Stocking stuffers for drone pilots under €25 that actually get used

Most stocking stuffers for drone pilots end up in a drawer. They get bought for “someone who likes gadgets” and not for someone who actually flies. I fly for work and I also run this shop, so this list sticks to small things that get used: on the case, on the desk or on site. Everything below comes from our own catalog and starts at €25 or less.

If your budget is higher, see our gifts for drone pilots under €50 or the drone gifts for him guide. This one is for Secret Santa limits and the bottom of a Christmas stocking. Prices are starting prices, and larger sizes or other options can cost more.

For the flight bag or hard case

At a busy site or a baggage belt, drone cases all look alike. Something personal on the outside helps the owner spot theirs quickly. If you want to see what else lives in a working pilot’s bag, here is our flight bag checklist.

Cat aviator drone pilot sticker

A glossy kiss-cut vinyl sticker of a cat in aviator gear. It works on gear such as a battery case, a laptop lid or the top of a hard case. It is made for smooth indoor surfaces, so it belongs on gear, not on a car bumper. Cat aviator drone pilot sticker, €9.95.

Drone pilot patch

A 3 in (7.6 cm) embroidered patch with yellow lettering and a grey quadcopter on black twill. You can iron it on, sew it on or use the safety-pin backing, so it works on a jacket, a backpack or a soft gear bag. Buying for a whole club or crew? Volume discounts are available. Drone pilot patch, €15.95.

UAS pilot patch

Same idea, more formal wording. UAS is the term the regulations use, so this one suits someone who flies commercially and wears a vest or harness on jobs. The merrowed border stops fraying, and it can be ironed on, sewn or pinned. UAS pilot patch, €20.95.

Set of drone pilot pin buttons

Five tinplate buttons, available in 3.2 cm (1.25 in) or 5.7 cm (2.25 in), with a gloss finish and a safety-pin back. Pilots clip them to camera bag straps, lanyards and caps, where a patch would need sewing. Five in a set also works well for Secret Santa: one for the recipient, four to hand out at the next club meet. Drone pilot pin button set, €22.95.

For the desk

Every flight ends with an editing session. These four live next to the laptop and get used daily, long after the wrapping paper is gone.

Premium drone pilot coffee mug

A two-tone ceramic mug with a colored interior, rim and handle. It is microwave and dishwasher safe, which matters more than the print once it becomes the pre-briefing mug. If it gets stained after a season of early starts, here is how to remove coffee stains from a mug. Drone pilot ceramic coffee mug, €14.95.

What’s your superpower mug

This one comes from our Humor Collection. It suits the pilot who has explained one too many times at family dinners what they actually do with the drone. Choose it for the joke, and choose the mug above if the recipient would prefer the two-tone design. Drone pilot superpower mug, €17.95.

Drone pilot aerial city view mouse pad

A 24 × 20 cm pad printed with a top-down urban drone photo, with a soft polyester surface and a natural rubber base. It is sized for a laptop setup or a small desk, not a full keyboard mat. It suits anyone who edits footage with a mouse instead of a trackpad. Aerial city view mouse pad, €14.95.

Dublin aerial view poster

An aerial photo of a Dublin residential area, printed on matte archival paper (189 g/m²) in 11×14, 12×18 or 24×36. Rows of rooftops shot straight down are the view every drone pilot knows, so it fits a home office wall. It is a paper print, so add a cheap frame or a couple of clips. Unsure about size? Check our poster sizes guide. Dublin aerial view poster, from €17.95.

To wear

A few of our tees start under €25. These two are the ones I would put in a stocking, and they suit different people.

Attention flying drone t-shirt (EASA edition)

The back reads “Attention — Flying Drone, Before You Ask (EASA Certified)” in large white lettering. It answers the usual bystander questions while the pilot keeps their eyes on the screen, which is why it gets worn on real jobs. Check two things first: the recipient should actually hold an EASA certificate, and you need their size (S to 5XL, in Navy, Orange, Sport Grey or Black). Attention flying drone t-shirt (EASA edition), from €16.95.

Retro drone pilot t-shirt

A distressed sunset skyline, a quadcopter silhouette and bold DRONE PILOT lettering on mid-weight 100% cotton, in a unisex classic fit. There is no regulatory text on it, so it works for hobby flyers, FPV pilots and anyone who simply likes the look. It is the safer choice if you don’t know what certificate they hold. Retro drone pilot t-shirt, €23.95.

Cheap practical things drone pilots actually use

Not everything has to come from our shop. These are small, unglamorous items I go through every season. Any decent version will do.

Microfiber cloths. Camera lenses and controller screens collect fingerprints and dust all day. A multi-pack means one in the case, one in the jacket and one in the car.
A spare microSD card. Check which capacity and speed class their drone supports before buying; it is listed in the manual. A full card on location ends a shoot as fast as a flat battery.
A small hard case for memory cards. Loose cards disappear into bag pockets. A pocket-sized case keeps them together and makes it easy to separate full cards from empty ones.
Disposable hand warmers. Winter flying means standing still with bare thumbs on the sticks. A few warmers get used on the first cold morning after Christmas.

Mix one of these with a patch or a sticker and you have a stocking that stays under €25 and gets used. For more ideas across every price, browse all our gifts for drone pilots.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good Secret Santa gift for a drone pilot under €25?

A patch or sticker for their gear, a mug or mouse pad for the editing desk, or a tee if you know their size. None of these depend on which drone they fly, so you don’t need to know the model.

Which works better on a drone case, a patch or a sticker?

It depends on the case. Patches are for fabric: soft bags, backpacks, jackets and vests. On a hard plastic case or a controller, a sticker is the better fit. Pin buttons go on straps and lanyards.

Is the EASA shirt right for a pilot outside Europe?

Not really, since the back print refers to EASA certification. For a US pilot there is an FAA edition (€23.95). If you are unsure about their certification, the retro tee avoids the question.