What to Get that Geek?

When you need to gift a friend or relative that you feel is a “geek” (a person very obsessed with computers and technology), then you may find yourself in a bit of a pickle…unless you are also a geek. Where do you start and what can you get as a present?

Most important is to know the individual’s geeky likes and dislikes. If your giftee is registered with gyftit.com even better! You have a trove of information about their likes and dislikes to work from. He or she will be impressed and grateful you took the time and effort to find something special just for them.

Not all geeks are science fiction fans but we bet that most are, so also look for related info as to what other hobbies, characters, films and books they may like. Is the individual a Star Trek or a Star Wars fan — or both? There are many sci fi products out there but it would be a shame if you end up buying a Star Wars gift for a devoted Trekkie.

Go online and you’ll find a large variety of products from T-shirts, toys, collectible comics, related gadgets, and even actual film scripts. If you manage to find a collectible such as a personally signed item, then you have a fantastic gift.

Geeks are devoted to their computers and totally married to one of today’s two main platforms. We have the Apple users and their love of the iPhone, iPad and, of course, the iMac — basically anything Apple. Windows users are just as fanatic and also claim that their computers are the best at game playing. Some gift suggestions could be any handy computer accessory (of course, a new computer or iPhone would be great).

Let’s not forget the Xbox, Playstation and Wii consoles with their myriad of games. These days there is a trend for gamers to go “retro”. Old games have found new life and some geeks just love playing on those early versions — hardware and all. If you could get your hands on an old Atari console with “Pong” or a Nintento NES Classic, you may just give them the best gift they could ever imagine

Other ideas

• 3D printers are getting cheaper by the day, why not one of these?
• Virtual reality glasses and helmets are also interesting.
• Drones are becoming more and more popular, but avoid the cheap versions. Those that are good are expensive and hard to find (but well worth the price). It’s not a good gift if it crashes and burns.
• Geeks like to tinker and in the process sometimes things go wrong. Computer repair kits or a kit to build one from scratch are great ideas as a gift. A good example is the inexpensive Raspberry Pi Zero

Here are some websites with gift ideas that are unique and perfect for the geek. From From Hongkiat 30 Awesome Gifts Ideas for Geeks and Nerds. Two more like this one thisiswhyimbroke with 100+ Amazing Gifts For Geeks That Satisfy Every Geeky Genre Imaginable, and from PC magazine Geeky Gifts for the Nerd in Your Life.

No I Will Not Fix Your Computer | Funny IT Geek Geeky for Men Women Nerd T-Shirt Get it from amazon.ca in Canada and in the US from amazon.com.

Funny Computer Nerd Travel Mug - Funny how when I walk into the room the computer suddenly starts working Get it from amazon.ca in Canada and in the US from amazon.com.

PCB Lamp 16 Colors Changing Touch & Remote Control Get it from amazon.com.

AZiO MK-RETRO-01 Mk Retro USB Typewriter Inspired Mechanical Keyboard, Blue Switch, Black and Silver Get it from amazon.ca in Canada and in the US from amazon.com.

PhoneSoap Smartphone Sanitize Get it from uncommon goods

Blue Yeti X World of Warcraft Edition USB mic transforms your voice with Blue VO!CE Get it from thegadgetflow