It may seem a little early to be thinking about holiday gifts, but experienced gift givers know that the next few weeks fly by. So, here’s my first annual gift ideas list for the academic in your life.
Academics love books! Here are a few suggestions for essential reading that will show your loved one that you understand them.
For the ABD job seeker: The Professor Is In by Karen Kelsky. Crown, 2015. ($10)
For the new tenure-track faculty member: Writing Your Journal Article in 12 Weeks by Wendy Belcher. University of Chicago Press, 2019 ($64 but there are ALWAYS 30% off discount codes—follow the author on social media)
For the tenure-track faculty member from an underrepresented group: The Black Academic’s Guide to Winning Tenure—Without Losing Your Soul by Kerry Ann Rockquemore and Tracy Laszloffy. Lynne Rienner Publications, 2008. ($25)
For the tired mid career academic: Doodling for Academics: A Coloring & Activity Book by Julie Schumacher. University of Chicago Press, 2024 ($18)
For the senior academic who dreams of leadership: How University Budgets Work by Dean O. Smith, or others in the series. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2019. ($30) Save 40% on all books and get free shipping on $50+ orders with code HHOL24 now until December 8th.
For the Full Professor: Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher, or the two sequels. Penguin Random House, 2015 ($17)
As with books: We love to read!
For the foodie academic: Gastronomica ($75)
For the academic who loves literature in all its forms: The Paris Review ($59)
For the academic who is curious about the world at large: Smithsonian Magazine ($20)
I am not aware of any formal studies, but my anecdotal experience tells me that academics are more likely than the average person to geek out on office supplies. Here are a few classics.
A classic stapler. I have previously established my love for the lowly stapler. While it’s true that they are less commonly used now than they were back in my day, staplers are still an essential office worker’s tool. If you want to impress the academic in your life, you can’t go wrong with a shiny silver ($20), gold ($35), or red ($20) Swingline 747 stapler. You should also go ahead and buy a pack of staples ($16 for what could be a lifetime supply!).
Bookends. I love these from the SFMOMA because the Golden Gate is my favorite bridge ($35).
Notebooks. What self-respecting academic doesn’t hoard notebooks? Here are some of my favorites.
Stalogy Notebooks come in a variety of sizes and a few colors ($14-35). I discovered the loveliness that is ultra thin Japanese paper notebooks a few years ago, and I find it hard to go back to the thick paper that previously characterized for me good notebooks. Thin Japanese paper is especially good for fountain pen enthusiasts.
Leuchtterm Notebooks are excellent, with the traditional thicker paper associated with high quality. They come in a range of sizes and colors, with soft or hard covers. If you are having information overload, the best: B6, dot grid, hardcover ($21.50).
This store is new to me but looks super fun for the scientists in your life. Cognitive Surplus Notebooks - a selection of newspapers lined, grid, black pages (!), very cool covers for a variety of disciplines.
Pens. There is no way you could pick someone’s favorite pen for them. But here are a few samplers that could be a super fun surprise.
For the left-handed academic: JetPens Pen Sampler for the Left-Handed (blue or black; $24)
For the academic who loves color: JetPens Pen Sampler (pink!, turquoise, purple, blue or black; $23)
Highlighters. Your academic might have highlighters, but do they have GLITTER HIGHLIGHTERS? ($9 for a pack of 5 colors; these are SO MUCH FUN)
Sticky notes, but make them art. Love this set of Monde Riant Mondrian-inspired (get it?) sticky notes ($18).
Stickers from Rifle Paper Company (or any paper product from them!) are fun for modern-vintage flower lovers ($6).
A shopping spree at JetPens. Ok, I really hate gift certificates as a general rule, BUT: If you know your academic is a geek for office supplies, they might have strong preferences already and would just love a mini shopping spree. $35 will get them past the minimum spend for free shipping at my favorite online stationery store, JetPens.
An ebook reader. If you want to splurge, and ebook reader is ideal. I can’t think of anything that has improved my reading life more than my Amazon Paperwhite. But if I weren’t already tied to that ecosystem, I’d get a Kobo reader. Also research which library near your academic offers ebooks through Libby.
Book of the Month Subscription. A subscription to a book of the month club is a great gift.
The big-name company, Book of the Month, allows subscribers to select 1 hardback per month from a selection (about $20/month). I’ve been the beneficiary of my neighbors’ subscription once they are done reading and can confirm they have good books.
You could support an independent bookstore in Texas by subscribing to one of four Nowhere Bookshop Book Clubs; your academic will be surprised and delighted by the curated monthly pick (about $35/month).
AirPods Pro. OK, these might have improved my reading life as much as the e-reader. The Pro version has noise-canceling, which makes them awesome for traveling and also focusing in noisy spaces. Again, Libby rocks for audiobooks.
Spotify Premium. A paid subscription to Spotify comes with audiobook privileges for the primary subscriber. Plus music without ads, woohoo!
Nerdy Merchandise: Fun, useful, and helps to support a wonderful woman-led community of science communication.
Socks. Fun socks are useful!
I prefer Darn Tough wool socks, which come in lots of funny prints.
I also love everything this company makes—my favorites are the old-fashioned library cards.
A wall Scrabble message board they can hang outside their office for ongoing games with their students or colleagues.
A slightly dark card game they can play with all their professor friends (probably not a good idea for the departmental retreat).
A Christmas tree ornament, for those who celebrate. Vintage library card ornament from the New York Public Library ($15).
An endlessly useful Turkish towel in a science-y print (periodic table! giant COVID-19 and other viruses!).
Do you have more time than money to give? Does your academic have enough stuff? The best things in life really are free. The gift of time during the hectic end-of-semester-coinciding-with-holidays could be the best gift of all! Here are some practical suggestions for gifting time.
Pick up her kids from school or after-care and feed them so she can stay late to finish grading all those essays. Deliver them home with full bellies and homework completed.
Dinner! Make dinner and deliver it to her. Yes, she can probably order takeout but that gets old and it’s not good for her health. Homecooked dinners—especially healthy options that picky kids will eat—are worth their weight in gold to academics at the end of the semester. You will be a STAR! (I am definitely projecting here. But I know I’m not alone in this struggle!)
What’s on YOUR holiday wish list?
Disclaimer: None of these links are affiliates. I get nothing if you click through. Buy local if you can!
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