Buying gifts for just about anybody is not an easy thing to do – we all have our preferences. Buying gifts for engineers could even be more difficult if you are not one because they are in a niche of their own – a unique niche often considered weird by some persons. Well, I am an engineer, and I want to share with you things to consider when buying gifts for engineers.

Without much ado, let’s jump right in. I have listed these factors in no particular order. But with this guide, you will be able to get your engineer friend something that will help them relax, or be more productive at work.

1. Engineers Are Learners

Engineers are generally insatiably curious. Although they may appear to be slavishly devoted to their careers or to not know much outside their field, many of them like learning just about everything. They enjoy having conversations with others and learning new things even though the need for such knowledge may not be readily discernible.

GIFT IDEA: If your engineer friend is into books, this book, Mistakes That Worked: 40 Familiar Inventions & How They Came to Be by Charlotte Foltz Jones would surely interest them.

In one review, it was described as an “anecdotal account that recollects the oddball origins of a variety of foods, clothing, toys, and devices… A gem of a book.”

2. Engineers Love Building Stuff

Engineers love to build things by themselves and then show them off to their friends. Things they could build range from legos to gaming PCs. Long story short, they are DIY kings. Get them something that will fire up that tinkering spirit in them.

GIFT IDEAS: If they are into legos, they would likely love the idea of building the New York city skyline using this kit.

You may think that they are not into toys. But the thought of piecing things together is exciting for an engineer. And this is especially so if they are guys.

For a friend who is into electronics, circuit boards and programming, this Arduino Nano kit would be a nice gift. It comes with a tutorial, and includes over 72 items and 200 components. With this, they will be able to build fun stuff for themselves at home.

3. They Work Round The Clock

I’ve mentioned that engineers sometimes are slavishly devoted to their careers. Therefore, anything that would help them maintain good health while working long hours would be deeply appreciated. It could be an ergonomic chair, an ergonomic mouse, a good table, or something else.

GIFT IDEA: Programmers would love anti-glare glasses or screen protectors. This anti-glare eyeglass would help your friend prevent blurry or teary eyes, and protect them from UV and blue lights from digital screens, artificial lights and sunlight.

4. Engineers Are Scientists

Your engineer friend may not own a laboratory equipped with microscopes with which he peers into microorganisms, or pipettes and burettes with which he works with reagents, acids, and bases. But he is likely interested in some good scientific stuff. At the very least, they like to find answers to scientific questions and know how stuff works.

GIFT IDEA: One thing that has caught my fancy over the years? Astronomy. And during the launch of SpaceX, I noticed many engineers followed along on Twitter. A rocket launch kit would be a nice gift for an engineer friend. Why not check out this one from Amazon?

It goes as high as 1,600 feet, and although it boasts super performance, it can be assembled in one afternoon.

5. They Retire To Their Homes After Work

Sounds weird? Of course, like every other person who has a decent job, they don’t live under bridges or stay in caves or up in trees like nocturnal creatures. They would spend time with their families, pursue hobbies, and catch much-needed rest.

GIFT IDEA: Of the many gifts for engineers to help them feel like every other person who has a home, this moonlight lamp is a great option.

It is a rechargeable, touch-controlled decorative lamp. It offers both white- and yellow-colored lights. It would be a pleasant surprise for a romantic night too because of the ambience it creates.

6. They Work In Offices Too

Because they’re engineers, you may imagine they are always in a garage, or in the field, or in the basement tinkering with tools, equipment, and machinery. Sometimes, they work in offices too. Therefore, a nice suit won’t be a bad idea, or you could get them a good work bag. And if they are not into suits or regular work bags, a nice pair of jeans and a sturdy backpack would be great.

GIFT IDEA: A pen holder is something just about any office should have if things are to stay organized. This one would appeal to engineers.

Modeled after a motorcycle, rather than having a carrier for a miniature passenger, it has a cylinder-shaped container into which you can put your pens and pencils.

7. They Work At Desks Too

If you’re buying a gift for a software engineer, getting something that would keep their desk organized would be great! Or something as simple as a pack of sticky notes would be a nice addition to the desk.

GIFT IDEAS: Your gift doesn’t have to be sophisticated. This cellphone stand is so cool, and keeps your phone inclined at a comfortable angle.

You can operate your phone in style without unnecessarily having to pause and focus so much on it.

Software engineers like the nerdy feel that powerful, mechanical keyboards give, especially when they are backlit. This backlit keyboard glows in rainbow colors in the dark, and would be a perfect gift for a software engineer. It is compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7, and Vista. It also works well with all major computer brands and is good for gaming PCs. And the splash-free design comes with a gold-plated high-speed corrosion-free USB connector for a reliable connection.

