Gifts for math lovers do not have to be geeky. While traditional gifts like history of math books and high-tech calculators will be appreciated, do not hesitate to explore the more whimsical side of the math lover. There are several ideas that will have the mathematician calculating the fun factor from the moment the gift is unwrapped.

Kyle Design offers several unique gifts for mathematicians. Each gift is skillfully crafted and is both beautiful and functional. Items range from a decorative stain glass math symbols night light for $27.95 to name badge lanyards for $7.95. Other gifts include bookmarks ($12.95), key rings ($16.50), holiday ornaments ($18.95) and beautiful earrings crafted with mathematical symbols for $11.95. Each of these items features exquisite designs of mathematical symbols.

To add some whimsy to a math lover's wall decor, considering giving a gift of a framed Albert Einstein poster. The 24-inch-by-36-inch poster features Einstein and his quote, "Do not worry about your difficulties in mathematics. I can assure you that mine are still greater." This poster retails for about $9 at Allposters.com. Add a decorative frame and this gift can be presented for less than $25.

Students and math lovers alike might appreciate the gift of quiet when calculating figures and studying problems. A set of noise reduction earphones can help achieve this. There are many different styles, brands and prices available. Sony, JVC and Bose all make noise reduction earphones and vary in price from about $35 upwards to $300. For a large selection, visit the electronics section of Amazon.com.

Help the math lover challenge his brain with various math games. A handheld Sudoku game can be appropriate for mathematicians of all ages and abilities. The Albert Einstein Electronic Touch Sudoku retails for about $30 and contains more than 800 puzzles.

There are numerous math and logic board games for anyone who loves mixing math, intellectual challenges and fun. Educational Learning Games carries a wide selection for toddlers through adult. For the youngest math maniac, consider The Very Hungry Caterpillar Board Game based on the beloved Eric Carle book. Designed for ages three and older this game will help kids practice counting, hone fine motor skills and recognize colors as they move their caterpillar around the board. This game retails for about $16.

For ages eight and older, the game Equate might be a good choice. A game for two to four players, it challenges everyone to create equations in a crossword puzzle style. It sells for about $25, uses primarily algebraic logic and is adaptable for various skill levels. The game Akumulate is designed for ages ten and older and retails for about $30. This strategy game for two to four players is a game of numerical and spatial reasoning.

When shopping for board games for a math lover do not forget about the timeless classic, Chess. If your mathematician already has a traditional chess set, consider finding one in the theme of one of his or her favorite books or movies. Some specialty sets include the following themes Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Civil War, small auto parts, dragons and army.

A magazine subscription to Logic Lover's Math & Logic Problems is another choice for a math lover's gift. This is a bi-monthly magazine (six issues) that costs about $20 for a year subscription. It features puzzles, logic problems and much more to keep the math lover entertained and challenged until the next issue arrives.

If you want to give a practical gift to the math lover, consider a new calculator or book about mathematics. Texas Instruments makes many different versions of their quality calculators. There are calculators to work out scientific and financial calculations as well as ones with graphing capabilities. There is a wide range of prices also.

A good book choice for the math lover would include Jan Gullberg's, "Mathematics-From the Birth of Numbers." This hardcover book retails for about $50 but can be found on Amazon.com for about $35. Another good book is "The Math Book: From Pythagoras to the 57th Dimension, 250 Milestones in the History of Mathematics" written by Clifford A. Pickover. It retails for about $30 and is more than 500 pages of math history and theories.

No matter what age or level of mathematician you are buying for, there is a gift that your math lover will appreciate, use and love. When sorting through gift ideas consider the receiver's personality and strongest likes and dislikes. Use that information as a guide in choosing the best gift for a math lover and your gift will be happily received.

Learn more about this author, Barb Hopkins.
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