The holidays are here, and finding the perfect gift for a remote worker in tech can feel like solving a tricky puzzle, especially if you’ve left it to the last minute.
But don’t worry, we’ve got your back.
To make gifting easy, we tapped into our community of remote workers in tech and even snagged a few favorites from productivity gurus like Wes Kao and Tim Ferriss. This list is packed with gifts your tech-savvy friend or colleague will actually love to receive.
Ready to find a gift that wows? Let’s dive in!
Note: the links used in this article are not affiliate links, and Arc does not officially endorse any of the specific products mentioned.
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Home office upgrade
A great home office isn’t just about looks; it’s about creating a space where focus and comfort come naturally. For remote workers in tech, the right setup can mean the difference between staying productive or fighting distractions all day.
The good news? You can help with thoughtful, practical gifts. Here are a couple of Wes Kao’s personal favorites (so good she even bought one for her parents):
- Adjustable phone stand: A minimalist and sleek phone stand is perfect for video calls or watching content hands-free.
- Rain Design mStand for laptops: A durable and elegant laptop stand elevates remote workers’ screen and work-from-home experience.
Remote work lifestyle
Gifts that improve a remote worker’s setup aren’t just thoughtful; they show that you care about their comfort and success. These gifts can mean fewer distractions, better health, and make them feel their challenges are seen and supported.
It’s a thoughtful way to invest in their happiness and long-term success. Here are two favorites from Wes Kao and Tim Ferriss to improve remote work lifestyle:
- Heating pad: A cozy gift for chilly days, an XL heating pad keeps feet and hands warm or provides soothing heat for relaxation. It’s a favorite of Wes’s for staying warm during the winter.
- Electric kettle: Perfect for tea, coffee, or any hot drink, the Corvo EKG Electric Kettle heats quickly and offers precise temperature control. Tim loves it for its precision temperature control and quick heating.
Clothes and accessories (because video calls)
Help your favorite remote worker step up their Zoom game with some stylish, camera-ready clothing. The right outfit doesn’t just look good it can increase confidence and make those endless virtual meetings a little more bearable.
Here are a few thoughtful gifts:
- T-shirts: Not your average freebies—think witty slogans, subtle pop culture nods, or a classic, simple design that screams “effortlessly cool.”
- Merino wool shirts: Perfect for travelers or anyone who values comfort with style, superfine merino wool shirts are lightweight, breathable, and wrinkle-resistant for busy days.
- Bombas gripper socks: Wes Kao’s absolute favorite; these are the only socks she wears. Comfortable, high-quality, and perfect for warm, secure feet, these socks feature fun patterns and gripper soles for slippery floors. Plus, every purchase helps someone in need.
- Glerups slip-ons: Tim Ferriss swears by these cozy indoor slip-ons during winter. They’re warm, comfortable, and stylish enough for all-day wear around the house.
Read More: 5 Virtual Team Building Ideas for Remote Workers (& Why It’s Important)
Creature comforts, please
We’re hoping that the suggestion of medicated neck patches to fix neck soreness from long hours of working was a joke. But here’s the truth: working in an uncomfortable environment can lead to injuries.
This festive season, why not help a remote worker design a space that actually supports their work (and their well-being)? Here’s what you can gift them to feel a little more comfortable and a lot more productive:
- Standing desk: Let them switch up their posture and avoid sitting all day with IKEA’s budget-friendly model.
- Cable management system: Tidy up their workspace and avoid the chaos of tangled cords with Velcro’s One-Wrap. Simple, effective, and easy on the wallet.
- PSO-RITE: A Tim Ferriss favorite, this tool targets tough-to-reach muscles to relieve lower back pain from hours of sitting.
Bulletproof your battlestation
When your work depends on your computer, protecting it is non-negotiable. Nobody wants to lose an entire day (or week) to a coffee spill or power surge. That’s why practical gifts for safeguarding a remote worker’s setup are always a win.
Here are a few ideas to keep their gear safe and sound:
- Laptop protective case: A must for guarding against scratches and drops. For MacBooks, the Tech21 case is tough, snug, and reliable.
- Surge protector: Belkin and Monster power strips are lifesavers, protecting devices from unexpected voltage spikes while keeping cords organized.
- External SSD: LaCie’s rugged SSDs are built to survive drops, bumps, and even splashes. Go for one with Thunderbolt 3 support for speedy backups.
Read More: 5 Reasons Why Your Engineering Management Style Isn’t Working
Time to unwind
One of the biggest challenges of remote work isn’t getting started; it’s knowing when to stop!
When the boundaries between work and home blur, it’s easy to keep going long after the workday is over. But everyone needs time to rest and recharge.
Help your favorite remote worker step away from the screen with these thoughtful gifts:
- Sleep mask: Perfect for those much-needed naps to reset and refresh during a long day.
- A great book: Choose something unrelated to work—a gripping novel, an inspiring memoir, or a feel-good story.
- Coaching sessions: Give them a chance to explore something new, like learning an instrument, picking up a language, or mastering a creative tool like Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Audible subscription: A perfect gift for those who prefer unwinding with audiobooks, whether relaxing at home or on the go.
- Pod 4 Ultra by Eight Sleep: This transformed Tim Ferriss’s sleep, and it could do the same for your remote worker. This mattress cover adjusts to the perfect temperature, tracks sleep stages and heart rate, and even warms up cold beds.
Quiet or loud (but nothing in between)
Finding the perfect gift for a remote worker in tech can feel like decoding their flow state: some thrive on noise, while others guard their silence like it’s their secret sauce. The key? Know your recipient well before diving into audio-related gifts.
Here are some thoughtful ideas to make their remote workday a little better:
- Music streaming subscription: For those who love background tunes while working, a paid Spotify subscription is a great way to inspire their creativity.
