Holiday gift ideas for techies
Deep Dives
Explore related topics with these Wikipedia articles, rewritten for enjoyable reading:
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Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of Earth
13 min read
The article recommends CO2 monitors for offices, noting that concentrations above 1,000 ppm affect focus and cause drowsiness. The science behind indoor air quality, cognitive impairment thresholds, and the broader context of atmospheric CO2 provides rich educational content beyond the simple gadget recommendation.
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Keyboard technology
16 min read
While techies often own mechanical keyboards, few understand the engineering history - from IBM's buckling spring Model M keyboards to Cherry MX switches. The article mentions Das Keyboard and others, but the underlying switch mechanisms, actuation physics, and evolution from typewriters offers substantial educational depth.
It’s that time of the year: the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are on, and the annual festive marketing blitz is just around the corner – or already underway. It makes now a good time to start thinking about gifts, but techies can be a tough crowd for this, as we often already own the practical things we need.
In order to help you give gifts which are actually wanted this year, Elin, of this publication, and I have put together a list of ideas in this article. Alongside personal recommendations, we’ve also crowdsourced recommendations from fellow techies on X, Bluesky, and Threads, covering:
Office accessories
Computer add-ons
Health and well-being
Gadgets
Gaming and games
Travel & wearables
Books and stationery
Kitchen goodies
Many products listed below are currently discounted in the sales, and the Pragmatic Engineer is also offering a very special Black Friday / Cyber Monday deal for annual subscriptions. Claim it here until Monday.
As always, none of the links below are affiliates (meaning I make no money from purchases), and I’ve not been paid to mention any product or category. See my ethics statement for more.
For more recommendations, see our holiday gift guide from 2023 and book recommendations from 2021.
Programming note: this week, we’ll have a podcast episode tomorrow (Wednesday), and no edition of The Pulse on Thursday. Regular programming resumes next week after Thanksgiving.
1. Office accessories
Ember Temperature Control Mug – keeps coffee or tea warm, even when it’s forgotten about because you’re focused on coding or other tasks. A hot drink stays drinkable for up to 1.5 hours, thanks to its built-in battery that charges on a nifty wireless-charging coaster.
Tumblers and coffee mugs that keep drinks at the desired temperature can make it easier to stay hydrated throughout the day. They are insulated, made from stainless steel, and make great gifts for anyone who works at a desk. Popular brands include Stanley, Yeti, and Thermoflask. You can also search for stainless steel tumblers.
CO2 monitor. One of my personal favorite recent purchases is a carbon dioxide monitor for my office. When CO2 concentration is high (above 1,000 ppm), it’s harder to focus and easier to become drowsy. A monitor detects when levels are raised, meaning you can make
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