Great Christmas Gift Ideas for Designers and Developers
Tags: design, webdev, gifts
Published: 2019-12-09 05:43:34

Finding the perfect gift for a designer or developer friend is a h̶a̶r̶d̶  impossible job so I asked a few of them for their perfect gift ideas. I got some great recommendations, some of which were affordable and realistic and others were amazing but super expensive. (*For some money might not be a concern so I have included those as well.*) 

##[Paper Trophy](https://www.papertrophy.com/shop/)
![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/iv5sd2axe8rvmqzbxm2p.png)
These are paper animals designs that you have to assemble, so if your mates love crafts and such these might be a thoughtful gift. I think it's a bit pricey for what it is but boy do they look amazing.


##[Moleskine Notebooks](https://us.moleskine.com/en/notebooks)
![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/uv41uoxctmahn9nubsd6.jpg)
Moleskine Notebooks are like an obligatory item in this list, it's as if no designer gift list is complete without adding these in there. It would make a great gift for designers who would like to sketch on the go. Along with the traditional notebooks, they also offer [smart notebooks](https://global.moleskine.com/en/moleskine-/smart-notebooks/0301-2) that can transfer your pen-and-ink scribbles to your digital device. An alternate option is a notebook from [Fields Notes](https://fieldnotesbrand.com/).

##[CSS Puns](https://saijogeorge.com/css-puns/)
![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/t7wmwbx6rvsv90tlvcu9.gif)
This is my side project, it is a bunch of CSS puns each with its own T-shirts, mugs, phone cases and posters. There might be something special in there for your mates.  

##[Leaf Ties](https://www.amazon.com/Cables-Organizer-LUFDESIGN-Olive-Green/dp/B0711FN2L5)
![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/rp3z1za2ryrtmmpdcw71.jpg)
Cables running all over the place? This will be a welcome gift for them, it's nothing fancy but a prettier version of the cable tie to the cable spaghetti problem. 


##[Dev Stickers](https://devstickers.com/)
Laptop stickers are the [tech equivalent of prison tattoos](https://twitter.com/OneDevloperArmy/status/1009452394755903488). Putting stickers on laptops are a way of showing off a part of our personality to the world. In a lot of cases, SAAS businesses will send em to you when you or hand em out in conferences but if you want to buy some there is a place for that. 

##Subscription to Design Magazines
There are some great design magazines out there and perhaps a subscription to one of those for a few months might be a very useful gift for them? Here are a few for your consideration: [Eye](http://www.eyemagazine.com/), [Harvard Design Magazine](http://www.harvarddesignmagazine.org/), [IDEA Mag](http://www.idea-mag.com/en/), etc


##[Pantone Postcards](https://www.pantone.com/products/pantone-lifestyle/pantone-postcards)
![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/7wxir09eglmsker0h44p.png)
If your friend is the kind of person who is still into snail mail and sending out postcards then this might be just what they wanted for Christmas. A box of Pantone Post Cards. 


##[Popup Lighting](https://popuplighting.com/)
![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/m4ys8xazzw8ekluta75e.png)
These come in the cheaper cardboard or the more expensive plastic or the most expensive aluminium cut and offer a few different choices like the deer head, owl, peacock or cacti. They are certainly a conversation starter in any room and perhaps will be worth the money for that special friend. 

Hopefully, I have given you all a few gift ideas or inspirations. *Drop a comment below and let me know what was the best design/development related gift you ever received.*  

######Cover Photo by Ben White on Unsplash