Recently I was looking for items that I can gift to friends and family members to remind them of GNU/Linux and maybe encourage them to have a look. This is a log of my findings.

Many of the distros have their own store. So, if you are particularly interested in a certain distribution, have a look at their page to see how you can support them. They have their own t-shirts, pins, badges, stickers, mugs, mouse pads, bags, jackets, caps, keyrings, coasters, etc. There is a non-exhaustive list at the end of this post.

Mint Box

Mint Box is a mini computer sold by the Linux Mint project. With the $599 price tag it’s not the cheapest gift idea, but if you are looking for a Linux pre-installed computer, Mint Box offers a small, silent and original design. Linux Mint project, in partnership with Think Penguin, also offers desktop and notebook computers. But apart from the project receiving 10% of the price, they are the usual Think Penguin computers.

GNU

Free Software Foundation’s web shop stands out with their offering of books, manuals and reference cards. Serious stuff. But what is more interesting is their Stuffed Baby Gnu. According to the product description, it’s a 7.5 inch (19 cm) plush toy. I think it would also make a good conversation starter (“Do you know what this animal is?”, “Is this a donkey?”, etc.) With it’s $25 price tag you know that you will be contributing to the project, not just buying a toy sold with a narrow profit margin.

Ubuntu Coffee Mug

Every distribution have a coffee mug, but Ubuntu is the only one that seems to care about delivering something original. The stylish Ubuntu Coffee Mug is indeed a collector’s item. If you prefer tea, there is also the sibling, Ubuntu Tea Mug. Check them out. Price tag: £8.99 (~$14).

Ubuntu Cap

Ubuntu Cap (£7.50=~$12) is another item showing how much Canonical cares about their merchandising. Well, who has the resources if not Canonical? They even have a cycling jersey; if you are an Ubuntu fan, you have a lot to choose from.

Alternative: If you are looking for a baseball cap, Trisquel has a good looking alternative.

openSUSE Flip-Flops

Another unique item comes from the openSUSE web shop. These flip-flops featuring the adorable chameleon (Geeko) may be a bit pricey (€19,90=~$25), but they may be your only option is you are looking for GNU/Linux flavoured sandals.

Arch Linux Ring

How many distributions do offer a ring? Arch Linux silver ring offers you the chance of appearing as part of a secret cult. Price tag: $170.

BSD Daemon Horns

Your party accessories come from the FreeBSD project: BSD Daemon Horns. They are cheap ($2) and perfect for costume parties: nobody will recognize you with these on your head! FreeBSD Mall also has the FreeBSD Beanie Daemon if you like mascots on your desk. Unfortunately the sexy boxer shorts are not available for all sizes any more.

Debian Umbrella

No free software list is complete without Debian. Being a non-profit organization, Debian doesn’t sell anything. But Debian France organization offers an umbrella for €20 ($25). Debian’s swirl beautifully sits on top of it.

Raspberry Pi

If you are looking for something to encourage the use of GNU/Linux, Raspberry Pi is the way to go. It’s affordable, it’s fun and fully functional. It challenges one’s imagination. In the light of recent releases (A+ and B+ versions), Raspberry Pi would make a perfect gift for someone who would like to explore the world of GNU/Linux and get their hands dirty.

FirefoxOS

FirefoxOS is a mobile operating system. FirefoxOS devices are budget friendly and target the low end segment of the smart phone market. Unfortunately, FirefoxOS is not available everywhere in the world, but they enter new markets in a steady pace. So, I would suggest regularly checking FirefoxOS devices and their availability if you are in to buying an affordable smart phone.

Cool Linux Projects

For someone who uses their PC primarily for browsing the web, switching to Linux is not a big deal. You click your browser’s shortcut, and you’re in your comfort zone. On the other hand, learning what is under the hood can be really challenging and fun. Linux Toys: 13 Cool Projects for Home, Office and Entertainment would make a very good gift for someone interested in learning GNU/Linux (note: the book is prepared with Red Hat in mind) Of course, similar up-to-date guides can be found online, but some people have a soft spot for physical books.

Free Software, Free Society

Some are interested in the technical advantages of GNU/Linux systems, some others care more about the freedom that comes with it. Richard M. Stallman, initiator of the GNU project, comes to mind when discussing the freedom aspect of free software. A signed copy of his Free Software, Free Society would make a perfect gift for those interested in his thoughts and the history of free software movement.

Gnome Bookstore

Gnome project also has a good selection of books in their store. Guides on GTK, Gnome, GIMP and various GNU/Linux distributions. They do not sell them directly, but link to Amazon store with a referral, so they get a cut from your purchase. A good way to support a project without paying anything extra…

Magazine Subscription

Books, especially technical book can be demanding or even intimidating. They are not always the best starting material. But there are the magazines.. They try to cover all aspects of GNU/Linux and are more fun to read (that depends on how you define fun, of course). News, tips, tricks, guides, comparisons, heated debates and whatnot. So, one year’s subscription to a Linux Magazine would make a good starter. It would remind the receiver of GNU/Linux every month even if they are not interested from day one. You may want to check Linux Voice, a crowdfunded Linux magazine.

Original t-shirt designs

All distros with a store has their logo printed on a t-shirt. That’s a no brainer. But there are some distributions, who pay more attention to their t-shirt designs. I didn’t want to list all the t-shirts (since it would make a long list). But check the following stores to see some original designs:

Note: I’m not affiliated with any of the stores listed in this post.

More Stores

Discuss this post at Reddit.