32 Gifts Perfect for the Medical Professional In Your Life
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The key to picking out the perfect gift for the upcoming holiday season is finding something that truly represents the person you are giving it to — bonus points if it's unique and useful! There are a lot of awesome gift guides we've put together throughout the years but for those hard-to-shop for medical professionals in your life, you won't find better options for them than in this roundup of our favorite gifts for doctors.
Over the past few years, we've learned just how essential healthcare professionals are, and being able to give them something they'll appreciate is a spectacular way to show your appreciation and gratitude to them for all that they do. Even during the busy holiday season, while many of us get to spend some time at home with our loved ones, enjoying cocktails and appetizers at Christmas parties and hosting Secret Santa and white elephant gift exchanges, many of our hardworking peers in the medical field are in for a shift to make sure the rest of us stay safe and healthy over the busy holiday season.
With useful picks for the no-nonsense physician, sentimental options for a spouse or child and even unique, budget-friendly choices for medical students, there's something for every kind of healthcare professional. But don't just take it from us — we even asked actual doctors what an actual good gift would be in their opinion. Scroll on through and take a look!
Wooden Human Anatomy Coasters (Set of 4)
An absolutely one-of-a-kind gift that we're 99% sure they don't already have, these wooden human anatomy coasters are a small but personalized piece of decor they'll love adding to any room.
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Gift Card
One of the best gifts anyone in the medical field could receive? A reason not to have to cook dinner when they get home from a long shift.
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Lemon & Vanilla Bean Soy Candle
A sweet-smelling candle can help create a relaxing atmosphere at home, and this hand-poured soy candle with a 40-hour burn time helps kick off "unwinding time." Plus, it's scented enough without being too strong for sensitive noses.
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Unisex Soft Foam Pillow Slippers
With lots of long hours standing over patients or a surgical table, a pair of slippers to put on once you close that front door is a must to ease some of the aches and pains they might be feeling after a long day on their feet. These unisex foam pillow slippers have a 1.7-inch thick sole that provides steady support, a lightweight compression-resistant sole that the brand says provides stability and shock absorption and is made of a special EVA material that helps relieve foot pain. They are an Amazon best-seller, come in a variety of colors and have over 31,000 five-star ratings.
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Stethoscope Name Tag
Even if they aren't someone who could use some help labeling since they're constantly misplacing their stethoscope — hey, with so many different ones in an area we understand how it can happen — they'll love adding this small touch of personalization to their everyday medical gear.
USB Portable Charger Packs
Worrying about a charged phone is at the bottom of their list of priorities — or at least, it should be. With 72,000+ five-star Amazon reviews, these pocket-sized chargers each have two USB output ports and two MicroUSB ports to allow you to charge all types of devices, simultaneously if you want to. The packs themselves can fully charge themselves within five hours and are iPhone, Galaxy and Android friendly.
Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans
The perfect sweet and caffeinated treat they can store in their locker for when they need a mid-shift pick-me-up. One reviewer wrote, "... the best dark chocolate espresso beans I've ever had! [I] will definitely buy again!!!"
3 Momme Silk Pillowcase
A good night's sleep is essential, and these silk pillowcases that were named the best value option in our 2023 roundup provide comfort while also protecting hair and skin from damage through all the tossing and turning that can occur during what's (hopefully!) at least a seven solid hours. Opting for silk fabric can help decrease hair frizz and bedhead and reduce friction against the face. In Institute testing, testers found that the fabric was very smooth and great at wicking away moisture — perfect if they're someone who sweats when they sleep.
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Express Moka Pot
Don't get between a coffee lover and their caffeine. This affordable stovetop machine, which was voted the best compact coffee and espresso maker during testing, quickly makes flavorful (and strong) coffee and espresso in size capacities ranging from 1 cup to 12 cups at a time. Say goodbye to those expensive trips to Starbucks each day that can quickly add up.
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Doctor Nutritional Facts Insulated Tumbler
Even med students who only just started their journey into medicine have reason to show off, and this insulated stainless steel tumbler will let them do just that. It makes traveling with coffee, tea or any other liquid easy, and the double-walled feature keeps cold drinks cold for up to eight to 12 hours and hot drinks hot for up to six hours.
100% Blackout Curtain Set
Those who work the night shift will be grateful to get some uninterrupted shuteye after the night shift with the help of these blackout curtains. No need to worry about outside light peeping through the curtains and waking them up. Customers even say they help block out sound as well.
Stethoscope Case
Help them stay better organized with a handy stethoscope case that can also store penlights, medical scissors, stethoscope charms and other accessories. A special mesh pocket and elastic strap help keep supplies secure in the hard EVA-made, waterproof case. They can use the hand strap to carry it or clip it onto a purse or backpack thanks to the detachable carabiner.
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"Because Patients" Stemless Wine Glass
More specifically? Because even though doctors deal with a lot of great patients, there are always a few that make them need a strong drink after a hard day. Perhaps share some of our great cocktail recipes if they're looking to try something new.
