Gifts for Geeky Guys & Gals

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Max Slowik
Kurtis
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Dec. 16, 2007

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Lego and Other Toys

As soon as you started thinking that the geek you know and love is all grown up. Toys, specifically nostalgic toys, new and complete, are sweet. Lego, Transformers (make sure that they're "Classic," "Commemorative," or "Original") and any other childhood vice make good gifts. I mean, don't spend too much, it's not going to get played with every day right after work, but it will spark that familiar warm fuzzy feeling. Mmm, wax bottles and whiskey--I can taste them already.

But there are plenty of new toys in classic couture, like plush Great Old Ones. Oh God, did you see the Christmas Cthulhu? That's what I'm talking about. Anything that should be wholesome but is actually weird...probably cool. Worth considering, anyway.

Toys that go surprisingly un-coveted are kitschy, mainstream toys, like remote-control cars, Robosapiens, and the like. Maybe if they're special, like they're the size of a dime, or those little helicopters that duel each other, but it's safe to say that if it's not counter-culture, it's not worth buying.

Chique

The above is fairly gender-neutral, although it does have a manly leaning. Buying gifts for the other half can be difficult for geek dudes, and while it's nice to give the girl her own DS, I conferred with Molly Asher, one of our contributing writers, for the straight dope on gifts for her.

Digital cameras and digital frames are at the top of the list this year. Classy point-and-shoots with enough storage to shoot for weeks are good to start, but if she's a photography buff, you can't rule out a DSLR.

Second on the list are laptops. Of course, a really nice laptop bag goes well with that laptop; if she's already got a laptop but a utilitarian old bag, then it's a no-brainer. Things that can be stuffed into the aforementioned bag, like a calendar or wallet, are good. From Ms. Asher: "Really nice day planner that fits in her purse (measure the purse). Don't forget the little pen."

Handy for the geek girl that deals with kids: a portable TV/DVD player combo. "What else will keep the kid busy as long as Disney? Replace some of her old VHS tapes with the DVD copy. The ones she kept asking you to watch then never asked again."

Giftier stuff, like original art (Vinyl Wall Art) and accessories (Shana Logic) isn't too hard to find googling, and probably anything from the Container Store is a winner. If you need more ideas, check out the Mixed Plate, a blog in the same vein as Outblush, which has published their handy gift guide already. Even the ads are helpful.

And the Moral of the Story is...

Geeky types are probably best defined by their tendency not to walk the beaten path. It is in that spirit that a gift for them must be found, not merely asking someone what X these days are interested in; for the Internet inclined, that is most certainly not it. People complain about not being able to follow a conversation between two or more of the kind, but that's what makes them that much more endearing.

Fortunately, they're also not a guileful bunch, and won't bat an eye at the question "What do you want this year," and since everyone is trying to make other people happy (shakes fist towards the heavens) there's nothing wrong with getting someone exactly what they ask for.

Or just stick to this guide. Whatever.

Happy this time of year.

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Page 1: Introduction, Universally Cool Gifts, & Gift Certificates
Page 2: Video Games and Etiquette, Getting Better Ideas, & Coffe, Tea and Other Drinks
Page 3: Lego and Other Toys, Chique, and the Moral of the Story is...

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