It’s almost that gift-giving time of the year and if you have an architect in your life, you know that getting them a gift is possibly among the most agonizing experiences possible – but that’s why we’re here. Now in its 15th consecutive year, Life of an Architect is putting out the increasingly difficult yet still definitive gift guide for architects so that you don’t have to figure these things out completely by yourself. Welcome to Episode 164 Holiday Gift Guide for Architects 2024
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Like last year, Andrew and I had the same categories to select a gift. For some of the items selected for this year’s list, they were extremely easy additions, whereas others were extremely difficult. I will also go on record – right at the beginning of the show – that I either already have these things (and therefore Bob verified and approved) or I want them … which means if you buy them, we are both at some risk. Am I going to tell you which one is which? Maybe
We are going to do the big reveal to one another and then talk about them – we are going to take turns, and Andrew is going to kick things off with:
Best Gift for your Bar jump to 7:10
Whiskey Peaks Rocks Glasses
Andrew’s Selection -$38
I recently wanted some new whiskey type glasses or low balls. So, I took a mountain biking trip a summer or two ago and when I started looking I came across these glasses and they resonated with me for that reason. These glasses are a typical low ball glass, but have a “special feature” in the bottom of the glass. There is a topographical 3D form of a mountain range in the bottom. There are several different mountain ranges to choose from depending on your preference. While these are not anything extremely fancy or extravagant, I don’t think they are a unique and cool item. As mentioned they do not work well with iced drinks or on the rocks, unless you have pebble ice. But you can also put any mixed or shaken drink in them that is already cold.
Higonokami VG10 Folding Knife
Bob’s Selection – $80
Coming up with just a single gift selection for your bar was probably the most difficult choice I had to make on this list. I make my fair share of craft cocktails, and more times than not there are people watching me at work. I was gifted a handmade knife a few years ago by Joshua Hiett and it has been AMAZING … but it is showing the effects of a lot of use (don’t judge me) and I need to send it back to him for some repairs to the edge. As a result, I have been on the hunt for another cool knife that I can use in my bar and I stumbled onto this Higonokami knife. The issue with this particular knife is that you can’t get it yet. If you follow the link provided, there are all sorts of other knives you can choose from if you aren’t willing (or capable) of waiting. You can also join the waiting list like me.
Best Gift for your Desk jump to 12:02
Dual Monitor Stand
Bob’s Selection – $125
Is a monitor stand an exciting gift? Yes – if it is someone who spends a lot of time at their desk and appreciates the freedom of moving their monitors wherever they want while enjoying the luxury of reclaiming the entirety of their work surface. I spent a fair amount of time looking for these (which I do not own but currently want … badly) because of two very important details. First, I can attach very large monitors to this stand – 35″, and secondly, I can move each monitor independently IN ALL DIRECTIONS! The stand I currently have does not allow me to move my monitors independently in the vertical axis. Do not underestimate the freedom that comes with this level of control.
Logitech Vertical Mouse
Andrew’s Selection – $70
After years of “things” for your desk I decided to go with a more pragmatic gift for your desk. Something that you use every day and that you most definitely need. This mouse is just a rotation of the typical mouse. But I have used this one a few times and it is very comfortable. It is better for your wrist while still maintaining almost the same feeling. The buttons are still used by the same fingers and the operation is still normal. While it is a rather expensive mouse, I think it is worth the cost. I do not own this one yet, but it is in my cart. It will most likely be my gift to myself this year.
Best Gift for your Kitchen jump to 17:06
CAROTE Cookware Set
Andrew’s Selection -$135
I needed to replace my cookware this year. I had been eye-balling this set for a while and finally purchased in the summer. This is an affordable set of non-stick cookware that works fantastically. I enjoy cooking with these pots and pans. I think the only drawback is that they cannot go from stovetop to oven as some of my cooking requires. But other than that, this set is awesome. It is free from all the bad non-stick chemicals and has a nice finish and look. It does come in a few other “granite-like” finishes.
