The Ultimate Guide to Left-handed Gifts
From watches to guitars and computer mice, this carefully curated list of left-handed gifts makes it easy to impress the lefty in your life.
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Ali Y.
Editor-in-chief
My father-in-law, John, is a proud lefty, a fact I only get reminded of when he insists on sitting at the end of the dinner table to give his left elbow room to move.
Outside of those few instances, I don’t think about the fact that he’s left-handed all that much. So, when I sat down to interview him for this article, let’s just say it was educational.
“One of the problems with being left-handed is you learn to do things in a right-handed world. You don’t think about everybody else having an easier way.”
John L.
Retired lawyer
He’s not wrong about living in a “right-handed world.” In fact, the largest-ever study on “handedness” with over 2.3 million people concluded that only about 10% of the world population is left-handed.
That’s precisely what makes left-handed gifts so special to give. Lefties are so used to compensating for a world designed for others that when that special gift comes tailor-made for how they’re wired, it sparks joy.
Jump Ahead
Top overall gifts for left-handed people
1. Left-handed watch
Perhaps the most obvious gift for a left-handed person is a watch. If you are a righty, take a quick pause and switch your watch to your left hand. Oops. The world goes upside down. Enter the world of left-handed watches. For those lefties who want a traditional watch, the following options are classic, highly rated, and come designed with the dial on the right side of the watch. For those lefties interested in higher tech watch options, see below for three excellent smart watch options.
2. High-quality pen with fast-drying ink
Who says a great gift has to cost an arm and a leg? Something as simple as a pen—one especially designed for the left-handed writer—can be a great stocking stuffer. Beyond the obvious requirement of minimizing smears and smudges, you’ll want a pen that’s engineered to be comfortable to write with for a lefty. Make a solid choice and they’ll remember you every time they write without a smear.
3. Circular saw
Circular saws are among my favorite gifts for new homeowners or those new to “adulting.” Portable, maneuverable, easy-to-use, and relatively affordable, circular saws are great entry-level power tools.
Walk down any home improvement store’s aisles and you’ll notice all of their circular saws are right-handed, i.e., blade is on the right side. Luckily almost all major brands also make left or left-blade circular saws. Here are some that would make great gifts for left-handed people.
11/20/2024 08:27 pm GMT
4. Left-handed spiral notebook
After dragging your left hand through fresh, wet ink, the next biggest pet peeve for our lefty friends is having to write with a spiral binding in the way. Left-handed spiral notebooks brilliantly place the spiral binding on the right side of the notebook, eliminating this interference. Whether it is for journaling or note-taking at work, your left-handed friends will appreciate this item designed with their ergonomics in mind.
Left-handed gifts for techies
Apple Watch
There was a point where an Apple Watch could have gone the way of Google Glass as the latest tech flop. But it looks like it’s here to stay. According to one estimate, Apple has sold almost 47 million of them in 2022. One cool feature: You can switch an Apple Watch to be left-handed in just a few easy steps.
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![Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS 40mm]. Fitness & Sleep Tracker, Crash Detection, Heart Rate Monitor](https://giftcurious.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/41beXTcc6kL._SL500_.webp)
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![Apple Watch Series 9 [GPS + Cellular 45mm] Smartwatch](https://giftcurious.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/41idmQytIXL._SL500_.webp)
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Left-handed ergonomic keyboard
Yep, you guessed it. A keyboard with the numerical pad placed on the left side is an absolute game-changer for a leftie, and a gift they are guaranteed to appreciate. If they are mainly a laptop user, a more budget-friendly option would be to buy a standalone USB numeric keypad, which will run you $10-15 dollars depending on how fancy you want to get.
Left-handed computer mouse
There are two issues at hand. For one, most laptops have their USB ports on the right. Add to that the fact that ergonomic mice are typically designed for the right-handed majority, we are leaving lefties behind. A wireless mouse designed for left-handed users (or has a neutral design) makes a great gift idea. Be sure to pick one that’s wireless so it doesn’t matter which side the USB port is located. A word of caution: several lefties in my family said they’re used to using a mouse with their right hand because that’s the standard setup in most work stations. Worth doing a little investigating before gifting them a left-handed mouse.
