It’s that time when we celebrate the end of the old year and the beginning of a new one with delicious edibles and the exchange of gifts. So here we are again with what to get the most significant geologist (or geologist-to-be) in your life for Christmas. (It’s the 10th edition! Amazing. And I’m going to keep it up until someone gets the hint about the Triceratops skull.)

Rock chips and dip

Want to get a compass but don’t know where to turn? I did some research for you and learned something in the process: compasses can be super-expensive. So decide on your budget, then try these on for size:

• The Breithaupt Stratum compass, aka COCLA (right), is the compass sans pareil… but it costs USD1500. Breithaupt make lots of other awesome geological toys, including several other compasses.

• The Brunton Axis Pocket Transit is a classic compass and tries to make it easier to measure dip and azimuth. It’s up there in price though: over USD 700.

• A couple of German companies make more affordable units: Krantz makes all sorts of stuff for geologists, including the Geologists Compass, and Kasper & Richter make the Meridian Pro, a USD 180 compass.

• The Chinese manufacturer Harbin makes a very good compass, the DQL-8, which you should find under USD 100.

• The Silva Expedition S and Suunto MC-2 NH both feature a clinometer and cost under USD 100.

Cool stuff

• Structural geologists will want to hone their intuition, and brighten up their desks, with one of these gorgeous wooden models from California geologist Kurt Burmeister. He makes choppig boards too! All very special, but still affordable.

• They are made of wood not rock, but Scott Huebner’s unique creations look like tiny terraforming projects.

• You don’t know you want a spherical rock, but you do.

• Need some new field boots? These are perfect.

• Groove Bags makes some geological shoes too, and bags, socks, and other random things.

• Geologist-turned-artist Chris Taylor makes (mostly) tiny pewter geological trinkets.

Games

It’s the time of year for board games. But you don’t want to be stuck with yet another game of Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit. Get some geological games instead! Sticking with the structural geology theme, let’s start with the eartquake-related games. They all focus on the Bay Area of California. In 1906 San Francisco and Aftershock (due out any day now), you must rebuild the great city, hampered by cashflow and… aftershocks! There’s also an Age of Steam expansion board for the San Andreas Fault, if you’re into that.

If volcanos are more your thing, there are lots more to choose from… On the theme of volcanos you have Fuji, which looks beautifully designed, as well as Taluva, Haleakala, and Triassic Terror, which also involves dinosaurs, so...

Books

All these new-in-2019 books have lots of pictures, which is my main prerequisite for a book.

• Geology Activity Book looks like a nice way to keep creative kids busy.

• Info We Trust by RJ Andrews, which I just started reading, is an interesting addition to the data viz collection. It’s quite philosophical (a couple of passages are worthy of Pseud’s Corner) but cleverly illustrated and interesting to read.

• As you may know, I’m a big fan of graphic novels, and there are two great scientist stories out this year. Each has its own style, but both of them look like beautiful books: The Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt by Wulf & Melcher, and Darwin: An Exceptional Voyage by Grolleau & Royer. Spoilt for choice!

That’s all I have. Best of luck finding something for that special rockologist. Don’t panic — geologists are actually really easy to please. Most of them will be happy with a pair of dry socks, some coloured pencils, a new bobble hat, or a cold bottle of beer. If you find anything extra-special while you’re out shopping, please share it in the comments!

PS Still out of ideas?? No problem, I have 171 other suggestions…

• 2018: I’m dreaming of a blueschist Christmas

• 2017: The post of Christmas present

• 2016: St Nick’s list for the geoscientist

• 2015: Rockin’ around the Christmas tree

• 2014: It’s the GGGG (giant geoscience gift guide)

• 2013: All you want for Christmas

• 2012: How to make a geologist happy

• 2011: Giftological and giftophysical goodness

• 2010: Giftology and giftophysics

You’re welcome.

Unlike most images on agilescientific.com, the ones in this post are not my property and are not open access. They are the copyright of their respective owners, and I’m using them here in accordance with typical Fair Use terms. If owners object, please let me know.