Ten Christmas Gift Ideas for Scientists 2021
It’s that time of year again when attention turns from long lab to-do lists to tricky Christmas shopping lists! If you need to find the perfect gift for that special scientist in your life, look no further! We’ve scoured the web to find ten thoughtful, funny, arty and quirky Christmas gift ideas to help you with your science-themed shopping list.
From jewellery to jigsaws, magnets to mousemats, there’s something for every life scientist amongst these Ten Christmas Gift Ideas for Scientists 2021!
1. Raising a glass to science
Whether they love an ice cold beer or prefer a cool fruit juice, why not give the gift of great glassware with these science-themed glasses and tumblers from Uncommon Goods! Take a closer look at the Earth Science Tumblers packed with facts on marine biology, geology and more! For the wine connoisseur you could choose the Chemistry of Wine Stemless Glasses, hand-etched with molecular diagrams of the bouquets that give wine its flavour. Finally, raise a glass to your female science heroes with the Great Women of Science Pint Glasses. These great conversation starters are made in Oregon, USA, and are all dishwasher safe. Cheers to that!
2. Your fridge? We’ve got it covered…
Fridge magnets are always attractive… especially these fantastic science-themed sets from Genius Lab Gear! Express yourself in the coolest of ways with these speciality magnet sets, each featuring 144 tiles for creating jokes, producing poetry or just leaving a message for your lab mates! The specialist kits include microbiology, neuroscience, chemistry, physics, ecology and even a set just for PhD students! There’s even a blank tile in every set to help personalise your messages, and a percentage from the sale of each PhD set goes to charity.
3. Awe-inspiring earrings and unique necklaces
For the jewellery-loving scientist in your life, look no further than this stunning collection from Boutique Academia. With beautiful pieces specific to anatomy, microbiology, chemistry and more, there really is something for every scientist from these US-based jewellery makers. From microscope charm necklaces to oxytocin pins, DNA earrings to brain keychains, these wonderful pieces are not only awe-inspiring but surprisingly affordable.
Our second jewellery recommendation this Christmas is CaroGrayCreates (Etsy). Caroline Gray Ford of Cambridge, UK, produces unique handmade necklaces, keychains, brooches and earrings featuring stunning resin images of plant cells, amoebas, neurons and more. With international delivery available, it’s well worth taking a look at these truly unusual and inspiring pieces.
4. A weight off your mind…
For the scientist drowning in paperwork, journals and grant applications, this gift might just take some of that weight off their mind! This Etched Brain Crystal Paperweight from Oleoy Store (Etsy) is a beautiful present for the neuroscientist who spends a lot of time at their desk. Featuring a three-dimensional laser engraved image of the human brain, this item is available in small or large size options and is shipped in an anti-shock gift box for extra protection.
5. Magnificent microbiology mousemats
For a lighter look at desk accessories, why not check out these fantastic mousepads from Roocharms? These colourful and fun cartoon designs will brighten up any scientist’s worktop, with designs based on microbiology, science labs, pipettes and more, each mousepad is handmade and printed onto smooth fabric with a rubber underside.
6. Stunning scarves and terrific ties
Get your Christmas shopping all wrapped up with these original and stylish scarf and tie designs from Artologica. These original watercolour artworks by Michele Banks of Washington DC, USA, translate beautifully onto silk, charmeuse and chiffon items to create truly eye-catching accessories. Take a closer look at the Virus Dots Chiffon Scarf in rust, sage and gold, the Brain Scan Silk Tie in black & white, and the stunning Starburst Amacrine Cell Scarf in delicate shades of blue.
7. Solving the puzzle of gift-giving
Keep those festive fingers busy on Christmas morning with these brilliantly fiendish science-themed puzzles. The Biologist Wooden Boxed Puzzle from Curious Minds is a beautifully handcrafted and deceptively tricky game, featuring 22 biology-themed wooden pieces including a microscope, Bunsen burner, textbook, Petri dish, test tubes, beakers, safety glasses, lab coat and more! Fitting the pieces back in the frame is much, MUCH harder than it looks and will keep even the smartest of scientists busy for hours! Make this gift extra special with a personalised engraving of the recipient’s name on the wooden frame.
For a puzzle to share with all the family, why not take a look at the 500-piece Women In Science Jigsaw puzzle from Wordery! Based on the New York Times bestselling book Women in Science, the colourful illustration by Rachel Ignotofsky features 15 inspirational women of STEM including Rachel Carson, Barbara McClintock, Rosalind Franklin and more. The puzzle pack also includes a glossy 45 x 60 cm poster of the famous art piece.
8. Unusual artworks and wonderful watercolours
For the scientist with a passion for art, why not take a look at these unusual collections by Beata Science Art and InnerStellarArt.
Beata Mierzwa is not only a molecular biologist but an incredibly creative and talented artist who produces unique and unconventional science illustrations. Her pencil drawings are colour-enhanced digitally to produce eye-catching images including Soapy Chromosome, Knitting With DNA, Chromatin Pyramids and ESCRT Lego. Prints of her artwork are available via Etsy, where her designs are also printed onto clothing, bags, scarves, face masks and more.
InnerStellarArt is the creation of artist J. Sayuri whose neuroscience watercolours are available in various formats via Etsy. Her colourful collection is sure to make a statement on any wall, and her brain art prints can even be personalised, by submitting your own fMRI scan to create a custom portrait of your own brain. These artworks are also available on greetings cards, badges, fridge magnets, stickers and more.
9. Perfectly polished pin badges
The Roocharms team also offer a cute collection of enamel pin badges with some adorable designs including lab beakers, neurons, brains and more. Brighten up your loved one’s white lab coat with one of these colourful characters!
10. Science books for science lovers
And finally… we’ve picked out three very different books to consider when putting the finishing touches to your science-themed Christmas shopping list!
- The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt - for the food-loving scientist in your household, this fascinating cookbook looks at the science behind some classic dishes by exploring the interactions between molecules, energy and heat that help to create delicious dishes.
- The Beautiful Brain: The Drawings of Santiago Ramon y Cajal - a must for any neuroscientist, this beautiful collection of drawings by the father of modern neuroscience illustrates brain cells and neural circuits in stunning detail alongside fascinating descriptions of his contributions to the field.
- Netter’s Neuroscience Coloring Book - one of a collection of coloring books which aid science learning in a unique, fun and interactive way. Also available in anatomy, physiology and more.
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