Of course, if it's a Linux geek you're trying to please, no i-gadget or Thing 7 is likely to do the trick. Fans of free and open-source software (FOSS) are a breed apart, so you'll have to choose carefully to win their hearts.

If there's an open source aficionado on your Christmas shopping list, then read on for a hand-picked assortment of ideas.

1.

The Linux.com store is a great place to start your FOSS-filled shopping travels, not least because of its elegant Tux Mug, around $9.

"Perfect for those quiet nights when you are sitting in your robe and watching ‘The Code'," as the store's description notes.