Gift Ideas for Design Engineers 2025
It’s that time of the season - gift shopping! Whether you are looking for something for a friend or acquaintance (or even yourself), we have assembled a list of some of the incredible tools, gadgets, and supplies available this year. Check out the gift ideas below as well as our previous annual lists of gifts for more ideas.
Tools
Spraytech PaintStick EZ Roller ($34.00)
Feature: With a 22 oz internal paint storage, this paint roller will make your DIY painting project more time efficient and less messy. Load paint directly from the can and easily reach the ceiling or other high places with the long arm.
3 Pack 18-in-1 Snowflake Multi-Tool ($8.99)
Feature: This multi-tool is not only festive, but has 18 individual uses: box cutter, twine knife, bottle opener, key chain, flathead screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, Allen wrench in six different sizes, and outer hex wrench in seven sizes.
Books
The Guns of John Moses Browning by Nathan Gorenstein - $20.00
Feature: Explore the biography of one of the most prolific gun designers of all time, the father of modern firearms.
Python Crash Course ($27.53)
Feature: This book is an excellent starting point for any engineer looking to master Python fundamentals. It's packed with practical, hands-on projects that teach real-world programming skills.
The AI Engineering Bible ($54.40)
Feature: It is up to date on AI’s current implementations and the best ways to program it. This specific book gives insight to creating AI production systems.
507 Mechanical Movements ($5.00)
Feature: Including diagrams and descriptions of gear systems, pulleys, gyroscopes, and many other devices in a range of complexities, this book would be a great gift for anyone interested in building anything mechanical.
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less ($11.00)
Feature: This excellent book teaches you to learn to focus on what is most important and to get “only the right things done.”
Supplies
ESP32 Xiao ($9.90)
Feature: Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility allow for remote-controlled projects that can be controlled from a phone. From robotics to sensor systems, it opens endless possibilities for creative builds.
Isometric Notebook: Graph Paper Drawing Book ($5.99)
Feature: For the engineer who likes to sketch their ideas the old fashion way before they “CAD it up.” With lines angled to make 3D drawing by hand easier to manage, this notebook is ideal for any quick sketches an engineer may need to make.
Pilot G2 Retractable Pens ($5.35 - 2 pack)
Feature: Nothing beats the feel of a good pen on paper when I need to take physical notes or sketch out a design concept.
Splurges ($100+)
Bambu Labs A1 mini 3D Printer ($199.00)
Feature: Bambu makes some of the highest quality 3d printers for hobbyists, and the sale price of $199 makes the A1 mini an amazing deal for the high quality prints it will produce.
Oasis Mini Kinetic Sand Table ($129.00)
Feature: The Oasis Mini is a mesmerizing kinetic sand art canvas that sits comfortably on a table or desktop. This piece acts like an automated zen garden.
Oura Ring - Wearable Fitness Tracker ($249.00)
Feature: Tracks 50 health metrics, including sleep quality, activity, and stress levels. The fitness bands and watches are fine, but a ring can be less annoying for some people and holds a smaller form factor. It also looks better when you want to pair it with a formal watch, but still bring the fitness tracker to a black-tie event.
Other
Beginner Kit for Arduino ($34.90)
Feature: This kit is a perfect starting point for any engineer wanting to explore Arduino and electronics. It's loaded with 35 quality components and 30 hands-on projects that build real hardware skills. This specific kit guides learners from simple LED circuits through advanced sensors and actuators.
Slide Rule Retro Math Engineer T-Shirt ($21.99)
Feature: Perhaps you know an engineer who likes to brag about their age and talk about the “good ol’ days” when math had to be done purely by hand.
Custom 3D Laser Engraving ($84)
Feature: Custom images laser-engraved in crystal glass that you can upload from your phone. Parents, Grandparents, Children - we all share images with loved ones and sometimes print them out and place them in frames, but what if that image was in a beautiful crystal block that catches the eye every time you see it?
To cite this article:
The BYU Design Review Editorial Board. “Gift Ideas for Design Engineers 2025.” The BYU Design Review, 24 Nov. 2025, https://www.designreview.byu.edu/collections/christmas-gift-ideas-for-design-engineers-2025.
