Gallery: Perfect Gifts for the Science Nerd in Your Life
New Egg01sci-giftguide-1
__Strandbeest Model Kit__: You’re not an apex nerd until you’ve built a model from a kit—but Star Destroyers and Battlestar Galactica replicas are a dime a dozen. For your favorite emergent systems geeks, give a kit to build their own Strandbeests, the stunning wind-powered art pieces by Theo Jansen. [$19.99, New Egg](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2MR2C45728&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC-_-pla-_-Outdoor+Toys-_-9SIA2MR2C45728&gclid=CJjHn9OCwckCFYP1HwodaTEHVw&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Litographs02sci-giftguide-2
__Origin of Species T-Shirt__: For those who want to wear their love of science on their sleeve. This t-shirt is printed with the entire text of Charles Darwin’s *On the Origin of Species*. (Just save wearing it until you’re done with holiday dinners with your creationist relatives). Other science-inspired designs: Newton’s *Opticks*, Freud’s *Dream Psychology*, and Ernst Haeckel’s *The History of Creation*. [$34, Litographs](http://www.litographs.com/collections/t-shirts/products/darwin-tee)
Think Geek03sci-giftguide-3
__Brain Slice Coasters__: Your neuroscientist-in-training will love these coasters, which come in a set of 10, each displaying a different cross-section of the cerebral cortex. Stack them all on top of each other, and you get a full brain. [$25.99, Think Geek on Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B010BHGLG8/geekw00-20)
Amazon04sci-giftguide-4
__Proof: The Science of Booze__: A bottle of booze is a rather uninspired holiday gift. But pair it with this book (by WIRED editor Adam Rogers), and it takes on a whole new dimension. Maybe put a bookmark into the section on hangovers if you’re bringing it as a hosting gift. [$18.23, Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/Proof-Science-Booze-Adam-Rogers/dp/0547897960)
Amazon05sci-giftguide-5
__The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science__: Cooking with science doesn’t have to mean super-complicated molecular gastronomy techniques using transglutaminase and sodium alginate. J. Kenji López-Alt’s masterpiece of a cookbook-plus-explainer is the best gift for science nerds who love to cook. [$49.95, Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/Food-Lab-Cooking-Through-Science/dp/0393081087/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449191121&sr=1-1&keywords=food+lab)
Lego06sci-giftguide-6
__LEGO Science Lab Set__: Not that most kids who play with LEGOs need encouragement to explore their nerdy sides, but just in case, this kit features three different scientific setups for paleontology, astronomy, and chemistry. Bonus points: the minifigs are all women. [$38.98, LEGO on Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Cuusoo-21110-Research-Institute/dp/B00L2DL6N4/ref=pd_sim_21_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=51W-MQ7auGL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0KWS9PM9Q52AC18M3BT8)
JPL07sci-giftguide-7
__Exoplanet Travel Bureau posters__: NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory designed these awesome vintage-y posters to advertise the universe’s latest travel destinations: the exoplanets 51 Pegasi b, PSO J318.5-22, HD 40307g, Kepler-16b, and Kepler-186 f. Each one has its own catchphrase (PSO J318.5-22, a rogue planet without a star, “Where the Nightlife Never Ends”). Print ’em out and frame ’em. [Free (plus printing and framing)](http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/exoplanettravelbureau)
Etsy08sci-giftguide-8
__Molecular necklaces__: Chemistry nerds rejoice. This Etsy shop sells necklaces with the skeletal formula of a menagerie of molecules. Choose your poison: The shop has structures for the feel-good neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, and favorite non-endogenous chemicals like caffeine and THC. (Discerning customers will note the lack of a good representation of nitrous groups, but hey, deal.) [$14-15, Etsy](https://www.etsy.com/listing/234899821/serotonin-necklace-in-goldsilver?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_d-jewelry-necklaces-charm_necklaces&utm_custom1=e9c18bcc-9460-4785-924a-db0b02a4f1ba&gclid=CJ2otPr_wMkCFQv3Hwod0CUHEw)
Etsy09sci-giftguide-9
__Laser-engraved dinosaur embossing rolling pin__: Problem: You’ve got a Triassic-obsessed toddler (or, let’s be honest, you never grew out of that phase yourself), but don’t have the time to carve out individual T. rexes and triceratops with cookie cutters. This laser-engraved rolling pin is the solution (also, c’mon, lasers!) [$29.99, Etsy](https://www.etsy.com/listing/247429370/embossing-rolling-pin-for-cookies-laser?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=rolling%20pin%20dinosaur&ref=sr_gallery_7&source=aw&awc=6220_1449190573_005ac208bd669f6461a6937ea7c17197&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=us_location_buyer&utm_content=236907)