8. Engineers Are Practical

Engineers make things work. Therefore, it is no surprise when they do not care so much about fancy things in comparison with what actually works, whether fancy or not. This is one of the things that makes them look weird. But somehow, their being practical actually works for them.

GIFT IDEA: This multitool belt buckle is as practical as a belt could possibly be. It features 12 tools and can be detached from its clip-on base.

The design is incredibly compact, yet very efficient. Some of the tools include a screwdriver, a pair of scissors, a knife, crimpers, pliers, etc. And everything is made of stainless steel.

9. They Are Nerdy

Chances are that if your friend has chosen to be an engineer, they have adopted the nerd culture – overly intellectual, introverted, obsessive, and possibly lacking in social skills. Who knows? Your friend might even like to wear the stereotypical nerdy glasses.

GIFT IDEAS: If your friend is into nerdy glasses, these oversized hipster glasses may be good for them.

Made from non-toxic materials and prescription-free, these glasses are full-rimmed and would look good on both kids and adults.

As a nerd, your friend may also like this Decodyne Math Clock that fires up his brain each time he checks the time. He would have to solve a math equation to know what the time says. It’s perfect for any math teacher or just anyone who loves to work with numbers. With a solid black color and white figures against it, it is easy to spot and tell the time from afar.

10. Engineers Are Usually Techies

If you’re looking for gifts for engineers, remember that they are techies too. A new gadget won’t hurt. Cutting-edge stuff would get them really excited. Even if it’s not a cutting-edge item, if there’s a good touch of tech on it, your friend will be happy with it.

GIFT IDEA: This USB LED Clock Fan is such a cool gift.

Featuring soft blades for safety and a flexible metal neck, the clock is USB powered and shows the time when it starts.

Pitfalls To Avoid When Buying Gifts For Engineers

Even with the factors listed above, there are still some dark corners in the area of getting gifts for engineers. If you avoid them, you should be able to get your engineer friend the perfect gift.

Pitfall No. 1: Non-Unique Items

Giving them just what they may have expected may not always result in the excitement you hoped for. With this in mind, you should be thinking of something somewhat unusual, although not necessarily otherworldly. Think along the lines of something that is not readily available in their immediate locality or city. Hunt for uniqueness. That’s one factor that would make your gift special.

A suggestion I would offer is to add a personal touch to the gift. Can it be printed on or engraved? Why not print or engrave their name on it? They’ll remember it for years to come. Gifts with a personal touch really hit differently.

Pitfall No. 2: Non-Practical Gadgets

For engineers, gadgets are like tools. And for tools, there is a thing for everything. Either it is built for that purpose or it is not. You may quickly think of a workbench or something along that line.

It’s true such things serve very specific purposes. They may last for long, yes. But they may not exactly strike a chord as being memorable. As soon as the novelty of the gift has worn out, they might tend to forget it. At best, it would gather dust in a cupboard for years to come.

Pitfall No. 3: Not Knowing Your Friend Well

Shallow knowledge of the person is not enough. Don’t give gifts based on assumptions. Sure, he is an engineer. But what kind of engineer is he? A software engineer? A mechanical engineer? A civil engineer? Do your checks well. This would give you insight into what tools they use and provide good clues as to what gifts you could get for them.

You could check out their social media pages. You may find hints of things they want to buy. If by any chance you have access to their e-commerce wishlists, perfect. Whatever the case, be sure to know them well.

Pitfall No. 4: Tangible Things All The Time

Don’t always go for tangible things. We carry memories for so long – sometimes, for the rest of our lives. Material things – tangible items – on the other hand, come and go. That being the case, it goes without saying that experiences could have longer-lasting effects than tangible things.

Therefore, you may want to consider paying for a trip, a vacation, or something else that would give them memories to hold on to for a lifetime. Remember, their interests are not always like those of the average person. Who knows, you engineer friend may even be happy to learn origami, or to play the guitar.

Pitfall No. 5: Gift Cards

Not so many a person likes gift cards. If your friend is the reclusive kind of person, he may rarely visit the stores or malls in the city. And if the expiry date is not far off, then the gift card may never be used.

If you still want to go ahead with giving your friend a gift card, there are yet other things to consider. Be sure the gift card can be used in a store that’s not far from your friend’s home. And it’s better to give your friend a gift card for an online store. The best thing to do would be to give your friend a preloaded credit card.

Pitfall No. 6: Second-Hand Gifts

So someone has given you a gift, and now you’re tired of it. Maybe you never really liked the gift. Handing it to your engineer friend may seem like a great idea. But it’s not! Get them something new. Show them they are important to you. Don’t make your friend feel like a trash can. And don’t put your reputation on the line too.

Last Words

Giving gifts should be joyful for you. And the happier and more appreciative the recipient is about it, the happier you will be too. If you carefully apply what you’ve learned so far, you shouldn’t make a mistake when giving gifts to your engineer friends.