The internet is not exactly overflowing with microbiology-specific gifts, but we've scoured several sources to find the most popular and high-quality gifts for microbiologists that will definitely win a smile.
Whether it’s a graduation gift for a student, birthday present or Christmas gift, I hope this gift guide helps you finish your shopping faster than ever. Show them you understand their passion for microbiology and relish the moment when they geek out over your perfect gift.
This list is a compilation of our favorites from around the internet. Some are our own Genius Lab Gear inventions and some we’re just jealous we didn’t think of first! Some external links in this page are from affiliates, which means that any purchase of the items after clicking the link will result in a small monetary referral fee paid back to Genius Lab Gear at no cost to you. We appreciate your support which allows us to continue inventing and testing the best tools for scientists on the planet!
Science-themed gifts are rarely as entertaining and enduring as our science-themed word magnet sets! We recently launched these to encourage creativity and self-expression in labs, classrooms and offices. Each specialty pack comes with 144 tiles carefully designed by a PhD in that field for technical accuracy and tacit absurdity.
The Microbiology word magnet set was designed by Dr. Susanna L Harris, who chose words to make it both science-y and humorous. These are an exceptionally good gift because the recipient will see them daily and use them often!
You see a science pin. A stranger sees a conversation starter. Science On A Postcard was started by Heidi Gardner after a stranger in an airport told her "You don't look like a scientist." Wear this microbiologist enamel pin proudly and help us engage the public in a dialogue about the role of science and scientists in society. Show them what a microbiologist looks like! These pins are a perfect gift for their lab coat, conferences, outreach events or every-day wear!
We have these pins in stock in our store for sale in the USA only, which is up to a week faster than ordering from Heidi's office in the UK.
This next one may seem like a young child's toy, but we've seen many PhD's in microbiology purchase and love these to death. This amazing company makes a full line of plush microbes the size of a small stuffed animal! This set is blood-cell themed, but they make other sets like "ancient plague", "sick day" and "vaccines". 
Microbiologists use pipettes daily with deft efficiency. Some might even say they are a "pipette ninja". This is a fun microbiology sticker for a laptop, thermos or notebook to officially award them this honorable title. Grab it for only $4.50 in our store!
Created with the stamp of approval of the Journal of Cell Science, the world finally has a board game about cell biology! The gameplay is similar to other fun and popular board games, using the "worker placement" style, but all of the content is meant to satisfy your love for cell biology! Rated for ages 10+ and is definitely enjoyable by any university student or professional. Also a great way to help you get younger students interested in microbiology!
For anyone with a love of microbiology and an artistic side, try this microbiology-focused coloring book. This fun book takes you through several kinds of cells (eye cells, brain cells, cancer cells and epithelia), explains some of the technical background and gives you a chance to color in each different part of the cells! Definitely a fun gift for a budding young microbiologist or even a professional one who needs a little break from work.
If you can't decide on just one thing, try one of our curated STEM gift boxes! The Delighted Genius Gift Box is our smallest gift box that aims to put a smile on the face of the recipient by packaging our best-selling items with a pair of chemical and solvent-proof Sakura Gelly Roll pens and an enamel pin of your choice (choose Microbiologist!) from Science on a Postcard. These are the items everyone posts on their social media about because they are so excited to receive them! It’s a fun gift set at an affordable price.
Because microbiologists have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, a book makes a fantastic present.Life at the Edge of Sight is a visual tour of the microbial world that combines art and science. The authors not only impart a wealth of information, particularly about recent microbiological discoveries, but they also obviously appreciate the beauty of the world and microbiological life. Every page is chock-full of new information as well as stunning photography.
Check current price on Amazon.
Tardigrades or ‘water bears’ are extremely tough micro-organisms that can thrive in harsh environments. Thistardigrade tote bag will surely be a big conversation starter for such a tiny creature! It features a primary pocket and a little open pocket on the interior for lots of storage to meet different needs. It's a pretty little eco-friendly gift for your favorite microbiologist that's perfect for travel, work, and grocery shopping.
Check current price on Amazon.
Anything that's practical, functional or can help them show their love for mircobiology. Here are our favorites:
We've further curated several collections of our own inventions depending on the type of scientist you're looking for. See these more niche collections below for more ideas!
Unique Holiday Gift Ideas for Scientists
Gifts for Professors and Grad School PIs
Unique Gifts for Graduate and PhD Students
