The Ultimate Life Science Holiday Gift Guide: The Buzz on Presents for Industry Professionals

By Sarah Boynton | November 9, 2023

Having you as an owner in growth is all that WE want this holiday season. Be sure to check out our crowdfunding campaign on WeFunder (and the important “Testing the Waters” legal disclosure). But this isn’t about us; it’s about YOU. So our incredible Board of Buzz put together an epically curated Holiday Gift Guide Series for everyone on your list this holiday season. Join us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to buzz about it!

The BioBuzz Holiday Gift Guide… For You!

Hey there, science aficionados! Looking for the perfect gift for that special someone who speaks fluent ‘geek’? You’re in the right spot!

You can navigate through all ten (10) pages by hovering over the spread above and using the arrows anchored at the bottom of the page. All of the products are clickable; so click away!

Prefer to open in a new window?! Here you go. Or keep reading for the text-only version of the spread.

DNA Molecule Helix Pencil Holder | $23.99+

Add some flare to your creative space with this DNA pencil holder. This model can hold a total of 16 standard color pencils.

Jabba Bluetooth Speaker | $33.08

This Jabba Bluetooth speaker brings good times to any office, lab or microscopy room, with a 33-foot range.

Chemist Desk Organizer | $66.83+

Organize your desk with this nuts and bolts chemist, manufactured in original Steelman quality, elaborately and carefully handcrafted.

Multichannel Pipette Plushie | $30.00

For the big kid in all of us!

Handmade Wrapping Paper | $7.50

Choose from beautiful options of tree-free paper crafted by hand at a women’s cooperative in Nepal’s Kathmandu valley.

Chemical Science Throw | $22.99

A super soft blanket is made of high-quality fabric, warmth, and smooth comfort, it is wrinkle-resistant, shedding, and fade-resistant. Size 60″x50.”

Human Brain Anatomy Puzzle | $23.99

Assemble an accurate cross-cut section that gives you an inside view of the human brain, head, and cranium!

Retro Microbiology Travel Bag | $25.95

Perfect for keeping all your small items safe and close at hand.

Ecologies | $25.00

In this card game, you build and maintain food webs in diverse biomes around the world. Each biome has a different ecology, and gives unique rewards when it is healthy and balanced.

Funny Unisex Socks | $11.99

Colorful, comfy science socks make the best gifts for geeks – they get incredible reactions from the recipient!

DNA Portraits | $199.00+

Collect your DNA, choose color, size, and style, and watch your unique portrait come to life!

Test Tube Tea Infuser | $11.99

Steep your tea in scientific accuracy with measurement marks to match, it allows for accurate measurement of loose tea.

For the QC’er in Your Life

For the meticulous tester who knows their agar from their elbow, our Quality Control options are packed with microbiology must-haves that pass every swab test!

• Microbe Collection Art | $22.00+
• Petri Dish Earrings | $17.50+
• Petri Dish Soaps | $11.60+
• Lab Bench LEGO Kit | $50.00
• Virus Planter | $14.99+

For the QA’er in Your Life

Know someone who ensures everything is up to snuff? These gifts meet the highest standards!

• “Trust, but verify” Floating Quote | $29.00+
• “Quality is not an act it’s a habit” Laptop Sleeve | $30.44
• “But did you document it?” Sticker | $3.14+
• Animal Cell Keychain | $38.03
• “Color Coded Spreadsheet” Candle | $22.99
• Small Glass Desktop Whiteboard w/ Storage | $26.99
• Funny Pen Set | $14.00

For the Manufacturer in Your Life

From cleanroom to coffee breaks, our MFG gift options make every workday feel like a win!

• Chemistry Clock | $43.63
• Protein Purification Planter | $70.22
• DS-01 Daily Synbiotic | $30.44
• DNA Shaker Keychain | $40.00
• Hand-Blown Flask Glass | $21.54+
• “I periodically need…” Tumblers | $22.99
• Biosafety Cabinet LEGO Kit | $40.00

For the Biotechnologist in Your Life

Cracking the code of life deserves a special gift—check out these options that are great for any R&D’er or Scientist!

• Research Lab LEGO Set | $120.00
• Nuts and Bolts Scientist Sculpture | $51.23+
• Serotonin Mug | $20.00+
• Bakerlogy Cookie Cutters | $8.13+
• Lab Science Pocket Notebooks 4-Pack | $17.95
• Beer Glass | $22.00+

For the Professor in Your Life

For the academic who has everything except time, these options include gifts that even tenure can’t buy!

• DNA Laptop Sleeve | $40.10
• Personalized Scientist LEGO Figures | $28.00
• Erlenmeyer Flask Acrylic Earrings | $12.00+
• Biology Word Magnets | $13.95
• Custom Desk Name Plate | $68.23
• Beaker Wine Glass | $24.99

Locally Curated & Mission-Driven Gift Ideas

Shop local and check out the options we curated from the Capital Region.

