Episode 35: Nerd Tutorial Gift Giving Guide

Topic: Gift Giving Guide

With the holidays coming up shortly, and the big chance to buy gifts, we wanted to offer some idea and advice when shopping for your fellow nerds.  Some of this will be relevant to some, while others, maybe less so, but the intent is to give a direction to those shopping for their beloved, and professional, nerds.

Knowing your Nerd

Buying a great present for a nerd can be difficult some times, but the most important thing to know when buying is to understand what the nerd is in to or would like.  Research and talking with your nerd will be a major hurtle to figure out what would be an ideal gift.  If you want to be secretive about it, you might want to try to couch the request as a gift someone else, a cousin, colleague, or something like that.  The better you know the nerd, the easier it will be to pick a present out.



Basic/Necessities


Subscriptions

• Netflix
• Hulu
• Crunchyroll
• Subscriptions 

Gift Cards

• Amazon
• ThinkGeek
• Card Kingdom
• Local Stores
• Game Currency 

Loot Boxes

• https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/guides/20-awesome-subscription-boxes-like-loot-crate/

Indulgence

Game Systems


Playstation 4

• Lots of Games, aiming more toward Japanese culture
• Great graphics
• Playstation VR
• Potential 4k systems/games

Xbox One

• Lots of Games, more geared toward American/western
• Good Multimedia tools/Services
• Great Graphics

Nintendo Switch

• Good Game Library, heavy on First Party Support
• Portable
• Aimed toward family friendly
• Good for multiplay/local 

Clothing/Accessories

• Shirts are easy to get, no nerd will turn down a shirt usually.  Try to find stuff they’ll want to wear all the time, or great for special occasions.  Even better if they can camouflage it at work! 

Game/Computer Hardware

• Aim to get them Games they don’t already have if possible.  Better to buy closer to the date you’re giving the gift as they may not have it at that point.
• If getting electronics, aim to get high end or biggest bang for buck.  Computer parts/hardware can age poorly over the years, so aiming for better early on will mean it lasts longer. 

Collections

• Nerds enjoy their collections, so if you’re able to add to it, all the better.  Knowing your nerd will help a lot here.   

Tickets

• If you have local convention or events happening, tickets are a great option.  Wrestling is all the time, usually 2-3 times a year.  There is often a touring orchestra that does video game or pop-culture music.  If you have a local convention, buying their pass for the convention can also work well too.   

Specialty


Etsy / Craft

• If you’re looking for a one of a kind, never seen before item, this might be where you look.  Etsy has lots of great makers and ideas to give you the most unique gift.

Memorabilia

• Personal to them. 

Time

• As we discussed, sometimes, your time with a nerd can be more than enough.  Finding something there in to and joining it, or simply giving them a chance to talk about their nerdy passions might be worth it.