Top 10 Gift Ideas for Techies and I-T Geeks(and Even the Wanna-be)

Top 10 Gift Ideas for the Tech Geek

As a future network security person, with a husband that is a programmer and a 3 year old that knows how to play Final Fantasy 7, I thought I would supply a list of 10 great gift ideas for the geeky at heart. Please try to be gentle when you criticize, for geeks are people too. Oh, and keep in mind, there is a little geek in all of us and most of us are techies at heart. So whether you or someone you know is in the IT industry, or is a geek in general, or even an in-the-closet techie, please check out the list and take some notes!

10)Jolt Beverages. You're wondering why I started with this? Obviously you have never stayed up late to finish a project on the computer or just had to finish the level you were on while playing the Playstation. We don't have time to make coffee. It's much easier to grab a can and pop it open. Price: A case of 12 23.5 ounce cans are around $22.99. Where can you buy this? Think Geek or I've found it sold in single cans at the local Speedway gas station.

9)Blue LED Faucet Light. I first saw this months ago and thought how much my son would think it was cool to have blue water streaming from his bathroom faucet. But this isn't just for kids. It can turn any faucet into a cool blue futuristic faucet. Price: around $14.99. Where can you find this? Do a search online for geek stores. I get the Think Geek catalog, but there are many others out there. And when in doubt…check EBay.

8) Any T-Shirt with a "geeky" caption. Ex: +20 Shirt of Smiting. I got my husband a shirt that said this and he loves it! I can see some of you looking rather confused over this one. It's a Dungeons and Dragons thing. Average price of T-shirts: Depending where you go, $14.99 - $18.99.

7)Liquid Mouse (with swimming duck or fish). Not for every geek at heart, but I thought it was cool. You can see through the mouse and the duck or fish swim around as you move the mouse. Can be used with PC and Mac. Approximate Price: $16.99 - $20.99

6)The Rubiks Cube. An oldie but a goodie. There is really no geek alive that can turn down trying to solve a Rubiks cube! You can find these just about everywhere now. Price: Around $9.99.

5)Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard. This was amazing. It has a device that sits on the desk and projects a virtual keyboard on the desk surface. It displays a full keyboard that you actually can type with…utterly amazing. Price: Around $179.99

4)InstantRipper Vinyl and Cassette Ripper. For those of us that have moved onto I-Pods and other MP3 players, but still have records or cassettes lying around, need this device. It's pretty easy to use and you can rip all of your crappy old records and tapes onto your computer and mp3 players. This way your friends can stop making fun of you. I'm not sure if it works with 8-tracks, but I don't see why not. Price: Around $49.99

3)Nabaztag Smart Bunny. This item is really cool. It's a virtual desktop companion. This little bunny uses WiFi technology to fetch a variety of different things for you…news, messages, stock market, weather. You can also use it as a speaker, timer, alarm clock, a personal reminder, and to read your messages for you. There's really nothing it can't do for you, except please your boss and your spouse. Price: $149 - $169.

2)A New Wireless Router. They are constantly coming out with new wireless router technology. This is the one thing I really wish for from Santa. I hate my current regular router…always having dead spots and dropping connections or cutting it too low. They have new routers out now that have wider range, less spots, and more Mbps. I recommend the NetGear RangeMax. It is backwards compatible with 802.11 b/g wireless and also works with newer 802.11n wireless. BUT it also has up to 300Mbps, which allows for more speed and less dropping or interruption. Price: Around $149.99.

1)Anything Dungeons and Dragons related. Shirts, statues, toys, or even the basic game. Want to make the geek really happy? Give him/her a getaway weekend when a D & D conference is in town or close by. They will love you for a lifetime! Price: Priceless