Electric Mason Jar Vacuum Sealer
Bob’s Selection – $24
Speaking of exciting gifts … this is a cool gift that most people don’t even realize they would use. I have this exact sealer and I like using it so much that I find that I am vacuum sealing stuff I don’t need to! Since Ball jars are relatively inexpensive, anything that I would store in a ziplock bag has been going into a jar where I can now seal and reseal over and over and over again so I am not concerned about the length of time in which I am storing things. I just like having my stuff fresh … as you should.
Best Gift Under $20 jump to 30:41
OXO Brew Twisting Tea Ball Infuser
Bob’s Selection – $11
I drink a lot of tea – at least in terms of quantity. While I have enjoyed the occasional hot tea, over the last 18 months I have gotten to the point where I have tea every single day. At home, I have a kettle and a teapot and I brew a huge travel mug first thing. The problem started in the early afternoon when I am ready for a refill and I don’t have all my gear – that’s where this tea infuser wand comes into play. Simple, easy to use, easier to clean and I can manage to make my tea without and sort of challenges or fussiness.
Since I mentioned posting the link in the podcast episode, this is the tea that I use (here) and at less that $1.00 per ounce for excellent loose tea, this is a good deal and excellent for both seasoned and people new to drinking tea.
Hot Chili Oil Sauces
Andrew’s Selection – $10+
I bought this originally due to a ramen recipe I found online. But now I use this sauce for a touch of added spice on many other dishes. But it is just a nice culinary addition. I have included two of them that I like and they are my go to chili oil. One I can get locally, the other I only get through amazon. Your luck may vary. If you are not a fan of spicy foods, these may not be for you. If you want spicier, they both have an “extra spicy” version that you can find that kicks up the heat a notch. I have tried those and while I like them, they are not my standard choice. Hot Crispy Oil + Fly by Jing
Best Tech Gift jump to 37:39
Toshiba Canvio 2TB External Hard Drive
Andrew’s Selection -$70-80
Now I know this may be a bit more of an “old school” idea, but I have recently found a need to utilize this type of storage due to a few workings of my devices. Also this type of technology has gotten much less expensive in recent years. So I use this portable drive as a way to transport files that I work on constantly between my home and office. The main issue that predicated that is my need to constantly download and upload files from the cloud to work on them and then update them. If I accidently forgot to upload the file to the cloud while I was at work, then I could not work on it at home. This is mainly used for larger files that I cannot work on through the cloud without some seriously lag issues or just flat out unable to work. At 2TB I can have a large portion of my cloud drive on here, at least all the truly important files.
Hatch Restore 2 Sunrise Clock
Bob’s Selection – $170
This exact alarm is what my junior-in-college daughter uses every day and she SWEARS by this thing. To put some perspective on it, she is a typical college kid (and we all know what that means) in terms of how her sleep scheduled goes (chaos) but she has a full course class load, has a position at her sorority, AND she has a full time job. What makes this even more bananas, is that she is a trainer for the University of Connecticut football team and she has to report to work around 5:00 am so getting up early despite going to be late is a regular occurrence. Since switching to this sunrise alarm clock (which slowly gets brighter and brighter and then eventually will start playing sounds) wakes you up peacefully and as a result, you don’t feel like you were punched in the gut the moment your alarm klaxon goes off.
This clock will do more than wake you up in a beautifully peaceful manner, it can also help you go to sleep. You set everything up using your phone so there is a high level of control and specificity you can program into this clock and it comes Kate Borson approved.
Best Gift for a Young Architect jump to 44:08
Le Chateau Wine Decanter
Bob’s Selection – $48
While this gift might seem odd for a young architect, hear me out. For my purposes, “young” is still mid-late 20s so an alcohol based gift is not out of line. This is also the sort of gift that someone will hang onto for decades and it is unlikely that someone in their 20s already has a wine decanter. Are they drinking wine that would benefit from being decanted? Probably not, but who am I am assume such a thing?
