30+ Crazy Christmas/New Year Gift Ideas for Designers & Geeks

Winter holidays, and surely Christmas & the New Year, are a great time to show your love and affection to your family, relatives and friends. Have you bought presents for everybody? Not sure? Need some creative ideas because some of your friends have really specific personalities and run-of-the-mill presents don’t suit them? We are happy to help you with Christmas/New Year gift ideas for artists, designers and geeks.

So, you want your friend, colleague, manager or maybe beloved person, who has an artistic nature, to be given a pleasant surprise. It’s not a problem, really. Below you will find 30+ different Christmas gift ideas for designers and geeks, for people with a vivid, creative way of thinking. We are sure they will appreciate your efforts.

All gift ideas were carefully handpicked. The assortment is really varied to please even the pickiest person. Sometimes artists don’t know themselves what they would like to receive as a present. So, how can you hazard a guess at what might they like? We have conducted some brief research on the topic and the results are detailed below. Some gifts ideas are practical, some are inspiring, some are funny, some are cute, etc. In a word, there is something for everybody here. Each gift comes with a short description and a link following which you will be able to order it. We sincerely hope that our list will free you from unwanted headaches and make the person receiving the gift feel happy for a while that you thought of them. In fact, our whole life consists of many brief moments and it’s better to fill Life with as many nice ones as we can.

We won’t waste any more of your time writing a longer introduction but will go straight to the gift ideas list.

Gift Ideas for designers:

Mega Snow and Winter Bundle

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OVERLAYS + FREE Updates - Bundle

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C | M | Y | K Color Swatch Calendar 2016 - $62.82

IAE designers work with colors and their combinations. This calendar won’t let them run out of inspiration. It will turn the routine process of picking the right colors into play. Peter von Freyhold designed a ‘color septet’ for each week, that comes alive by tearing off a daily color strip. Each color strip shows its effect on two-sided chromo cardboard (coated/uncoated) and reveals the precise percentages of cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Designers will be able to use the binding screw hidden in the top of the calendar to put together their own color schemes not only during the design process but also at a client meeting ... wherever! While the calendar leaves fall, your friend’s treasure box of colors fills up and new color fans waft a fresh breeze into his/her designs. Besides, color strips can be used as bookmarks, or for scribbled notes. Please note that this unusual calendar can be used just like any conventional weekly one.

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Star Wars Icon Set Minimalist Poster - from $24.30

We are sure that a web designer will appreciate this small Christmas gift. Is there any designer in the world who doesn’t like the ‘Star Wars’ saga? The gift is especially well-timed with the ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ coming to cinema screens on December 18, 2015. So, if your friend or colleague is one of the millions of ‘Star Wars’ fans, surprise him/her with this poster designed as a multiple icon set in minimalist style. Look at these colors, heroes’ silhouettes, long shadows… We are sure, this present will be appreciated and bring lots of inspiration to its recipient. For those who are interested, the poster is of A1 size. (594mm x 841mm. 23.39" x 33.11")

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The Design Deck - from $22.50

Does your friend want to learn graphic design? What about learning while playing poker? The Design Deck is a deck of playing cards that doubles as a practical guide to graphic design. Each of the 52 faces contains a useful piece of information about graphic design, including typography, color theory, design techniques, history, and more, each with a beautiful visual example. Cards are printed in rich, full color on high-quality Bicycle® stock with air-cushion finish.

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HTEEML - $31.50

A great present for UX/UI/Website/Wireframe designer. They will understand the humor and wear the T-shirt every day.

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Every Day I Draw at Least One Letter. The HVD Fonts TYPE BOOK. By Hannes von Döhren - from $62.82

Is your friend fond of creating typefaces? This book may be viewed as a recipe for the success of internationally renowned type designer Hannes von Döhren. It will tell the designer how bestselling types like Brandon were created. A precious present, isn’t it?

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Ps Magnet Kit - $12,90

Photoshop is one of the most important tools web designers use. These magnets, that replicate photo editing software menus and toolbars, are the best way to stick photos to the fridge or to any other metal surface. The set comprises 13 magnets.

