Christmas Geek Gifts Ideas 2008
Last year I did a couple posts with some Christmas geek gift ideas based on things that I had already bought or was buying for Christmas last year. I thought I’d do the same again, though perhaps slightly less geeky this year (note: OK, I’ve looked it over again. It’s still pretty geeky.).
1. The Number One FAVOURITE gift from last year was:
PicoZ Battle ‘Copters £39.95
I bought the Battle pack for Brian and my son and almost a year on and they are STILL using it. Mini remote controlled helicopters - about the size of a hummingbird. They have ‘laser’ weapons which will disable your opponent’s ‘copter if you hit it. It’s kind of like a real world computer game. Our cats are pretty entertained by them as well.
If you don’t think you can shell out that much for the battle pack or if you just want to get one for yourself, there’s always the single, non-battling Pico Z Micro Helicopter. £19.95.
2. I’ve already bought Brian the original Star Wars poster on canvas, but it may actually be time for some more Star Wars art. From £49.99.
I mean… the Death Star…
3. I ordered this the other day and expect the price will change soon so order yours NOW, the Alien Quadrilogy boxset only £12.98!!!
I know what Brian and my son will be doing over the holidays.
4. Another one I’ve ordered already.
Death From The Skies by Phil Plait £14.57
Actually, Phil gave me an early copy of it when he came to visit earlier in the year, so have read it already, I ordered a proper copy for my son who will love it. It’s all about all the ways the world could end - asteroid impact, black holes, gamma ray bursts. Brilliant!
5. OK, this is actually something that I want. Even though my house is filled with rechargeable batteries, I can never seem to find a spare set when I need them. I think these are the best idea, USB Cell Batteries. £12.95
6. I’m still debating whether or not I should get this for my son, the R2D2 remote control watch. £14.95 Pre-order, due in 18th November.
I suspect all it will do is get him into endless trouble at school… so I’m not quite sure if I’ll get it or not.
7. OK another one I covet, though I’m thinking of getting it for my son, the “Lego” brick memory stick. 2GB £24.95 4GB £34.95
He’s already lost one memory stick at school. He’s on his second. The fact that he could connect this to his mobile is what’s attracting me to it. Oh and that it’s a totally wicked idea.
8. I’ve given up using normal sized mugs, yet neither Brian nor I have enough huge mugs to avoid having to constantly wash up. I’m getting some Periodic Table mugs. Small £5.95 Large £9.95
9. What is Christmas without chocolate? Brian and I are freakin’ chocolate PIGS at Christmastime. We eat so much chocolate, it’s ridiculous. Instead of eating loads of mediocre stuff, I’m stocking up on luxury chocolates. £17.95
Yum.
10. Though, for me, it’s doesn’t really feel like Christmas unless my stocking is filled with American candy £14.95
You get:
1x Baby Ruth Bar
1x Butterfinger Bar
1x 3 Musketeers Bar
1x Hershey Cookie & Cream bar
1x Lifesavers Tropical Fruit
1x M&M Peanut Butter
1x Reeces Minature peanut butter cups
1x Tootsie Roll Big Bar
1x Hershey Milk Chocolate Bar
Anyway, I hope I’ve given you some ideas for Christmas presents. I may well do another post again when I’ve finished my shopping.
production 
QR Code DVD 
13 Comments, Comment or Ping
Philip Campbell
A great list gia. I wonder how many people can afford to splurge this year compared to last.
Nov 12th, 2008
Jase
The Lego USB stick rocks. I can’t quite believe anyone would voluntarily eat Hershey chocolate though.
Nov 12th, 2008
giagia
Phil, I doubt many people will splurge this year to be honest… but the PicoZ, seriously, if you’re going to splurge on anything, that’s it! Heh.
Jase - there is NOTHING BETTER than a S’More: a just-toasted marshmallow and square of Hershey’s in between two graham crackers (digestive biscuits). Nothing. Fucking. Better.
But agree, on their own they are a bit like chocolate-flavoured wax.
Nov 12th, 2008
almost witty
Somehow I just can’t see Star Wars art on your living room wall. That’d be *too* geeky.
Alien Quadrology - fantastic DVD boxset. Well worth it. 9 DVDs of movie geekdom… although I wonder how old your son is… ;)
Nov 12th, 2008
Philip Campbell
Btw, how do you find affiliatefuture do they pay out well enough? - is this a new thing or have you used them before?
Nov 12th, 2008
giagia
Almost Witty- my son is 12. We watched Alien a few months ago, because he asked to see it. I thinking it was going to scare the pants off him and give him nightmares, Brian saying, ‘Bah! I saw it when I was 11, he’ll be fine.’… He thought it was good, but not too scary at all. I can never judge what’s going to scare him. He thought ‘Sunshine’ was the scariest movie ever and ‘Sean of the Dead’ was HILARIOUS. I *know* that things like 28 Days Later will terrify him though, so he won’t be seeing that for years… no matter how much he asks me.
Nov 12th, 2008
giagia
Phil, I only ever used them on last year’s Christmas list! It’s really just for Firebox to be honest, then found a couple other places I’ve bought things from were on there, too. They’re fine. I’m not really one to ‘monetise’ my blog so haven’t used anyone else (though I’m registered w Commission Junction cos of Moo)…
Nov 12th, 2008
Phil
Thanks for the info. Just interested for use on rezpondr you see for an advertising row, i do not know of many good ones that is the reason i asked. i remember using commission junction many years ago but i found their system complicated.
Nov 12th, 2008
Penny
I saw ‘The Amityville Horror’ when I was a kid, and I had nightmares of *years* afterward, much to my mom’s disgust, as she hadn’t wanted my dad to take me to see it in the first place.
*LOVED* the luxury chocolates idea, BTW. My husband keeps getting me Chukar cherries (http://www.chukar.com/) whenever he has to go on one of his business trips to the Takoma area, but I’m really fond of Lake Champlaign chocolates, which may be found at any Whole Foods in the area. At the Wednesday Farmer’s Market at my metro stop, there used to be this guy selling the most divine truffles from a local chocolatier in Va, but he doesn’t seem to be in business anymore. :(
Nov 13th, 2008
giagia
Penny, I developed a water phobia after watching an episode of Simon and Simon in the early 80s. I still will randomly have a panic attack in a deep swimming pool or a lake in which I can’t see the bottom (even if I can touch it). Though I can close my eyes in the shower or bath for a few seconds without panicking now. That’s progress. ;)
So, you can never really tell what is going to bother a kid…
Nov 13th, 2008
Mary Mactavish
My astronomy teacher had us build cardboard telescopes (http://www.telescope1609.com/) in class, and I immediately put those kits on my Christmas list for some family members. I got another family member both Phil Plait books, and when I mentioned those to my teacher, he said, “Oh, those are good.” I do love having a family — inlaws and all — for whom I can get Bad Astronomy and know they’ll love it.
Nov 25th, 2008
Elisa
Great suggestions, but if anyone is looking for a belated gift and these aren’t quite geeky enough, here’s a guide for every budget from hydrogen to platinum:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujBA_C_mgnk
Dec 31st, 2008
Reply to “Christmas Geek Gifts Ideas 2008”