Best playing card decks to give as gifts
Gift ideas for every card lover: luxury collector decks, a magician’s performance deck, film-themed decks and cases to display them.
By The Online Magic Store
· 2 min read
In this story 7 sections
A deck of cards is an easy gift that suits magicians, cardists, collectors and families alike. Pick by who it’s for: a luxury deck for the collector, a performance deck for the magician, a licensed theme deck for the fan, and a display case to finish it off. Every product detail below comes from the product’s own description.
Why give a deck of cards?
Our suggestion: a deck is small, affordable and easy to wrap, and almost everyone can use one, whether for magic, cardistry or a family card game. For a deeper look at what makes a good deck for magic, see Best playing cards for magic.
Which decks suit a collector?
- Providence Playing Cards by The 1914. Printed by the Expert Playing Card Company, with metallic ink and gold foiling on every card, in an embossed sideways tuck box. Its description says the cards are traditionally cut for smooth handling and faro shuffles.
- Alabaster Venus Luxury Playing Cards by TCC Fashion. One of four Alabaster decks (David, Athena, Michelangelo and Venus), with relief-sculpture figures and holographic foil on the card faces.
- Portal Professional Playing Cards by Ark Playing Cards. Each card’s top is shaped into an arch like a Gothic archway, with fully redesigned pips and suits and a 3D arch tuck box with holographic foil.
Which deck suits a magician?
The Visualist Deck is a private reserve deck designed for Will Tsai, on super thin, crisp card stock made for magic performance.
Which decks suit a film or TV fan?
- Wonka Playing Cards by theory11. Custom illustrations of characters from the film, in a matte-purple, gold-foil box, with court cards including Prodnose, Fickelgruber and Slugworth. Printed in the USA on FSC-certified paper with vegetable-based inks.
- Bicycle Disney Nightmare Before Christmas Playing Cards. Custom Jack Skellington card backs and spiderweb foil on the tuck case.
You’ll find many more licensed theory11 decks, from Star Wars to Lord of the Rings, in our playing cards collection.
What goes well with a deck?
- Crystal Playing Card Display 2 Deck Case from TCC. A clear acrylic case that displays two boxed decks, with magnetic assembly. Its description says most USPCC decks fit, and it measures 14.6 × 10.2 × 2.7 cm.
- Wooden Playing Cards Cabinet (15 Deck Case) from TCC. A semi-enclosed cabinet made from North American black walnut, designed to keep practice, gimmick and collection decks in order.
How do you choose?
- For the collector: Providence, Alabaster Venus or Portal, plus a display case.
- For the magician: the Visualist Deck.
- For the fan: Wonka or Nightmare Before Christmas.
- For someone with a growing collection: the Wooden Playing Cards Cabinet.
Want the deck to last? Share our guide on how to look after a deck of playing cards. Shopping for a newer magician? See Magic gifts for beginner magicians.
Frequently asked questions
Is a deck of cards a good gift?
Yes. A deck is small, affordable and easy to wrap, and it suits magicians, cardists, collectors and families.
Which playing cards suit a collector?
Luxury decks such as Providence, with metallic ink and gold foil, or Alabaster Venus, with relief-sculpture figures and holographic foil.
Which deck suits a magician?
The Visualist Deck, designed for Will Tsai on thin, crisp card stock made for magic performance.
How can you display a deck as a gift?
The Crystal Playing Card Display 2 Deck Case holds two boxed decks in clear acrylic, and the Wooden Playing Cards Cabinet holds a whole collection.
