40 Gifts Programmers Will Actually Use and Love

Buying gifts for programmers is hard. We don’t need another mug with a cheesy caption.

This list covers gifts developers actually use, enjoy, or quietly wish someone would gift them. If you're seeking inspiration for a gift to a special developer in your life, or even a colleague, you're on the right article.

1. Note Taking

Programmers love high-quality tools. When it comes to note-taking, a tactile approach wins over apps anyday.

Think Japanese pencils, solid pens, notebooks, or even a trusty whiteboard.

2. Lights

Most developers won't think to upgrade this themselves, which makes it a perfect gift that genuinely improves their setup.

Desk lamps with adjustable brightness and color temperature can make all the difference for late night focus or early morning clarity, and reduce eye strain.

You can also go for monitor light bars that illuminate the workspace without screen glare, or ambient LED strips that subtly shift tone with the time of day.

Even a warm bedside lamp helps with winding down after hours in front of bright monitors.

3. Fictional Merchandise

Programmers love fictional worlds. A surprising number of developers got into tech through gaming, anime, and sci-fi worlds.

You’ll find GitHub profiles with anime avatars, commit messages quoting Dune, and desks covered in figurines.

It’s part of the identity. If you know their fandom, you’re halfway to a great gift.

4. Puzzles

Puzzles can offer a therapeutic, screen-free escape. In the end, you get something you can proudly display.

A LEGO set, a mechanical puzzle, or even a good jigsaw puzzle can help unwind while instilling mindfulness.

Alternatively, board games and D&D sets can also serve as great gifts in a similar vein.

5. Retro Products

Retro gear is sacred. It reminds us of why we fell in love with tech in the first place, before we knew about Jira tickets.

A Game Boy Advance. A Palm Pilot. Any of the old school tech that still works will spark joy.

They tap into nostalgia, are good conversation pieces, and are hackable today.

6. Tech for Hobbies

You can also lean into offline interests and find smart gadgets that level them up in fun, unexpected ways.

Fishing? Fish finder. DJing? Portable MIDI controller. There is a smart gadget for literally every hobby now.

7. Conference Tickets

Developers often won’t buy this for themselves but would absolutely go if you gift them tickets.

Choose the right conference based on interests. (JSConf, DEF CON, PAX, E3, Comic-Con, etc.)

You'll gift memories, and a way to connect with new people and places.

8. Ergonomics

Programmers don’t always prioritize their health while working, until it’s too late and we're reminded that our body isn't quite as immortal as our code.

A seat cushion for better support can make a surprising difference. Throw in some quality blue filter glasses or a wooden wrist rest.

A good sleeping pillow will also aid recovery from spending every day as a potato.

And if you want to splurge, nothing beats a good quality chair.

9. Gaming

Many developers play video games, and they love having options.

PS5 / Xbox / graphics card for serious gaming, Nintendo Switch for indie titles, or even a retro handheld.

If they already own a console, consider games they haven’t tried, or a Steam gift card which is always appreciated.

10. Home Help

A lot of programmers would rather read the terms and conditions than do chores. Anything that reduces life’s overhead is a win.

A robot vacuum to clean the floors. An automatic cooking appliance.

11. Novelties

It helps to have something tactile and fun nearby during long programming sessions.

Ideas like a perpetual motion toy, a miniature arcade cabinet, Digicomp, or a magnetic levitation display might work.

12. Clothing

Programmers aren’t always known for their fashion sense.

Help upgrade their style with trendy and fashionable wear.

You could also lean into comfort wear with blanket sweatshirts and relaxed wear that looks decent in the office or on Zoom calls.

13. Comics

After a long day of squinting at code or meetings, comics are easy on the eyes, accessible, and still deeply rewarding.

Comics have long been a part of programming culture, and if your giftee isn’t already into them, it's the perfect opportunity to provide an introduction.

Find something that aligns with their interests, whether it’s superheroes, sci-fi, manga, classic literature, or something more philosophical.

You can even find topical ones such as Randall Monroe's comics, wizard zines, and Logicomix which is a graphic novel about math and the quest for truth.

14. SSD or NAS

Storage is one of those things developers always want more of but rarely treat themselves to. Basically the programming equivalent of socks.

