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Every year, before we’re even done with our Thanksgiving dinner coma, Christmas decorations are up in stores and my nephews are telling Uncle Joey about all the presents they want. Adults can be a little harder to shop for, though, especially if you’re dealing with a geek. Where do you even begin to shop for a geek for Christmas? While I may not have all the answers, I hope this guide will give you some good ideas.

Pivot Power

It doesn’t seem like something that might be on someone’s Christmas wish list, but anyone who has ever found themselves staring at their normal power strip, with a couple otherwise available plugs half covered by large brick power supplies, should appreciate this in their stocking. Pivot Power pivots to make more room for all those bulky power supplies. Your six-outlet power strip can finally fit six power adapters.

Price: $25.00

Magic Wand Remote Control

If they’ve seen more than one Harry Potter movie, let them cast some spells of their own… on the TV. This TV remote shaped like a magic wand lets you change the channel, volume, etc. with a flick of the wrist. Blurting out funny phrases is optional.

Price: $89.99

Cloak

Does your favorite geek have an iPad? If they do, you can help them protect it while also making it more comfortable to use. The Cloak by Quirky is an iPad case that also works as a three-way stand.

Price: $49.99

App Magnets

All you need is an Apple fanboy/fangirl and a fridge to make this a great gift. These App magnets are magnets that look like popular iPhone application icons. Just don’t buy these for the Android phone geek in the family.

Price: $12.99

Wrapster

Another great stocking stuffer, Wrapster is a way to keep your ear bud headphones untangled without any fuss.

Price: $4.99

Pandora or GrooveShark Gift Cards

If that special someone on your Christmas list has ever mentioned Pandora or GrooveShark streaming music sites, they’re sure to appreciate a gift card to help them get the most of their listening. The GrooveShark membership comes free with the purchase of a t-shirt.

Pandora 1 Year: $36.00
GrooveShark 1 Year: $18.00

PeeWee PC: PeeWee KIT

PeeWee PC is a USB security suite that provides on and off line safety for children of all ages. It includes parental privacy controls and limits how much time children spend browsing and gaming, blocks inappropriate sites and prevents children from changing system settings. It even comes with a few games to keep those computer-eager kids busy.

Price: $34.95

Credit Card Light Bulb

What a novel idea. Really more of a novelty, but a light bulb credit card is a geeky little conversation starter and a unique stocking stuffer.

Price: $4.99

Bucky Balls

These things (and variations of them) have been all over YouTube. Bucky Balls are tiny little super powerful magnets that you can combine into shapes. Search YouTube to see all the fun things people are making with them.

Price: $29.95 – $34.95

Trek Support

Quirky’s Trek Support is a backpack. It’s also a mobile charging station for your geek on the move. The battery in the backpack can be recharged and will last about 7 hours (depending on what you’re plugging into it).

Price: $130.00

Zibra: Open It!

Half the gadgets I get come in the plastic packaging that can defeat the best of men. This year, you might want to make it easier on you and yours with a Zibra. You can’t enjoy all those cool gadgets if you can’t get them open, which Zibra makes easy.

Available at: enjoyZibra.com, Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond and other select national retailers.

Price: $9.99

Of course, there’s also all the obvious gifts like any of the iPod models, iTunes gift cards, an iPad or a Samsung Tab, memory cards (think 8GB and up), and computer and phone accessories like a travel mouse or Bluetooth headset. Games and gaming accessories are always winning gifts, too. Make sure you know what console to buy for and take a sneak peek at what’s in your giftee’s collection so you don’t buy duplicates. What’s on your (or your geek’s) wish list?

Disclosure. A few of the items on my list use referral links that make me money if you buy the item, but they’re still items I would want, myself, for Christmas.

Most people have at least one friend or family member who ends up being the go-to guy or gal when the computer gets a virus or the iPod won’t boot up. Have you ever tried shopping for that person? My wife has gotten pretty good at it but can tell you it’s rough. Us geeks can be pretty particular about things other people just don’t get. For example, I’d rather have an old used IBM PS/2 keyboard under the tree than one of the fancy new ones. If you have a geek to shop for this Christmas, you’re in luck because I have a long list of gift ideas in varying price ranges. (please note that prices are approximate based on what I’ve found online)

Stocking Stuffers

iSkin Solo FX iPhone skins ($20 and up)

I’ve been through a few skins and cases for my iPhones, but I really like this one. It’s got some extra flare to it and comes in some eye-catching colors. (read my review of this product)

Sling Back ($9)

