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Lab Manager characters Linda the Lab Manager and her team stand beneath the text "Lab Manager 2021 Holiday Gift Guide." They are exchanging presents and wearing various Christmas attire along with their lab coats.
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Ten STEM-Themed Holiday Gifts: 2021

In this year’s Lab Manager gift-giving guide, we highlight some of the “artier” options that celebrate science

by
Rachel Muenz

Rachel Muenz, managing editor for G2 Intelligence, can be reached at rmuenz@g2intelligence.com.

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STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)- or STEAM-themed gift options continue to expand every year with the available toys, games, clothing, and houseware only getting cooler and more diverse with each passing holiday season. This year, the Lab Manager team focused on gifts for a variety of budgets and age groups that either build key STEM skills or celebrate a love of STEM in a unique or beautiful way, bringing the “A” for “art” into the equation.  

1. Greenline Goods Science of Wine Etched Wine Glass 

Chosen by Lauren Everett, managing editor 

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For the wine and chemistry lover on your list, these stemless wine glasses showcase the structure of the molecules found in wine, allowing the recipient to celebrate both wine and science with every glass. If your loved ones prefer beer or whiskey, Science of Beer and Whiskey Glasses are also offered. Available at greenlinegoods.com. Price: $15.98 

2. Laurence King Bird Bingo 

Chosen by MaryBeth DiDonna, lab design editor 

Sixty-four illustrations by Christine Berrie will teach kids or adults about a variety of birds from all over the world in this unique take on the classic game of Bingo. If birds aren’t the gift recipient’s thing, there are a number of other versions available, including Dinosaur Bingo and Ocean Bingo. Available at laurenceking.com. Price: $29.95 

3. Kids Coloring Co Vegetable Garden Kit

Chosen by Rachel Muenz, senior digital content editor 

Though it will be a bit of a wait to use this gift depending on where you live, the kids on your list will learn all about planting and growing their own vegetable garden with this kit, as well as help supply your kitchen with fresh produce. Available at kidscoloringco.com. Price: $19.99 

4. Bill Nye's VR Science Kit 

Chosen by Andrea Cole, business coordinator 

If you want to share your love of Bill Nye with any children on your holiday gift list this year, this virtual reality (VR) kit offers them the chance to do more than 30 hands-on experiments. The set includes an 80-page book with interactive lessons, VR goggles, and a 50-piece set of materials for the various experiments. Available on abacusbrands.com. Price: $59.99 

5. Flora-L Print Notebooks and Fabric Products 

Chosen by Rachel Brown, scientific writer/coordinator 

If you’re looking for sustainable gift options, Flora-L offers a variety of notebooks and fabric products such as oven mitts, kitchen towels, bedding sets, and aprons printed with vibrant designs inspired by the microscopic patterns found inside plants. All of their products can be reused and recycled, so they are a gift to planet Earth as well. Though based in Sweden, they ship to all over the world. Available at flora-l.com. Price: Prices are in Swedish currency, but start around $14 US for a notebook.  

6. Mosby's Anatomy and Physiology Coloring Book, 2nd Edition 

Chosen by Michelle Dotzert, creative services manager 

When you want to color and learn about anatomy and physiology at the same time, this coloring book made up of 250 anatomy and physiology illustrations is a great option. The book also doubles as a study guide with case studies and activities accompanying the coloring pages to help you remember key concepts. Available at barnesandnoble.com. Price: $28.95 

7. Shenova Periodic Table Dress 

Chosen by Rachel Muenz, senior digital content editor 

Want to celebrate your love of science in style this year? Shenova offers a variety of science-inspired clothing designs, including this periodic table-themed dress. This garment is made of high-quality custom printed sport Lycra and is sewn on demand in the US. Reviews praise the fit of the dress as well as how easy it is to care for. Available at shenovafashion.com. Price: $199 

8. What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions 

Chosen by Andrea Cole, business coordinator 

In this book by Randall Munroe, creator of the popular webcomic xkcd and What If? blog, Munroe provides hilarious, yet science-based answers to his fans’ most interesting questions, such as, “If there was a robot apocalypse, how long would humanity last?” Each answer in the book also includes an xkcd comic. Available at amazon.com. Price: Starts at $13.50 

9. Quaternion Creations Programming / Web / Math Cross-Stitch Patterns 

Chosen by Rachel Brown, scientific writer/coordinator 

For those on the mathematics, web, or computer programming side of STEM who love to cross-stitch, Quaternion Creations offers digital cross-stitch patterns that celebrate these disciplines. Choose from a wide variety of options, including a portrait of mathematician Ada Lovelace and Merry Christmas in binary code. Available at happy-stitch.net. Price: Ranges from $1-5 

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10. Lab Manager Academy Certificate or Courses 

Whether for yourself, a friend, or a colleague, our new Lab Manager Academy program is the perfect gift option for improving laboratory management skills. Get your certificate in lab management by taking all 20 courses, which are divided into four tracks, or sign up on a course-by-course basis. The first track will be available soon, but you can register now to receive more information as it becomes available. Available at labmanager.com/academy. Price: Starts at $99 

Disclaimer: The products in this gift guide were chosen at the discretion of the Lab Manager team, and no additional compensation was received. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party in question. 

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