Secret Santa: super remote edition

December 5, 2014 6:35 PM

Another secret Santa question...but I'm a remote employee, and so is my recipient (who I've never met, and who is relatively new to the company). Literally all I know about Recipient is what field his/her PhD is in (something science-y). $25-ish limit (maybe a bit more). Ideas please?
posted by devotion+doubt to Shopping (14 answers total)

Could you let us know what field it is specifically?
posted by sciencegeek at 6:41 PM on December 5, 2014

Something very local or regional to you? Like local food (wine?) or a local artistian. Ornaments or a small (non-religious) xmasy decor item are my fall back - esp if I can get something both local and xmasy.
posted by saucysault at 6:43 PM on December 5, 2014

What kinds of things do YOU enjoy getting if the tables were reversed?

While I know they're deeply unpopular on the Green, gift cards are perfect for this. You really can't blow it with an Amazon gift card.

Another, Quansar-type oriented gift would be a shoebox full of things that are specific to your locality. So, being in Georgia, I might send peach jam, pecans, Vidalia onion relish, a paper hat from The Varsity and an Atlanta Dream pennant.

Like, that, there.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:44 PM on December 5, 2014

Most all of the PhD's I know are high energy astronomers, and I bet they would like PhD comics since they post them on Facebook frequently. But like sciencegeek suggests, knowing your recipient's field would be helpful.
posted by Rob Rockets at 6:45 PM on December 5, 2014

I am paranoid that my recipient may be reading this, but I think I can safely disclose that their PhD is in cell biology.
posted by devotion+doubt at 6:46 PM on December 5, 2014

I often turn to Kaufmann Mercantile for stumpers like this -- their things are very well made, it's unlikely that the recipient already has a [whatever it is], there are products to appeal to folks across a pretty wide range of interests/personalities, and some of the quirkier items are actually kinda fun.

Here's their list of gift ideas under $25 (and here's the 'Office' category; their brass things are especially nice).
posted by argonauta at 6:47 PM on December 5, 2014

Subscription to Scientific American, here
posted by H21 at 6:49 PM on December 5, 2014

Ooh, then how about a small print about cell biology from a vintage/antique textbook? Quick examples, like this or this or this...
posted by argonauta at 6:56 PM on December 5, 2014

Sugru! Along with something else.
posted by barnone at 7:02 PM on December 5, 2014

Another option would be to get something that's useful for almost anyone, like a really nice travel mug (paired with some tea or coffee, if you know or can discover what they drink). Or, if they work at home, a really nice ceramic mug with beverage. Basically, an everyday, useful item just a liiittle bit nicer than what you'd usually buy for yourself.
posted by snorkmaiden at 8:30 PM on December 5, 2014

Amazon gift card or SBUX gift card.
posted by discopolo at 10:06 PM on December 5, 2014

This is more "cute desk swag" than a practical gift, but have you considered a few well-selected Giant Microbes?
posted by spelunkingplato at 11:23 PM on December 5, 2014

A beaker or erlenmeyer mug can be a nice thing .
posted by sciencegeek at 2:33 AM on December 6, 2014

I second snorkmaiden's idea.

If your recipient has recently finished their PhD in addition to being new to the company (and is anything like me, who fits this profile, but not the remote employee or cell bioligy), any sort of quality everyday item would be appreciated.
posted by hoyland at 9:12 AM on December 6, 2014