25 Holiday Gifts for Women Architects (2019)
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With the holiday coming, I want to share with you 25 holiday gifts for women architects.
When I look through gift ideas for architects, it’s always these knickknacks that people think what an architect want.
But not what we really want in real life.
Do we really need a lego set or a black t-shirt that says I’m an architect?
So I’ve put together a list of gift ideas for architects. These are things that either I love using as an architect or things on my wish list to get.
Ready? Let the gifting begin.
Office Essentials for Architects
01. Minimalism Art, Dotted Paper Classic Notebook Journal
Every architect needs a sketchbook and everyone’s favorite sketchbook is Moleskine.
But if I tell you I found a cheaper alternative with the same quality...
I’ve been using this Minimal Art journal for a few months now, and I ABSOLUTELY love it!
The dotted paper is perfect for my vague attempt on bullet journaling and the occasional sketches that we need to explain our ideas at work.
They have it in many colors. My favorite one is this bright yellow - it just brightens up my day in a sea of grey in my office. But you can always go with black to be safe.
And remember - always get the dotted paper.
02. Muji Gel Ink Ball Point Pen, Black
With a good sketchbook, you have to pair it with a good pen.
Now asking architects what their favorite pens are is like opening a can of worms.
So I’ll simply tell you what mine is - the Muji Pen!
It doesn’t bleed through thin paper and write so well on the Minimal Art journal.
I have to say it’s very pointy - not the best pen for smooth sketching especially on trace paper.
But it’s great for everyday note-taking and task tracking.
03. Copic Markers
Speaking on pens, it’s been my dream to have these Copic markers since I was in college.
But the frugality in me still won’t let me buy it given the high price tag.
So I can only sneak in at my design director’s desk to use her markers when I need them.
They’re good for sketching out quick ideas and sometimes we even present them at the client meetings. Yes, we still sketch in this day and age of realistic renderings.
If you’re oh so generous to the architect, I can assure you any design architect would love to have a set of this at their desk.
04. Muji Business Card Holder
If you haven’t realized that I’m a Muji friend yet, here’s another little gift from Muji.
I’ve been using this business card holder for as long as I’ve been working.
And it’s still in perfect shape. It fits the right amount of cards and has just the right minimal look.
Stop stuffing your business cards in your wallet.
Now you can have the perfect look when you pull out of your business card at meetings and conferences.
05. Poppin Desk Set
I’ve always wanted one of these to use at my home office.
Who doesn’t love Poppin for stationary? Especially the usually super organized architect.
They come in many pastel colors - but if you want to be safe, white is perfect for any architect!
06. Chemex Coffee Maker
The rumor is true - as architects, we can’t live without coffee.
If you only get one thing out of this entire gift list for architects, you have to get the Chemex coffee maker.
I got one from my office white elephant once, and I’ve fallen in love.
Not only does it look good on your counter top, it just makes the coffee morning ritual feels so much more relaxing.
It makes drinking coffee feels good. Who knew drinking coffee can even feel better than it already is!
07. Cass Tea Gaiwan TEAMAKER N°1
Now that we got coffee cover, you can’t forget the tea lovers like me.
Cass Tea is actually one of my little side hustles.
It doesn’t make a lot of sales, but it lets me share my love of tea with others.
We hand-sourced the loose leaf tea from China and flew them back to the U.S. with us in a suitcase.
We also source our tea ware from fellow designers and make sure they have great quality as well as design sense!
This Tea Maker N°1 in particular is designed by Manual in Chicago. I love his work and it’s a great way to support fellow artists and designers.
Plus it’d be the easiest Loose Leaf Tea Brewer you’ll ever need.
08. Heath Ceramics Coffee Mugs
Speaking of coffee and tea, my favorite mugs are from Heath Ceramics.
I don’t know about you, but if I’ve all the money in the world, I’d buy everything they ever make for my kitchen.
They have different mugs you can choose from - I like this one in particular because you can stack them in a cabinet!
They make tiles for floor and wall that look so amazing too!
*I’m not affiliated with Heath Ceramics, but seriously I want you to try their mug and let me know how good it feels in your hand.
09. Ipad Pro & Apple Pencil
If you want to go all out, I’d give the gift of the Ipad Pro with the love of Apple pencil.
Having an Ipad pro changed my life.
It lets me pull up drawings on the job site so easily.
I can fearlessly redline any drawings on Bluebeam anywhere - like in my bed.
At team meetings, we can collaboratively draw up sketches and take notes on it without printing out anything. Saving paper?!
This is no doubt a big purchase, but if you’re looking to spoil your architect this holiday, this will definitely be the perfect gift.
10. Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager
As architects, we’re always working long hours at the computer.
Most of us have either back pain or neck pain.
Or like me all of the above.
If I had a bad day at work, I’d use this massager to relax when I come home from work.
If I had a huge headache from my neck pain that day, I use this to help release the tension before sleep.
I’ve recommended this to so many of my friends and families and they all LOVED it!
Workwear for Architects
11. Xena Workwear
This is my best find of the year so far.
If you’re like me, I’ve been in search of a pair of good-looking construction boots FOREVER.
Everything either makes you look like you have big feet or too uncomfortable to walk in for hours on the job site.
I always wonder if we can have safety, comfort, and style altogether...
Until I came across Xena Workwear on Instagram. Their oh-so-cute shoes are ASTM Certified & OSHA Compliant!
They’re doing a $15 off holiday promotion from 11/28 to 12/13.
I’m getting myself a pair for the holiday, will you?
*I’m not affiliated with Xena, but their shoes are just too cute to pass.
12. Brew Watch Retrograph
My friend, Jonathan Ferrer, over at Brew watch is a super duper talented designer.
