How do I gift a game on Steam? A Complete Guide

Unboxing the Gift: Your Guide to Gifting Games on Steam

So, you've got a friend, family member, or maybe even a deserving acquaintance who's been eyeing a particular title on Steam. Or perhaps you just want to spread some digital cheer! Gifting a game on Steam is a fantastic way to share your passion for gaming, and thankfully, it's a pretty straightforward process. This guide will walk you through every step, from choosing the perfect game to making sure your recipient actually gets it.

The Essentials: What You Need to Know Before Gifting

Before you dive in, let's cover a few important points:

Your Account Must Be in Good Standing: You can't gift games if your Steam account has certain restrictions, such as being limited due to not having purchased anything on the store.
Regional Restrictions Exist: Some games have different pricing or might not be available for gifting in certain regions. It's always a good idea to check if the game you want to gift is compatible with your recipient's region if you're unsure.
You Can't Gift From Your Inventory (Usually): Generally, you purchase a game specifically to gift it. You can't just "send" a game you already own from your library. There are exceptions for items like CS:GO cases, but for full games, you'll be buying it as a gift.
You Can't Gift Gifts: You can't purchase a game as a gift and then gift that gift to someone else. It goes directly to the intended recipient.

Step-by-Step: How to Gift a Game on Steam

Let's get to it! Here's how to send a game as a gift:

Navigate to the Steam Store: Open your Steam client or go to the Steam website (store.steampowered.com) and log in to your account. Once you're in, head over to the main Steam Store.
Find the Game You Want to Gift: Use the search bar or browse through the categories to find the game you'd like to gift. Click on the game's store page to view its details.
Look for the "Add to Cart" Button: On the game's store page, you'll see the familiar "Add to Cart" button. To the right of this button, you'll usually find a dropdown menu or a small icon. Click on this.
Select "Purchase as a Gift": From the dropdown menu, choose the option that says "Purchase as a Gift."
Choose Your Recipient: A new window will pop up. Here, you have two main options for sending the gift:
- Send to a friend: If the person you want to gift the game to is already on your Steam friends list, you can select them directly from the list.
- Send to an email address: If you don't have them on your friends list, or prefer to send it via email, you can enter their email address. You'll need to make sure the email address is valid and that they'll have access to it.
Add a Personal Message (Optional but Recommended!): There's a field where you can type a personal message to the recipient. This is a great way to add a special touch to your gift. Make it funny, heartfelt, or just let them know why you picked that specific game for them.
Choose Delivery Date (Optional): You can choose to have the gift delivered immediately or schedule it for a later date. This is perfect for birthdays or holidays where you want the gift to arrive at a specific time.
Review Your Purchase: Before finalizing, you'll be taken to the checkout page. Here you'll see the game you're gifting, the recipient's name (or email), your message, and the total cost. Double-check everything to make sure it's correct.
Complete the Purchase: Proceed with the payment. Steam accepts various payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, and Steam Wallet funds. Once the payment is confirmed, the gift will be processed.

What Happens Next? The Recipient's Experience

Once you've successfully sent a gift, here's what your recipient can expect:

Email Notification: If you sent it to an email address, they'll receive an email from Steam with a link to claim their gift.
This email will typically contain a link and instructions on how to add the game to their Steam library.
Steam Notification: If they are online and on your friends list, they will also receive an in-game notification through Steam that they've received a gift. They can then go to their inventory to claim it.
Claiming the Gift: The recipient needs to click on the provided link or accept the gift through their Steam inventory. If they have multiple Steam accounts, they must log into the correct account to claim the gift. Once claimed, the game will be added to their Steam library and they can download and play it.

A Few Extra Tips for Gift-Givers

To ensure a smooth gifting experience:

Check for Bundles: Sometimes, games are part of a bundle that offers a better value. If you're gifting multiple games, see if a bundle is available.
Consider Steam Sales: Steam frequently has sales, which can significantly reduce the price of games. Gifting during a sale is a great way to save money.
Gift Cards are an Option: If you're unsure of what game to get, a Steam Wallet gift card is always a safe bet. The recipient can then choose any game they like.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I know if my gift was received?

If you sent the gift to a friend on Steam, you'll often see a notification in your friends list or activity feed once they've claimed it. If you sent it via email, Steam will usually update the status of the gift in your purchase history once it's been claimed.

Why can't I gift a game I already own?

Steam gifts are typically purchased as new copies to be given away. The system is designed to track new purchases for gifting rather than allowing you to transfer ownership of a game you've already added to your library.

What happens if the recipient already owns the game?

If you gift a game to someone who already owns it, they will receive a notification that they already possess the game. Steam will typically give them the option to decline the gift, and in some cases, you might be able to get a refund or exchange the gift. It's best to check with Steam Support if this situation arises.

Can I gift a game to someone on a different platform (like Epic Games Store or GOG)?

No, Steam gifts can only be redeemed on Steam. You cannot gift a Steam game to a user on another PC game store platform.