Holiday Gift Ideas for the Humanist

Still doing your Winter Solstice/HumanLight/Festivus/Christmahanukwanzaa shopping and looking for the perfect gift for the humanist in your life? Here are some fun gift ideas for your godless heathen:

1. Books, Books, and More Books. No doubt about it, we humanists love to read—it’s all part of our evidence-gathering, critical thinking nature. The American Humanist Association’s Humanist Press offers a plethora of humanist books with a percentage that goes directly to support the AHA. I especially like past AHA president Lyle Simpson’s excellent Why Was I Born?—it answers that all important question!

If you already own every Richard Dawkins book ever written, don’t forget to pick up a copy of his latest, The Magic of Reality: How We Know What’s Really True (suggested by many HNN readers). Dawkins is currently on a book tour accompanied by the new director of strategy and policy at the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science, Sean Faircloth, who also has a new book out titled Attack of the Theocrats: How the Religious Right Harms Us All—and What We Can Do About It.

And it’s never too early to pre-order copies of freethought books to be published next year, including AHA president David Niose’s Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans and the Institute for Humanist Studies research director Anthony B. Pinn’s The End of God-Talk: An African American Humanist Theology. You’ll be set on reading until next December!

2. Charles Darwin Bobblehead. Who says bobbleheads are only for sport stars? If there’s anyone worthy of a spot on your work desk, it’s the father of evolution, Mr. Charles Darwin. Rick Lynn, owner of The Bobblehead Company in Kansas City, designed this and many others, including an Albert Einstein figure purchased by the Smithsonian. Now if only someone could design a Darwin doll that recites the Origin of the Species when you pull its string …

3. EvolveFISH Car Emblem. The symbol of a fish with an arm holding a wrench was the design that made EvolveFISH.com the go-to website for all your freethought merchandise needs. It is required that all members in the Brotherhood of Humanism (okay, I made that up) have the EvolveFISH or Darwin emblem on their car. That’s how you know the difference between good drivers and bad drivers (kidding—it just tells you who’s cool and not cool).

4. Bias Against Atheists is Naughty Not Nice Sticker/Magnet/T-Shirt. AHA members loved the idea of having the American Humanist Association’s latest holiday slogan on a bumper sticker. Hey, it’s an important message—show your support for atheist equality!

5. Scientific Explorer’s Mind Blowing Science Kit for Young Scientists. It’s never too early to get young kids interested in science. This science kit, with a near five-star rating on Amazon.com, was named one of the 10 Best Educational Products in 2005. And heck, it just looks fun.

6. Star Trek: The Complete Season. Remember that Brotherhood of Humanism I made up? Watching Star Trek would be part of the initiation requirement. Gene Roddenberry was a humanist, and we’ll be honoring George Takei with the LGBT Humanist Pride Award at the American Humanist Association’s 2012 Conference in New Orleans. It’s time to catch up on all the great episodes that showcase humanist themes. Of course, if you already have every Star Trek episode ever made, ThinkGeek.com offers a full page of Star Trek merchandise, including an Enterprise Pizza Cutter, Bathrobes, and a Spock Cookie Jar. Now that’s love.

7. Don’t Panic Towel. Who doesn’t love atheist Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy? He had a lot of great things to say about atheism and religion, and fans of the book will appreciate it on Towel Day, May 25, in honor of Adams.

8. Humanist Jewelry. EvolveFISH sells several beautifully designed earrings, necklases, and pins that incorporate any freethought symbol you like—the happy humanist, the scarlet A, even the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Your humanist mom will love it. I myself am partial to this beautiful beaded necklace featuring four silver happy humanists.

9. Adopt a Species. HNN reader Denise Knapp submitted this wonderful idea of supporting your local zoo while reminding people that the holidays are not just about consumerism. The “Adopt a Species” gift comes in a box with a stuffed animal of the adopted species, a photo of and information on the real animal you’re supporting, and a certificate with the recipient’s name on it. Kids will love it, and you can feel good about supporting a good cause. Check with your local zoo to see if they participate in a similar program.

10. Atheists in Foxholes Care Package. In keeping with the spirit of helping others, consider funding a care package to an active military member of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers (MAAF). Donate $50 or more, and MAFF will send a selection of magazines, food items, toiletries, puzzles, and other items to the service member. It’s another great way to support an important cause and show your support for our atheist and humanist men and women in uniform.

Got more holiday gift ideas for humanists? Share them in the comments below!