Gift Guide for Developers: 10 Gifts to Boost Productivity
Vishal Pallerla•
I'm a developer, and I don't like things that are boring. So when it comes time to buy a gift for another developer, I tend to look for something they'll actually get excited about. Here are ten items that will delight any developer—and these are things they actually want!
1. A Height-Adjustable Standing Desk #
A Height-Adjustable Standing Desk is a desk that can be adjusted to different heights, allowing to alternate between sitting and standing positions. As a developer, it's important for them to be able to work efficiently in order to maximize productivity.
Unfortunately, sitting all day long can cause you to get fatigued and make it difficult to focus on the task at hand.
- Most of these desks also have a built-in power strip, which is great for keeping the desk organized.
- Reduced muscle fatigue: Standing instead of sitting can improve circulation, which helps reduce fatigue and stiffness.
- Better concentration: Standing up while working helps you focus and stay alert because it requires more effort than sitting.
- Improved mood and energy level: Standing up while working gives you a boost in energy and mood, which can help you feel better overall and do your job better.
2. Dual or Triple -Screen Portable Monitor #
Kick Ass Programmer Productivity On The Go. Help your developer friends or colleagues or your techie spouse maximize their productivity when they're working at a coffee shop or on the train with a dual or triple -screen portable monitor.
Your developer friend or colleague is on the go, and they want to get things done. But their laptop can only do so much.
- Boost productivity: Now they can maximize productivity with the Dual & Triple Screen Portable Monitor. This split touch screen monitor attaches easily to the laptop and turns it into a powerful workstation.
- Multitask efficiently: With a portable monitor, developers can have multiple windows open at once, each with their own unique tasks and applications. So, there is Never a waste of time switching between screens again!
Image by Mobile Pixels Inc on Kickstarter3. Adjustable Lap Desk Or Tray Table #
You know that working from a laptop can be a challenge, you might have experienced it yourself or have seen this a lot when developers are working remotely. One has to constantly shift the seat to find the right position for their wrists and arms, which can cause all kinds of discomfort. Developers, who are often strapped for cash and space, shy away from buying desks.
What if we told you there was a way to get the best of both worlds — a lap desk that's compact enough to fit on the lap and sturdy enough that it won't budge when your programmer friend lean into it?
It's true! The adjustable lap desk is the solution to all the above problems: it's sturdy enough that developers can type quickly and comfortably, and small enough to fit in any backpack or bag—so now devs can take it with them wherever they go!
4. A Pomodoro Timer #
The Pomodoro timer is a simple, easy-to-use tool that helps anyone stay focused on the task at hand.
- It works by encouraging you to focus for 25 minutes at a time and then take a 5 minute break before resuming work. This method of working is known as the Pomodoro Technique and has been proven to improve developer productivity by up to 300%.
- The Pomodoro Timer is also available as an app for your phone or tablet. The app offers the same task-focused timer as well as other features like notifications and reminders.
- The biggest benefit of using a pomodoro timer is that it helps you stay on task during your workday and makes you more productive overall.
It's also great for those who have ADD or ADHD because it helps them focus their attention and block out distractions better than if they were just trying to do so on their own power (which can often lead to mental flailing around).
5. A Gift Card to a Local Coffee Shop #
Caffeine is a stimulant that can help programmers stay alert and focused while working on complex tasks. It helps to keep them awake and energized, which is especially useful during long coding sessions or deadlines.
Many developers appreciate the chance to take a break and recharge with a cup of coffee or tea. A gift card to a local coffee shop can be a great way to show appreciation.
Gift cards to local coffee shops can be a thoughtful and personal gift, as they show that you have taken the time to consider your programmer's interests and preferences meanwhile supporting small businesses.
6. A Mug with their Favorite Programming Joke on it #
Programming can be stressful, and a coffee mug with programming jokes can serve as a reminder to stay positive and not get too caught up in the stress.
Also, the world needs more programmers who can laugh at themselves. They'll appreciate having something around their office that shows off their humor!
Developers love jokes!
