With Thanksgiving now firmly in our rearview, the gift-giving holiday season is upon us! If you have a scientist or science-lover on your list this year, check out the top 10 gifts on Laboratory Equipment’s 9th annual Holiday Gift Guide. And if you have a young one with an interest in science, be sure to check back on Monday, Dec. 13 for our kid-centric guide. Now, get a move on—COVID-19 is still wreaking havoc on the supply chain. Also, express shipping costs are no joke!
1. Inclusion is Elemental T-shirt
The shirt says it all. Available from Teepublic, this shirt is an ideal way to promote inclusion of LGBTQ+ scientists in the laboratory. Wear it to the lab, to class, to the park—pretty much anywhere casual. “This is what a scientist looks like”—and how varied that “look” actually is—has been a popular phrase the past few years, and this T-shirt capitalizes on the growing movement to ensure all feel welcome in the laboratory. [More on diversity in the lab here: Women in Science: The Intersection of Identity and Profession]
Price: $20.00
2. #ThankYouHeroes First Responder Barbie Dolls
Mattel’s #ThankYouHeroes program was created in 2020 to honor individuals who have led the fight against COVID-19, as well as the everyday heroes who have kept communities up and running. In August, Mattel debuted a global lineup of women honored with one-of-a-kind dolls: Emergency room nurse Amy O’Sullivan treated the first COVID-19 patient in Brooklyn, became ill, was intubated, and then returned to work to care for others a few weeks later; Professor Sarah Gilbert led the development of the University of Oxford vaccine in the U.K.; Dr. Jaqueline Goes de Jesus led the sequencing of the genome of a COVID-19 variant in Brazil; Dr. Kirby White co-founded the Gowns for Doctors initiative by developing a PPE gown that could be laundered and re-used; Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz joined forces with other Asian-American physicians to fight racial bias and discrimination; and Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa has advocated against systemic racism in healthcare.
Price: Under $10
3. One-of-a-Kind Period Table of Elements
This one is pricey, but it’s too cool not to include. After multiple phases of research, sourcing, and testing, brothers Tim and Cory Marriott developed a one-of-a-kind method of embedding each stable specimen (even gasses in bubble form!) within an acrylic display case that is safe to handle and store. This first-and only-mini museum-like collection of 83 individual samples is an instant conversation piece.
Price: $299.99
4. “Beasts of the Mesozoic” Scientifically Accurate Action Figures
Indie studio Creative Beast builds scientifically accurate dinosaur action figures with intricate details and vivid colors. The raptors are 1/6th scale, approximately 12″ long x 5″ tall, feature 26 points of articulation, and include feathers sculpted in fine detail. Meanwhile, the Ceratopsian dinosaurs are 1/18th scale action figures with 20 points of articulation. Frills, horns, beaks and all other details are based on the most scientifically accurate information publicly available. If you have a paleontologist on your list—or just a stickler for scientific accuracy in toys—this neat collectible is for you.
Price: $29.99 to $139.99; with most dinos priced at $49.99
5. Science of Spices and Culinary Herbs - Latest Laboratory, Pre-clinical, and Clinical Studies
Chemistry and cookies go hand in hand, but herbs and spices have additional uses—they sometimes contain chemical compounds that have medicinal uses. This book series is a compilation of current reviews on studies performed on herbs and spices. Publisher Bentham Books calls it essential reading for medicinal chemists, herbalists and biomedical researchers interested in the science of natural herbs and spices that are common part of regional diets and folk medicine.
Price: eBook $49; printed copy $54
6. Lab Science Mousepad
This scientist-approved mousepad is just the cutest. According to the reviews, one woman bought it for her lab manager mother, who loved it so much that she ended up purchasing one for each employee in her lab. The Etsy shop this hails from, roocharms, describes itself as “scientifically cute gifts,” and the creator isn’t kidding. There are other mousepads, including this awesome pipette one, in addition to keychains, lanyards, stickers, pins and more.
Price: $12.00
7. The Biologist Wooden Boxed Puzzle
This puzzle features 22 precision-cut laser and engraved hardwood pieces that must be inserted into the frame. Puzzle pieces include a microscope, Bunsen burner, DNA strand, textbook, cells, Petri dish, test tubes, beakers, lab mouse, pipettor, 96-well plate, gel electrophoresis, safety glasses, lab coat and more. Artistic with detail on each piece, the puzzle is very difficult to complete. It can be customized with text on the frame or cover.
Price: $57.12
8. Beautiful Art Prints and Wearable Science
The owner of Etsy shop BeataScienceArt offers her unique hand drawn designs and real microscopy images digitally printed on paper and apparel. The prints are truly remarkable and comprise a wide variety of topics, including cell division, RNA, DNA, CRISPR, mRNA, chromosomes, epigenetics and more. In the apparel portion of the shop, she offers leggings, scarves, bags, ties and more. The scientist-artist also offers face masks because, well, we’re still wearing them…
Price: Art prints range from $17.75 to $33.13
9. 3D Printed DNA Statue
This 3D-printed DNA statue is hand painted in an oxidizing copper paint that forms a beautiful patina when dry. This is the perfect piece for a desk, whether in a lab or in a classroom.
Price: $25.00
10. Scientific Socks
Usually no one likes to receive socks as a gift, but these are different! This pack of five cotton socks features fun, colorful scientific images, including test tubes, molecules and atoms, formulas, a DNA strand, and the solar system. Your scientist can easily wear these with dress shoes when they need to class it up, or while doing errands on the weekend.
Price: $28.99
Happy shopping, and happy holidays!