As the holidays approach, people are starting to think about holiday gifts for their friends and family. However, those with an engineer on their gift list may be stumped about what to buy. Engineers may think differently than people in other professions, but gifts can be easy to find by following some simple rules
What Not to Buy for Engineers
Before thinking about gift ideas for the engineer in your life, consider a few guidelines on what not to buy. Large ticket tech items such as televisions, media equipment, computers, cameras, and other electronics are generally not a good idea. Engineers are often early adopters of technology, and likely already have the latest electronics already.
In addition, engineers like to research their technology purchases, and although they might be interested in a specific item, such as a digital camera, they want to be able to select the exact make and model before purchasing. Therefore, unless the engineer has specified an exact model, avoid tech purchases. DVD movies as well as music also fall under this category; the engineer has likely bought what they want when it was first released.
Magazine Subscription Gifts for Engineers
Engineers love to learn, but they don't always have time to search out great reading material. Magazine subscriptions are a great way for engineers to learn about new technologies and get off the computer. An engineer might enjoy magazines related to their specific technical area or industry, or perhaps something related to a hobby or other outside interest. Some general interest technical magazines include Wired, Scientific American, or Make.
Household Item Gifts for Engineers
While many engineers may take pride in their collection of electronic equipment, the rest of their household items may be lacking. Consider a standard household item with a tech twist as a gift for an engineer, such as a clock that outputs in binary, a Dr. Who TARDIS cookie jar, or anything with a Star Wars theme.
Office Equipment and Cubicle Toys for Engineers
Many engineers spend a lot of time at their desk, and enjoy having a few fun things around to brighten up their cubicle. An engineer may appreciate a well crafted pen set to use when they're not working on a computer. The online retailer ThinkGeek offers a huge selection of office equipment from the red Swingline stapler made famous in the movie Office Space, to notepads, calendars, and rubber band shooting pens.
Handmade Gifts for Engineers
Engineers can appreciate the quality of a handmade item. Etsy, the site where users can sell handcrafted items, has a huge variety of pieces that would appeal to engineers, such as circuit board jewelry, cuff links made from level bubbles, and a variety of screen printed ties. On the other hand, create something yourself specifically for that engineer on your list.
Susan Kristoff - Susan Kristoff is mechanical engineer by trade, but has a diverse set of professional and personal interests. The glue that binds all of ...
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