This is a simple little item that takes cords and untangles them. You put any (well any small) cord in it and it retracts like my travel mouse does. Pretty cool.
(note that this is a pre-sale item that may not be ready in time for Christmas)

Cordies ($9)

This is a great little item that does a simple task. It keeps your cords from sliding off your desk. This happens to me all the time, so if anyone wants to put these in my stocking, I need two of them at least.
(note that this is a pre-sale item that may not be ready in time for Christmas, however it only needs a few more sales to hit production)

Kickster for iPod Nano ($13)

The newer iPod Nanos look awesome and now capture and play back video, but this poses the problem of having to hold it steady both during recording and playback or while watching a video podcast. The Kickster is like a kickstand for the Nano and is a pretty cool addition to the Nano if you know someone who’s getting a Nano from Santa this year.
(note that this is a pre-sale item that may not be ready in time for Christmas)

Scratch ‘n’ Scroll ($15)

Scratch ‘n’ Scroll is a mouse pad that you can write on. Remember those little pads you’d get as a kid where you could scratch in a design with a plastic stylus or even your fingernail and erase the design by just pulling the top layer away from its backing? This is the same concept built into a mouse pad.

Under $100

be.ez LEvertigo Netbook/MacBook Shoulder Bag ($60)

Recently, I was able to review this bag and really liked it. It’s probably going to end up a present for a special someone on my list this Christmas. It’s a very compact bag that accommodates a 13 inch MacBook or a netbook, paperwork, cell phones or other small gadgets and a couple small devices or CDs. It’s durable and very stylish.

Eye-Fi SD Card with Wireless ($50 and up)

One of the items I reviewed recently was this Eye-Fi card. You do a little simple setup with it and then throw it in your camera and take photos. Depending on your settings and proximity to your wireless connection, it can automatically upload photos as you take them or when you’re done, but either way, you never plug the camera into the computer again. Great for someone who takes lots of photos.

Joby Gorillapod Mobile ($40)

Even the ever popular iPhone has room for improvement. For example, trying to take non-shaky video, or watching a movie on the iPhone can be a challenge because of the smoothly rounded edges, but Joby introduced this GorillaMobile tripod to help. It’s not something I’ll use every day, but it is useful. Even though it’s around $40, it could be a nice little stocking stuffer, too. (read more here)

Beamer ($38)

If you own an iPhone or have even just seen the recent Droid commercials, I’m sure you’re aware of one of the missing iPhone camera features, a flash. Beamer is an iPhone case that has a build in light to work as a flash. Incredibly simple, yet the first product to solve this problem (that I’ve seen, anyway). It’s a great little gift for anyone who takes a lot of club or party photos with their iPhone.

Arduino Starter Kit ($70)

If the geek on your Christmas list is like me, he or she either has this or wants it badly. Arduino is a popular electronics learning and prototyping platform for developing small devices. The kit has everything needed to jump in and start getting geeky. This is on my own wish list this year.

Peggy 2 Kit ($95)

Last year, for Christmas, my wife got me a little home brew gaming kit called Meggy Jr. This kit comes from the same company and I’ve had my eye on it for a while. It’s a pegboard of LED lights that can be programmed by its maker and is a really cool electronics project.

$100 And Up

Amazon Kindle Reader ($259)

I can think of at least one thing better than taking a book with you on vacation or a long trip, and that’s taking a bunch of books with you all crammed into a slim little device like the Kindle. Better still, you can get your JoeTech.com fix on the Kindle!

Droid or iPhone ($200 w/ contract -$600 without)

It used to be that the G1 was the only solid competition for the iPhone. Don’t get me wrong, the G1 is an awesome phone, but I still prefer the iPhone and now Verizon has competition of its own with Droid in its corner. Currently on review loan from Verizon, my droid is shaping up to be a really nice phone and the iPhone has already proven itself as a great phone. Either would be the gift to make the geek in your life jump for joy.

Logic Wireless Bolt 1.5 ($475)

Although it’s no iPhone or Droid, this is a phone that makes waves. More than just a phone, it has a projector in it. I got hands on with an original Bolt 1.0 unit a while back and loved it. The 1.5 looks sleeker than ever and I spoke with the CEO a couple weeks ago who promises even more good stuff coming up.

Everything Else

– Pretty much anything at Think Geek (Free FedEx Home Delivery. Use code: DEALNEWS)

– Other new products at Quirky

If you’ve recovered from Black Friday, it’s time to prepare for Cyber Monday and get that geek in your life the right gift. Don’t forget to share this list with friends and leave no geek with an unwanted gift.

Tag: present

What Do I Get A Geek For Christmas? Geek Gift Guide