The top 20 gifts for design lovers that are just as unique as your hard-working team!
Some of the best people you will have the pleasure of working with are designers. Their creativity and passion for making everything they touch better makes them an asset to your team and your business. When it comes to finding gift ideas for designers, a little extra effort will go a long way. But not to worry, our list makes the best gifts ideas for graphic designers and more.
Our top gifts for designers 2021 lists the unique sought-after gifts that boast quality, function, and of course, an upscale style that’s sure to please even your toughest design critics. Plus, you’ll find affordable designer gifts as well as higher price luxe items, so there’s something for everyone and every budget! Just don’t forget to add customization for branded swag that goes the extra mile.
20 Best Holiday Gift Ideas for Designers and Design Teams
1. An Aroma Oil Warmer
Give your favorite designers a gift they’ll be talking about for years to come. For a sure-fire win, choose a style like this aroma oil warmer from Kinto which adds a dose of style, and, of course, a great scent where ever it is placed.
Tip: Thanks to its aesthetically pleasing design, these make the best gifts for industrial designers as well.
2. Gorgeous lighting
You may not have thought about giving a lamp as a Christmas gift, but when it comes to spoiling your favorite designers, you’ll want to think out of the box! Look for features like those on this Carrie LED lamp that’s lightweight to bring everywhere you go. Plus with a USB charger, there’s no bulb needed.
Bonus: These are perfect holiday gift ideas for design teams room too!
3. The perfect bag
Fanny pack, waist pack, portable sling… whatever you call it, these bags are on-trend and on point for trekking around the city, commuting, and on your weekend hikes. Just look for a versatile style like this Mountain sling that goes around your waist or shoulder and is loaded with pockets.
Tip: The fanny pack is a functional gift for men and women and here’s how to style them.
4. A pretty fun game!
Designers are serious about making their world an easier to navigate and prettier place to be. So why not give them something to relax and have fun with when the workday is through? Stylish puzzles are also perfect gift ideas for your UX designers and UI designers.
Tip: Looking for a break from your usual holiday get togethers? Why not add puzzles to your next team or networking event and watch the collaboration happen. Going virtual? Check out these team games online.
5. Sustainable Drinkware
For cool gifts for graphic designers and just about any other designer on your team, you can’t go wrong with innovative drinkware. Practical, affordable, and if you choose one similar to this one from Soma, modern and good-looking too! Plus this one features a stainless steel filter for easy coffee and tee capabilities and, of course, double wall insulation.
Bonus: When you invest in sustainable gifts you're helping to reduce waste while reinforcing your company’s brand identity and culture.
6. A Modern Pullover
Help your designer look the part with a quality pullover. For all the extra they’ll love, you can’t go wrong with features similar to this reversible Marina Layer one that’s designed for comfort.
Tip: Screen printing is just the beginning, ask your Gemnote rep about other customization options like embroidery.
7. Not Just Any Mug
Sure mugs can be a dime a dozen, and your designer has probably seen most of them. But for truly unique small designer gifts, choose a mug like this High Gloss Confetti mug from Areaware that keeps design top of mind in all their products.
Bonus: A sought after mug also makes a great incentive gift for customers and employees.
8. The perfect pack
For a backpack with all the bells and whistles your design team is sure to love, you can’t go wrong with the Miir Olympus computer backpack. Not only does it feature lots of pockets, and a padded zippered area for their laptop, it also gives 3% to a trackable project and a Give Code so your recipient can learn more.
Tip: Love the idea of products that give back? Talk to your Gemnote rep about all of the companies we partner with that make giving back a priority!
Shown: Miir Olympus Computer Backpack
9. Style on the go!
Stylish for the workdays, yet laid back enough for the weekends. When it comes to the best things for graphic designers, style is a must and comfort is key. Plus a great shirt offers the perfect palette for customizing with your logo.
10. A Universal Favorite!
Christmas gifts for graphic designers don’t have to be completely obscure. Just take styles they already know and love (like joggers!) by brands (like Vuori!) they won’t forget and they'll be thanking you in no time!
11. Reusable Totes
Whether they’re commuting to work, running errands, or getting away with friends, a reusable tote can go everywhere they do. Plus, with a style like Rains, they’ll appreciate the thought and love that’s it’s waterproof and durable!
Tip: Rains also makes great backpacks for work and wired.com rated it most stylish work bag.
