It’s that time of year! The snow is falling, the T is delayed, and the trees are lit in every square. It must be the holiday season.
As we prepare for some time off with our families, we find ourselves looking back on 2013–A great year for Oomph, and a significant one for Boston. While the city triumphed in the wake of tragedy, the Oomph team experienced rapid growth and lasting changes: our team grew significantly in size, we opened our Boston office on Long Wharf, and we grew closer with new team traditions. It has been a challenging year, but in the best way possible, and we’re ready for whatever 2014 brings.
But there are still a few weeks until the new year, and only a number of days until the holidays. If you’re stuck when shopping for the developers and designers in your life (hint: please no flash drives), read on for the Oomph Team’s recommendations.
Here are 7 holiday gift ideas for developers and designers:
Pencil by FiftyThree | $50
While our designer Lizzy would surely use this daily, any tech-minded doodler would enjoy this sophisticated stylus for FiftyThree’s Paper app. Used with any tablet, the Pencil allows users to sketch, blend, erase, and even features “palm rejection” technology, so if your hand touches your masterpiece it won’t affect the work. With a beautiful walnut finish, Pencil is a stylish “must-have” for any Creative on your shopping list.
Logitech Washable Keyboard | $40
Even the best of us have accidents now and then, and whether it’s a coffee, a cola, or a brew, a sticky keyboard is impossible to work on. This 100% functional, washable keyboard is a developer’s Christmas miracle.
Touchscreen-Compatible Gloves | Ten-Digit Touchscreen Gloves by Photojojo | $30
Those of us that work in the tech industry are always on our phones, no matter our role. For those cold winter commutes and weekends in the snow, these touchscreen-friendly gloves keep hands warm and emails “read.” There are a variety of styles, but these knit Photojojo gloves let you use all ten fingers.
Slingshot Cold Brew Coffee | $12
If you have some developers you ship gifts to, this is an excellent idea. Long hours in front of a screen require caffeine, and Slingshot provides that delicious, much-needed jolt.
A Colorful Desk | Lexon Buro Set, Poppin | $40 – $110
Keep your hard worker happy with colorful accessories to make their desk unique. The Lexon Buro set is a beautiful, minimalist design that any designer would love, while new site Poppin. offers “a la carte” items, and larger pieces, like filing cabinets and chairs.
Web Tool Pillows by Craftsquatch | $18-$30
Grab an Adobe suite pillow for your favorite designer, or some browser pillows for the devs in your office. Bonus tip: For your marketing team, check out the adorable social media pillows (hint-hint).
Reddit Gold Membership | $3-$30
Whether for a month or a year, we geeks would love a Reddit membership. Reddit Gold gives users special privileges and benefits, and makes a pretty affordable stocking stuffer.
If you’re a developer or designer, what’s the best gift you’ve gotten during the holidays? Let us know in the comments!
We hope that those ideas can check some names off of your (nice) list. From everyone at Oomph, have a great holiday season and a happy new year!
Be sure to stop by our holiday event this coming Tuesday–a donation drive for Cradles to Crayons at Warehouse in Boston. All are welcome!