--- title: "2015 Holiday Gift Guide" description: "This week marks the start of the 2015 Holiday Shopping Season. Being a short week for me, I thought I'd offer up some gift suggestions for engineers. Being the only engineer in…" canonical: "https://www.baldengineer.com/2015-holiday-gift-guide.html" author: "James Lewis" date: "2015-11-25T16:00:49Z" lastmod: "2015-11-25T15:59:25Z" image: "https://www.baldengineer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2015-holiday-gift-guide.jpg" categories: ["blog"] tags: ["3d-printing","addohms","emsl","fleafpga","gifts","panavise","rabbitengineering"] --- # 2015 Holiday Gift Guide This week marks the start of the 2015 Holiday Shopping Season. Being a short week for me, I thought I'd offer up some gift suggestions for engineers. Being the only engineer in my immediate family, gift giving time is always interesting. Many times I wished I could give them a list of unusual items, without saying "here buy these." Whether you want to gift something to a fellow electronics enginerd or you to offer your family some suggestions, there is something on this list. ## 1\. PanaVise Vises and Circuit Board Holders [![modular soldering station](/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/modular-soldering-station-banner-300x123.jpg)](http://panavise.com/index.html?pageID=1&id1=1&id2=8&startat=1&--woSECTIONSdatarq=8&--SECTIONSword=ww) Previously I looked at the essential elements to build a mobile soldering station. Everything on my list came from [PanaVise](http://panavise.com). These high-quality tools make soldering, and other tasks, very straightforward. Check out my previous [soldering station post for ideas](/my-modular-soldering-station-overview.html) on what to buy or go directly to the [PanaVise Circuit Board Holder](http://panavise.com/index.html?pageID=1&id1=1&id2=8&startat=1&--woSECTIONSdatarq=8&--SECTIONSword=ww) product page. ## 2\. 3D Printed Things from RabbitEngineering [![RabbitEngineering DSKY Module](/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/02-rabbitengineering-dsky-module-etsy-300x263.jpg)](https://www.etsy.com/listing/240139524/mini-apollo-dsky-module-3d-printed?ref=shop_home_feat_1) Right before I moved to California, I received one my top 10 Etsy items: a [Mini Apollo DSKY Module](https://www.etsy.com/listing/240139524/mini-apollo-dsky-module-3d-printed?ref=shop_home_feat_1). [RabbitEngineering](https://www.etsy.com/shop/RabbitEngineering) 3D prints and hand paints each item. Using my DSKY replica as an indication of quality, I can tell you these are excellent. They belong on any engineer's desk or next to their oscilloscope. Options include a wide variety of retro and modern computers. Check out [RabbitEngineer's Etsy Store](https://www.etsy.com/shop/RabbitEngineering) for more retro replicas. ## 3\. EMSL's Three-Fives [![Life size 555 timer ](/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/XL741-and-Three-Fives-Side-by-Side-300x200.jpg)](http://www.evilmadscientist.com/2013/555-kit/) A unique conversation piece on my work desk is the [Three-Fives from Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories](http://www.evilmadscientist.com/2013/555-kit/). Whether you want to learn the internals of the 555, practice with a fun soldering kit, or want a nice desk ordainment these high-quality kits are an awesome idea. If you didn't catch it, I even made a [Let's Build video](http://addohms.com/ep16/) on these on my AddOhms YouTube channel and mentioned it in [a review of the XL741, also from EMSL](/review-of-emsl-xl741.html). ## 4\. Unique 3D Printer Filament [![Coconut Wood 3d Printer Filament](/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/04-coconut-filament-makergeeks.gif)](http://www.makergeeks.com/eacoretrha3d.html) Gifts are easy for someone with a 3D Printer. Anyone that does have one wants another spool of filament! Recently I started ordering my filament from MakerGeeks. [MakerGeeks](http://www.makergeeks.com) is a Missouri-based company that [makes their 3d printer filament in the USA](http://www.makergeeks.com/usamafi.html). Plus they stock a broad range of options: [Conductive](http://www.makergeeks.com/co3dfi.html), [Glow the in Dark](http://www.makergeeks.com/glowindark.html), and [Wood](http://www.makergeeks.com/wogr3dfi.html) just to name a few. For a low cost, yet thoughtful gift, check out [one of their sampler kits](http://www.makergeeks.com/3dprfisapa.html). I had several reels ordered before I