5 3D Printing Projects That Make Amazing Gifts

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Giving gifts is a wonderful thing to do for your friends, family and loved ones. It can also be frustrating and difficult, as finding the perfect gift for a certain someone can seem like an exercise in futility, even with the purchasing power of the Internet. Rather than spending all that time and money scouring store listings, instead consider using a 3D printer to create gifts, from Pokémon chess sets to a stand for Steam controllers.

Although a 3D printer can’t create absolutely everything you imagine, it can create many interesting gifts provided you have the right design. This could be a model you made yourself or one from a 3D printing site like Thingiverse or Printables. If you can’t find the gift you have in mind, consider 3D printing it instead and take the extra steps to ensure it meets your exact needs and specifications. With the power of a 3D printer and a little imagination, you can make just about anything that would normally be given as a gift, potentially saving you money while still giving something with a more personal touch.

A simple gadget that almost anyone could use is a good sturdy phone holder. It’s nice to have a static, elevated place where you can leave your phone, either at your desk or on your nightstand. With the power of a 3D printer, you don’t need to settle for a regular phone holder; you can create one with additional features like built-in speakers. Printables user YvesVO was annoyed by the substandard sound quality from his phone’s built-in speaker. So he decided to create a new phone holder with a built-in amplification system to increase the volume.

Despite what the name suggests, these speakers contain no electronics. Instead, two funnels extend from the sides of the stand, which passively amplify the sound coming out of the phone’s speakers. No plugs or connectors required, just place your phone directly on the mount and it will amplify the sound. It’s a nice, cost-effective way to turn up the volume on your phone, perfect for listening to your favorite music without an elaborate and expensive speaker setup. A 3D printed gift that’s sure to please gadget fans, the stand fits most phone models, although it can be enlarged or reduced as needed.

A standard chess set is a great choice for a classy and elegant gift, although a themed set can also add a bit of style to suit the recipient. For fans of the “Pokémon” franchise, you can use a 3D printer to create a complete chess set as a gift, with pieces created in the likeness of the classic first-generation characters from the original “Pokémon” video games. Thingiverse user sch00f wanted a fun Pokémon-themed gift for a friend’s birthday. So they created this amazingly elaborate “Pokémon” chess game.

The pieces in the set are all different first-generation “Pokémon” characters, including Pikachu, Squirtle, Charmander, and Mewtwo, each perched on Poké Ball-shaped bases. The bases have different shapes to help indicate their roles on the board, as they do not follow traditional chess piece formats. Designed to be hollow, the bases of Poké Balls can be filled with various objects like nuts or bolts to make them heavier. sch00f printed this chess set with Woodfill PLA, then sanded it, stained it, and clear coated it for a more authentic look.

Valve’s hard-to-get Steam Controller comes with a special puck for charging purposes. However, this puck sits on your desk, requiring you to leave the controller loose on it while charging. If you have a friend or family member who owns a Steam controller and wants to keep things a little neater, try 3D printing them a nifty Steam Controller Dock as a gift. Printables user JagerBombastic wanted a clean stand for his Steam controller that matched his overall aesthetic and looked nice on a desk.

Inspired by 8BitDo, one of the best controller brands on the market, they designed a 3D printed stand that supports the controller and its charging puck. Insert the puck into the groove on the back of the dock and you can put your Steam controller in place for charging, storage and display. The project comes in two variations, one with a solid base and another with a hollow base to which you can add weight as needed. In both cases there is the possibility of printing with and without the Steam logo.

If you’re looking to give a gift to a fan of the “Star Wars” franchise, you definitely can’t go wrong with a lightsaber, whether for display purposes or as a toy that can be safely rotated. An officially licensed folding lightsaber toy can be purchased on Amazon for $10, but if you want to make it a fun, customizable project, go the 3D printed “Star Wars” project route instead. Printables user 3D Printing World has designed a folding lightsaber, with a “blade” that prints separately from the handle rather than as one long piece.

The handle features a screw-on cap into which the blade can be inserted and extended, or removed and stored separately. The blade measures 8.2 inches long when folded and extends over 37 inches total with the handle. Making the blade a separate part means you can print it in a different color than the handle and if it breaks, it’s easily replaceable. The handle is printed in a solid color, but you can customize it by swapping filaments or painting it after printing.

Holders for electronics and gadgets are always a wise gift option. Headphone stands, in particular, are a wise investment, as they can help ensure the longevity of soft, fragile headphones. Since headphone stands are so simple in concept, they have a lot of potential for adding fun personal touches. For example, if you know someone who enjoys playing “Minecraft” online with friends, why not 3D print them a “Minecraft” themed stand for their gaming headphones?

Printables user 3DPrintBunny has designed a remarkably simple “Minecraft” headset stand in the likeness of one of gaming’s most iconic hostile monsters, the Skeleton. The stand consists of three pieces: a bottom base with “Minecraft” engraved on it, a middle section to hold the pieces together, and the skeleton itself, which prints as one solid piece with no supports needed. Assemble the pieces and place everything upright; the skeleton’s head supports your headphones, while its hands keep the headphones securely spaced. If you have larger, thicker headphones, simply adjust the stand accordingly.