an extra slice of pavlova, so the joke’s on them.
Last Chance Hail-Mary
Final point: There is nothing wrong with a simple gift card. Why? Because in Australia, we love a Boxing Day bargain. There are some awesome deals across every retailer during the infamous Boxing Day Sales. And it doesn’t have to be limited to Australia–this works everywhere around the world. As much as you may think a gift card is impersonal and detached from any connection with the other person, the truth is that many of us wish for a shopping spree but simply don’t have the means. Add your personal touch by narrowing down the store. For example, JB Hi Fi covers video games, tabletop games, music, tech toys, and battery packs for the useless git in your life who constantly forgets to charge their mobile phone before the next big Pokémon Go Safari. Spoiler: They’ll forget to charge that battery pack, too. But at least you tried.
So, on a final note before we say farewell to 2025, and look threateningly at 2026 with the expectation of a better year: Happy holidays, minions. Here’s to sleep-ins, lazy breakfasts, and easy phone calls to various family members. And no matter how strong the marketing–even strong enough to make it on this damn blog–remember that it is okay to ignore the consumerism and just say, “Screw it. Let’s not do it” to presents. Sometimes the best gift isn’t bought at all. Just a quiet drink with your loved ones, enjoying that rare, brief bliss of “time blindness” in the final week of the year. Good luck to whichever path you take.
Categories: General Evil Genius
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Evil Genius Mum
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