ran out of the first strand! ## 5\. AddOhms DVD [![addohms dvd](/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/clean-slanted-dvd-vol1-1000px-clipped-300x144.png)](https://www.tindie.com/products/baldengineer/addohms-dvd-vol1/) One shameless plug for [Volume 1 of the AddOhms DVD](https://www.tindie.com/products/baldengineer/addohms-dvd-vol1/). This is the first set of AddOhms Electronics Tutorials on a 2-Disc Set. One disc with tutorials and another disc with a bunch of other video content. Think of spinning media like last generation's books. DVDs can be a meaningful present to an aspiring electronics enthusiast and can be wrapped--unlike a YouTube video. Also, [worldwide shipping is now available](https://www.tindie.com/products/baldengineer/addohms-dvd-vol1/). ## 6\. littleBits Kit for younger audience [![4C - littleBits Modules Connected](/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/4C-littleBits-Modules-Connected-300x200.jpg)](http://amzn.to/1P7zMHH) Need an option for younger kids interested in electronics? [littleBits](http://littlebits.cc) is the answer. Parts magnetically snap together and make learning electronics super simple without the danger of a soldering iron. For more details, I covered the [littleBits Programming Kit](http://amzn.to/1P7zMHH) in my [review of Arduino Starter Kits](/which-arduino-starter-kit-is-the-best.html). ## 7\. Arachnid Labs Circuit Trading Cards [![circuit trading cards review](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/circuit-trading-card-banner-300x182.jpg)](https://www.tindie.com/products/arachnidlabs/circuit-patterns-trading-cards-full-deck/) Imagine heading to a [White Elephant gift exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_elephant_gift_exchange) with other engineers. You need something that's only $15 USD, fits in your pocket, and is unusual. That's the [Circuit Trading Cards from Arachnid Labs](https://www.tindie.com/products/arachnidlabs/circuit-patterns-trading-cards-full-deck/), available on [Tindie](http://www.tindie.com/). Want to know more about them? [Check out my full review](/circuit-trading-cards-review.html). ## 8\. Art of Electronics 3rd Edition [![Art of Electronics 3rd Edition Cover](/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/08-art-of-electronics-3rd-edition-231x300.jpg)](http://amzn.to/1XpFrb9) So far, I have only had a chance to review the 2nd edition. However, the Art of Electronics is hands-down the go-to book to learn all things electronics. It's better that Wikipedia and covers almost everything. Without a doubt, I'm certain [Art of Electronics 3rd Edition](http://amzn.to/1XpFrb9) released this year is a worthy update. [Paul Horowitz even appears with Limor Fried](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCI3B5eT9NA) of Adafruit to discuss his history of teaching electronics and talk about the new edition. [YouTube video iCI3B5eT9NA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCI3B5eT9NA) ## 9\. Make Magazine Subscription [![Make Magazine Subscription](/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/09-make-magazine-subscription-300x274.png)](https://readerservices.makezine.com/mk/default.aspx?pc=MK&pk=B54NS3) Digital is great. There's something about flipping through a magazine with pictures that makes my mind run. Detailed write-ups, beautiful photos, and interesting projects make [Make Magazine one of my favorites](http://makezine.com). Stay in touch with awesome projects with a [Make Magazine Subscription](https://readerservices.makezine.com/mk/default.aspx?pc=MK&pk=B54NS3). ## 10\. FleaFPGA [![FleaFPGA](/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/fleaFPGA-banner-300x187.jpg)](http://www.fleasystems.com/fleaFPGA.html) If the enginerd on your list already has an Uno, Raspberry Pi, and a box full of transistors you might feel stuck. Don't worry, there is still an option. It's time for a skill upgrade with FPGAs using the [FleaFPGA or FleaFPGA Uno from Flea Systems](http://www.fleasystems.com/fleaFPGA.html). Not sure what an FPGA, or FleaFPGA for that matter, is? Look at my recent post on why I think [the FleaFPGA is great for new FPGA programmers](/fleafpga-introduction.html). ## Any others? Obviously there are many more gift ideas. Everything on this list, except for that 3rd edition, is something I already own and recommend. But let's not stop there, I want to hear your ideas too. > **Note:** Any other ideas on what should be on this list? Add them here.