21 Creative Gift Ideas for Engineers

This calendar will look absolutely great in their office, and tells the month and day no matter which day of the year it is. It has a post-modern look to it that will accentuate any office space and is in line with an engineer’s decor.

Most engineers would love a robotic arm to help them with their work. This one might not be able to do too many sophisticated things, but it’s still fun to build and to play with once it’s done, like shaking hands and getting it to pick up items.

A useful gift for engineers who like to be prepared, this Engineering Ruler Scale and Unit Conversion Reference is a great way for them to have all the conversions they require without them having to Google what they need. Credit card sized so it’s easy to carry, it’s made from durable stainless steel.

If their work is never far from their mind, have them raise a toast to it with a set of four Mathematical Glasses. Etched with four mathematical formulas in colors such as graph paper blue and pencil gray, these glasses each hold 13 fluid ounces and come with a cheat sheet, too.

If they’re working out in the field they’ll need a bag that holds all their tools and other bits and pieces, and this ArcEnCiel Tactical Messenger Bag is the perfect choice. Waterproof and rugged, the bag can be worn in a multitude of ways, and features numerous pockets and dividers for easy organization.

The Ferris Wheel is a masterpiece of engineering, and it can be appreciated in all its glory with this beautiful sculpture. Standing at 28” high, this remarkable piece is made with aluminum and bronze, and includes a hand crank so they can really see the motion and engineering that goes into the wheel.

There can’t be many things that would make a sloth move at more than a snail’s pace, but a rocket strapped to its back is one of the ones that would. This tee shows this unlikely pairing, and comes in a dark blue color with seven sizes available.

If you’re looking for unusual gifts for engineers, take a look at this set of tiny cinder blocks. Great as a desk accessory or for building with when on the phone, these blocks are made from real concrete to a 1/12 scale, and come in packs of 6, 12, 24, 48, and 120 pieces.

Kids as young as 9 can build their own marble roller coaster with this impressive DIY kit. Containing in excess of 30 Baltic birch pieces, this kit can be built into a working coaster for marbles, which can be powered with a hand crank. No tools necessary, just standard white glue.

Show their sarcastic and intellectual side with this snarky t-shirt. With 5 colors to choose from, this tee shows an electrical circuit diagram, with the words ‘what part of [electrical circuit] don’t you understand?’ Clever and cutting, it’s a great gift for electrical engineers or anyone who works with electronics.

Dealing with tiny components is hard at the best of times, but when it’s dark it can be impossible. Give them a helping hand with this pair of flashlight gloves. Made from breathable, stretchy cotton, these gloves are fitted with LED lights in the index finger to illuminate whatever they’re working on.

Geeks and nerds will want to wear this t-shirt every day because it’s just that cool. Bringing futuristic and fantasy together in one cool design, this shirt shows a funky robot on the front with pink fuzzy fur on its helmet, accompanied by ears and a golden unicorn horn.

To most people, this mug would look like a series of complicated black lines, but to an engineer they will make perfect sense. Made from ceramic and with an 11oz capacity, the wraparound pattern shows a complicated and detailed electrical circuit diagram complete with annotations.

Available in sizes XS to XXXL, this unisex t-shirt will make a fabulous birthday or Christmas gift. Made from ring spun cotton with a tearaway label for comfort, this black tee is embroidered with ‘This is what an engineer looks like’ in your choice of color threads.

Useful and intriguing, this desk fan will help them keep their cool as they work. Powered via a USB, this flexible fan features soft blades that give off a gentle breeze as they spin, and will display a neon clock with 12, 3, 6, and 9, that hovers in the air.

Choosing a Christmas ornament for a geek will be as easy as Pi with this funny hanging decoration. Cut from wood or acrylic, this symbol hangs on a red ribbon, and comes with a smiley face on the front and custom engraving on the back (except in the neon acrylic colors).

Made from a soft and comfy cotton and polyester mix, this charcoal gray t-shirt is a must for those who are technically minded, and those who love lions. While the big cat’s face is instantly recognizable, his mane is made up of electrical circuits, components, and other techy details.

Most people know of Leonardo da Vinci as an artist, but his talents went way beyond art. Designer of two amazing catapults, da Vinci was the brains behind the one that this model builds into. Complete with all the pieces and glue needed, this working model will throw objects around 20 feet.

If you’re looking for a gift for engineers that is practical as well as cool, look no further than this lamp/magnifier. Fitted with a sturdy clamp to keep it steady on the desk, this lamp comes with 5 LEDS and three types of magnifying lenses on a flexible metal tube.

Nikola Tesla’s famous quote about finding the secrets of the universe in terms of vibration is engraved onto the side of this handsome pen. Compatible with standard type refills, this pen also includes Tesla’s signature, and would make a fabulous gift for engineers and those who believe in the law of attraction.

If their two passions in life are engineering and Tex Mex food, this mug will make a funny but useful gift idea. With an 11oz capacity, the white ceramic mug features a colorful sombrero hat and a cute play on words – Nacho Average Engineer – printed on both sides.

