31 Best Gifts for Doctors 2021 — Unique Gifts for Medical Professionals

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.

When it’s time to relax, Dr. Van Merkey recommends the Vitruvi Stone Essential Oil Diffuser — which happens to be the best aroma diffuser we’ve tested at the Good Housekeeping Institute. “It’s important for us to use any moments of stillness we can get with intention,” she says.

“I’m loving the padded headband trend lately,” says Dr. Merkey. “Not only can I keep my hair away from my face, I can look cute, too!”

Every working doctor needs a functional, sleek bag for all their things. “This Lo & Sons bag is the perfect backpack for the transition from student to young working professional,” says Dr. Van Merkey.

If you’re shopping for someone who prefers the traditional briefcase style to a backpack, consider this elegant leather brief from Tumi.

This personalized name plate might look like a standard doctor’s desk accessory, but it’s actually an LED lamp — a great way to light up their day. 

A universally popular gift for any professionals who work with pen and paper, this timeless aluminum rollerball pen from Baronfig comes in five different colors.

Multiple medical students we spoke to recommended compression socks for support throughout long days spent on their feet. These top-rated compression socks from Sockwell come in a wide range of colors and sizes to suit just about everyone.

Long layers are key in the hospital, and these soft, breathable long-sleeve t-shirts from Uniqlo make great basics. 

Many women who work long hours in scrubs look to comfortable sports bras for support. This classic sports bra from Nike comes in three colors and is the best sports bra we’ve tested.

Quality sleep is one of the best gifts you can give a doctor. Washington D.C.-based neuroscientist and sleep specialist for Molecule, Dr. Allison Brager, recommends these sheets. “Restorative sleep is dependent on body temperature. Sleeping with sheets that have proprietary cooling properties can lead to the best night of sleep, night after night,” she explains. 

If you’re looking for a more affordable option, during our tests, we found this set to be the best value cooling sheets on the market. This set uses Coolmax technology that the brand says has an instant cool-to-the-touch feel.

Doctors often need to get sleep at odd hours or away from home, which makes a good eye mask for blocking out light essential. The Good Housekeeping Institute recommends the Bucky 40 Blinks mask, which won our best sleep mask roundup in testing. 

Another gift that can help them sleep anywhere? Super cozy cotton pajamas. This pair from J. Crew has over 400 rave reviews.

Yes, Crocs are back — but they never really went anywhere when it comes to healthcare workers. Nurses and other professionals love the bistro clog when they’re on the job.

For when they want to stay comfortable on their commute, these classic Crocs that come in every color and pattern under the sun.

Now that everyone’s familiar with how dry your hands feel after washing and hand sanitizing all day, you can understand what doctors have been dealing with. Eucerin Advanced Repair is affordable and super effective at healing dry hands, and it took first place in our testing of the best hand creams on the market. They can leave one in their bag, another in the car and another at the office.

If they like to live luxuriously, consider a more fragrant hand cream, like this Hinoki Hand Pomade from Le Labo.

Luxury skincare can be a welcome gift for doctors working long hours in dry air. “Around the holidays, I always start to reach for this splurge-worthy moisturizer from Skinceuticals, which not only feels great when being applied but also leaves my skin feeling hydrated and nourished day and night,” says Dr. Marisa Garshick, a NYC-based dermatologist. “It’s also a great moisturizer for those also using a retinoid.”

But you don’t have to spend a lot to gift some thoughtful skincare. “These festive eye masks help to de-puff while improving the overall appearance of fine lines and dark circles, leaving the under-eye area looking more hydrated and soothed,” says Dr. Garshick.

“For unwinding after a long day, I like to pair vagus nerve oil with this clean burning candle,” says Dr. Uma Naidoo, a Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist and the Founder and Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. “The fragrance reminds me of my gran whose favorite flower was gardenia.”

Dr. Naidoo says this cheeky prescription mug “sparks a smile during a tough shift.”

The lightweight AeroPress can help them make great quality coffee anywhere, and it’s the best portable coffee maker we’ve tested.

Dr. William Li, physician, Chief Executive Officer, President, Medical Director and Co-founder of the Angiogenesis Foundation, recommends gifting the Oura Ring. This advanced biometrics tracker is perfect for those who prefer elegant discretion over the bulk of an Apple Watch or other fitness tracker. 

Help them look their best with a ring light that clips right onto their smartphone or laptop. Dr. Li recommends this compact ring light from Whellen.

Dr. Li also recommends this colorful guide to the way people eat and drink around the world for the doctor who’s a foodie-traveller in their free time.

A sweet and sparkly white coat Christmas ornament will make a thoughtful addition to their tree at home or in the office.