Gigi's Last-Minute Gift Ideas for the Graph Geek in Your Life
The holidays are here, and maybe you’re struggling to come up with a few last-minute gifts for the graph enthusiasts in your life. Whether they’re visualizing networks, solving algorithmic puzzles, or diving into data structures, these ideas are guaranteed to spark joy and inspiration!
We are not affiliates of the commercial sites listed here; Gigi was just inspired to pass along her wish list.
Graph Books
What’s better than a winter evening and a fresh perspective on graphs? Check out these suggestions to find a book for anyone curious about graphs, networks, algorithms, and problem-solving.
There are of course the classics on graph theory that you can easily search. Our top recommendations for learning graph theory:
Introduction to Graph Theory by Richard J. Trudeau: Accessible for beginners, with a focus on intuitive understanding and basic concepts.
Modern Graph Theory by Béla Bollobás: A detailed and mathematical approach, ideal for those with a strong mathematical background.
Graph Theory and Its Applications by Jonathan Gross and Jay Yellen: Balances theory with practical applications, good for applied sciences.
There are also books well suited for those looking to build products or apply graphs for particular use cases - many from well-known publishers like O’Reilly, Manning, and Wiley. For understanding graph algorithms there’s an excellent list from the Memgraph team of the Top 7 Graph Algorithms Books and we suggest The Algorithm Design Manual by Steven Skiena for the logic of how these algorithms work. Neo4j also maintains a list of book recommendations for computer engineers and developers that cover a range of topics focusing on their tools.
However, if you’re looking for gift ideas for someone who already has their practical bases covered, we suggest branching out to graph-adjacent topics such as information theory, network science, and complex systems. In these areas, some of our favorites:
The Information by James Gleick for the beautiful writing and story flow.
Network Science by Albert-Lászlo Barabási for the gorgeous visuals.
Simply Complexity by Neil Johnson for a fun and accessible introduction.
And finally, depending on the level of geekiness, there are a few books focusing on graph history:
The Fascinating World of Graph Theory by Benjamin, Chartrand, and Zhang.
Graph Theory, 1736–1936 by Biggs, Lloyd, and Wilson.
Graph Theory in America: The First Hundred Years by Wilson, Watkins, and Parks.
Graph Games
Turn family game night into a graph-centric adventure! Games like Dots and Boxes, Tsuro, Railroad Ink, and Ticket to Ride are classic edge-building and routing games that are perfect for graph geeks at any level.
More advanced graph concepts can be found in games like Pandemic (network spreading), Scotland Yard (pursuit-evasion), and Metro X (network design.) These games combine strategy, decision-making, and a love for networks, making them a great way to relax while still exercising your graph brain.
For the more visually minded, the mathematical principles of origami, particularly in the crease patterns, can be analyzed using graph theory concepts. Although a pack of beautiful folding paper on its own is a fantastic gift, try pairing it with graph-folding ideas:
TreeMaker is a free software that lets users design origami figures using tree graphs. While it's more of a design tool than a game, many origami enthusiasts use it as a learning playground.
Origami Puzzles: Fold to See What They'll Be book series by Franco Pavarin includes puzzles where you need to analyze crease patterns (which form graphs) to determine what the final model will be.
Fold and Cut challenge sets are based on the fold-and-cut theorem where users create specific shapes by folding paper and making a single cut. The planning process involves analyzing the straight-line graph of the desired shape.
Graph Art
Who doesn’t love a beautiful visual of lines and connections? Any graph geek would likely appreciate a framed print or artwork of an interesting network. If you’re not sure where to start, Kineviz has references on the Art of Graph (real networks) and JK Rofling has wonderfully graphy conceptual art that you easily purchase in different formats.
And if you have the budget, you might be able to snag a Barabási original from one of his exhibits.
Wearable Graphs
Whether it’s a subtle nod to their passion or a bold statement piece, wearable graphs are the perfect way to bring graph love into everyday style.
Redbubble, Etsy, and other platforms host artists that sell math inspired t-shirts and jewelry. If you're looking for something very specific, like a jewelry piece inspired by a famous graph (for example, a Petersen graph as a pendant) consider working with a jewler or 3D-printing service to bring your idea to life. For a truly unique gift, some artists will customize jewelry with personal data.
New GraphGeeks Merch Store
We’re also excited to launch the GraphGeeks Merch Store for community and Gigi-themed items! From stylish apparel to notebooks, stickers, and accessories, there’s something for every graph geek. We have separate stores for United States and international customers, and every purchase supports the growth of the GraphGeeks community.
Let’s face it, what tickles the fancy of a graph geek might seem quirky but we delight in connections and are absurdly, distractingly curious. We hope these ideas are helpful, or at least, entertaining.
Please join us on Discord and let us know what we’re missing.