Artlogica

Michele Banks (aka Artologica) is an artist inspired by science. Her artwork, on themes ranging from neuroscience to the microbiome to climate change, been shown at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and at the Society for Neuroscience, as well as at many galleries and art festivals. Her paintings have been featured on the covers of journals and books and in publications including Scientific American, The Scientist and Wired. You can learn more about her work at www.artologica.net.

Microbiology Ties in 100% Silk | $45, ships free in the US

Who says bacteria and viruses aren’t beautiful? A perfect gift for biologists, doctors, science teachers or anyone who loves unique fashion accessories, these striking silk ties are digitally printed with designs based on Michele Banks’ original paintings of microorganisms. Options include Microbe Dots, Virus Dots, and Petri Dishes.

Ties are a standard 60 inch length, 3.25 inches at widest point, in high quality 100% silk twill.

Petri Dish Scarf in Silk Charmeuse | $80, ships free in the US

Glamorous and geeky at the same time, this gorgeous silk scarf is digitally printed with a design from Petri Dishes 1, one of my original watercolor collages of microbes in culture. In vibrant rainbow colors in circles on a black background, it’s perfect for biologists, doctors, science teachers or for any chic geek.

The scarf is a generous 72 x 12 inches, allowing it to be worn in many ways. The fabric is a soft, luxurious silk charmeuse that feels great against your skin.

Drosophila Wings Silk Chiffon Scarf | $65, ships free in the US

This scarf pays tribute to the fruit fly, drosophila melanogaster, one of the workhorses of biological research. This little insect has allowed scientists to make many important discoveries in fields from evolution to neuroscience and beyond. The design is a “flower” of drosophila wings, in which one petal has a notch variant, an important marker for evolutionary change. Individual wings are interspersed among the flowers.

The scarf is a generous 70 x 12 inches, allowing it to be worn in many ways. The fabric is a translucent silk chiffon in subtle shades of purple and blue. 100% silk, dry clean only. Hand-rolled hem.

Blue Bacteria Watercolor Painting | $175, ships free in the US

Blue Bacteria is just what it says – an original watercolor painting of various types of bacteria in rich, vibrant shades of blue with white accents. Perfect for a teacher, researcher, doctor or microbiologist.

The painting was made using a wet-in-wet technique. After I draw a grid on the paper, I paint an individual square, wait a few seconds, and then add a second color of wet paint. The paint “bleeds” naturally, creating either awesome natural fractal patterns or a big old blob. Then I do this a bunch more times in different colors. To make the really small details, I used a toothpick dipped in paint. Painted with Winsor and Newton Artist’s Watercolors on extra heavy Arches paper (300lb).

Overall size 16 × 20 in an acid-free white mat with backing board. Standard size for easy framing. Signed. Totally unique!

Seedy Nutty

Seedy Nutty is a snack that originated out of a family kitchen in Tivon, Israel. This healthy snack is now a social enterprise empowering the at-risk youth of South West Baltimore. Each bag sold creates jobs and helps support training in food production, packaging, and marketing in a community where 42.3% of families live in poverty.

• 2.5 oz. Case (12 bags) | $48.00
• 2.5 oz. Med Box (50 bags) | $200,00

Hon’s Honey

Hon’s Honey is a MD social enterprise dedicated to giving dignity and purpose to women survivors of trauma— addiction, trafficking, generational poverty and abuse. They have bee-utiful home and body goods crafted by women survivors.

Indulgent, hand poured candles made in MD using sustainable materials and phthalate-free fragrances.

• Creamed Honey | $18.00
• Self Care Gift Box | $38.50

Pottillo&Co.

Indulgent, hand-poured candles made in MD using sustainable materials and phthalate-free fragrances.

• Mushroom Babe | $20.00
• Bourbon Apple Cider Candle | $35.00

Around the World

Also included are gifts from around the world that give back, to make everyone feel good this holiday season!

Smiling Tree Gifts

These custom, handmade blocks are a front-and-center visual for displaying the unique set of core values that drive your why and inspire your team to be their best. They plant a tree for every item sold, and are at 111,751 and counting.

The Journey Bracelet

Each bracelet comes with a real Sea Turtle to track, including their name, size, and journey across the globe. A portion of all proceeds are donated to Sea Turtle Conservancy! Your contribution will help the Sea Turtle Conservancy achieve the vision of a world where every Sea Turtle can live free from harm.

Who Gives a Crap

50% of profits from all of their products go directly to the charity partners who work in water, hygiene and sanitation. You’re helping millions of people gain access to clean water just by using the loo. Nice!

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Are you buzzing about something that should be added to our list?! Get in touch and let us know!