How do you reduce the awkward factor when calling your geek friend for tech support when you haven’t called since the last time your need help?  Here’s how – buy him/her a Holiday gift.  Geeks love gifts; you need tech support, so everyone wins!

But what do you get a geek for Christmas without making them feel like you got something from the island of misfit toys?  Here are some geek gift suggestions that will improve your karma and increase your chances of getting tech support from your nerd buddy the next time you have a PC crash.

First, here are few things NOT to get your techie:

• The Green Lantern Movie DVD – already has it.
• Anything to do with Twilight – not considered scifi.
• A blind date – unless you want to loose a friend
• CDs (geeks download)

Here are some off-the-wall ideas for your off-the-wall geek that will earn you some guilt-free tech support.

Lightsaber

Since the first lightsaber appeared in Star Wars every geek has longed for one (or two).  And while “real” lightsaber technology may not be here today, these are pretty close.  These sabers are packed with special effects giving them movie accurate lights and sounds. The blades light from the bottom up (with sound, of course) and fade from the top down (again, with sound).  Each wave will trigger its own sound effect and each crash of saber on saber (or any other object) will also deliver an explosion of sound.

At $99.99 this is the tech-support-for-life gift.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/clearance/on-sale/b72c/

Here’s cool video demonstrating effects that are generated by the lighsaber and not dubbed.

 

Air Swimmers Remote Controlled Flying Shark

The Air Swimmers RC flying sea creatures stalk through the air with incredibly smooth and life-like motion.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/geek-kids/3-7-years/e7f7/

Check this video for the “wow” effect of of a shark floating in air.

 

Geek T-shirts

Here’s a collection of the best t-shirts worn by Sheldon and Leonard on The Big Bang Theory, plus Hobard’s belt buckles, and other cool stuff seen on the show (Periodic Table shower curtain, anyone?),

http://www.sheldonshirts.com/

 

 

Here are a few websites with geek gift ideas for holidays, birthdays, Dragon*Con, and other important days on the nerd calendar.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/

http://www.x-tremegeek.com/

http://www.kleargear.com/