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Wacom Inkling Digital Sketch Pen (MDP123) - $209.99

Designers like to sketch their ideas as they flash into their minds. This digital sketch pen is a perfect solution for that purpose. They can make sketches with it on standard paper or sketchbooks while capturing a digital likeness of their sketch in raster for use in Photoshop, or vector format for use in Illustrator. Hundreds of sketches can be stored on the Inkling receiver before being transferred to Mac or PC via USB. It is also possible to export layered sketches into Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator (CS3+) or Autodesk SketchBook Pro (2011+), from the Inkling Sketch Manager software, which is included. Designers can save their sketches from the Inkling Sketch Manager in JPG, BMP, TIFF, PNG, SVG or PDF formats. Layers button on the receiver allows the adding of layers to the digital file while sketching on paper. The rechargeable Inkling pen and receiver can be charged and stored in the compact carrying case. Inkling Sketch Manager software allows the user to add, delete or modify layers after a sketch is transferred to a computer. Inkling is a great tool for capturing ideas and concepts for later refinement on a computer, using Wacom Intuos pen tablets.

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Boogie Board 8.5-Inch LCD Writing Tablet, Black (PT01085BLKA0002) - $29.99

The Boogie Board allows you to erase the image with the touch of a button - and a friendly flash from the liquid crystal display. Its sealed 3V watch battery never needs replacing. The Boogie Board tablet is an ultra 1/8" thin. It is easy to carry in a purse, scheduler, briefcase or backpack. The case and LCD are made from durable plastic materials that are safe for school use and all around the house, office and car. The Boogie Board tablet's pressure-sensitive LCD writing surface creates lines of different thickness based on how hard you press - just like paper and pen. Your friend will be able to write or draw with the stainless steel stylus that is included, or any other suitable instrument – even a finger! He/she will never need to search for a pen or pencil again.

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Pixel Ruler - $29.00

A great tool for a web designer and his/her responsive screen size sketching. The ruler is made of heavy-duty gauge stainless steel with pixel increments. It has markers for mobile, tablet and widescreen (laptop) sizing.

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Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball - $27.38

This gift idea will be appreciated by those who like to give and get practical presents. The trackball is comfortable (its sculpted shape supports your hand and stays in one place; you can move the cursor without moving your arm), has a time-tested shape, gives its owner wireless freedom (you can control laptop, desktop computer or home theater PC from up to 30 feet (10 meters) away). Thanks to Logitech Unifying technology it is easy to connect up to six compatible wireless devices (keyboards, number pads or mice) with one tiny receiver that stays in your laptop. The trackball is compact, which is perfect for tight workspaces and busy desks. The trackball will serve for up to 18 months without changing the AA battery that is included. It provides smooth cursor control anywhere: precision laser tracking on your desk, couch, bed or almost any other surface.

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Website Stencil Kit - $29.00

This precision cut Website Stencil Kit will help designers to brainstorm website and app ideas with ease. It lets to wireframe quickly and efficiently with the most commonly used iconography and interaction techniques. The kit includes: stainless steel stencil with all the most commonly used icons, zebra mechanical pencil, plastic protector, 2 UI Stencils Stickers and a downloadable .PDF letter or A4 paper template.

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Cyber Clean 25054 Home & Office Foil Zip Bag - 2.65 oz. - $3.50

Cyber Clean Home & Office can be used in the drawers at home, on door knobs, air vents, window sills, in the office drawers, keyboard, mouse, speakers, USB ports. It is also great when visiting and staying in hotels to remove dust and harmful particles from remotes. Cyber Clean Home & Office can even be used in the bottom of hand bags, brief cases, back packs, suit cases and for pulling the dirt out of rings, watches, earrings, pins, and all those precious items. If your friend is a neat person, he/she will be happy to get this small gift.

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Pantone CAPSURE Color Matcher - $470.00

We bet every designer dreams of gadget like this. The PANTONE CAPSURE saves time and money by capturing a color from any material and instantly matching it to PANTONE colors in less than three seconds. CAPSURE can match multiple colors from smaller and intricate patterns, as well as from a variety of surfaces. Accurate, lightweight, and portable, CAPSURE is powered by a rechargeable battery that can take thousands of measurements on a single charge. Preloaded software keeps multiple PANTONE color libraries up to date.

