With Thanksgiving behind us, the holidays will be here before we know it. In case there is a scientist on your list, look no further for a perfect gift! We have put together a list of some great science-related gifts for the holidays: from petri plate soap and jewelry to books that any scientist will appreciate. And all of the gifts will infuse a bit more science into the holidays—a gift any scientist will appreciate!

 

Petri Dish Soaps 

Petri Dish Soaps [XCIENCEdesigns]
Petri Dish Soaps [XCIENCEdesigns]
Why would we include petri dishes full of bacteria on our holiday gift list? No, it’s not to illustrate a perfect quadrant streak. It’s because they are soap! That’s right: these petri dishes replicate plates full of grown Yersinia, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and many other bacteria. So, pick out your favorite pathogen and send these soaps to your favorite microbiologist.

 

holiday gift t shirt
Science: Ruining all the fun of guessing [Snorgtees]

Science: Ruining All the Fun of Guessing 

Mark Twain once said, “The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.” And whoever wears this t-shirt that says, “Science: Ruining All The Fun of Guessing Since The 17th Century,” is sure to get a lot of laughs in lab meetings. So, let’s promote science and also give people a chuckle—because couldn’t we all use a good laugh lately?

 

holiday guide: Marie Curie book
The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science [Atlantic Monthly Press]

The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science

“Even now, nearly a century after her death, Marie Curie remains the only female scientist most people can name,” writes Dava Sobel in her latest book, The Elements of Marie Curie. But do we really know Curie’s story? Now, Sobel (who you may recognize as the author of Galileo’s Daughter) lets us into Curie’s life and extends to the untold story of the many women she trained in her lab and how she inspired generations of young women to pursue science. This is, undoubtedly, at the top of my TBR (to be read) list this season!

 

Holiday guide tumbler
Women in Science Tumbler [CustomClara/etsy.com]

Women in Science Tumbler 

What better way to have your morning cup of coffee than out of a tumbler celebrating women in science? These dishwasher-safe tumblers are double-wall and vacuum-insulated to keep coffee hot and summer drinks cold. So, gift this to someone who would like to have Ada Lovelace and Rosalind Franklin with them on their commute to the lab every day.

 

Dopamine and Serotonin Ring

Dopamine and serotonin ring
Dopamine and serotonin ring [science jewelry 18:24]
New jewelry is a classic holiday gift. But this ring puts a scientific spin on the tradition. The ring bears the molecules of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, often referred to as “feel-good” chemicals because they contribute to positive emotions and well-being. A perfect gift for the neuroscientist in your life, or anyone who appreciates the biology of mood regulation, likes to feel good, or just likes nice jewelry!

 

Holiday tie
Atomic Nucleus Tie [ties.com]

Atomic Nucleus Tie 

Let’s face it: ties can be seen as a boring gift. But the atomic nucleus tie is anything but boring (and some may say it’s a blast)! It’s a gift that any scientist would love: the tie is not only attractive, but it offers a discrete nod to the profession (and the heart) of the scientist who is wearing it.

 

Breaking Through: My Life in Science

Breaking Through by Katalin Karikó
Breaking Through by Katalin Karikó

Breaking Through, written by Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Katalin Karikó may have been published last year, but it was just released in paperback this past October. So, if you missed it in hardcover, you can pick it up for a friend (or yourself) this holiday season. The story, they say, “isn’t just the story of an extraordinary woman. It’s an indictment of closed-minded thinking and a testament to one woman’s commitment to laboring intensely in obscurity—knowing she might never be recognized in a culture that is driven by prestige, power, and privilege—because she believed her work would save lives.”

 

Caffeine Beaker Mug

Holiday guide mug
Caffeine Beaker Mug [Arbor Scientific]
For all of those scientists who drink coffee (and let’s be honest… there are a lot of us) this mug with the caffeine molecule on the side is the perfect gift. The volume gradations on the side are a bonus, allowing the javaphile to know exactly how many milliliters of coffee they are consuming and letting them calculate caffeine intake which they may (or may not) want to know.

 

Steminist holiday
STEMinist sweatshirt by Girl Power Science [Girl Power Science]

STEMinist Hoodie 

Everyone loves a new hoodie. The comfy hood and big front pocket are perfect as the outside temperatures drop.  Why not give a gift to your favorite scientist that is comfy and also makes a statement? Or, in the case of this STEMinist sweatshirt—makes two statements at once: I support women, and I support STEM. A great addition to any wardrobe!

 

 

Mismatched DNA Cushioned Crew Socks

Holiday guide socks
DNA socks [ModishEdge/etsy.com]
Molecular biologists love DNA’s double helix anywhere and everywhere: jewelry, notebooks, ties, statues, and now socks! Not only that, but two socks (to be worn as a pair) that are “a quirky and stylish tribute to the fascinating world of genetics and molecular biology.” So, pick up a pair (and don’t worry if the double helix is left- or right-handed… they’re socks)!

 

 

Giant Microbes

holiday gift guide giant microbe
Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 [Giant Microbes]
Stuffed animals are a classic gift. But instead of the usual bear or dog, the scientist in your life may appreciate snuggling up with their favorite pathogen instead. And now they can, thanks to Giant Microbes, a company that makes health and science plush products for fun (and education). So, pick your pathogen or go outside of microbes and choose anything from an antibody to a chromosome keychain.

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