Best Gift Ideas for Makers 2025
The holidays are the perfect excuse to celebrate creativity! Stock up on tools, kits, and projects that inspire more making in the new year. Whether you’re shopping for the electronics tinkerer in your life, the sewist, or a friend who would appreciate a handmade gesture, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite maker-friendly gifts for 2025.
Disclosure: Some links included in this article earn me an affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you.
Table of contents:
- Dopp Kit Bag
- Canvas Backpack
- Ring Holder Necklace
- The Inventor’s Workshop by Ruth Amos
- A Guide to Making Friends in the Fourth Dimension by Toby Hendy
- IoT Hug Plushies
- 3D Printer – Prusa or Bambu
- iFixit FixHub Portable Soldering Kit
- Favorite DigiKey Things 2025
- Bantam Tools NextDraw Plotter
- Internet Security Software
Dopp Kit Bag
I’ve gifted a bunch of these, and they’re always a hit for tools, art supplies, makeup, cables… even picnics! Make one from cotton canvas or upcycle your old grocery bags! Download my free pattern and get started on your list. If you enjoy the pattern and want to support my work, there’s also a paid digital copy available.
Canvas Backpack
My biggest and boldest sewing pattern yet is my Kanken-inspired canvas backpack. Make it in your giftee’s favorite colors, or put together a kit of notions so they can make it themselves– the PDF instructions for this project look really classy printed out. Just like my Dopp Kit, the pattern is free, with a paid copy available if you want to support me.
Ring Holder Necklace
This is a deceptively easy project to make! Anyone on your list who is ring-on/ring-off all day can use a ring holder necklace. Make it for your newly engaged friend from silver or gold, depending on your preference and budget.
The Inventor’s Workshop by Ruth Amos
Ruth’s book, The Inventor’s Workshop, is a panoply of inventing joy! Learn the history behind some of humanity’s most significant inventions and the inventors behind them. The illustrations by Stacey Thomas are fabulous and really bring the subjects to life. Highly recommend for kids or curious tinkerers of all ages!
A Guide to Making Friends in the Fourth Dimension by Toby Hendy
Toby wrote a book! She’s collected the most delightful ideas into a fun, welcoming guide that explores the wild worlds of dimensions. Plus, I love the beautiful color illustrations by Martina Pepiciello. Pick up your copy of A Guide to Making Friends in the Fourth Dimension by Toby Hendy.
IoT Hug Plushies
Xyla Foxlin and I collaborated on these internet-connected plushies that send hugs over the internet. Squeeze one, and the other vibrates. It’s a great gift for a loved one far away! But for grownups or with supervision only– please don’t DIY kids’ toys without first researching all the safety measures used inside.
3D Printer
A new 3D printer will always be a great gift. I love my Prusa MK4 and Bambu P1S. Toss in some spools of PLA filament from MatterHackers, a box of gallon zip bags, and a bag of silica gel packets for dry storage.
iFixit FixHub Portable Soldering Kit
iFixit’s got a new flagship product, and it does not disappoint! The FixHub portable soldering kit has everything you need for field repairs or projects that need work away from your workbench. The compact iron gets hot quickly and stays hot for a very long time thanks to the beefy battery power station.
Favorite DigiKey Things 2025
Load a cart or give a gift card from DigiKey, one of the largest parts distributors and my most loyal sponsor. I made a video for the DigiKey channel about my Favorite Things this year, so check it out for the full list.
Bantam Tools NextDraw Plotter
Pen plotters are fun for a wide variety of makers, from handwriting nerds to family crafters, and of course, robot enthusiasts, too. I recommend the NextDraw by Bantam Tools! It’s the next stage of evolution of what used to be called the AxiDraw, and it’s easier to use than ever. Check out my wedding place cards project using my plotter, for example! Bundle it with some pens for fun right out of the box. You could also use a pen plotter to make your holiday cards or gift tags! My fans get 5% off their order with code BeckyBantam2025. They’ve also just re-launched the EggBot, if spherical plotting is more your style.
Internet Security Software
I recommend everyone to use a password manager such as 1Password, a data broker removal service such as DeleteMe, and a VPN such as NordVPN. Help them set it up too!
Happy making, and happy gifting! 🎁✨