Each year, editors for the Microscope* comb the Explore Store for the quirkiest, funniest, and cutest gifts for everyone extremely specific someones on your list. Our hope is that these hard-to-find-elsewhere finds will ease your unease of what to get that extremely special someone this holiday season.
Categorizing these items is a task harder than calculating negative predictive value using sensitivity and specificity. (Or so we think. We’re in marketing). Hardly a one-size-fits-all operation, our humble museum gift shop is better described as many-sizes-fitting-many-specific-shoppers-and-scenarios. Maybe one of these items will be helpful for one of your scenarios.
*one person with extremely good taste
The white elephant gift exchange with your partner’s friends
If you can’t remember whether your partner’s BFF bakes cakes or charms snakes, you’re in luck. We have gifts for both occupations! These Mushroom Measuring Cups are sure to charm bakeoff hopefuls and epicurean experimenters alike, and this Colorful Loon Painting Can Glass is the perfect vehicle for any afternoon sipper in the kitchen. For the snake charmers, everyone needs at least one funky shirt in their wardrobe in cases of emergency — this Slither and Bloom Adult Polo isssssss perfect .
The father-in-law who’s spoken six consecutive words to you
Listen, you hardly know the guy. He occasionally spouts sports facts about a team you’re fairly certain plays hockey — and why they should ‘pick 6’ of something — but that is the extent of your knowledge of his interests/hobbies/dreams/passions. Play it safe with some of our crowd pleasers, like The Science of Star Wars or these Beaker Pilsner Glasses. If all else fails, everyone needs a calendar, and the Minnesota Weatherguide Environment 2026 Calendar corners that local angle.
The too-cool teenage relative you may never win over
We’ll never be so blatantly unself-aware enough to declare ourselves the authority on what’s hip and trendy with the kids. But! We may be able to toe that tightrope of just weird enough that it’s cool — weird-cool, if you will. A National Park Nalgene Sticker Bottle is a safe bet, because at baseline, it covers one of their basic human needs. Our Brontosaurus Hoodie might be a hit with Stranger Things fans or youths who appreciate a nostalgic ‘80s nod. When in doubt, rely on awww factor. How could anyone not love a Skunky Enamel Pin or Raccoon Earrings?
The friend with a new hobby each quarter (or, face it, month)
Real friendship is supporting them through every fad — and flop. If you’re running out of limbs for crocheted craft projects you’ve been gifted, might we suggest the best kind of gift: a subtle hint. Our Entomology STEM Pinning Kit is sure to give them new creative wings, while this DIY Miniature House Kit can serve as a home for future creations. A Fox Embroidery Kit is the perfect activity for their next at-home martini night that features libations crafted from their new Vodka Infusion Kit. Gin lovers, we got nothing for ya.
The grandkid with every gadget
We know them, we love them, we can’t hear them clank the same 25 keys of their learn-to-play-piano anymore. Parents will rejoice when their little ones unwrap one of our noiseless options, like this Terri the Pterodactyl Plush or Axolotl Buddy & Slime. This Gummy Candy Lab is sure to have a sweet reception, and the My Discovery Telescope will — quite literally — light up their world. Learning has never sounded so good.
The bookworm who is annoyingly well-read
You know, that person who responds ‘I’ve already read that’ before the end of the title is even out of your mouth. Luckily, we shelve titles that rarely reach virality on BookTok — hidden gems, if you will (sometimes about actual hidden gems!). For nonfiction titles, we like Quackery, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, and An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States. Our staff ornithologist can’t stop recommending the true crime tale The Feather Thief. Booked for the Weekend Knee High Socks fit any genre.
The boss with copious desk snacks
This one is for the manager who is always tossing back almonds between project check-ins. To earn brownie — or in this case, candy — points at your next 1:1, snag a couple bags of Snoopy Moon Rocks Candy, or for a more potassium-packed alternative, Astronaut Freeze-Dried Bananas. If they’re not vegetarian , kick — or rather, crick — their snacking up a notch with Mini-Kickers Flavored Cricket Snacks or Salt N’ Vinegar Crickettes.
The limbo week game night
If someone in your circle has the audacity to suggest a gathering during the black void of space between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, at least do your fellow attendees a favor by bringing a novel new game they didn’t overplay during the holiday season (we’re looking at you, cribbage). Might we suggest creating healthy, balanced ecosystems (unlike our digestive one after copious amounts of casserole) with the Ecologies Card Game, or releasing some post-holiday pressure with the oh-so-informative Fart Bingo. If you’re looking for a box design that’ll stop passersby in their tracks at breweries, check out Diatoms or OuSi nature.
All these products – and more — can be shopped for and shipped from our Explore Store. 100% of proceeds from your purchases support the Science Museum of Minnesota’s mission to ensure that essential and engaging science learning is accessible for everyone, and that yours truly can continue sharing sage gifting advice for years to come.
