DH's gifts for thought 2024
Issue 222: Holiday gift ideas for your loved ones (or yourself)
It’s that time of year when we ask ourselves, “How is it December already?” It’s the time of year when many are recharging over the holiday season. When think of gifts for friends and loved ones, I try to focus them an item that can inspire them to do creative work. If you’re like me, this guide will help you find the perfect item for the digital software makers in your life, or a treat to gift yourself. Let’s look at the 2024 edition of DH’s gifts for thought.
General analog shopping
As technology advances, I believe working analog and great draftsmanship is a skill that’ll withstand the test of time. It’s rather ironic that despite working in AI, my core workflow is physical. Before sharing specific items, I’d like to share my four favorite online stores that sell physical goods for creativity.
Ugmonk
I first was introduced to Jeff Sheldon’s incredible tools for thought with the Analog Cards. Since then, I continue to buy the incredible products, including the new Disc Journal for concept drawings. Ugmonk is based in Downington, PA and I love the story of the company.
Murdy Creative
This company was recommended to me by a friend on Twitter. Founded by Colin and Leah Murdy in 2018, this duo are dedicated to making products that are crafted to last a lifetime. In recent years I’ve made a conscious effort optimize to buy it for life, and these leather products fit the bill.
JetPens
My go-to generalist store for stationary and sketching supplies is JetPens, especially when I’m experimenting with new methods. They started in 2005 with the Hi-Tec-C, a classic Japanese fine-tip gel pen and has since expanded broadly.
Baron Fig
I know this store sounds like a super villain from Captain America, but they have incredible creative goods. Their mission is to help people do their best thinking and I’ve been using their products since I was at One Medical. Baron Fig has a nice variety of pens, journals, and workbooks to help you think.
Gifts for drawing and sketching
LAMY Safari
I’m an enthusiast of assorted pens, but my all-time great is the LAMY Safari fountain pen. Whether it’s writing, diagraming, or sketching, the pen allows the best control with a balance of a gel pen familiarity with a fountain pen aesthetic. It’s also Tony Fadell, the godfather of the iPod and iPhone’s favorite pen.
Copic Markers
Copic has been a trusted brand for me since the art school days. If you ever wonder how I do the shading and color on my sketches for Proof of Concept, it is from these incredible markers.
Strategist Index Cards
The Baron Fig Strategist Index Cards have one quality that lacks on your classic index cards—dot grid. I love using these cards to storyboard and mapping things out. They are great to give to clients as reference materials.
iPhone + iPad accessories
Apologies to non-Apple users for this section. However, some of these are compatible with other devices so it’s worth listing as a section. The products below are essentials for any travel.
MOFT Snap Phone Tripod Stand
I’ve never owned a case or wallet for my iPhone, but this tripod stand is by far the best phone accessory I’ve ever owned.
Compass Pro tablet stand by twelve south
Whenever I travel, I bring the Compass Pro with me. It’s a versatile tablet stand for my iPad or Kindle. I write on the tablet primarily with an external keyboard and this tablet stand gives the utmost flexibility on angles and optimal for drawing.
Keys-To-Go 2 by Logitech
Logitech is the Toyota of tech accessories—the right amount of reliability for what you pay for. I did not like the first generation of Keys-To-Go but the second generation is stellar. This set of keys are battery powered to last many years and small enough to stash anywhere. I've even used it to write on my iPhone and Tripod stand when I'm feeling ultra portable.
Software
Raycast Pro
Command-K is synonymous with productivity, and Raycast is at the center of that. I met Thomas Paul Mann when we both were in Tokyo in 2018 for try!Swift.
Replit Core Membership
Full disclosure: I used to work at Replit. However, I highly recommend the product for people looking for the simplest way to make software. It’s ridiculously simple with the Replit Agent. Now when that family member says, "I have an app idea," tell them to build it themselves with the gift of Replit Core. This deal ends in a few hours so get it now.
Horse Browser
I switch to Horse when The Browser Company announced they would no longer be iterating on Arc. Though I admire the folks at Browser, Pascal is the last of a remaining breed of indie software makers who are rare these days. I’m enjoying this browser for research purposes and the file tree structure helps my neurodiverse brain remember things.
Honorable mentions
If you need more ideas, here’s a list of unsorted products I love:
Happy shopping
This year, give the gift of creativity. Whether you get a few of these for the loved ones in your life or treating yourself, I hope these items will spark your project ideas!
50% off Proof of Concept
Starting today until December 15, 2024, I’m offering 50% off on the annual paid newsletter of Proof of Concept. I’m grateful for all the paid subscribers who add additional accountability to run the newsletter throughout the years. One of my goals is to increase paid subscribers this year.
P.S. Many subscribers leverage their L&D budget for newsletter subscriptions—worth looking into.
Hyperlinks + notes
A collection of references for this post, updates, and weekly reads.