30 Designer Christmas Gifts To Give The Geek in 2010
November 4, 2010 | Thoughts & Words By Sneh Roy | 34 Comments
I started Christmas shopping very early in 2010. I have been browsing shops, online stores and catalogs since August. I have bookmarked, scheduled and bought a wide variety of quirky and awesome products for some very lucky people. I also own quite a few things that are on the list I have compiled, so you know that they come highly recommended. I have deliberately left out design books, applications and high end gadgets like the iPad and Mac Airbook because everyone already knows about them and honestly it would blow your budget if you are buying them for a friend or colleague. I have rounded up 30 amazing designer christmas gifts to give the geek in your life, gifts that are budget friendly and very unique. I hope this list helps your own wishlist and also gives you ideas to buy for friends and family. After all, we all have a little bit of geek in us! There are also many independent sellers hawking some fantastic geeky wares, bespoke and limited edition stuff sold on sites running on ecommerce softwares. Just search on Google with a combination of keywords like "geek, bespoke, limited edition, gifts" and the world will become your oyster.
1. App Magnets
These quirky little heavy duty magnets are oh so perfect for your whiteboard. Colorful and shaped like the little App buttons on your iPhone, these 18 magnets are as useful as they are fun.These would be perfect for those Secret Santa gifts. I ordered mine last week!
2. Floppy Disk Sticky Notes
Geeks have a thing about retro and floppy disks are to the information age what cassette tapes are to music. The geek in your life will love these sweet, whimsical sticky floppy disk sticky notes.
3. Pocket Jams Cassette Tape
Speaking of cassette tapes, these stylish little zipper puches for iPhones, money and other knickknacks, make a great gift.
4. Photoshop Magnet Kit
13 magnets for lovers of the image editing software, these photoshop magnets would look so cool on the fridge or whiteboard.
5. Giant Lego Storage Boxes
Lego is a lifelong fanaticism for most of us. I believe its shape and form make it one of the most timeless and classic creation in the history of mankind. Now you can have it sitting in your house almost like a giant work of art.
6. Oye Modern Origami Jewellery
This is absolutely beautiful. Origami jewellery? Who would’ve thought! They have an amazing collection. Perfect for the wife or girlfriend this Christmas.
7. Bin Bin
John Brauer designed this gorgeous waste basket in 2005. It looks like it is made of crumpled paper but is in fact very sturdy plastic. Swedish designers have a very artsy and futuristic take on things and this particular design calls out to the designer in me.
8. Book Rest Lamp
What a brilliant idea! You read by the soft frosted light and then switch it off and create an instant "house" for your book. A piece of art, lamp and bookmark all rolled in one!
9. AC Adapter World Of Alice
Wish all cables were works of art like this one! Then we wouldn’t try so hard to hide them.
10. Vintage Typewriter Set of 10 Thank You Cards
I have recently taken up writing thank you cards and notes instead of a phone call or email. There is a lot of joy and old worldly charm in letting someone know that you took that extra effort to think of them and thank them for whatever they might’ve done for you. Although not a "gift" item, this one would be for you to thank people for the wonderful gifts they will gift you this Christmas.
11. 365 Days Notebook
Know someone who would like to indulge in a little 365 Project? This nifty notebook with boldly numbered pages from 1 to 365 would make a perfect gift. I’ve got one and can’t wait to start my 2nd year of Project 365.
12. Pac-man Moleskine
Limited edition Pac-man Moleskines to celebrate Moleskine’s 30th anniversary. Satisfy the geek in your designer and get sketchy.
13. Enough Social Interaction Doormat
I saw this doormat and wondered if Calvin Lee (@mayhemstudios) had it outside his door. Maybe he does, how else would he be so omnipresent on Twitter? He is also the kind of guy who would appreciate the blatant humor in this doormat, a nice guy and a rockstar. If you know anyone like Calvin, well you know what to get them!
14. Rubik’s Cube Alarm Clock
Back in the day, I was really really addicted to the Rubik’s cube. Wasn’t great at it, but definitely addicted. I find this alarm clock a very quirky gift idea and an excellent conversation starter if you leave it lying on the coffee table.
15. Sewing Kit Wall Sticker
Create quirky wall art in an instant by arranging this sewing seam stickers along windows, doors or everyday objects at your home or office.
16. MT Japanese Masking Tape
I have two rolls of this very clever product. It is a masking tape that comes in solid colors as well as patterns. Use it as a regular adhesive tape or as a masking tape because it comes off easily and doesn’t leave a mark. Write on it, doodle on it, use it as a memo. Very versatile!
17. Scrabble Tile Cushions
I have an old and very comfy couch next to my desk. At any given time there are 3 or 4 cushions taking up all the available space on the two seater. I like to change the cushion covers and these awesome eco recycled felt covers that look like scrabble tiles might be next on my list of things to buy. I am a huge, huge scrabble fan!
18. F1 & F2 Lamp Shade
Very stylish and modern, these lamp shades bring the right amount of nerdiness into a living area.
19. Geekology Tee from Threadless
Cliches, but often true; this is the essence of a geek! And the geek will appreciate the humor.
20. "Google Before You Tweet is the new Think Before You Speak" Print
A beautiful letterpress A4 print by Joe Newton, very chic, very vintage and yet touches a modern chord.
21. Mini Robo Vacuum
No more excuses for an untidy desk. Fun gift idea!
22. Mad Men : The Illustrated World
You will love this if you are a fan of the show. If you are not, it has some amazing retro illustration inspiration that will have you reaching for your sketchbooks.
