I have a strict policy when it comes to gifting: if you don’t want to go the extra mile, don’t bother. Now, for some of you, this article came too late. You bought your gifts days, weeks, possibly even months ago. I got my nephew a soccer ball the other day because he loves the sport.
That sounds considerate, but I took the easy way out because it was just a ball. Had I gone the extra mile, I would have bought him a customized soccer ball, the kind with his favourite soccer star’s face or the colours of his favourite team. I intend to do better this year.
Still, I have a few gift-related ideas your nerdy friend or family member may like. The most obvious option is customized paraphernalia, such as a Sailor Moon make-up kit (for Millenials with an enduring love for anime), a Miljonir-shaped bottle opener (Thor’s hammer), a Dalek-shaped pencil sharpener, etc.
Basically, every item you can think of has a nerdy version waiting to blow your loved one’s mind. If you don’t trust your taste, but have the money, stick to jewellery. Have you seen those fabulous Game of Thrones dire wolf pendants online?
A few years ago, I came close to buying a Doctor Who fob watch. Imagine a genuine pocket watch but with Gallifreyan runes etched into the bronze exterior. And yes, it actually tells time.
I mention the watch because some of you may resort to clothing, which is okay. But come on. If I had to choose between a Naruto Hoodie and a Hidden Leaf headband, I would choose the headband. But what if your loved ones prefer practical gifts?
Well, in that case, splurge on a gaming PC. But I warn you, even if you downgrade from a gaming desktop to a gaming laptop, you are still looking at a thousand dollars or more. Consoles are equally expensive. But they are worth the investment. Imagine your loved one waking up to a brand-new PS5.
If your bank account is already groaning because of the cost, a truly starved gamer will appreciate a PS4. You can get a decent unit for 800K or less. But a console is only useful if you include at least one game for them to play immediately. For the PS5, Baldur’s Gate 3’ is all the rage these days.
For the PS4, let them cut their teeth on ‘God of War 4.’ If they favour the Nintendo Switch, get ‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.’ If they already own a console, get them a customized console. Have you seen the Spiderman 2 PS5? It is gorgeous.
Avid online gamers will worship the ground you walk on if you gift them a high-quality headset. A pair of noise-canceling headphones does wonders for anyone unfortunate enough to work in the city center. The reader in your family will go bananas over an annual audible subscription (eBooks).
The subscription is safer than buying them a book they may hate. You can also pay for Comixology or any online manga/comics platform that scratches your itch. The TV enthusiasts in your home will delight in an annual subscription to Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and the like.
If you want to participate in the fun, you can’t go wrong with Legos. The Lego Millennium Falcon has a whopping 7,500 pieces. It may take you the better part of a week to assemble the model. If you share your child’s love for Star Wars, buy a couple of lightsabers and spend the night re-enacting the original trilogy.
If your housemates don’t care for the noise, what about a beautifully sculpted Lord of the Rings chess set or a giant Avengers puzzle? As you can see, you are spoilt for choice.
katmic200@gmail.com
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