29 gift ideas for your favorite open-source fan

The holiday season is upon us, and that means joy, cheer, a monologue from Linus (Peanuts, not Torvalds), and gifts.

If you have an open-source fan on your list, what do you get them? Socks? A tie? A tin of various popcorn flavors?

Or you can skip those gifts and consider, instead, something from my list of unofficially sanctioned open-source holiday gifts for 2024 (and beyond).

Also: The best holiday tech gifts under $25

Are you ready to get your Ho, Ho, Ho on?

Slip into your Reindeer onesie, grab a mug of cocoa, and read on.

Hardware

Hardware is always a hit with open-source fans, so why not start with a gift sure to put a smile on their faces? If you want to splurge, consider a laptop pre-installed with Linux, such as one of these fine machines:

• A System76 laptop System76 not only produces high-quality laptops, but their customer service is some of the best I’ve ever experienced.  
• Purism Librem 14 laptop  This is a powerhouse Linux laptop with a gorgeous chassis, coreboot, and a disabled Intel Management engine that includes hardware kill switches for camera and mic, wireless, and Bluetooth.
• StarLabs StarBook This laptop includes one of the best displays of any Linux laptop I’ve ever experienced. 
• Malibal Aon S1 The Malibal Aeon S1 is one of the most powerful Linux laptops I’ve reviewed to date.
• TongFang GX5 15.3-inch Metal Ultrabook If you’re looking for a budget laptop that doesn’t lack power (and has Linux pre-installed), this is the one. It’s also one of the few you can get with elementary OS pre-installed.
• Slimbook EVO 14 Another beautiful laptop, the EVO 14 has a massive battery, outstanding performance, and kill switches for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mic, and camera.
• StarLabs StarLite The StarLite is one of the few convertible Linux laptops you can buy. Use it as a tablet or a laptop; either way, it performs like a champ. 

If you don’t want to go the laptop route, maybe a System76 Thelio desktop or a Raspberry Pi starter kit? 

Software

Software is the tricky part because most open-source software is free. However, that doesn’t mean there’s zero software to be purchased. For example, consider a DaVinci Resolve Studio license if your open-source fan is a budding filmmaker. Or maybe they’d like a Proton VPN license for an added security/privacy boost.

Other bits of software you could get for your open-source fanatic include:

Books

Since I’m an author, I feel compelled to add books to the list. Besides, who doesn’t like a good book? How about Linux Administration: A beginner’s guide, maybe the Linux Bible, or one of my favorites, In the beginning… was the command line.

Of course, if your open-source fan is more of a fiction reader, I’ll plug one of my own books, Lament, which is filled with Linux references.

Games

Chances are pretty good that your open-source fan is also a games fan. If that’s the case, you can grab them a Steam gift card or — even better — a Steamdeck! Of course, the Nintendo Switch 2 is coming out in early 2025, so you could always get them a Nintendo eShop gift card. One card game I used to play quite a bit was Netrunner. Although that game is no longer available, you can purchase Android Netrunner, which is similar.

Miscellaneous gifts

If none of the above piques your interest, here are some miscellaneous gifts you can give your open-source fan:

From this list, you should be able to find something for your open-source enthusiast this holiday season. If not, there’s yet another option: Donating to your loved one’s favorite open-source project, such as their favorite distribution, any one of the projects listed on Meaningful Code, Mozilla, GIMP, Geary, or just about any open-source project on the market.