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Magazine subscription - from £9.99

What’s your friend’s favorite magazine? It may be a good idea to present him with, say, a monthly/ half year/yearly subscription for it.

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Maker monthly - $20

Present your friend a Maker monthly sign up and he/she will get notebooks & creative supplies delivered monthly. It will be like unwrapping fresh inspiration every month. The company selects the best journals, sketchbooks and planners on the market to provide their customers with premium stationery for their ideas. Refresh your friend everyday carry gear with new pens, pencils, art markers and accessories every month.

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Gift ideas for designers & other geeks:

Get Shit Done iPhone Case - $36.00

Does your friend-designer use an iPhone? Then, this custom case with humorous “call to action” will motivate him/her and make them smile every day. The case is only 2.5mm thick and impeccably shows off the slim profile of the stylish device. The impact-resistant outer shell protects it from scratches, drops and dust.

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Kitty cat sleeping mask - $40.50

Looks funny, doesn’t it? However, we included this cute sleeping mask in our presents list because many web designers, as well as many IT workers, have sleep disorders. The Ööloom sleeping masks are hand made in the North by a small army of lovely ladies, and we sincerely hope that the warmth of their hearts and hands will energize this unique present with positive energy, which will help your friend to relax, quickly fall asleep and see only magical dreams until morning.

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VivaBoo tea infuser - $14.40

Even the busiest person needs a tea or coffee break from time to time. With a duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed platypus, tea breaks may become even more fun and relaxing. Platypus is a unique and rare animal inhabiting eastern Australia. Seeing how curiously it is peeking from a cup, brings a smile not only to the drinker’s face, but also to all other nerds surrounding him/her. This is how it works. The Platypus-shaped VivaBoo tea Infuser’s belly is filled with loose tea of a tea-drinker’s choice and then put in a cup of hot water. The tea infuses through VivaBoo’s body. Whether it’s a mug or a tumbler, VivaBoo hangs conveniently inside the drinker’s cup by its bill. VivaBoo is made of food grade silicone. Its dimensions are 70 x 44x 75mm.

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2016 Calendar Kit: Typography meets craft - from $25.20

Have you ever seen a calendar you can embroider with your own hands? We guess needlework is a very calming occupation, just what your friend needs after a whole day of intense work. The kit includes 12 paper calendar cards, floss, needle and instructions. It is great for beginners. The letters of each month are arranged artistically and you get to cross stitch them. No previous stitching experience is necessary. Just poke and stitch the paper using the needle and instructions that are included.

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Man Comb - from $27.00

Does your designer friend look like a Yeti? Present him with this comb; it’s a hairy man's time to shine! This tough & compact flip comb is the ultimate tool for hair, beard & beer. The comb’s handle is made of stainless steel so it doesn’t corrode, and the brushed finish keeps it looking fresh. The graphics are laser etched into the steel so they won’t fade or rub off. The comb material is ridiculously tough; in fact it’s made from similar material to airplane windshields. The comb is compact & practical. It fits in men’s pockets or they can attach it to a keychain (or similar). The bottle opener is an integral part of the comb’s design. But that’s not all! The comb is magnetic, so it maintains the open and closed positions and there's no need to adjust the tightness over time.

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MoMA Perpetual Calendar, Gray and Silver - $46.12

This is a very interesting futuristic perpetual calendar that would decorate the table of any designer. How does it work? You manually move the two magnetic balls to mark the date and month. The calendar is made of injection-molded plastic and magnets. Wall mounting hardware is also included.

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Quirky Converge Docking Station for USB charging devices - $42.49

A very useful gadget. Here are some of its features:

• "Stash" cable management makes it easy to stow wires.
• 4 USB outlets.
• Curved to allow your electronics to nestle in place while charging.
• Powered by an external power source with a range of 110-240v.
• Designed to manage charging cables for both bottom-connected (iPad, iPhone, etc.) and side-connected (cameras, Blackberries, etc.) accessories.

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Perpetual calendar - € 62,11

This stylish perpetual calendar made of natural wood will decorate any room or office wall. It consists of a central section with three horizontally-mobile strips of different woods and silk-screen printed days, numbers and months. A third strip of wood acts as a counterbalance.

