Awesome Gifts

This series of notebooks from Cognitive Surplus has detailed cover images inspired by science, nature, and math. Inside each journal, you’ll find 208 pages of 5.8″ x 8.3″ black paper with a 50/50 mix of lines and grid dots. They’re perfect for taking notes and making doodles with their high-opacity gel pens.

Dr. Kevin Peterson’s fascinating book provides a scientific slant on mixology. Cocktail Theory – A Sensory Approach to Transcendent Drinks explores the chemistry of scent and taste and offers ideas for creating uniquely elevated drinks. Trained in physics, engineering, and the science of olefaction, Peterson is renowned for his Detroit cocktail bar Castalia.

Next time you toast your pals with tequila shots, serve ’em up in these abstract skull shot glasses from Mextequil. Each cheerful cup is made from Oaxacan black clay and holds 2 oz. of spirits. We also dig their clay face shot glasses, also sold in a set of four.

This stubby metal pen measures just 4.37″ long, so it fits nicely in pockets. It’s machined from TI-6AI-4V titanium alloy with a stonewashed finish and stylish fluted body. An L-shaped bolt-action mechanism provides a satisfying motion for deploying and retracting its tip and is fun for fidgeters. Available in machine grey or black.

Star Wars fans, here’s the kitchen appliance that made the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs. Uncanny Brands makes this officially-licensed Millennium Falcon waffle maker that not only looks like Han and Chewie’s ship, it cranks out delicious waffles in the same shape. Each waffle is a crispy, golden tribute to the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy.

Many bags look alike. Make sure you grab the right one off the baggage carousel when you spot the suitcase with your face on it. Airportag makes these fun custom luggage tags that can be personalized with your photo and contact details. Each tag is made from durable double-faced fabric with a heavy-duty metal eyelet and a stainless steel wire loop.

This tabletop clock makes a great gift for arcade game fans. The 3D-printed clock features a case inspired by classic arcade cabinets, complete with a tiny joystick and buttons. In place of the old CRT screen is a battery-powered clock with numerals in a retro 8-bit font. 3DPRoSkillsCreations also makes arcade-themed desktop caddies.

Whether you’re a recent whiskey convert or an aficionado, there’s plenty to learn about this beloved brown spirit. The third edition of Dave Broom’s The World Atlas of Whisky catalogs over 500 distilleries and offers tasting notes on 480 expressions. You’ll learn how to taste whiskey about the varied grains and production techniques in different regions.

Lady Luck? More like Kitty Luck. This silly cat scratch toy from SuckUK looks like a roulette wheel from The Cosmopawlitian Casino. It even spins like the real deal and comes with a jingling ball for your kitties to play with. Place your bets on how long the cardboard layers will last before your kitties rip it to shreds.

This modern bottle opener from Tooletries lets you pop caps with one hand. Simply slap it up on a smooth surface, wait for it to adhere, and it holds firmly in place thanks to silicone-grip tech. A built-in magnet catches caps so they don’t fall on the floor. It sticks to glass, mirrors, shiny tiles, smooth metal, and more.

This generously-sized glass beer stein features a topographic impression of Oregon’s Mt. Hood at its bottom. Each stein holds 25 oz. and is handblown from borosilicate glass with a double-wall design to help keep your beer cool. Huckberry also sells Whiskey Peaks rocks glasses, and a decanter.

It’s brutally cold in much of the Northern Hemisphere, so it’s a good time to stay inside and warm up. This oversized plush hoodie from Big Blanket Co. will keep you snug as a bug in a rug all winter long. The XXL hoodie is made from ultra-plush fleece and has a huge kangaroo pocket, a built-in eye mask, and sleeves with thumb holes.

In addition to hanging keys or accessories, this carabiner clip packs seven other functions, including a pocket knife, serrated blade, rope cutter, screwdriver, can opener, bottle opener, and ruler. Its clip is built for durability, and its blades stow safely when not in use. Comes in several accent colors, including red, blue, purple, orange, and green.

While a smile isn’t going to fix the world’s problems, it could cheer you up a little bit. This collab between SuckUK and Smiley maps the friendly face onto a desktop globe. The 8″ yellow globe is made from plastic and spins and smiles on a steel base. You’ll be all smiles with their Smiley mug and a Smiley lightbulb.

Here’s another good-looking item from the MiiR and Carryology team-up. Like their water bottles, this wedge-shaped Aero flask is decorated with their grippy Auxikko pattern. The flask holds up to 8 ounces of your favorite spirit and has a hinged hatchback cap that won’t get separated and lost.

You’ll never forget where you put your phone, wallet, and keys if you drop them inside a human skull. Suck UK’s polyresin skull has lost its mind, so there’s plenty of space for holding your everyday accessories. It doubles as a sunglass and headphone holder and comes in bone white, goth black, or flashy gold.