Time is a complicated thing, and with this clock it will seem even more baffling. Designed on a chalkboard-style background, this geeky clock has math equations in place of numbers in chalk-like print, and is perfect for nerds, number crunchers, and math teachers alike.

This print will take pride of place on their office or home wall, and will make them smile every time they see it. Drawn in a classic yellow cartoon character style, this portrait will show them as a civil engineer, and will be delivered as a digital file for home printing.

Whether they tend to spend time working overseas, or are just intrigued by the different time zones, this watch will make an interesting gift. From its vintage look to the vegan leather strap, this watch will allow them to keep their eye on three different time zones, each one with a different design.

This puzzle is a great way for engineers (and those who aspire to be one) to while away an hour or so. Supplied with more than 30 pieces, this Baltic wood puzzle can be put together using just household glue, and builds into an impressive hand crank-powered marble coaster.

To the layperson, this t-shirt would make no sense at all, but to an engineer it will be a delight to behold. Printed with an all-over design that includes equations, engineering concepts, and ways to solve problems, this 99% cotton tee comes in sizes medium to XXL.

Let them know that you think they’re hard-core with this special survival knife. With a durable bead blasted stainless steel blade and a handsome rosewood handle, this folding knife comes with the handle beautifully engraved with the words ‘Badass Engineer’, and an easy-open thumb flip that allows one-handed opening.

Why settle for a plain business card holder when you can give them one that reflects the work they do? This stainless steel holder can accommodate 15-20 standard sized business cards, and includes a walnut or maple wood lid that features a cut-out circuit board to make it really stand out.

If they always have their eyes on the skies, give them this funny coffee mug that will satisfy their curiosity about how planes fly. Printed on both sides so it’s great for both left and right-handed drinkers, the illustration shows the different types of ‘magic’ needed to keep them in the air.

Engineers don’t always confine themselves to complicated structures and amazing machines – sometimes their skills can make a difference much closer to home. ‘More Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things’ will show them 1715 uses for the everyday items we find around the home, divided into thirteen extraordinary chapters.

Who says you need expensive equipment for building things? This kit will give them hours of pleasure as it contains more than 200 reusable connector pieces that will hold lengths of pasta in place, allowing them to build extraordinary structures while strengthening fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

If their inspiration lies in the 1800s, this pen will make an excellent gift, because it pays homage to the famous mechanical and electrical engineer of that time, Nikola Tesla. Compatible with Parker-type refills, this smooth pen is engraved with one of his famous quotes, along with the great man’s signature.

When their work takes them outside it doesn’t stop just because the weather turns wet, but with the help of this notebook even heavy rain won’t stop play. Each of the three pads in this set contains 100 lined pages, and each page is waterproof so it won’t disintegrate when it gets soaked.

Give them something to do with their hands while they are thinking (or listening) with a pen that’s just made for fidgets. There’s no simple push button function here, because this pen uses a 14 point locking mechanism – which includes levers and pistons – to release the ballpoint and keep their hands busy.

This kit will make an outstanding gift for those aged 10+ with an interest in how things work. With 179 laser cut and numbered Baltic wood pieces, this kit will build into a fully working safe with a customizable combination that they can use to keep prying eyes away from their small valuables.

They can follow in Leonardo da Vinci’s steps by building this model of the catapult he so famously reinvented back in 1485. With 40 pre-cut wooden pieces included, this kit will build into an awesome working catapult, and there are no tools needed, just the glue that comes in the box.

Keep the kids entertained and engaged with one or more of these brilliant books. Each one focuses on a different STEM subject, and is packed with puzzles, patterns, and design activities that correspond to the book’s title, and there are even downloadable activities available for when the book’s completed.

This set of desktop holders is magnetic so metal office supplies stick to it and are ready at a moment’s notice. See how well it keep paper clips where they need to be? Plus they look good so it will add to their decor.

Surprise them with an entire desk made out of copper pipe and other materials. You can help expand their workspace, or create a home office for them to work on after-hours projects. It looks a bit rustic, but still modern.

This desk tidy will instantly make heads or tails out of their desk, and is perfect for engineers that tend to get a bit messy during the middle of a big project. Because it’s metallic it looks good on their desk and they’re sure to love it.

Chances are they’ve got paperwork that needs filing, and you can help spruce up their office by giving them a nice-looking filing cabinet by using marble paper to cover up what is typically a very bland color, either gray or beige.

Give them this modern-looking mousepad and they’re sure to thank you. It reads “Make it work.” which is pretty much what engineers do all day long. Of course you could also customize it how you see fit.

This piece of artwork will look great on their wall and is made up of things they might use regularly if they do any drafting, including a compass and a ruler. The final product comes out looking good when you follow the instructions exactly.

They’ll always have a place to stick a memo when you make them this awesome memo board. Not only does it serve a useful function, but it also looks good on the wall and doesn’t take up any precious desktop space.

Brighten up a drab office space with this watercolor desk calendar. Each month has a different splash of color, so the big picture is an assortment of different colors throughout the year. It’s easier to make than you’d think.