I live in Geek Heaven - or Geek Hell - all depends on your point of view. I married a Geek and then was responsible (with the original Geek) for bringing 3 more into the world. They are a wonderful bunch. I never know what I might find mutating in my kitchen sink, or coming to life in the middle of the living room. They are endlessly creative & fun.
However, there is one thing about them that always causes me panic. Buying them gifts. That's where the hell comes in. They don't need much, they don't have any interest in the "normal" stuff. Sports items are out! Nothing offends like the gift of clothing - no matter how much they need it. So, after 20+ years of life with one Geek and adding a new one to the list every few years, I consider myself somewhat of an expert. Happy for you noobs, I'm willing to share my tips. On the condition that you're not trying to buy something for one of my guys!
First of all - the internet is your best friend. I've gotten to where I do almost all my shopping for them online. Some of these websites have catalogues as well, if you'd rather be able to sit in your favorite chair. Here's a list of my favorite websites, not in any particular order.
www.ThinkGeek.com Love, Love, Love this site!! Run by Geeks, for Geeks. They consistantly keep coming up with the coolest stuff ever! Marshmallow guns! T-shirts with working "Pong" games and digital clocks on the front! Gadgets with temperature indicators that will turn the water from your faucet red or blue. Now they have bluetooth wireless wrist cell phone. Geek Nirvana! Not to mention a whole host of little evil toys to amuse those who are stuck in a cubicle farm all day long & need a little fun to break up the monotony.
www.ThingsYouNeverKnewExisted.com A new find for me! I love this one. Just so many things I never knew ex.... oh well, you get the point. A huge assortment of T-shirts with clever sayings. More gadgety things... Check it out.
www.BitsandPieces.com This site has the coolest brain teaser puzzles I've ever seen. Along with unusual banks that catapult the coins into the vault, regulation size footballs, soccer and basketballs that light up in the dark, clocks that run on water (no kidding!!), kaleidoscopes, nesting creatures of all kinds, and remote control toys.
www.Geeks.com is a good site as well. Their items range toward the higher end and are bigger "toys", hardware, and computer items.
www.sharperimage.com This is kind of a fall-back site for me. The home page at first glance doesn't look really geek-friendly, but if you dig around a little, there's some cool stuff buried in there. Also, Sharper Image sells on Ebay, so check out the auctions, sometimes you can get the stuff really discounted there.
Here's a freebie for you, NEVER, Ever, Ever give socks, or underwear or PJ's as gifts (unless it has some VERY cool Geek-friendly saying or picture on it). Clothing is utilitarian to them, something they would rather not think about and it's certainly not special. Giving clothing screams, "I don't understand you at all!"
My final tip is LISTEN. Whenever Alpha Geek's eyes glaze over and he starts rhapsodizing about his first "whatever" he bought when he was eight with his piggy bank money, I get on Ebay & search for that sucker - you never know who is selling that very thing 20 years later, still in the original box!
Ok, you're on your own now. I'm off to search the internet. Hopefully, this year, I'll hear my favorite words, "That's the Coolest Thing Ever!!!" That's when I know I've hit the jackpot.
