The holiday countdown has begun! We understand that finding gifts for map nerds can be quite tricky. So, the Fulcrum team has compiled a list of the top cartography gifts that your map geek is sure to love. Ranging from $45 to $2,000, we hope you can find something in our holiday gift guide for map geeks that is within your price range that will be treasured for years to come.
Wendy Gold Studios
If someone you know has an affinity for vintage maps and globe art, Wendy Gold’s art is hand made and top quality. She offers a line of recycled, hand-signed and numbered lithographs. She also offers wood bound canvas maps and push pin maps that feature her designs interplaying with vintage world maps. Keep in mind that because the quality is so high, some pieces require 6-8 weeks to create. Canvas Wall Hanging Maps and Push Pin Maps take 2-3 weeks lead time, and Lithograph maps are ready approximately 1 week from when you place your order.
Prices: $89 – $1,200 Find it here: Wendy Gold Studios
Below the Boat
If you have a sailor or water lover in your family, a bathymetric chart makes an excellent gift. These stunning charts, the underwater equivalent of topographic maps, can add character to any wall. Robbie and Kara Johnson, artists from Washington, create laser-cut, hand-colored pieces featuring a wide range of locations. Their charts are crafted with meticulous attention to detail, making each one a true work of art. Although custom designs are unavailable due to the complexity, their large selection offers many meaningful and unique options.
Prices: $148 – $418 Find it here: Below The Boat
Wall Paper Maps
Catch everyone’s attention with a floor to ceiling wall map. They provide a wide variety of world, country, antique, and local map options to choose from, or upload your own map. If you wish to create a customized map for your wall, I recommend using Mapbox Studio Classic software and then import the image into Wallpapermaps. If ordering from the US, expect your order to take 12-15 business days to arrive.
Prices: £48.00 /m² Find it here: Wallpapered
Mapiful
Next, create a printed map poster of the city your friend was born, where you fell in love, or just your favorite neighborhood. Within a few minutes in their custom map maker, you can have your map ready for print. Their process could not be easier to use.
Prices: $45-80 Find it here: Mapiful
Maps by A.Jaffe
Finally, who can forget where they met their spouse? A.Jaffe provides a way to select the place you want to remember and display it in a modern heirloom that will be cherished for years. Each custom made piece can be engraved with any location in the world and a diamond marks the spot of a favorite memory.
Prices: $175 – $1,995 Find it here: A.Jaffe
Wrapping up our gift guide for map geeks
Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned cartographer or a map-loving hobbyist, this gift guide for map geeks has something to inspire and delight. From practical tools to creative treasures, these thoughtful gifts celebrate the art of exploration and discovery.
As the holidays approach, we hope this guide helps you find the perfect present to bring joy to the map enthusiast in your life. Wishing you happy holidays filled with adventure, curiosity, and plenty of charted (and uncharted) territory to explore!