Reddit reviews Contigo 2034154 Stainless Steel Autoseal West Loop Vaccuum-Insulated Travel Mug, 16 Oz

My wife uses a sealed tumbler for her coffee, that way it can't accidentally spill on the keyboard. https://www.amazon.com/Contigo-AUTOSEAL-Insulated-Stainless-Easy-Clean/dp/B00HZI5XNO/

My hubby and I were both doing our PhDs at the same time at one point so I totally get the having no life thing. :D

• Along the lines of the pocket knife, you can search for items like "everyday carry" or "EDC" items -- this includes flashlights, pocket knives, tactical pens, etc. PhD STEM types tend to like practical things. I've found some cool stuff for my hubs this way.
  
• Another thing is one of these books: http://phdcomics.com/store/ -- they are collections of comic strips but they're hilarious and super relatable to graduate school. They used to release a calendar every year but looks like they stopped. :(
  
• Other non-conventional gifts to consider based on the fact that he's in graduate school and has no time on his hands...
  
  • Buy a pack of these disposable takeout containers and make frozen pre-prepared meals for him. If he's spending THAT much time in the lab, chances are he isn't eating as great as he should be. I cannot tell you enough how much this would've been appreciated by either of us while we were in graduate school. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0742M47V5/
    
  • Depending on your geolocation, there are some services that come pick up your laundry on a specific day of the week, do your laundry for you, and then return it, folded, and everything (Wash & Fold services). For reference to what I am talking about, it's similar to this company: https://www.rinse.com/ If you're near a university, there's an increased chance of you having these services nearby. If you got him something like a couple months of this service, it's another thing that is a hassle to keep up with when you're super busy with work but one of those things that has to get done either way.
    
  • Depending on his eating habits, a grubhub (or similar) gift cert could be good if he orders takeout for either lunches or dinners during the week. https://www.grubhub.com/
    
  • Spotify or Pandora subscription -- depends on if he enjoys music and what kind of lab he is in (i.e., whether he can play music while working). If he does enjoy music, another option is wireless headphones.
    
  • Does he drink tea or coffee? There are lots of nerdy mugs out there and you can pair that with some a nice tea assortment or coffee blend. If he does drink it but doesn't tend to make it himself, is there a coffee shop nearby to campus that offer gift certs?
    
  • If he's working in a wet lab, chances are he can't bring beverages inside with him -- so you might consider a nice new water bottle (https://www.amazon.com/Contigo-AUTOSEAL-Stainless-Bottle-Monaco/dp/B01N7LKY1F/) or a rugged travel mug (https://www.amazon.com/Contigo-AUTOSEAL-Stainless-Steel-Travel/dp/B00HZI5XNO/). The autosealing (hot and cold) ones by Contigo are very popular because they can be used on the go without worrying about leaking. If you have to leave your mug outside of the lab if you don't finish your coffee, you most likely want something that's also covered too.
    
  • If he writes or takes notes a lot, don't underestimate the power of a really nice pen. Super useful and randomly just brings great joy to us grad school folks. :D

I've stopped using a blender and now mix it directly in my travel mug. I have a Contigo that seals completely and I just give it a minute of hard shaking and I'm all set. No blender to clean.

I've got one of these contigo cups, and it works OK: Coffee stays hot for 3+ hours(mine rarely lasts longer than 2 :p); fits in a standards car cupholder. Kind of a pain in the dick to clean the lid though.

e: woops, you said 20+ oz, I linked a 16 oz, but they make larger ones

This is the one I highly recommend for parents: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HZI5XNO/

For going forward, I'd get a cheap waterproof mattress cover to protect the mattress. You could also get some travel mugs like these that won't spill when knocked over. I bought a bunch of Contigo push-to-sip travel mugs and used to carry them filled with coffee in my handbag, they're that good. They're what I use when I drink coffee in bed.

It's a Contigo Autoseal Mug. I'm a huge fan because you can just take a quick swig and drop it wherever and they never leak.

i had the old Contigo and just ordered the new version with the easier to clean lid since the old one started to taste a little odd. hoping being able to clean the lid will make a difference, otherwise i'm just going to swap to a stainless mug with a silicone lid.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HZI5XNO/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My buddy just got one of these Thermos units which is damn close
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HZI5XNO

I was wrong, they're only $13! I've got a 16oz one, but I might splurge and get a bigger one too.

/r/suggestalaptop

And


Contigo 2034154 Stainless Steel AUTOSEAL West Loop Vaccuum-Insulated Travel Mug, 16 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HZI5XNO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_XOCNDbREPTFF1

I have a Contigo Autoseal Tumbler and absolutely love it. It's super easy to clean and keeps my tea hot for a few hours (yes, hot).


As for a kettle, get him a variable temperature kettle so that he can adjust the temperature based on his tea preference. I have this Cuisinart kettle. I've had it for 4 years and still works great.