Look no further if you're stumped on what gift to get your UX designer friend or colleague for Secret Santa this year. We've updated our list of fun and thoughtful gifts from last year and added even more ideas that should appeal to anyone who works in user experience. From cool office supplies to quirky gadgets, there's something for everyone on this list. So treat your favourite UX designer to something special this Christmas!
Mobile UI/UX Design Notebook: (White) User Interface & User Experience Design Sketchbook
£6.39 from Amazon
Available from Amazon, some of the reviews aren't entirely glowing, but for a Secret Santa gift, there were enough good reviews to suggest this would be perfect for a budget of under £10!
"Great quality paper and a nice gift."
"I always sketch out my app design windows before doing so in the development tool. So this product is great, makes it easier to reach a decisive look before doing so on a computer."
"I used this UX notebook for multiple projects. I love it."
With 120 pages of dot grid paper, this is one of the more practical gifts but wrapped neatly, it would still be very appealing!
Pantone Tritan Drinking Bottle - Pride
£31.67 from Pantone
We loved the idea of this UX gift. Fantastic colours and while the price has nearly doubled since last year 😲we wanted to include it again as with Pride at the heart of the concept and the aesthetics of the design we felt this was a fantastic gift to help promote diversity within UX teams whilst adding a little zing of colour to the office desk! What UX designer, or any designer for that matter, wouldn't love this as a present - and if you get in quick this weekend there are some black Friday deals to be had!
Personalised UX letters necklace
From £5-£100+ from Etsy
For the jewellery-loving UX designer? Why not go for a discreet ode to their profession? With many jewellery companies offering personalised initials, you can find a necklace or charm bracelet to suit any Secret Santa budget! We've linked you here to Etsy but really you could find a suitable option from any jewellery store. This gift would be appreciated by a passionate UX designer who really loves to look good!
UI vs UX Designer Throw Pillow
£13.90 from Redbubble.com
This funny comparison of UI and UX designers based on Ketchup tubes is sure to raise a smile this Christmas and at under £20 it's within most secret Santa budgets! In fact this year this gift is even cheaper than last year too. Redbubble have this concept in several different products so if a cushion isn't your UX design colleague's thing then you'll probably find an alternative that does work!
Keyboard Stickers with Figma Shortcuts
$14 from Sketchkeys.com
Give your UX design colleague the gift of time! With these time-saving keyboard shortcuts, they can spend more minutes on better research or a coffee! They might also discover new features they didn't know about before!
Sketchkeys provides these sticker shortcuts for other professional tools, too, so it's not just limited to Figma, and with free shipping, this made an excellent gift for any UX designer.
Ergonomic Mouse Pad with Wrist Support
£12.69 from Amazon
For those UX designers who spend hours in front of their computer, an ergonomic mouse pad with built-in wrist support can be a lifesaver. We liked this one from Kensington; not only does it offer functional benefits by reducing strain, but it also adds a touch of style to their workspace.
Digital Art Subscription Box
From €14.50 per month from Envato Elements
Unless you feel particularly flush this Christmas this might not be the best option for a Secret Santa. However, we loved the idea of a gift like this and couldn't resist including it in our additional ideas for 2023. Subscriptions are all the rage after all!
For the UX designer who loves to stay creative and inspired, a subscription to a digital art box can be a unique and exciting gift. These subscription services provide monthly access to digital assets like fonts, icons, UI kits, and design templates, which can be cancelled at any point. This gift might be perfect for a hard to buy for UX UI designer friend or loved one given the ongoing cost but it's a thoughtful and practical gift.
We hope our updated and extended 2023 UX design gift list has given you some ideas for this Christmas! And if you need help with your UX recruitment issues (maybe not present issues), please get in touch.
We wish you all a happy and design-filled Christmas season!