Analog Sketching Starter Kit
Andrew’s Selection – $40-60
So this is a sketching starter kit. I think that many young architects are getting back into this analog activity and this is a great little set of items for anyone wanting to start up. I have included some Blackwing Matte Pencils for early drafting or all work if that is the preferred tool. Then I have the Pentel Tradio Stylo “disposable” fountain pens. These have disposable cartridges that you can replace and keep the actual pen barrel. I have been using these pens now for over a year and I love them. They allow the creation of multiple line widths and just lay down ink so smoothly. I have included some black refills for them as well. They come in multiple colors but here is red and black. I have also included the Simply Genius A5 dotted notebooks. I prefer the dots for sketching. These are good as they are kinda throwaway but also decent quality. I have a few of these with me every day. I use them for notes and for sketching. Then I have two options for storage. If you are a pouch type person, I have the ProFolio pouch by Itoya. This felt pouch can hold all your pens and pencils. I own this one and the quality is outstanding. The other option I have is the Lanxivi 20 Slots Fountain Pen Case. This one holds about 20 pens if you want, but I use it a bit differently. I place the pens/pencils on one side and the rest holds my A5 notebooks. This set up holds ten writing tools and 3 of the notebooks with ease. I zip it all up and carry it around as my daily pack.
Best Gift for a “Seasoned” Architect jump to 48:43
ON Brand Sneakers
Andrew’s Selection -$150 and up
I had a tough, I mean really tough time with this one. I am not sure where to go with this one ever. So this year I again went with a wearable selection. These shoes are made for running mostly, but they are some very comfortable walking/lifestyle shoes. I have been attempting to walk more for exercise and these have taken on the challenge quite well and are durable and comfortable so far. These are made by a Swiss company headquartered in Zurich. I think they have a very “architectural” aesthetic to them also. I know that may sound odd, but I can see a different design aesthetic to them. They are available for men and women and I think they offer a plethora of stylish choices. They also help you choose which shoe is right for your foot and activity. So maybe you are a runner, these can work for you as well. I am a Cloud Nova and Cloud Monster based on some of the factors for my type. Go find yours
Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman
Bob’s Selection – $7,700 for licensed, $2,300 for Replica
This is on the list because I want it. Pretty simple, right? The real question is whether or not I want to pay for a licensed replica (which means I won’t be getting this chair for several more years) … or do I get one of the high-quality replicas? The only other real question is the color of the chair. I would go with the fabric in the “Classic Boucle” and even though these chairs do well when treated as the rock star in the room (and using a “look at me” color), I think I would end up going more neutral and choose the color “smoke”.
Best Gift Nobody has Heard of jump to 55:38
Conway Airmega AP-1512 Air Purifier
Bob’s Selection – $230
I have this air purifier and I can tell you that it works, it’s quiet, and I don’t know why I didn’t buy it ten years ago. I was talking with a friend of mine and telling her how much I enjoy cooking, but that I don’t love the lingering odorous ramifications of cooking. As a result, I was buying plugins to help my place smell clean … but it just made my place smell like fish AND “rain”. My friend said, “why are you trying to cover up the smells, just clean the air …” (the “dumba$$” in the delivery of this message was strongly implied …). So that is exactly what I ended up doing and I am extremely happy that I did. You will be happy if you go this route as well.
PLAUD Note AI
Andrew’s Selection – $160
The PLAUD Note recorder is not your average voice recording device. It is powered by AI. This makes all the difference. We have been using this in some of my committee meetings at work and I can tell you from experience this thing is a gem. It very accurately generates reports of meetings, like meeting minutes, and does this with a high level of accuracy and skill. It is actually amazing. It provides a numbered and bulleted list of topics and items along with anything that was mentioned to be complete in the future as “to be completed” items. It can also do other things like transcripts and such, but the summaries are the best, in my opinion. It is a type of subscription model, but right now the initial purchase gets you 300 minutes of recordings per month always. You can upgrade and pay more for additional minutes if you need. So you may have to be selective of your usage, but if you know it is an important meeting or you know no one will be taking notes, this may be the best device you can have. It is very small, about the size of a credit card, and can easily fit anywhere. They also have a new version that is more like a lapel microphone. At a minimum, you should go have a look at this device.
