Welcome to our 14th Annual Holiday Gift Guide for Web & Design Geeks!
Each year, our team puts together our top, hand-picked gifts to help you explore new ideas for everyone on your holiday list. Our gift ideas include everything from experiences to tangible, practical, (sometimes) affordable, and sentimental gifts.
Happy holiday season to you and yours!
- The VIA Team
Scott's Picks
Brush & Fineline Pens
I can almost hear you saying, "Scott, we have AI now. We don't need markers." But I must respectfully disagree. Do yourself a favor. Rediscover the kid who loves to color.
Coloured Graphic Pen Collection: Set of 16
The Perfect Sketchbook
I love this sketchbook. The size is just perfect, fitting snugly between me and my laptop on my desk. The paper quality is exceptional, and the subtle dot pattern makes it ideal for sketching designs and storyboarding. It even comes with a beautiful slipcase that looks great when archived on a shelf. Go get you one!
The Perfect Sketchbook
Riso Print Art
Natalie Andrewson's plays with lines, colors, and subjects that speak to my soul. Whimsical, affordable and — because they're printed on a Riso machine — each is one-of-a-kind. Your friends will think you’re so cool.
Riso Print ArtJason's Picks
Bring Back RSS Readers and Blogs
from DaShareZoneThis about sums up my feelings on exactly when the internet took a wrong turn. Also, all this website's merchandise is hysterical.
REVIVE GOOGLE READER!
The Draft Top Lift – Topless Can Opener
Ridiculous? Useful? You Decide!I have this irrational fear that if I pour my fizzy water out of a can that it will lose it's fizziness, but I also have an irrational fear that I'll cut my lip open on an aluminum can. This lil guy solves both problems. And your beer tastes less like aluminum.
The Draft Top Lift – Topless Can Opener
Playground by Richard Powers
If you liked The Overstory, this book is its equal at worst. Powers' ability to tell a sprawling story and link it both to our central humanity, the earth, and technology is captivating. Possibly my favorite book of 2024 so far. "Four lives are drawn together in a sweeping, panoramic new novel from Richard Powers, showcasing the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Overstory at the height of his skills. Twelve-year-old Evie Beaulieu sinks to the bottom of a swimming pool in Montreal strapped to one of the world’s first aqualungs. Ina Aroita grows up on naval bases across the Pacific with art as her only home. Two polar opposites at an elite Chicago high school bond over a three-thousand-year-old board game; Rafi Young will get lost in literature, while Todd Keane’s work will lead to a startling AI breakthrough."
Playground by Richard Powers on Goodreads
Stylophone Theremin
A fun sound toy for all ages!I've always wanted a Theremin, but the pro options always made one seem too expensive for an instrument that I would almost certainly not include in my music recordings. Enter the STYLOPHONE THEREMIN! A fun little box that's ridiculous and engaging at the same time. Recreate all your haunted house soundtracks for a little over $100! Note: Currently sold out, but join their waiting list if you want one. Srsly fun!
Stylophone ThereminAmanda's Picks
WATO Soap
I must represent the great PNW. And who doesn't need soap? My friend Priscilla left a life of TV production behind and moved to Whidbey Island where they grow their own herbs and flowers and practice natural dying techniques. They have gift boxes of soaps, bath fizzes, and oils if you really want to impress your mom.
Take a bath, ya hippie!
Proof That You're Cool: Video Game Vinyl
Make troubleshooting feel like a quest! A friend got me my first video game record a few years back and I laughed because who needs physical video game music? Me. I do. It sounds so cool and looks so rad spinning and I get to say things like, "actually, the plural of vinyl is vinyl"
Ben's Picks
MF DOOM "MM..FOOD" 20th Anniversary
Album + Action Figure, Cereal BowlRevered as a lyricist when he was among the living, MF DOOM has recently ascended to "iconic" status with new hip hop fans after his untimely passing in 2020. His fascination with superheroes and food lends itself to amazing tributes like this 20th Anniversary pressing of his legendary 2004 album "MM..FOOD" and a Super7 produced cereal bowl and action figure. (https://gasdrawls.com/products/mm-food-super7-figure-cereal-bowl) If you've got a hip hop head among your friends and family, this limited edition set is what you need. "Watch cartoons 'til noon and then I'd switch to Ralph McDaniels I was, makin up a miracle flow, over a cereal bowl And a pause beat from my stereo"
20th Anniversary Edition: Deluxe Vinyl + 7 Inch
The John Derian Picture Books
John Derian is a designer, collector and curator of old things. In 2016 he published an incredibly inspiring and just a little creepy picture book called The John Derian Picture Book. If "inspiring and just a little creepy" is your aesthetic, then this is your new favorite book. This is my wife's whole being - so she's bought one to flip through, and the other to cut up and use as fodder for her incredible gallery wall compositions. We now buy it for all of our spooky slash crafty friends. (But wait there's more! On October 15th, he released Book II.)
The John Derian Picture BookMorgan's Picks
DIY Watch Making Kit
I like to know what makes things tick. I also love a good timepiece. Best of both worlds. This company sends you a kit packed with high quality watch components and instructions to build your own watch.