A fast external SSD or a budget-friendly NAS makes for a gift that’s practical and guaranteed not to sit unopened.

15. Alarm Clocks

Most people use their phone alarms. Before bed, you check if it’s set and end up doomscrolling. In the morning, you wake up straight into notifications.

A dedicated alarm clock breaks that cycle, which is especially useful for developers. Also, having a real clock is one less excuse to check phones.

High quality alarm clocks come with thoughtful features and are far more pleasant and effective than a shrill phone ringtone.

One can also replace alarms with a sunrise lamp which gradually brightens the room to simulate natural dawn light and gently nudges the body out of sleep.

16. Desk Plants

Adding plants to the workspace breaks the monotony of glowing screens and grayscale terminals, and adds life both figuratively and literally.

You can go for low-maintenance succulents or a self-watering smart garden.

17. Displays

For programmers, “how many displays is too many?” is a trick question. There’s no such thing.

It might be a crisp second monitor to expand workspace, a portable screen for travel setups, a tall vertical one for reading code, and so on.

Programmers don’t compromise on quality here, so you'll need to understand their preferences and spend a bit more to get something that meets the mark.

18. Geeky Gadgets

Most of us might not splurge on non-essential tech ourselves, but we still secretly wish someone would gift them to us.

Gadgets like portable projectors, VR headsets, 3D printers can be super exciting gifts for the right person.

Delightfully obscure ones like a macro pad or the Flipper Zero also work.

19. Creative Interests

Many developers I know have put off creative interests due to the pace of work involved and inertia which gradually sets in.

Gift them the right gear and nudge them to get started on their side quest.

A mirrorless camera for filmmaking, Elgato for streaming, instruments for musicians, or a Japanese language course for digital nomads.

20. Digital Photo Frame

Framed photos have gotten lost in our cloud drives and camera rolls.

A digital photo frame brings both memories and wallpapers back into the physical world, right onto your desk or wall.

21. Massager

Programmers spend hours hunched over keyboards, so this can feel like a little slice of heaven.

A portable massager or even a neck pillow with heat feels luxurious and practical.

22. Drinks

Programmers are perpetually dehydrated.

A water bottle (like a Stanley, Hydro Flask, or a smart one that reminds you to drink) makes a deceptively good gift.

Quality brewing equipment will be much appreciated by the significant population of programmers who run on coffee.

You can also consider a temperature-controlled mug for coffee or tea which keeps drinks at the perfect temperature all day.

23. Learning

Avoid gifting anything too career-focused or grind-heavy. Instead, aim for something that's genuinely fun.

CodeCrafters projects take developers on an adventure to do the kind of programming that makes them remember why they fell in love with the craft.

Books like Crafting Interpreters, Nand2Tetris, A Philosophy of Software Design, The Art of Game Design make for equally great gifts.

24. Audiobooks

Developers spend most of their day staring at screens, so audiobooks are the perfect way to absorb books without frying their retinas.

An Audible membership or a few hand-picked audiobooks gives them something to enjoy while resting, on walks, or while doing chores.

This can be great for people who say they want to read more but never get around to it.

25. Project Kits

Arduino and Raspberry Pi kits make decent gifts. They’re compact, affordable, and enable hours of hands-on learning and fun.

If you want to go one step further, handpick an advanced project kit. You are essentially gifting them a weekend adventure.

You can also consider programmable toys that developers can tinker with, like drones or RC vehicles.

Monthly subscription boxes like the ones from Hackerboxes are also fun.

26. Charging Accessories

Developers are power users of the electronics they own, and burn through charge cycles fast.

High capacity power banks and MagSafe battery packs / stands are great for work or travel.

An organized wireless charging station keeps things tidy and powered.

27. Fitness Tracker

Programmers sit a lot, and most of us can do with healthier habits. A fitness tracker is a gentle, data driven nudge in that direction.

There are a lot of options available from budget Amazfits to your Apple Watches and Oura Rings.

28. Other Wearable Tech

Wearable tech has come a long way from clunky prototypes for novelty to practical and stylish products that are fun to use.