Best Gift Missed Opportunity jump to 65:28
PopChart Labs Artwork + Posters
Andrew’s Selection -$40 and up
This throwback from a several years ago. It can be seen in the 2018 gift list. So I am not going to retread the information. The simplified version is that this company makes a wide variety of pop culture oriented art and posters. They are printed on quality paper and are a cool piece if they meet your aesthetic. They most likely have some art piece or infographic art for everyone on your list. Enjoy the cool-ness.
Blomus Planto Watering Can
Bob’s Selection – $110 (it was $75 originally …)
I don’t even care if you own any plants – this is known as a “cool thing” and it deserves a place in your home. It looks amazing and you would look even even more amazing (amazinger?) if you were seen using it. A word of caution – if you are buying this for a single friend of yours, please be mindful that if someone sees this in their house, there is a 10/10 chance that they will start dating. If the act of watering takes place as I mentioned, they’ll skip straight to the nuptials. That’s how cool this is.
Architecture Books
Andrew’s Architecture Books
Andrew’s Selection
Of course, as an architect, I have a large collection of books. I also have a list of books over on the kit.co site. I have the All-Star Edition list that is linked from the image, but I also have recently added a 2023 List of Books that are more recently released. This list only includes books from late 2022 and 2023 up to today that I either already own or want to add to my library. I think that an architect can never have too many books. I continue to update and collect so each year there are new books to add to the library.
Bob’s Architecture Books
Andrew and I both have covered architecture books at length at various times on this site and to make our lives easier, we just have a running list in place that reflects our current favorites and recommendations. At some point, I will have to start branching out because my library feels pretty complete and I don’t love most of the architecture books that are coming out these days. I am a little tired of the “collections” or themed books that appear to represent the vast majority of publishing efforts these days. Give me a book dedicated to a single architect or firm, full of pictures AND drawings and I’m a happy guy.
Stocking Stuffers
On My Desk
Stuff that is on my desk is a constant consideration – things like sketchbooks, desk lights, pens and markers, cutting boards – everything.
If sketchbooks, pens, pencils, rolls of trace paper – typical architect supplies, I’ve got you covered. This ongoing list (titled Pencils/Pens + Sketchbooks) is curated every time I find something new that I decide is worth using.
Architectural Stickers
In case you didn’t know it, stickers are back and more popular than ever. The website RedBubble is a fun site to play around on and there are approximately 7,698,532,299 items on there that you can look at. If you really have your game handled up, you can even make your own stickers at pretty reasonable prices. On the chance that you simply want something fun to round out your stocking stuffer, I have you covered with some stickers (pun intended). From time to time I will order a bunch of these stickers up and will bring them to events and hand them out to people. They’re inexpensive and look good on a laptop or a car bumper.
Architectural T-Shirts
If stickers aren’t your thing, maybe T-Shirts are … and here are just a few from my own personal collection. A long time ago I decided I wanted some architectural t-shirts and almost all of the ones I found online unilaterally stunk, so I thought I would make some for myself since the act of making your own t-shirt is ridiculously easy and I apparently don’t like sitting around and relaxing … so I spend my free time doing stuff like making T-Shirt Designs.
Hypothetical jump to 68:40
I am just going to say that this question has become harder and harder the further away I get from selecting my answer …
If you could only hear one voice for the rest of the year for the rest of your life from the mouth of all people, whose voice would you choose?
As it turns out, this might be one of the harder questions we have tackled this year. Since coming up with this question, I have asked about a dozen people and EVERYONE has struggled with making their selection.
Ep 164: Holiday Gift Guide for Architects
Ho-Ho-Ho and we are done. If on the remote chance that this year’s gift guide didn’t provide you with all your holiday shopping needs, we have links below to the guides from previous years. I am positive that there is something here that a) is not only unique and not some rehash of another gift guide, but b) these are all verified and approved by actual architects.
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
Cheers and Happy Holidays!
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