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Samsung Gear S2 Smart watch for Most Android Phones - Dark Gray - $249.00

This smart watch is a brilliant demonstration of function and style mix. It has an intuitive circular interface and rotating bezel for easy navigation, access to important notifications, texts, and updates at a glance. The watch is compatible with most Android Devices. We guess every geek will go crazy unwrapping a present like this.

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Doulex Mini Coffee Cup Mist Humidifier USB powered - $12.00

It’s not a coffee cup, but a coffee cup shaped mist humidifier. Everybody knows that proper humidity is important for our health and efficiency, so this present won’t just stand on the shelf. The owner will use it. One fully loaded humidifier works for 10 hours.

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Newspaper Rain Bag - $50.00

It’s not just a bag, but the perfect companion on a rainy day. The Newspaper Rain Bag is made of water resistant canvas and it is the perfect solution for those days when the weather forecast is all wrong. The print on the bag is clever and it has a very well placed strap that doesn't disturb the fun cover story of the Rain Bag. Your friend can carry his/her things in it on sunny days as well and it will still look fab! He/she will be prepared for any type of weather with this trendy item.

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Breffo Spiderpodium Smartphone Mount & Holder – Black - $14.49

Does your friend like spooky things? Present him/her with this Spiderpodium Smartphone Mount & Holder. We are sure he/she will be in raptures over the present. Mount & Holder are compatible with ALL Smartphones. It can be used as a vent holder or hang on the back of the seat when your friend is travelling or driving. It provides hands free viewing on any desk or counter top. It can be wrapped around bike handlebars, backpack, or baby stroller. It has 8 Legs, so can be used as a steady tripod or octopod.

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LED Fluorescent Message Board Digital Alarm Clock with 4 Port USB Hub Calendar (BLUE) - $18.99

This present is useful and fun at the same time. We guess it’s great for loving couples who will be able to write cute messages to each other on a digital message board. However, some people like to write inspiring messages for themselves or jot down some ideas that unexpectedly dawn upon them at night. The watch is white. The color of the backlight is blue, green optional. The alarm clock has 4 ports USB 2.0 hub and is supplied by power via a USB charging port or AAA battery.

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Build-On Brick Mug - $9.99

If your friend is still a child in his/her soul, let him/her drink the usual morning coffee and play. Choose from black, grey, or red mug colors. This mug with an exterior building surface is compatible with most bricks: LEGO™, PixelBlocks, Mega Bloks, KRE-O, K'NEX Bricks™. It is not microwave safe but fine for hot coffee. It is made of BPA-free plastic. Mug’s capacity is 12 ounces. It is recommended to wash it by hand.

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A Nice Big Cup of NOPE - Coffee Mug - $18.00

And one more coffee mug idea. This Exploding Kittens mug holds 11oz of your friend’s favorite beverage. It is ceramic and dishwasher safe.

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Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop (L5V-00001) - $75.90

A keyboard is something that a designer works with every day, so it’s better to have an ergonomic one. Split keyset design of this keyboard helps to position wrists and forearms in a natural, relaxed position. The cushioned palm rest provides support and promotes a neutral wrist position. A separate number pad provides greater flexibility for workspace setup. Natural Arc key layout mimics the curved shape of the finger tips. Reverse tilt angles the keyboard to promote a straight neutral wrist position. As for the mouse: thumb scoop helps to maintain the correct ergonomic hand and wrist position, windows button provides one-touch access to the Start screen, 4-way scroll wheel for navigating up, down, left and right. A cool set, isn’t it?

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Portal 2 Sentry Turret - Motion Activated Desk Defender with 11 Speaking Functions (USB Powered) - $43.90

Do you think your friend’s desk needs protection? This little guard should help. It is an officially licensed Portal 2 collectible. The gadget’s motion detecting turret will open and alert when someone comes by your desk. Sound effects are pulled directly from the games. It is USB-powered: plugs into a computer or USB hub -cable included. It is 7.5" tall.

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We know that you are a bit tired after all this brain storming, but might we dare to ask if you would answer several questions on the blog post contents you have just read? This will help us to be more efficient next time. Was our list of New Year gift ideas for designers useful to you? Did you like any of the suggested Christmas presents for computer geeks? Which ones did you like the most? Are you going to purchase any of them? Your comments are welcome at the comment section as usual.