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2016 Holiday Gift Guide for Geo Geeks

By Cory MacVie
December 5, 2016

With Black Friday behind us, it’s officially the holiday gift giving season! Do you want to give a unique gift to your favorite maphead or spatial geek? We know that finding gifts for map geeks can be quite tricky. So, a few of us on the Fulcrum team have compiled a list of interesting cartography gifts that your geogeek is sure to love. Ranging from $15 to $300, we’re sure you’ll find something within your price range that will be treasured for years to come.

Cliffs & Coasts

Cliffs & Coasts

If your geogeek lives on a coast and likes jewelry, Cliffs and Coasts provides one of a kind necklaces and rings. The site provides two ways to make unique jewelry: either by drawing a line on a map and the elevation of that path becomes your design; or to select a coast line and the border between the points becomes your design. The jewelry is made by Rachel Binx, the maker of Meshu, which was featured in last year’s gift guide.

Find it here: Cliffs & Coasts ($75 – $245)

Typographic Maps

Typographic Maps

If your friend lives in a metropolitan US city, Typographic Maps has developed a very interesting map style built entirely with text. Using Open Street Map data, they’ve converted every line and polygon into a stylized font, making for an unforgettable art piece. The maps accurately depict streets, highways, parks, bodies of water, and more using nothing but text bearing the names of those features. These are made by Axis Maps, a small cartography company that specializes in designing and building custom interactive maps.

Find it here: Typographic Maps ($30 – $95)

Overview Book & Prints

Overview Book & Prints

The ultimate mapping coffee table book for a geogeek is the new Overview Book. Two hundred and eighty-eight pages full of mouth dropping satellite imagery from around the beautiful world. Each image (or Overview) focuses on the places and moments where human activity—for better or for worse—has shaped the landscape. If you prefer wall art, a stunning print can be ordered of your favorite page.

Find it here: Overview ($29 – $50)

Cross Stitch Map

Cross Stitch Map

Do you have a friend who loves cross-stitching? Give them a world map printed on cross stitch fabric and mounted on a wooden frame. Whether traveling by plane, train or automobile, have them recuperate from their latest adventure with a bit of crafty cross-stitching. Record every far-flung holiday or adventurous road trip with colorful cross stitch. Use different colored threads for each journey or personalize with icons and text.

Find it here: Cross Stitch Map ($40)

Cookie Cutters

Cheap Cookie Cutters

Be a hit at your next geo meetup or holiday party with map-shaped cookies. Make cookies shaped as any country or state and then frost it with the appropriate flag or capital. Cheap Cookie Cutters has every country and every state available under the sun. Ranging from $2.50 to $20, with 2 day shipping, you’re bound to be ready for your next party platter. They also offer all 50 states as a set for $99.

Find it here: Cheap Cookie Cutters ($2 – $99)

Latitude Longitude Bracelet

Latitude Longitude Bracelet

Celebrate the place you proposed, or another significant location with the gift of a hand-forged silver bracelet with the latitude and longitude stamped into it. Ana Talukder painstakingly makes each one by hand. Along with bracelets, she also makes silver pendants, necklaces and cufflinks with your unique coordinates.

Find it here: Latitude Longitude Bracelet ($135 – $195)

[Update 2021: That item is no longer available. The great people at uncommon goods have a lot of other great stuff to offer, though, including online crafting classes.]

Folding Globe

Dymaxion Folding Globe Bundle

In 1946, Buckminster Fuller patented a map of Earth which presents geographic information without breaks in any of the continental contours, or any visible distortion of the relative shapes or sizes of the land masses. In 1954, the Dymaxion Projection as we know it today was hand drawn by architect, Shoji Sadao, the cartographer and collaborator behind the map. Designer Brendan Ravenhill has configured Fuller’s projection as a magnetic folding globe, a representation of Earth that easily transitions from flat to three dimensional. Fold it to form a geometric globe or unfold to reveal our flattened planet. $40 gives you three globes.

Find it here: Dymaxion Folding Globe Bundle ($40)

Cork Globe

Cork Globe

Spin through the memories of your past journeys and plan out future adventures in three-dimensional style with this interactive cork globe. Use the five red pushpins to mark the spots you cherish most, or even attach pictures, tickets, and mementos to relive the thrill of your trip all over again. Bringing a modern touch to your library or office, this personalized keepsake lets you celebrate the beauty beyond your backyard with every turn.

Find it here: Cork Globe ($48 – $105)

[Update 2021: That item is no longer available. The great people at uncommon goods have a lot of other great stuff to offer, though, including online crafting classes.]

Cutting Board

Cutting Board

This is a perfect gift for those who love to cook. Have a state shaped cutting board made at only $48 or a mini cutting board for $38. For no additional cost, you can have your favorite city in the state called out and for $4 you can have it engraved with a message. They also offer a state shaped ornament for $12.50.

Find it here: Cutting Board ($38 – $48)

Many Maps

Many Maps

Another artistic startup from Rachel Binx. Build highly customized wall art and posters of your home town and then create callout of your memories with markers. The nice part about Many Maps is you can create a map that accents the furniture and surroundings. Create posters, canvas and framed art in multiple sizes without breaking the budget. Your family or friends are sure to enjoy it.

Find it here: Many Maps ($19 – $85)