12. A really cool gadget!
Gadgets for graphic designers make unforgettable gifts, especially when they are super original and help your designer get their creative juices flowing! That’s why we can’t get enough of this smartphone mount with 360 rotation, facial recognition, and a full-feature app with all the extras they’ll love!
Tip: Giving Picbot as a gift? Ask recipients to share the love online with a hashtag for your company. You’ll get to see their creative projects come to life while increasing your brand marketing efforts.
13. Something timeless!
Does a denim wash shirt ever really go away? It’s the classic staple that even your most finicky designers will appreciate, especially if you choose one like this from AS Colour that’s designed for quality and comfort. Plus, a denim shirt makes the best gifts for any fashion designers you have on your list too!
Bonus: When gift an AS Colour short, you’ll feel good knowing it’s preshrunk to minimize shrinkage.
14. Candlestick holders for their home
Whether it’s their bachelor pad or their family home in the burbs, you’re never too old or young for stylish candlestick holders. Choose a modern, go-with-anything style like this one from Hawkins New York for the ultimate gifts for product designers.
Tip: For an added bonus add candles or for funny gifts for graphic designers add a box of matches with a clever saying on them.
15. Beautiful cards for using and displaying
Whether it’s the gratitude cards that offer 60 reminders of thankfulness or the 20 wonder card set inspired by nature’s beauty, when it comes to bringing them joy around the holidays, don’t skimp on the details!
Tip: Looking for funny gifts for graphic designers? Talk to your Gemnote rep about customized gift ideas that are sure to garner instant applause.
16. The Perfect Toast!
For gift ideas for interior designers, graphic designers, and just about any other designer you work with, there’s nothing better than a nice bottle of wine, like this one from Haus. Include a custom card expressing your appreciation for them, and it’s the gift they’ll be telling their friends and family about.
Bonus: Want to really give your designers or design team something to toast to? How about adding a gift card to a VRBO, Airbnb, or nice hotel and spa. And, if the designer happens to be a part of your team, you can also throw in an extra vacation day with pay!
17. Baron Fig Guardian Pro notebook cover
Like peanut butter and jelly, ham and cheese—you get the idea!— designers and notebooks are just two happy peas in a pod. This year, why not surprise your favorite designer with a quality notebook cover like Baron Figs popular Guardian Pro.
Tip: For extra bonus points, throw in a Baron Fig Confidant notebook, and they’ll also plant a tree. Talk about win-win!
18. Best-In-Class Mugs
Why not gift a classy mug that instantly elevates their java-loving collection is a win! For a personal touch add your logo for an extra reminder of your company. Want to go all out? Add a gift card to their favorite coffee shop or store.
Tip: When it comes to gifts for product designers, graphic designers, and basically all of your designers, don’t skimp on the quality. Talk to your Gem note rep about all of the different brands they work with for a superior design.
19. The Perfect Pen
Whether your designer is a crafter of graphics, illustrations, fashion, art, digital masterpieces, and the like, one thing is for sure, they have an eye for great writing supplies. Whether it’s the smooth writing, slim (but weighty design) or sleek metallics, pens like these from like these Pocketo pens will bring instant cheer.
Tip: Thinking about investing in the Slim classic Pocketo pens? Ask your Gemnote rep about also adding refills or matching notebooks to your order.
20. A Handy Wireless Charger
The ultimate gifts for product designers and designers in general are both stylish and practical. So when it comes to best gifts for designers a wireless charger is always appreciated and used. Choose a sleek design like Lexon that puts the fun in functional!
Tip: Still struggling to find gift ideas for costume designers, a wireless charger is something almost everyone could benefit from!
A world without designs? No way.
We hate to think where we would be without designers. While it may be their creativity that always seems to shine the brightest, designers have an innate knack for simplifying complex ideas, bringing beauty to the otherwise mundane, and just making the world around us special. When it comes to showering them with appreciation and gratitude for their hard work, you can’t go wrong with these customized holiday gifts.
Talk to your Gemnote rep about how other companies are making the most of their holiday gifts and marketing this year. Gemnote specializes in personalized merchandise for every occasion including gifts for your sales team, onboarding, VIP clients, trade shows and more. Plus, Gemnote can do all of the heavy lifting for you! From curation and customization to fulfillment and warehousing. Plus they can show you how to easily set up your own swag store for even more marketing power.