- Noise-canceling headphones: A must-have for blocking out distractions. Bose and Sony offer top-notch options, but if you’re keeping it budget-friendly, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid delivers excellent comfort and sound quality.
- Headphones with a mic: If they spend a lot of time on calls, choose a pair with quality headphones. Their colleagues will thank you.
Read More: Developer Retention: How to Keep Your Software Developers Happy
Time for a change of scenery?
Remote work is amazing until it isn’t. If your remote worker shows signs of cabin fever, it might be time to help them switch up their routine. A little change of scenery can go a long way for productivity and sanity.
Here are two thoughtful gifts to give them a break from the home office:
- Co-working space subscription: A perfect escape from the home-office bubble. It offers a fresh environment to work in, plus some casual networking opportunities to keep things social.
- Digital business card: Make networking effortless with a sleek, customizable digital business card. It’s an easy way for them to share their contact info and stay organized while connecting with others.
Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize
People will stare, make it worth their while.
Harry Winston
People will stare, make it worth their while.” Sure, Harry Winston was probably talking about diamonds, but if you’re spending all day at a computer, your setup should both look and perform amazingly, too.
For remote workers in tech, a stylish and functional workspace isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about making the hours spent typing and clicking feel a little more enjoyable.
Here are a few gift ideas to help them upgrade their desk game:
- Mechanical keyboard: Go for something high-quality like the Ultimate Hacking Keyboard or one with customizable keycaps for a touch of personality.
- Themed keycaps: Joker-themed, minimalist, or custom designs can add a fun, personal vibe to their workspace.
- Ergonomic mouse: A fancy mouse isn’t just for show—it’s designed for comfort and precision during long hours.
Read More: Diversity & Inclusion in Remote Work: 12 Things You Need to Know
You can’t buy time, but you can save it
We all wish for more hours in the day, preferably for fun instead of rushing to meet deadlines. While we can’t add time to the clock, thoughtful gifts that improve productivity can help remote workers get some of it back.
Here are a few practical options to make their day more efficient:
- Productivity apps: A subscription to tools like Rescue Time or Be Focused (also available through SetApp) helps them stay on track and manage their day better.
- Virtual assistant services: Give the gift of time by hiring a virtual assistant to handle repetitive tasks or admin work. It’s a thoughtful way to lighten their load.
- Paid project management apps: Upgrade their current workflow by gifting them a premium subscription to the project management app they already use and love.
Back to school
Keeping up with the fast-paced world of tech is no small feat, and learning never really stops for remote workers in tech. If you’re shopping for a remote professional who’s all about expanding their skills, learning-based gifts are a perfect choice.
Bonus: these gifts can help them stay sharp without feeling like homework. Here are some thoughtful options to fuel their curiosity:
- E-reader: Programming books are no joke—they’re massive. An e-reader lightens the load (literally) and makes it easy to access resources anytime, anywhere.
- E-learning platform subscriptions: Gift access to platforms like Pluralsight, Coursera, O’Reilly Learning, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, Udacity, MasterClass, or Skillshare tailored to their skill level and interests.
- Skill-specific courses and certifications: Support their growth with courses tailored to their field. The right course can help remote workers sharpen their skills and stay ahead. Here are some top options:
- Software development: AWS certification, Codecademy, Pirple, and Egghead
- Design: Canva and Baseline
- Marketing: Google, Harvard Business School, OMCP Digital Marketing Certification, and Digital Marketing Institute.
- Tickets to events: Conferences, conventions, or meetups are great for learning and networking. If they’re shy or new, offer to join them. It’s a fun way to encourage engagement.
- IoT starter kits: Gifts like a Raspberry Pi, Arduino, or Pyboard are both fun and functional. Bonus points if they double as a parent-child project for the holidays.
Read More: How to Integrate Freelance Software Developers Into Your Current Team
Spoil their pets too
One of the best perks of working remotely? Extra time with pets. Whether it’s a dog snoozing under the desk or a cat aggressively asserting dominance over the keyboard, pets make remote work better and sometimes a little more chaotic.
If you’re shopping for a remote worker in tech who adores their furry co-worker, here are some fun gift ideas to keep their pet happy (and maybe give them a little breathing room):
- For dog lovers: Try toys like the Kong Wobbler or Ruffwear Gnawt-a-Rock. These are perfect for keeping pups entertained while their humans focus on work.
- For cat lovers: Keeping a cat off the keyboard is no easy task, but the Snugglycat Ripple Rug might do the trick. It’s highly rated and doubles as a cozy play space.
Show me the money!
Not sure what to get the remote worker on your list? Cash or gift cards are always a safe bet. But if you want to make the gesture feel more personal or skip physical gifts altogether, consider donating to their favorite charity in their name.
It’s thoughtful, meaningful, and shows you truly care. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
- Animal welfare: Pet charities are perfect for pet lovers or anyone who can’t resist a good rescue story.
- Cancer research: Investing in cancer research is a meaningful way to support causes that impact so many lives.
- Environmental causes: Perfect for those who care about the environment, like sustainability, climate action, or preserving natural habitats.
- Tech-focused charities: IT charities are great for supporting educational initiatives or access to information technology.
Read More: How to Create a Remote Work Culture That’s Supportive, Positive & Fun
Over to you
Still wondering why gifting remote tech workers is worth it? It’s more than generosity—it shows you value their comfort, productivity, and passion. A thoughtful gift can make their workdays smoother, spark creativity, or add a little joy to their routine.
Gifting remote tech workers isn’t just thoughtful. It shows you value their comfort, productivity, and creativity. With thoughtful gifts, you help your remote work buddies feel recharged and truly appreciated.
You can also try Arc, your shortcut to the world’s best remote talent:
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