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Anti-Wrinkle Miracle Worker+ Line Correcting Moisturizer
Self-care is an important part of maintaining good health and slacking on proper skincare is a big no-no. Earning the title of best night face moisturizer in our 2023 roundup, testers said this philosophy cream visibly hydrated skin by 34% after just six hours and increased skin's firmness by 29% in four weeks. 95% of testers found it nonirritating and loved the thick "luxurious" texture. Before popping on a sleep mask and setting the alarm, they'll want to swipe on a layer of this fairly affordable cream before hitting the pillow.
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Deep Tissue Muscle Massage Gun
Sore muscles can start anyone's day off on the wrong foot. This handheld battery-powered massage gun is designed to alleviate sore muscles through deep tissue massage thanks to the five different massager heads and variety of speeds you can choose from. Reviewers use it everywhere from their foot and ankle ara to their thighs and back.
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Faux Fur Throw Blanket
Sometimes all they want to do is head home and hunker down in front of the TV or curl up with a good book. This shaggy reversible throw, which is available in four different size options and multiple colors, is perfectly plush and great for snuggling up with after a long day (or night) shift.
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First Aid Notes - Hospital Themed Sticky Notes Booklet
Because why use boring square post-it notes when you could use these?
Patented Iced Coffee/Beverage Cooler
They forgot to prep their iced coffee in the fridge the night before and now they're running late, trying to get out the door and in need of their daily dose of caffeine. A best-seller on Amazon, this patented chiller can take any room-temperature coffee or beverage of your choosing and chill it in less than 60 seconds. Simply fill the chiller with water and place it in the freezer. Once frozen, simply remove it from the freezer, pour in your designated liquid and in less than a minute you have a chilled drink to enjoy. Store the chiller in the freezer until needed again. Perfect for those mornings when you want to get out the door quickly.
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3-Pack Mini Potted Fake Plants
Do they have an office that's in desperate need of a little decor? Gift them some greenery without the task of having to keep it alive with this pack of potted plants. Of course, you could always gift them a real potted plant, but with lots of patients, long days and busy schedules, we thnk they're going to want something they don't have to worry about taking care of.
Lip Therapy 3 Pack Bundle
A little goes a long way with any of these jars. These mini jars of rosy lips, cocoa butter and original Vaseline keep lips moisturized and reviews say they heal cracked lips quickly (almost overnight!). One wrote, " Absolutely amazing and most effective balms. [The] best in my life! They last for hours and make my lips super soft and healthy."
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High-Density Round Foam Roller for Exercise and Recovery - 24-Inch, Black
Great after a workout or after a long day standing or bending over, this lightweight foam roller is an affordable way to massage those muscles and loosen tight tendons and joints when they don't have the means or money for a deep tissue massage. Over 77,000 people have rated it five-stars on Amazon.
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Essential Oil Diffuser
Named the best value oil diffuser by the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute, this compact essential oil diffuser uses two different settings to diffuse scented mist. It's small enough that they can even travel with it on the go and it has an automatic-off setting.
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Electric Heating Pad
After a long day working on her feet, she'll love using this super soft heating pad that relieves her achy back or sore neck. With six different heat settings and an automatic off switch, the extra-large plush uses moist and dry heat options to alleviate muscle pain so she can conquer her next shift with ease.
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Prescription Insulated Stainless Steel Mug with Lid
One doctor we asked said this cheeky prescription mug "sparks a smile during a tough shift."
Casma Three-Pocket Scrub Top
One gift that came up time and time again? Figs scrubs. "Honestly, these are on every healthcare worker’s wishlist," says Dr. Lynna Van Merkey, a practicing dentist based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and founder of V Coterie, an accessories brand that celebrates healthcare workers. "They are engineered for technical comfort and made with ridiculously soft fabric. It’s like wearing PJs to work."
Syringe Pens (Bulk Pack of 24)
For the doc who is always misplacing their pen, you can't go wrong with a 24-pack of these syringe pens. They pair perfectly with the job and make even the most mundane tasks a little more fun.
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Tansen Jogger Scrub Pants
Figs offers a variety of scrubs for both men and women, and these jogger scrub pants (which come in more than eight colors) are a best-seller.
Circulator Moderate Graduated Compression Socks
The Sockwell brand specifically says these compression socks are "ideal" for those who work in professions with prolonged standing like healthcare and nursing. These knee-highs come wide range of colors and sizes to suit just about everyone and the brand claims they help "minimize swelling, reduce fatigue, energize legs and feet " and can even relieve minor to moderate varicose veins.
Coolmax Moisture Wicking Set
During our tests, we found these sheets to be the best value cooling sheets on the market due to their quality and affordability. They use Coolmax technology that the brand says has an instant cool-to-the-touch feel — perfect for the person who tends to overheat when they sleep.
40 Blinks No Pressure Beauty & Travel Eye Mask
Doctors often need to get sleep at odd hours or away from home, which makes a good eye mask for blocking out light essential when they don't have the luxury of blackout curtains. The Good Housekeeping Institute recommends the Bucky 40 Blinks mask, which won our best sleep mask roundup in testing.
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Glass Blown Doctor's Bag Ornament
The ornaments on a Christmas tree should show off the tastes, personalities and hobbies of the people who own it. Gift this delicate doctor's bag ornament to the person you know who just graduated from med school or use it as an affordable stocking stuffer.
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'Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer's Guide'
This colorful guide to the way people eat and drink around the world is a great gift for the doctor who's a foodie-traveller in their free time.
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