Watchmaking Kit: Stealth Skeleton Tool Watch
Swatch
... But sometimes I'm lazy.... But sometimes I'm lazy. For those days, Swatch me. I'm always checking out their new designs. Fun looks, great quality and pretty affordable. I have a couple, but I'll take another, please & thanks.
Swatch Watch
Mary Lou Hess Print
Fun story. In high school, I won a printmaking scholarship and got to show my work at the St. James Art Fair. I met Mary Lou Hess when she came over to my booth and talked to me for a long time about printmaking, her journey, my work and life. She wound up giving me a business card and a print of hers and we stayed in touch for a while. I'd love to think that when I'm older, this is something I would do. The mentorship for me as a young artist meant a lot. Would love to hang up another piece of hers.
Shop Mary Lou Hess Prints
Dog Bowl / Planter
Can you buy this somewhere? Not sure ... But nothing like a good, homemade gift, right? I saw this online and thought it was kind of silly and funny but also ... genius? I'm a big fan of form meeting function in the middle, and this is a perfect example. My dog slops water EVERYWHERE when he drinks. Why not do what I often forget to do - Water the plants?
Make a Dog Bowl PlanterChelsea's Picks
Where Did My Dog Go Custom Search & Find
I can relate to the urge to disappear into a crowd, and respect Waldo's boundaries on that one. But trying to spot our great dane amidst a sea of pups at the PAW-fee Shop, PUP-up Carnival, and Museum of ARF? I can't ask for anything cuter.
Where Did My Dog Go?
Murder Mystery Jigsaw Puzzle
If I can't puzzle with Hercule Poirot over crème de menthe down the Nile, then I'll accept this as the next best thing.*Shriek!* Brace yourself, there's been...a murder. And it's up to you to solve the crime, piece by piece. Elegance meets a touch of the macabre in these mysterious and absorbing puzzles. Begin by reading the story of the incident. Then, guided by the narrative rather than a visual reference, complete the jigsaw. The finished image provides all the clues you need to decipher whodunit. Choose your adventure:
Murder Mystery Jigsaw Puzzle
Appalachian Prison Book Project
If you're ready for your daily dose of 'news that makes me want to throw things', inmates are charged 5 cents per minute to read ebooks in prison, including texts that are public domain and free. The Appalachian Prison Book Project is providing an alternative by donating requested paperback books to inmates throughout Appalachia - and the holidays are a perfect time to give the gift of reading. Check out their requested books, including a wishlist from our local indie bookstore, Carmichael's.
Appalachian Prison Book ProjectNick W's Picks
Portable Jigsaw Puzzle Board with Four Sorting Trays
...for Up to 1000 PiecesPuzzling with cats is a risky endeavor, especially when you need to take a break. This Puzzle board provide a great surface for your puzzle and can keep it safe when you need to step away!
Portable Jigsaw Puzzle Board with Four Sorting Trays
L.L.Bean Deluxe Scrabble
Scrabble is mine and my wife's favorite game to play together. Upgrade you Scrabble experience with this custom board from L.L. Bean. Includes a raised grid and plastic playing surface keeps tiles in place, a sand timer to keep the game moving, and can be personalized to make it a treasured keepsake!
L.L.Bean Deluxe Scrabble
The Stormlight Archive Series
The Stormlight Archive is a high fantasy novel series written by author Brandon Sanderson. The first four books have been published and the fifth book, "Wind and Truth," will be released on December 6, 2024. This epic series is perfect for any fantasy/sci-fi fan in your life!
The Stormlight Archive SeriesNick S's Picks
Indigo Stack
This has completely replaced MAMP as my quick and dirty local development tool - it's super fast, can run multiple PHP versions side by side, and feels extremely lightweight. I really like it for a quick spin of a LAMP site.
Indigo Stack
Ninja Slushi
Next in the Ninja line of products you want but don't actually need, the Ninja Slushi let's you make slushis, milkshakes, and more at home. While you can make your own concoctions (like your own Wendy's Frosty), you can also just pour Mountain Dew in and 30 minutes later get a slushi.
Ninja Slushi Machine
Monarch Money
After Mint was shuttered, I bounced from app to app until I found Monarch. It does a great job at projecting spending, pulling the different accounts in, and automatic budgeting based on prior spending.
Monarch Money
Pop Up Wallet with AirTag Holder
There are a million different variations and brands of these general concept, but I really like this cheap one off of Amazon. It holds an AirTag and 7 cards, plus an external spot for one or two cards. The AirTag has saved me a few times, like leaving my wallet behind at Kroger.
Pop Up Wallet with AirTag HolderKeena's Picks
Rechargeable Book Light
Great stocking stuffer for your book lovers! Makes reading in the dark much easier :) Built in USB makes it easy to charge (no additional cords to keep track of).
Rechargeable Book Light
Fate Naturals
I've spent years eliminating toxins from my home, but there's someting peaceful about a burning candle. Fate Naturals offers a non-toxic fragrance solutions for the home. The seasonal bundles are the best!
Fate Naturals
JBL Flip 6
Lots of power in a compact portable Bluetooth speaker. Easy to pack up and carry around for those outdoor activities.
JBL Flip 6Past VIA Studio Gift Guides
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