2020 Gifts for Programmers Guide

The Complete Software Developer's Career Guide is for programmers who are looking to expand their careers in the upcoming year. Whether they are looking at a big change, new job, or just trying to improve at their current position, this book has the real-world advice to help them do that.

Did you know that the rule of thumb is that programmers should learn a new language, or seriously deep-dive into the niche of a language they are familiar with, every singly year? If the programmer in your life is someone who loves learning, but struggles to choose what to learn, then Seven Languages in Seven Weeks might give them the taste for a few different ones in Q1, so they can focus the rest of the year on that deep dive.

Ok, so this isn't technically a programming book. But the programmer in your life will love it, as they are a person of patterns and connections (that's what code is, really!) An Eternal Golden Braid looks at the surprising points of contact between the music of Bach, the artwork of Escher, and the mathematics of Gödel.

Home & Office Timer with Clock ($19.99) - Broken into (mostly) 15 minute intervals, this is a great timer for any programmer who loves pomodoros, but sometimes needs a little longer to work on their projects.

Adulting Stickers ($4.99) - Is your programmer having a rough year? (Who isn't, really?) Give them a chance to reward themselves, and hopefully laugh a little bit) each time they break a new "accomplishment."

The Mandalorian: The Child, Stand for Amazon Echo Dot ($24.95) - Is someone you know obsessed with The Mandalorian series on Disney+? Maybe they just love the Baby Yoda wave that is sweeping the viewing world. Whatever their reason, this little Echo Dot stand will definitely make their room a little happier.

Catit Senses Self Groomer Cat Toy ($3.99) - Remember that cat I warned you might be plotting your favorite work-from-home's demise? Chances are, part of the reason they are angry is they don't understand why they aren't getting scritches whenever they want from The Human. Consider this placebo scritches.

Perytong Sleep Headphones ($19.99) - Made for sleep, but not just for sleep, these bluetooth wireless headphones are a great solution for anyone who wants a hands-free but secure way to listen to their favorite tunes, that doesn't hurt their ears.

ThinkFun Code Master Programming Logic Game ($23.94) - It's highly possible that anyone would like this game, if they like programming. But this is an especially fun gift if the programmer in your life has some little ones they want to share their passions with. 

FineInno Mini Vacuum Cleaner ($18.99) - In the working world these days, programmers might not have the ability to get up and go to the break-room for eating and other personal time. Which means their workspace is likely getting messy. Help them keep it a bit cleaner with this mini-sucker-upper.

Everlasting Comfort Faux Fur Throw ($31.95) - Someone described this as "wrapping yourself in 100 teddy bears" and I honestly can't think of a better way to curl up with a book or programming project on a cold winter's night now. Please sign me up for 4.

3Doodler Start Essentials ($49.99) - Some gifts are listed for kids, but let's be real … adults are going to have just as much fun with them! Maybe your tech genius is a creative soul, who likes to draw as much as they like to code? This will sketch their itch.

Storm Glass Weather Station ($36.00) - Officially called "one of the coolest gifts I've ever gotten" from an analytically minded friend I sent this to, the Storm Glass weather station uses an ancient maritime trick to tell the weather on the horizon.

Honeywell UberHeat Ceramic Heater ($34.99) - Here's the secret to this personal space heater: it's energy efficient. Meaning that someone won't blow a circuit every time they have the audacity to heat their office and plug in their phone to charge.

JBL - Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker ($39.95) - Did a programmer you love lose their daily podcast listening time when they ended up no longer commuting to an office? This won't necessarily get them back all that time, but does give them a little more time in the morning to catch up on their favorite shows in the shower.

Body Back Buddy Classic - Trigger Point Back Massager ($29.95) - I know my back and muscles are screaming a lot more these days, between stress and inaction and sitting hunched over a keyboard. This tool can help push out those kinks your programmer can't quite reach on their own.

BalanceFrom Adjustable Stepping Machine with Resistance Bands ($49.99) - Speaking of inaction, many desk warriors are looking for new ways to get moving from the confines of their home. This little step machine will help them get their exercise in, without taking up a ton of space.

mcSquares 3x3 Dry-Erase Sticky Notes ($34.99 for 24) - Ever heard your programmer speak cryptically about Kanban boards or SCRUM process? Chances are their workflows (and perhaps brain) works in a post-it note sort of ordering system, and these dry erase stickies might just help them to sort code work out.

littleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit ($99.95) - Another one of those "for kids" gifts for programmers that could really find some fans in the grown-up group of inventors and robot enthusiasts. Who doesn't want a little Droid to run (roll) about their home?

Oraolo Neckband Bluetooth Speaker ($69.99) - Another hand-free Bluetooth option, this one can rest on someone's shoulders to surround them with gentle dulcet tones as they work through a particularly challenging code block. 

Ring Fit Adventure - Nintendo Switch ($79.99) - Do you know one of the one-kajillion people that got a Nintendo Switch sometime this year, likely to build out their island on Animal Crossing? Well, that same video game system that sits them on their ass for hours on end could help them get some exercise in with this game and equipment.

Fellow Stagg EKG+ Bluetooth Connected Electric Pour-Over Kettle ($199) - For the coffee enthusiast who is always trying to make the perfect pour-over, or the tea enthusiast who mainlines matcha like it's their job, this high-powered kettle heats to the exact temperature for anyone who takes their hot beverages seriously.

Bose Frames - Audio Sunglasses with Open Ear Headphones ($199) - These are just cool. No two ways about it. Stylish sunglasses, with speakers that are designed to play quietly just above your ears, so people around you aren't listening to you music and conversations - but you can hear them clear as day.

Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine ($699.95) - Know someone who is currently sucking on coffee filters to get that sweet deep coffee flavor in their soul? (Err, I mean...I don't know anyone who would do that...) This top-of-the-line espresso machine will fill the cafe-sized hole in their heart, and might even save them some serious $4/day latte budget spends.

Meural Canvas II – The Smart Art Frame ($699.95) - One of the hard things with art is that you can only buy so much to hang on your wall. Especially if you don't want your house to look like a museum exhibition. But with this brilliant digital frame, you can download 30,000+ pieces of high-quality art. Every day could be a new painting in your living room, for the next 80 or so years!