Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time to get serious about your holiday shopping. It also means it’s time for our annual holiday gift guide!
If you’re not sure what to buy for your favorite geo geek, read on — you may even find something you’d like for yourself (in which case, we recommend directing your friends and family to this page)! The gifts on this list start at just $18, so there’s something for every budget.
Gift ideas for geography lovers
Decorative Rotating Globe
These seemingly magical creations rotate continuously, powered by ambient light — no batteries or power cords required. The hand-assembled globes are available in a dozen color schemes, from traditional green and blue to antique beige to silver and black (as well as more than 30 other non-terrestrial designs), and several different sizes to fit your budget. Mova globes are a unique gift that is sure to impress any recipient — geographically inclined or otherwise.
Find it here: Mova globes (Starting at $125)
Scratch-Off Map for Travelers
If your geo geek has a passport full of stamps, they will likely enjoy this scratch map! The poster-sized map features a gold foil top layer that can be scratched off to reveal the geography below. World travelers can uncover each country as they visit and relive their adventures with this interactive art.
Find it here: Scratch map ($23)
Bronzed Keepsake Keyring
Give a loved one a practical, portable reminder of their most cherished location. Featuring the coordinates of your choice, this bronze keyring is hand-cast and the map is topped with resin, which creates a dome that magnifies the image of their favorite spot. For an extra $25, you can include an engraved personal message.
Find it here: Bronze map keyring ($105-$130)
Hand-Stitched Quilt
These cozy quilts make an unforgettable gift, whether your recipient chooses to use it for warmth or just decoration. Select a favorite coast or city (or a Dymaxion quilt), or you can buy a kit for $38 and sew one yourself. The quilts can also be personalized with a name, initials, date or a marker denoting a particularly special address.
Find it here: Map quilts ($219 and up)
Wearable Maps
Put any city, state, or country (or the whole world) on a t-shirt, hoodie, or headwear as a wearable reminder of someplace special for your geo geek (pillows also available). Just go to MapOnShirt.com and choose your location, your item, and a color scheme and start building your custom creation.
Find it here: MapOnShirt ($20 and up)
Hometown Puzzle
For a gift that’s as entertaining as it is thoughtful, check out these hometown puzzle maps. The 400-piece puzzle covers the 7.5 x 5-mile area surrounding the address of your choice, giving your recipient a whole new perspective on their city —and hours of enjoyment! Put it in a personalized wooden keepsake box for another $40.
Find it here: My Town Puzzle ($40)
Oxford Atlas of the World
Updated for 2017, the 24th edition of the Oxford Atlas of the World will make a perfect addition to your geographer’s coffee table. The 11.4” x 14.6” book boasts 448 pages of stunning cartography, graphs, and photos, including stunning new satellite images and extensive front-matter data that reflects recent economic, political, and climatic changes.
Find it here: Atlas of the World ($90)
Globe Whiskey Decanter
If the geo geek on your list is also a whiskey aficionado, we found the perfect gift: an elegant globe whiskey decanter! The etched globe spins on its mahogany stand to promote aeration and allow the spirit’s flavor and aroma to develop. If you’re feeling generous, you can add matching etched globe whiskey glasses to your order.
Find it here: Whiskey decanter ($50)
Wood-Carved Topographic Map
For the sea-loving map junkie, check out these gorgeous wood-carved charts. These keepsake items from Nautical North Wooden Charts are handcrafted in Sarasota, Florida and feature your recipient’s favorite coastline or body of water. Available as a clock, serving tray or cribbage board.
Find it here: Wooden map ($99 and up)
Geography Card Game
For the next-generation geographer, GeoPlunge is an educational gift that’s also a lot of fun. Each box contains 5 decks of cards and a variety of fast-paced games for kids age 5 and up (don’t be fooled — some of the games require some rather advanced logic). Players learn about U.S. geography, including state capitals, birds, history, flags, size and much more.
Find it here: GeoPlunge ($18)
Geographic Organization Membership
For the geography lover who has everything, why not buy a membership to a geographical organization? Members of these associations enjoy learning and networking opportunities, informative newsletter and magazine subscriptions, and financial perks like discounted admission to events and access to research and teaching grants. Try the American Geographical Society, the American Association of Geographers or the Royal Geographical Society. ($55 and up)
We hope you’ll find something here that the geographer on your list will treasure for years to come. Happy holidays from all of us here at Spatial Networks!