If you’re looking for science-themed gifts for your friends and family this holiday season, please take a look at the list below. These are all from independent shops, creators, writers and science communicators who have made the perfect science gifts. The indicated “recommended to order by…” dates are the recommended date to get your order in by to receive it by December 24th, but please note that earlier is always better when dealing with international orders!
Gift guide
Jack o’ Lantern Mushroom Art Print
An archival giclee print of an original gouache painting featuring Omphalotus illudens, the jack o’ lantern mushroom! This bioluminescent chanterelle lookalike grows in northeastern US forests, glowing a quiet green in the night. Painted by Julian Plum for the Finger Lakes Guild of Natural Science Illustrator’s Symbiosis Show.
- Ships to: Global
- Recommended to order by: December 15th
- See more at: JulianPlumArt on Etsy
Microscopic Life 5×7” Sticker Sheet
Glossy vinyl sticker sheet depicting microscopic organisms! Featured species include a tardigrade, water fleas, diatoms, foraminifera and radiolaria. Sheet contains 11 separate stickers in total in a range of sizes. Weather and waterproof!
- Ships to: US only
- Recommended to order by: December 10th
- See more at: Sami Mark Art
Giraffe shirt
This Northern giraffe T-Shirt brings a touch of nature and education to your wardrobe.
- Ships to: Europe
- Recommended to order by: December 5th
- See more at: MatildasLab on Etsy
Proud Science pin
A rainbow themed test tube pin. With lots of other designs and colours. The profits from the pins are donated to a charity that helps LGBTQ+ people who are living with homelessness.
- Ships to: UK and non-EU countries
- Recommended to order by: December 18th
- See more at: JamieBGall.co.uk
Anzu wyliei plushie
A handmade realistic dinosaur plush, Anzu. This is a piece of collectable palaeoart; reconstructed based on the latest scientific knowledge combined with speculative colouration.
- Ships to: International
- Recommended to order by: November 15th
- See more at: PalaeoPlushies
Sets of 5 (or 42) insect postcards
From stag beetles to bees, jungle nymphs to mantises, this collection is a great stocking-filler for bug enthusiasts. The set of 42 illustrated insect postcards is especially popular.
- Ships to: Global
- Recommended to order by: November 25th
- See more at: MartynWarrenPrints on Etsy
Hey, There’s Science In This (signed copy)
Hey, There’s Science In This is a collection of essays about unexpected science links to everyday topics. Rubber ducks at sea, a Japanese TV show or food-based paint techniques don’t seem to have much to do with science at first glance, but Eva Amsen finds an amusing science story in all of them.
- Ships to: Global
- Recommended to order by: November 30th
- See more at: Eva Amsen – books
3d Printed Owl Skull
A 3D-printed owl skull with removable eyeballs and sclerotic rings. Allows you to show off some of the cool adaptations of owls that are sometimes difficult to describe with just words.
- Ships to: International (except Germany)
- Recommended to order by: December 11th
- See more at: BlueAppaloosaStudio on Etsy
The Cicadas of North America
With over 500 pages and 400 full-color illustrations, The Cicadas of North America is the world’s first complete illustrated field guide to all known species of cicadas from the boreal shield of Canada to the tropical forests of Panama and Grenada.
For beginners, experts, and everyone in-between, The Cicadas of North America provides new insights about some of the world’s most delightful insects.
- Ships to: US, Canada, Mexico, UK, and Australia
- Recommended to order by: December 9th
- See more at: OwlFly Publishing
Undated yearly productivity planner
Planners for people who love science. Premium 100gsm paper so your inks won’t bleed through. Lay flat binding so you can write without holding it open. Sustainably handmade in the UK.
- Ships to: Global
- Recommended to order by: December 20th
- See more at: Atoms to Astronauts
Open Wide! – Jaw-dropping mouths of the animal world
Join scientist Letizia Diamante to chomp your way through pages of facts about the most astonishing mouths, sharpest teeth, stretchiest cheeks, and stickiest tongues in the animal kingdom.
- Ships to: UK and US only; for the UK discount code XMAS24 gets 30% off
- Recommended to order by: December 16th
- See more at: What on Earth books
QUARTETnary card game
Discover the formation of mountain ranges, the evolution of animals and plants, the changing face of the Earth through the ages and more, all captured within 60 beautifully illustrated cards.
- Ships to: Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom
- Recommended to order by: December 12th
- See more at: The Silly Scientist
Super Questers: The Case of the Angry Sea
Join the SuperQuesters in this unique interactive adventure story to stop Questland’s sea becoming polluted by Lord Grumble and Captain Blackwaters. The SuperQuesters – and the reader – must use their STEM skills to save otters from an oil spill, rescue a narwhal and stop the pirate robots.
Includes eight quest activities, 100+ stickers and a reward chart. Fun picture book blends adventure stories with interactive activities. Perfect for children aged 5+
- Ships to: United Kingdom only
- See more at: Quest Friendz
Tummy bug stickers
Want to share a tummy bug with someone these holidays? Here’s a collection of 8 shiny holographic explosive pathogens stickers that pack a good gut punch! But be sure to buy L or XL versions only, as smaller won’t print well…
- Ships to: Anywhere redbubble ships to (this is worldwide from Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, United States of America)
- See more at: Eliza-Coli’s RedBubble shop
Biology Christmas bauble
Hand painted biology-themed Christmas baubles – ‘Tis the season for science! Available in 3 sizes, with mitochondria, virus, DNA ladders, chromosomes, cells and bacteria motifs.The perfect gift for your biologist family and friends!
- Ships to: Global – contact seller directly
- Recommended to order by: December 1st
Petri dish scarf
Who says bacteria aren’t beautiful? Glamorous and geeky at the same time, this gorgeous scarf is digitally printed on luxurious silk charmeuse with a design from Petri Dishes 1, an original watercolor collage of microbes in culture. In vibrant rainbow colors in circles on a black background, it’s perfect for biologists, doctors, science teachers or for any chic geek.
- Ships to: Worldwide
- Recommended to order by: December 10th
- See more at: Artologica on Etsy
Morel mushroom earrings
Morels! Need we say more-l? Bring a bit of the magic of the fungi world with you through these glittery brown acrylic earrings.
- Ships to: Global
- Recommended to order by: December 17th
- See more at: SequioahSiren on Etsy
Note for creators:
Submissions to this list are still considered until November 15. Please fill in the form. Updates will happen through the week.