Coffee mugs with funny programming quotes, are a great way to let the developer in your life know that you understand and support their sense of humor :)
Image by Panvola Store on Amazon7. Mechanical Keyboard #
A mechanical keyboard is a great gift for developers because it can improve their productivity and comfort.
"With a mechanical keyboard, a developer's typing speed can increase by at least 50 words per minute, or as we like to call it, a developer's 'CODE BOOST'. It's like the keyboard itself is providing the motivation to code harder and better"
- Improved typing speed: Mechanical keyboards have more tactile feedback than membrane keyboards, allowing for faster and more accurate typing.
- Customizable keys: Many mechanical keyboards offer the ability to customize the keys to suit specific needs or preferences. This can be particularly useful for developers, who may want to assign frequently used shortcuts or commands to specific keys.
- Durability: Mechanical keyboards are known for their durability and long lifespan, which means developers don't have to worry about constantly replacing their keyboards.
- Ergonomic design: Mechanical keyboards often have adjustable stands and ergonomic designs that can help reduce fatigue and improve comfort while working.
Image by Bao Minh on Pexels8. Rocketbook Notebook #
If you're familiar with a developer life, you probably already know how important it is for them to be able to take notes. Whether it's during meetings with the team or in the middle of a coding sprint, sometimes the best way to get ideas out of their head and onto paper is by writing them down on a piece of paper.
The Rocketbook notebook has been designed with this in mind. The pages are all erasable so that if they make mistakes—and we all do—they can simply erase them away and start over again.
But what makes this notepad unique is its other features:
- White-boarding: Developers can use it for white-boarding sessions by using Pilot FriXion pens (which are super easy to find at any office supply store).
- Collaboration: Rocketbook notebooks have the ability to be shared with others, making it easy for developers to collaborate with their team members or clients.
- Portability: Rocketbook notebooks are lightweight and easy to carry around, making it convenient for developers to take notes and work on the go.
- Eco-friendly: The Rocketbook notebook is designed to be used and reused, helping developers reduce their carbon footprint and be more environmentally friendly.
Image by Rocketbook9. Don't forget the Noise Cancelling Headphones! #
Noise cancelling headphones are awesome.
They can help you get more done, and they're just a great gift for developers.
There are many benefits to using headphones while working:
- They allow devs to focus on what's in front of them without distractions, which improves productivity and concentration.
- Most devs love listening to music or podcasts while working and these are especially useful if the office has open-office plans where everyone can hear each other's conversations—or if there's an open floor plan, period!
- If someone comes over to talk with your developer spouse at work, they'll probably would not disturb seeing headphones, so no more worries for you :P
Image by Barna Bartis on Unsplash10. Ergonomic Mouse #
Ergonomic mouse can be good for developers because they can help reduce strain on the hand and wrist while using the mouse for long periods of time. This can help prevent injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis, which can be common among developers who spend long hours in front of a computer.
The mouse is one of the most common sources of repetitive stress injuries, and is a tool that developers use every day.
The ergo mouse can help reduce wrist strain by allowing coders to customize its height, width, and grip to fit their hand. It’s also versatile—they can use it on any surface including glass or wood desks, which are great for saving space when they need to move around their workstation. And since it’s ambidextrous (meaning it works for both left and right handed users), this gift really does give back!
And how about making your developer friend, colleague, or spouse’s day with a bonus gift? Give them the gift of more free time to spend with their family by saving them time spent unnecessarily configuring, troubleshooting and debugging.
Sounds good? Then why not introduce them to DevZero and schedule a DevZero Introduction Call!
They’ll find out how to save hours every week by optimizing their software development process with ephemeral, production-like development environments - it’s a win-win for everyone! It’s an amazing gift that will really make a difference in their <developer life/>
Conclusion #
We hope you enjoyed this list of awesome gifts for developers and got some ideas for what to get the developer in your life. Remember, it's not just about giving them something they need or want (though that helps).
The best gifts are the ones that show how much you care about their work and the time they spend on it—and those are exactly what we've provided here!
If you know any programmers or techies who might appreciate these gift ideas, don't forget to share with them!
Happy Holidays 🎉
Vishal Pallerla
Developer Advocate, DevZero