Everyday items for great left-handed gifts
Scissors
A pair of left-handed scissors is a must-have. Let’s make that multiple pairs. No cutting corners—splurge and get a high-quality pair. Nothing’s more annoying than a cheap pair of scissors.
Can opener and corkscrew
Some of the best left-handed gifts are also the simplest. Picture your everyday can opener but designed to fit on the left side of the can. The obvious benefit for a lefty is the ability to grip with the right hand and turn with the stronger left. Same goes for a corkscrew set. Righties never think about the fact that a corkscrew requires a clock-wise turn.
11/20/2024 08:29 pm GMT
Pruning shears
Next on our list of left-handed gifts is one that’s sure to please the gardener in your life. Get them a nice pair of left-handed pruning shears and throw in other useful gardening essentials for a whole gift package.
Utility knives, box cutters, and pocket knives
Let’s round out our list of left-handed tools with sharp edges with utility knives, box cutters, and pocket knives. While unassuming, at the right moment, left-handed knives and blades will get your left-handed buddy out of a pickle.
Kitchen
Outdoors
Left-handed wooden spoon
This spoon’s orientation ensures that its extended end points toward the cook when held in the left hand, and the handle is ergonomically crafted for comfortable use by a lefty cook.
11/20/2024 08:28 pm GMT
Left-handed pistol and rifle
Yes, it’s quite a jump to go from a wooden spoon to a pistol, but this is yet another area where the “standard” design leaves our left-handed friends behind.
Most rifles and pistols have the ejection port on the right side (picture flying used pistol shells). This can be problematic if you’re left-handed as hot brass casings can eject directly into your face or line of sight. Left-handed firearms typically have ejection ports, safety features, slides, grip ergonomics, bolt handles, etc. designed with them in mind.
I’m far from an authority on this topic and can’t tell you whether a left-handed firearm is a good idea for a gift. But it’s certainly a factor for safety and accuracy.
Musically gifted: Left-handed instruments
Left-handed guitars
Is the recipient of your gift destined to follow legendary lefties Paul McCartney and Jimi Hendrix? They might want to have a left-handed guitar on deck where the fretboard and string order are reversed to make it easier for them to bring out their inner genius.
In fact, left-handed guitars are quite common and you shouldn’t have trouble finding the perfect instrument for your fledgling rock star. Just keep in mind a left-handed person may on occasion opt to play a “standard” guitar. Call it a friendly reminder to hang onto that gift receipt.
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Description: 39 Inch full-size guitar for beginners. Includes guitar (red), amp, six strings, picks, shoulder strap, digital tuner, guitar cable, and soft case. |
Description: 41 Inch full-size acoustic guitar pack for beginners. Includes guitar, padded bag, strap, digital tuner, capo, pick guard, 4 picks, and extra pack of strings. |
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Electric
Primary Rating:
4.3
Description:
39 Inch full-size guitar for beginners. Includes guitar (red), amp, six strings, picks, shoulder strap, digital tuner, guitar cable, and soft case.
$149.99
Acoustic
Primary Rating:
4.5
Description:
41 Inch full-size acoustic guitar pack for beginners. Includes guitar, padded bag, strap, digital tuner, capo, pick guard, 4 picks, and extra pack of strings.
$169.99
Ukuleles
A ukulele is widely seen as easier to learn to plan than a guitar. As an amateur guitar player, the few times I’ve picked up a ukulele, I’ve found the string complexity to be lower and the instrument to be friendly. That’s one reason they make great gifts for someone who is musically inclined but perhaps never picked up an instrument. While there aren’t a ton of lefty ukes on the market, they do exist.
11/20/2024 07:59 pm GMT
Beware of violins, violas, and cellos
While there is a growing number of left-handed classical string instruments in the market, there are several reasons why opting for a left-handed violin or viola isn’t a slam dunk. Is your instructor comfortable teaching a left-handed instrument? Will you need special seating considerations in an orchestra? Are you concerned about a lack of higher quality instruments as your skills develop? This is a decision best left to each individual. I say, skip this one.
The final word: Left-handed gifts
A gift they will actually use
If you’re looking for a gift for the lefty in your life, these suggestions will give you the start you need. Left-handed items are far less common than left-handed people. Use this to your advantage to give a gift that feels personal and is likely to be put to good use.
