Not really random. Not even pseudo random, more stuff that caught my attention and that I, for one, would like to be given. And, yes, if I'm not given them, I'd probably buy some for myself.

Whenever I go to a conference or a code-in I always feel that my portable doesn't have enough stickers and I'm consistently out ranked by my fellow attendees. This collection of stickers, numbering 50,  solves the problem and I can see several language stickers I'd use straightaway. The rest I can give away to colleagues with different expertise.

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Disclosure: I Programmer gets a very small reward if you place an order with Amazon using the affiliate links in this article. However, this has in no way affected our choice of gift items.

These are great! A set of six coasters in the form of 3.5 inch diskettes and they are great for nostalgia seeking programmers. Actually, if you remember using, them then putting a hot cup of coffee down on one makes your heart skip a beat as you think of all that data at risk - well not that much data actually. If you don't remember them then just ask one of the "old guys" and they will regale you with tales of the 5.25 inch floppy - now that was a real floppy - or perhaps even the 8 inch floppy, which was even floppier. If you're really lucky then they might get on to 1 inch tape!

If you know of a newly initialized programmer, or its system administrator, who deserves a present, then what could be better than this cute baby bodysuit. Available in a range of colors and sizes from newborn to 24 months.

Cats! Programmers and cats go together, as is a well-known fact. Perhaps it's because we love they way they generate random key presses in the middle of our finely crafted code while sitting on the keyboard. Perhaps it's because we like the way they imitate the programmer's "cut above the others" attitude and are cool, collected and indifferent' no matter what the world throws at them. So what better than a catty planner/ notebook - paper based, that is? What, you don't know what paper is!? You need to get outside more!

If you have to work in a cold office, or  home, then what about a pair of heated mittens. They are USB-powered and while they won't defrost a turkey but they will keep your hands warm. You can still type because your fingers stick out the end. They come in black as well as pink.

After all these novelty items I have a serious suggestion, something that was new to me when I was first given one and which I've appreciated ever since- a magnetic USB cable. You need one if you have any sort of micro USB to charge. Without magnetism you will probably struggle to plug the lead in and be worried about the eventual destruction of the USB socket due to frequent plugging and unplugging. I had to have my fave tablet repaired simply because I could no longer get a good connection to recharge it. A magnetic USB cable has a small plug that you insert into the USB socket and leave it there. The cable has a magnetic end and this snaps onto the plug as soon as you bring it near. To detach you simply turn the cable a bit to weaken the magnetic attachment and it comes free. No more plugging and replugging. Don't worry about giving a duplicate - as they do break from time to time, its good to have a spare in stock and There are lots of different types which come in different lengths and different types of plug. Here's a versatile pack of four:

Programmers run on beverages and it's the norm to keep your own mug in the office (or in your home office). In addition to those recommended in Ten Programmer's Mugs here's one that seems suitable and is currently a Blck Friday deal.

Finally I can recommend a monthly subscription to Amazon Music Unlimited - I know that this isn't as popular as some other music streaming services, but I'd already uploaded my CDs to Amazon MyMusic and now I don't buy CDs very often because Unlimited has just about everything I want to listen to. I'm a contemporary classical music fan and I have to admit that Unlimited isn't geared up for classical music, but tell me a streaming service that is. I get my quota of Philip Glass, John Adams, Steve Reich, Arvo Pärt and many I'd never heard of, without any problems, and I can search Amazon as if I was about to buy a CD and in most cases simply stream it without having to buy it. The price is $9.99 per month but there's currently an offer of 3 months free to try it out. Or go for a 30-day free trial of Prime Music.

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