Five Star Gift Ideas

For your friend who loves creative coding and computer programming, there are plenty of thoughtful and unique gift ideas that will surely make their Christmas special. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Coding Books: Consider gifting your friend a book that explores new coding techniques, creative programming projects, or even dives into the world of game development. Some popular titles that come to mind are "The Art of Creative Coding" by John Maeda and "Creative Coding in Python" by Sheena Vaidyanathan. These books can inspire your friend and help them expand their skills in their preferred programming languages.

2. Coding Courses or Workshops: Enroll your friend in an online coding course or workshop focused on creative coding. Websites like Udemy, Coursera, or Skillshare offer a wide range of programming courses, including topics like interactive art, generative algorithms, and data visualization. This gift not only helps them enhance their existing skills but also gives them the opportunity to explore new programming techniques and applications.

3. Raspberry Pi Starter Kit: Raspberry Pi is a small, powerful computer that can be used for various creative coding projects. Gifting your friend a Raspberry Pi starter kit will enable them to experiment with hardware coding, build robots, create interactive installations, or even set up their own media center. Raspberry Pi kits are easily available online and typically come with all the necessary components and instructions to get started right away.

4. Creative Coding Tools: There are software tools specifically designed for creative coding, such as Processing, OpenFrameworks, or Max/MSP. These platforms provide a visual and interactive programming environment that encourages experimentation and artistic expression. Consider purchasing a license for one of these tools as a gift, allowing your friend to explore new possibilities in their creative coding pursuits.

5. Customized Coding Gear: Help your friend showcase their passion for coding with personalized coding-themed merchandise. You can consider gifting them a t-shirt or hoodie with a clever coding pun or a cool coding-related design. Additionally, there are various websites where you can have custom-made items, like mugs, laptop sleeves, or phone cases, printed with code snippets or graphics related to programming.

6. Subscription to Coding Magazines or Websites: Treat your friend to a subscription of a coding magazine or website that features articles, tutorials, and interviews related to creative coding and programming. Some popular choices include "Wired" magazine's digital edition or a membership to websites like Medium, where they can access an array of programming and tech-related content.

Remember, the most meaningful gifts are the ones tailored to your friend's interests and passions. By choosing something related to their love for creative coding and computer programming, you're not only showing that you understand their interests but also encouraging their growth and exploration in a field they are passionate about.

Or you can get her/him a star map with an important date you share.