Adafruit Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Gifts for Mom and Dad!

It’s a personal theory of mine that parents often get the short end of the stick during the holiday season. They go out of their way (sometimes to a fault) to get you that magical, personal gift you’ve been dreaming of all year…and you return the favor by buying them the scarf from the bottom of the sale bin at the Department store on December 24th at 9pm. This year, make your parents feel appreciated and modern, and choose from one of our tech-themed gift suggestions below.


Available at Adafruit!



1530 LRG

Solder:Time Desk Clock: Make a sleek full featured, conversation starting desk clock. The Solder:Time™ Desk Clock is the latest addition to the Solder:Time kit family. The Solder Time Desk Clock (STDC) is a DIY soldering kit. You only need to provide some basic electronics tools; Solder iron, solder, screwdriver, some fine grit sandpaper and wire snips. We’ve pre-programmed the chip, so it’s ready to roll once assembled.

Itching to hack in some custom code or hardware? Bring it on! Designed with hack-a-bility in mind, the STDC is based on the same ATMega microprocessor used in the Arduino products. There are extra digital and analog pins broken-out, an open serial port as well as I2C all easily accessible within the case, as well as an integrated prototyping area on-board. Download the sketch from our web page, modify it, add extra hardware if that’s your thing, and WOW your friends (or the Internet) with your amazing add-ons. Download the sketch from our web page here.

Read More


1517 LRG

Glitch Scarf by Glitchaus: Remember when your NES would suddenly decide to scramble mid game? Our very own Jeff Donaldson, is a glitch art pioneer and creator of notendo. He’s also a designer whose practice is based on these bugs and glitches, such as this comfy glitched out winter-wear. Read More

Shop for more of Jeff Donaldson’s work here!


1514 LRG

USB 3-Way Charging Cable – iPhone 5/iPhone/iPad and MicroUSB:For charging nearly any kind of portable gadget, this 3-in-1 cable can handle it. Great for use with a Mintyboost, or our USB power packs (or just powering your projects). One USB-A jack splits into three connectors: Micro USB, iPhone/iPad/iPod 30pin (for older iDevices) and the newer Lightning (newer iDevices). Read More


1263 LRG

USB Flashdrive Cufflinks – 4 GB Storage: Look sophisticated all while storing 4,194,304 Kilobytes. These cufflinks will hold your clothes together and keep your data at hand. Perfect for Father’s day or for that geek who loves technology and needs to get dressed up for a special event. Read More


Asciiheart LRG

Ascii Heart Necklace: Show that you care with this geeky necklace depicting an ASCII heart, like you’d see in email or text messages! The pieces are laser-cut in Sterling silver, then hand soldered to silver tubes that hang from the 20″ curb chain. The necklace is polished and has a high-shine finish and is treated to reduce tarnishing. The pendant measures 1.5″ square, and the two pieces dangle freely with a silver bead between them. This necklace makes a great gift for any special occasion. Read More


Bipolarearrings LRG

Silver Bipolar Earrings – NPN / PNP: Perhaps we are a little BIASED, but we think that these silver earrings are the perfect mix of pretty and geeky. Made of quality sterling silver (not cheap BASE metal!), one drop has an NPN symbol stamped on it, the other a PNP. These are definitely not your COMMON electronics-themed jewelry. Simple and classic, they go with all the CURRENT fashion. When donning these, you will certainly GAIN a look of elegance! Read more


Wmshirtwm LRG

Engineering Shirt: Formulas and variables and integrals and derivatives: to the casual observer it looks like you’re doing MATH. But you’re NOT. Because when you solve for x, things EXPLODE. You’re doing ENGINEERING. Shirt created, designed and supplied by David Malki at wondermark!
Read More


Available Elsewhere!


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Nerd Herder gadget wallet from Rockitbot: This is the gift for the Dad whose pockets seem to resemble the magic bag from Mary Poppins. It not only performs all the normal functions of a wallet but, in a sleek, space-saving manner. It has room for all of your extra gadgets. — you can keep your SD card, iPhone, and jump drive next to your cash and your driver’s license. There’s even room for a digital camera. The wallet closes using an elastic band to ensure your devices stay safe and compact inside.


Screen Shot 2013 12 10 at 6 46 51 PM

The Art of Fixing Things, Principles of Machines, and How to Repair Them: 150 Tips and Tricks to Make Things Last Longer, and save You Money: This book, by Lawrence E. Pierce, is an extensive yet approachable guide for the parent with a DIY approach. It has guides and problem solving techniques for home and auto repair/maintenance. The photos accompanying the guides are clear and, we think, quite beautiful.


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Dash Greek Yogurt Maker: We’ve recently found that it’s hard to have a conversation about health and food these days that doesn’t involve Greek Yogurt. The invasion of the tasty, versatile, protein-packed dairy product came on slowly but strongly and it looks as though it’s here to stay. And we couldn’t be happier about it. This plastic yogurt maker has dishwasher safe accessories and includes a detailed recipe guide (because, how do you make yogurt?). This is a great gift for the health conscious maker/chef in your family.


Screen Shot 2013 12 10 at 7 22 35 PM

Jenga Tetris Game from Hasbro: JENGA! TETRIS! Does there exist a more perfect union in the world of family games? We think not.


SHIPPING DEADLINES

Here are your 2013 shipping deadlines for ordering from Adafruit. Please review our shipping section if you have specific questions on how and where we ship worldwide for this holiday season.

UPS ground (USA orders): Place orders by Friday 11am ET – December 13, 2013 – There is no guarantee that UPS Ground packages will arrive in time for Christmas.

UPS 3-day (USA orders): Place orders by Thursday 11am ET – December 19, 2013 – Arrive on 12/24/2013.

UPS 2-day (USA orders): Place orders by Friday 11am ET – December 20, 2013 – Arrive on 12/24/2013.

UPS overnight (USA orders): Place orders by Monday 11am ET – December 23, 2013 – Arrive on 12/24/2013.

UPS International: Place orders by Monday 11am ET – December 16, 2013. Can take up extra time due to worldwide delays and customs. Should arrive by 12/24/2013 or sooner.

Please note: We do not offer Saturday service for UPS.
Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013, Christmas, no UPS pickup or delivery service.
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, New Year’s Day, no UPS pickup or delivery service.

United States Postal Service, First Class and Priority (USA orders): Place orders by Friday – December 13, 2013 – Arrive by 12/24/2013 or sooner.

USPS First class mail international (International orders): Place orders by Friday – November 22, 2013. Can take up to 30 days ore more with worldwide delays and customs. Should arrive by 12/24/2013 or sooner, but not a trackable service cannot be guaranteed to arrive by 12/24/13.

USPS Express mail international(International orders): Place orders by Friday – December 13, 2013. Can take up to 15 days or more with worldwide delays and customs. Should arrive by 12/24/2013 or sooner.

Gift Certificates are always available at any time.

When in doubt contact us!


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