Most of his watch designs are unisex - and I actually think this specific Retrograph looks great on women!
I have this exact watch in black with black leather and it works perfectly with my daily architect outfit!
He also has a super good looking Instagram if you want to check out all his pieces at once.
*I’m not affiliated with Brew watch - I’m just absolutely inspired by Jon’s amazing talent as a watch designer!
13. Filson Tin Cloth Backpack
I’ve been using this backpack daily for almost 4 years now and it’s still good as new.
It fits my laptop and my lunchbox or anything else that you’d need to bring to your office.
I also use it as my on-the-go backpack for a short trip over a weekend.
It’s super durable and Filson also offers lifetime warranty - they will fix it for free no matter what happens!
Their price might be hefty at first, but knowing that this is a lifetime asset that I’ll never throw away it was well worth it.
*I’m not affiliated with Filson, but I absolutely love their products.
14. Lui Lui Made Jewelry
I recently launched a new jewelry shop called Lui Lui Made.
I started this because I really needed a creative outlet to dig myself out of a burnout from work.
And clay-making seems to check all the boxes.
I personally design and make them all by hand with lots of love!
15. Heavy Duty Tote Bag
Every architect needs a heavy-duty tote bag to:
Tote our samples for a design presentation across town
Carry all the 11x17 paper decks to an LPC meeting
Bring a change of clothes and sneakers to the gym at lunchtime without anyone knowing I’m going to the gym (shh...)
They can even double as a grocery bag to save plastic bags. Who doesn’t love that?
16. Jo Rae Go Jewelry
One of my coworkers, Rachel, own this jewelry company called Jo Rae Go.
This Shingo style is my favorite, because it’s architectural yet elegant.
They’re great with day-to-day office look, or as a statement piece to a cocktail party!
*I’m not affiliated with Jo Rae Go, but her designs are so pretty I can’t resist to share.
Books for Architects
17. 101 Things I Learned in Architecture School
This is by far one of my favorite architecture books.
I remember this book came out when I was in architecture school - I ran to Barnes and Noble to buy it when it came out.
Every architecture student should have this book. Not just for the education value, but for the humor and good illustration.
Whenever I feel down and wonder why I put myself in this difficult profession, I flip through this book to find new perspective and inspiration.
18. Design Your Self
I first read this book back in 2011 when I first graduated school.
I was lost and didn’t know what I wanted to do, so my friend recommended this book to me.
From the first page, I was hooked.
This book is from 2006, but a lot of the lessons still apply to today’s world.
I encourage everyone to read it especially you’re just lost fresh out of school like I was.
19. Materials Structure Standards
This is one of my books that I keep at my desk at a daily basis.
I reference it so many times when I just have a quick question about a drawings convention, or a bathroom layout.
My professor gifted our class this book when we graduated from architecture school.
This is the perfect gift for a recent graduate who’re still learning all these things in real world architecture!
Somthing Not Physical for Architects
20. MoMA Artist Membership
If you’re a museum lover like me and live in/near NYC, this membership is a steal.
For only $35, you get unlimited admission to MoMA & MoMA PS1.
Plus many other special benefits, like exclusive previews of exhibitions and gallery talks.
If your architect also works as an artist, for sure get him/her this membership.
*I’m not affiliated with MoMA, but who doesn’t love going to MoMA?
22. Young Architect Conference 2020
Whatever you think an architectural conference is, this conference will change it.
If you're like me...
You're an introvert and going to conferences drains you out, but this is worth spending your energy going.
You're not a spontaneous person, but isn't it time to try something new in 2020?
You usually don't plan for something this early in advance, but the deal is too good to pass up.
I assure you that this will be worth it.
Why?
Because this is what happens after you attend the YAC:
Learn so much about how to succeed in your career - rather than some vendor's window system.
Be so freaking inspired that you will start something new with unlimited supports from a private FB group.
Meet a community of people that are so determined together to change this profession.
They’re doing a limited time sale for the tickets, so grab it before the price goes up!
*I’m not affiliated with Young Architect, but I love that they’re building a community of young architects that are changing this profession.
23. ARE Bootcamp
I didn’t personally take the ARE Bootcamp, as I’ve finished most of my exams when this started.
But I’ve heard amazing things from everyone who’ve been through this bootcamp.
This is great for anyone that needs accountability and support to finish their ARE journey.
*I’m not affiliated with Young Architect, but I love Mike’s mission in creating successful architect through the ARE exams.
24. Amber Book
If any one of you are taking the ARE 5.0, you’ve heard of the Amber book.
I used this online course for my last two exams - PPD & PDD and passed in my first try.
If you’ve struggling with 5.0, I highly recommend using this.
For Black Friday only, they’re doing a $170 off with the code AMBERBLACK.
I’ve never seen them go on sale, so grab it before it goes away!
*I’m not affiliated with Amber Book, but the course truly works!
25. Charity Donation
Recently I’ve lost my dog, Jinjin, that we adopted back in March from Wise Animal Rescue.
So I want to contribute back to them a little bit.
Wise Animal Rescue is dedicated to rescue animals that are either sick or senior, and they’ve done a good job at it.
I know this has nothing to do with architecture, but I think this will be a great gift if your architects love animals as much as I do!
They’ve a few ways for you to contribute:
This is just an example. The idea here is to donate to whoever feels closest to your heart for this holiday!
Now It’s Your Turn!
Now we’ve rounded up 25 holiday gifts for women architects.
Tell us in the comment below
What do YOU want for X’mas? Is there anything on this list that you’d want for X’mas?
From here at the Women Architect Collective, I wish everyone have a happy holiday!
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