Take Meta Glasses, for example. With built-in cameras, speakers, and voice assistants, they're an example of futuristic tech that works.

You also have wearable speakers that let you listen privately, pendants that passively journal your day, and much more.

29. Backpacks

This is a no-brainer. Every programmer carries laptops and other tech with themselves frequently.

Look for backpacks with padded laptop compartments, weather resistance, and clean designs.

Some novel ones even come with cool LED displays and built-in chargers.

30. Keyboards

Many programmers are picky about their gear, so keyboards can be risky gifts.

But if they’ve mentioned wanting to try mechanical ones, or already rotate between a few, something like an Akko or Logitech can hit the sweet spot.

You can head to r/MechanicalKeyboards for some guidance.

31. Headphones

They block noise, signal “do not disturb,” and pump music that keeps us in flow.

Noise cancelling headphones are great for deep work, studio monitors appeal to audiophiles, and IEMs are perfect for commutes.

32. Gym Equipment

Personal gym gear makes it easier to sneak in some exercise sessions in the day-to-day routine.

Kettlebells, resistance bands, pull-up bars, adjustable dumbbells, and foam rollers are all compact and effective.

For something a bit more ambitious, you could consider an under-desk treadmill or exercise bike.

33. Sensory Upgrades

In addition to the right equipment and accessories, a good workspace should feel inviting to the senses.

Air fresheners, humidifiers, oil diffusers, or even a compact humidifier can subtly improve moods.

Themed fidget toys, high-end coffee and tea ingredients, white noise machines, and ambient lighting can prove to be significant sensory upgrades.

34. Everyday Carry

For programmers, who tend to value practical utility and smart design, a well chosen EDC item can be a great gift.

I've seen developers carry Gerbers, penlights, AirTags, MagSafe accessories, wallets, keychains, and compact notebooks with their favorite pens.

35. Secondary Desks

If they work from home, desk upgrades can level up the experience.

A standing desk is the most obvious upgrade these days. Good models are quiet, sturdy, and easy to adjust between sitting and standing.

You could also consider gifting a lap desk for comfort.

If you're thinking of upgrading their primary one, it’s better to get access to their wishlist or go for a gift card.

36. Offline Experience

Programmers are always in front of screens, and a thoughtful gift can be the nudge we need to unplug and touch some grass.

Cover the cost of experiences like fine dining, live concerts, comedy shows, sports events, adventures like paragliding or rafting, or even a short vacation.

Better yet, organize something that you or the whole friend group can do together with them.

37. Programming Merch

Programming-themed merch walks a fine line between clever and cringe.

You want to avoid mugs that say "I turn coffee into code!" or shirts with Comic Sans jokes from 2009.

Instead, go for wall art like Escher-style recursion prints or retro blueprints.

38. Reading

In the age of video and social media consumption, there’s still something grounding about flipping through a book.

You can go for topical ones. Snow Crash, for example, coined the term “Metaverse” and remains a cult classic in tech circles.

You can also consider gripping non-fiction like Chip War, which unpacks the global semiconductor race with the pacing of a political thriller.

The latest Kindle makes for an excellent gift. It mimics the look of paper, is gentle on the eyes, and ideal for extended reading without distractions.

39. Smart Home

Programmers love to pretend they're living in a Batcave. Feed the fantasy with futuristic smart home gear.

Think smart speakers, Ring doorbells, automated blinds, motion-sensing lights, connected thermostats, or mirrors with built-in displays.

40. Clean Desk

These are not the flashiest gifts, but can turn out to be very useful.

Mini desk vacuums, screen and keyboard cleaning kits, cable management, desk drawers and organizers are all simple, effective upgrades.

(Bonus) Rubber Duck

This is perfect for pairing with other ideas or as a tongue-in-cheek gift.

The classic rubber duck is part of programmer canon, and is equal parts debugging tool and desk buddy.

Final Thoughts

No matter what you pick, a little bit of thought and effort always shows. And that counts for a lot.

If they're particular about keyboards, monitors, or other gear, it's usually best to steer clear of those categories unless they've hinted at something specific.

For some, gifts that have nothing to do with programming might land better.

That said, the list above has been vetted by several actual programmers, so you’re standing on solid ground.