Searching for a Christmas gift for a special coder in your life? We asked our community members to tell us what they would most like to unwrap on Christmas morning. Here are the results!

1. Graphic T-Shirts

Love them or loathe them, graphic and slogan tees are here to stay. Why? Well, it turns out there really is a graphic t-shirt design for everyone. Otter in space? Check. Coding cat? Check. Entire book on a t-shirt? Yes!

If you want to give the gift that keeps on giving (well, giving body heat at least) here are a two of our favourite t-shirts for coders:

Debugging t-shirt

Does this t-shirt even need an explanation?

World’s Best Programmer T-Shirt 

Etsy is a goldmine for fun and festive t-shirts, but we couldn't resists including a cat-related one.

2. Games

Whoever said games are for kids was:

A) Sadly mistaken
and 

B) Probably very bored and miserable because they haven’t experienced the sheer joy that comes along with these gems.

Boardgames

Boardgames are a great way to take a screen break and spend some quality time together. Haz, Software Engineer and Cohort Lead at Northcoders, recommends Decrypto as something light but lots of fun. The goal? Teammates try to transmit secret codes without letting the opposing team intercept them.

Lego Nintendo System

We can't talk about toys without bringing up Lego. Splurge with the Lego Nintendo Entertainment System and give them a gift that will be as fun to build as it will be to have on their shelf.

Lego Plants

At a more accessible price, Lego has a whole range of flowers and plants that will never die, even if the coder you know gets too caught up debugging to remember to water them.

3. Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

As virtually every programmer knows all too well, open plan offices and chatty coworkers be a huge distraction, with peak distractibility usually coinciding with the time your VIP (very important project) is due in. 

Wireless noise cancelling headphones are a modern miracle and a fantastic solution to this problem. Loads of our students swear by popping on a pair of these high-tech headphones to get into a ‘flow state’ — a mental state of complete immersion in an activity where it’s possible to be at your most productive and creative. 

Whether your loved one finds their ‘flow zone’ in jazz, classical or even techno, gifting a pair of these headphones for Christmas is certain to win you some serious brownie points.

Splurge: Bose QuietComfort Over-Ear Wireless Headphones

These super-stylish Bose QuietComfort headphones are loaded with cool features, including built-in Google Assistant and Alexa, wireless connectivity and the company's famed noise-cancellation technology. If you're serious about headphones (and concentration) they won't let you down when it comes times for gifts to be unwrapped on Christmas Day.   

Save: Sony Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Cancelling Headphones

You don't need to spend hundreds of pounds to get your hands on a quality pair of noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds. JBL noise-cancelling earbuds, currently £39, will do the trick too.

4. Oodie

Recommended by Verity, Software Engineer and Seminar Lead, an oodie will help them stay cozy and warm all day. You can even get a matching one for their dog!

5. Stocking Fillers for Coders

Here are a few handy gizmos and gadgets recommended by our teaching team!

- USB Hub

- Aerobie Aeropress Coffee Maker 

Coding is hard work, they deserve a coffee break!

- USB Desk Fan  

- Cute Memo Pads

This is perfect a perfect way to add some fun to their paper notes and reminders.

- Great Reads

Effective JavaScript

Effective JavaScript brings together tips, techniques, and realistic code examples to explain the important concepts in JavaScript. A must for anyone who wants to write more portable, robust and maintainable applications and libraries. 

Professor Frisby’s Mostly Adequate Guide to Functional Programming

First off, let's take a moment or two to admire the title of this book. It feels pretty special, doesn't it. Well, it is! Recommended by our Chief Operating Officer, Sam, Professor Frisby's Mostly Adequate Guide to Functional Programming is a book on the functional paradigm in general, using the world's most popular programming: JavaScript. The perfect stocking filler for any programmer! 

Cooking for Programmers

Have some fun with this unique cookbook! Recommended by Nicola, HR Advisor, Cooking for Programmers is written in code and perfect to learn new programming languages in a tasty way.

Happy Holidays Coders!

We hope you enjoyed our Christmas gift picks for coders.

Want to become a coder yourself? Find out more about our award-winning coding bootcamps!