The must-have gift this Christmas: a 3D printer.

Know a person who already has everything and stumped for gift ideas? With 3D printing taking the world by storm, why not give a gift that captures the imagination and truly keeps on giving. Ideal for hobbyists, blokes who tinker in sheds, schoolboys (and girls) with a bent for the crafts and even anyone with an interest in computers, a3D printer is bound to be the hottest thing under the tree this season.

That’s according to Paul Francois, product manager at Comworth Technologies. “Consumerisation of technology means 3D printers, which once cost an arm and a leg, are now truly affordable on the one hand, and easy to use on the other. That makes these devices an ideal gift, especially given the fascination they inspire in almost everyone who gets to see one in action,” he says.

While Gran can still knit the Christmas cardies for the smaller children, the bigger ones will be wowed by the XYZ Printing Da Vinci 1.0, a 3D printer which retails at under $1000 and which is already proving very popular in the local market.

The XYZ has been a hit with a wide range of users and is sought after by librarians, school teachers and home hobbyists alike. That’s because the Da Vinci is as simple to set up and use as a regular printer, offers an online library of thousands of 3D designs which are free to download, or create your own using free 3D software such as Tinkercad or Google Sketchup.

“You don’t have to be a 3D technical whizz, although you might end up being one after using the Da Vinci,” Francois continues. “Export and print out Minecraft creations, design your own robots, print out a Star Wars X wing fighter – the possibilities are as exciting as they are endless.”

Watching the machine go to work is a captivating experience. Using heat, it melts the plastic filament and places it with perfect precision layer by layer to create a finished piece; the biggest models are up to 20 cubic centimetres in size.

“This machine really is a step up in terms of delivering remarkable technology into the hands of anyone who knows how to use a computer,” says Francois, “It’s priced at little more than a tablet or smartphone, and is a much more exciting and creative gift for the kids. Instead of being glued to the computer screen playing games, they can use the 3D printer to problem solve, design and create. And that’s what makes it ideal as a gift for the guy or gal who has everything.”

The consumable filament is a 600-gram drum which is as easy to change as a regular ink or toner cartridge, and a replacement retails for around $50, with a range of 12 colours available.

Of course, with the Da Vinci, the biggest problem could be what to do for Christmas 2015. Not only is this a pretty difficult gift to beat, but because the 3D printer can produce a variety of shapes, designs and models, the lucky recipient really could have it all (or they might just print decorations for the tree). But that’s a challenge for next year.