23. Fold & Play Recycled Speakers
These cardboard speakers fold down and fold up into a cube speaker, perfect for the iPhone.
24. 8-Bit Oven Mitt
Mario is baking in my kitchen! My cookies are in good hands!
25. Jessica Hische Poster
2 color letterpress print of the first alphabet of Jessica’s Daily Drop Cap Series. Beautiful work!
26. Oversized Zinc Letters
A must have! Pick one or several for that wow factor!
27. Cover Story Postcards
100 amazing titles from Penguin’s collection of paperbacks becomes a collector’s dream.
28. Space Invaders Cutting Board
A space invader fanatic who loves to cook can’t be very hard to find! This makes a beautiful gift for the seriously nerdy foodie in your life.
29. Remote Control Solar System Mobile
This would be so cool to have and such a great gift to give. Almost magical, this gorgeous mobile could double up as a night lamp and become a feature in your study, studio or office.
Buy Here
30. Panton Replica Chair
In 1967 Vernon Panton designed the first ever chair to be molded out of a single piece of plastic. It became quite the sensation with its futuristic wave design. It is a gorgeous work of art and so comfortable, you will not believe it. I am a big fan and own two white Panton replicas which are a permanent fixture in my office. Own this beautiful piece of furniture or gift it. It looks so perfectly delicious, it won’t even need a red bow.
Subscribe Via Rss
OR Email
Never miss a freebie or some creative inspiration!
Related Posts :
Is it too late to share some interesting finds for Valentine's Day? I think not. I love seeing what is out there for special occasions, especially gifts that cater to the inner geek. Admit it, the ...
Last year when I did What Designers Really Want For Christmas in 2009?, a lot of nice folks from the design community pitched in with their wishlists. This year, everyone seemed to be busi ...
It is the day and age of online readers, electronic books, pdf compendiums and Kindles. At the book store, I might buy a book on an impulse, but 9 out of 10 times, I come back home, get on ...
The app magnets and Space Invaders cutting board would suit me just fine! Thanks for the ideas. Will make Xmas shopping this year so much easier.
Duane´s last [type] ..Logo and Brand Identity Design Resources October 2010
hey Sneh..
Thanks for the geeky interesting stuffs .. I love the The Photoshop Magnet..Also the Lego Box. Hope to get it ..
Loving the Lego storage boxes.
A truly great selection of products, thank you! I’ve ticked a few presents off my list already. And thanks for mentioning the Origami necklace, they are super cool.
Aah.. a wonderful list! I wish someone gifts me a 365 days notebook or maybe a Pac-man moleskine..
Ayush Kumar´s last [type] ..A List of 7 Great Design Forums And 6 Benefits Of Participating In Forums Like These
haha wow, this is exciting! I love the floppy disk notepads and the rubik’s cube alarm clock. Nice post Sneh!
Louis Gubitosi´s last [type] ..How to Use Any Font on the Web
Really a surprising list of Christmas gifts for almost everyone.
Ha, love it all!
thanks!
I really like the floppy disk notes. That brings back memories of a era gone buy.
The App magnets are very Cool
Wouldn’t mind having the doormat.
Love the Photoshop magnet kit. THat will much better replace what my wife currently has on the fridge.
Robert Bravery´s last [type] ..Guy Fawkes- Fireworks and Your blog
Wow, I want them… I want them all!
Thanks for sharing this great stuff.
Eva
@friendsofdesign
Eva´s last [type] ..Design Bootcamp Competition 2011
LOVE the post….and what a collection! Let the shopping begin (gifts for me that is)
Some cool stuff in there!
Wow! I don’t know which I got more of – gift ideas or things to ask for! LOVE the 365 Days Note. Thanks so much!!
Pump Espresso Machines´s last [type] ..DeLonghi EC155 Review
awesome collection!! I want most of these for myself! ;P Definitely some great gift ideas..
Great selection
Keira´s last [type] ..Top 10 Best Christmas Gifts 2010
Very cool indeed! We’re going to drop some goodies off to local design agencies we want to outsource work to us. These are ideal additions to our goodies bags! Thanks
Wow.. Very nice stuff here. Sounds good. Thanks for sharing.
Amazing gift ideas!
I want those app magnets!
Herbug´s last [type] ..El Manual de Identidad Corporativa
You got me with the apps magnets >.<
This is quite a list you have compiled here Sneh, I would say my favourites would have to be the App magnets and the 8-bit Oven mitt.
LOL I had such fun looking through the gifts! Brilliant ideas
These are some really cute gift ideas! I was really impressed! I liked the quote “google before you tweet is the new think before you speak”. I actually went and tweeted that haha.
~Brittany
Penguin Gifts for Adults´s last [type] ..Penguin Gifts for Adults updated Thu Nov 25 2010 6-19 pm CST
I’d love an 8-bit oven mit please
Great post … thanks — kathleen
Virtual Assistants´s last [type] ..Hiring a Virtual Assistant from the Philippines
You’re friends and family are lucky people! You obviously put a lot of time and thought into each gift and these are wonderfully original
I love this post! My favorites are the floppy disk sticky notes, photoshop magnet kit, scribble tile cushions, remote control solar system mobile and the Giant Lego Storage boxes. My kids are gonna go crazy over giant lego! lol!
nice share… i like the photoshop magnet… hihihihh…
I love the origami jewelery! Its stunning and so detailed, also absolutely love the floppy disk note pad – ingenious!
Adrianna Gonzalez´s last [type] ..MHAVE Redesign
Can we get the ‘Giant Lego Storage Boxes’ shipping to melbourne? The site is based in uk..
Some awesome products! Definately looking up some of those =]