The holiday season has officially begun and now millions of Americans are struggling to decide on what to get their loved ones for Christmas. Sometimes it’s easy because a gift just jumps out at you or because your loved one explicitly mentioned what they wanted.
Unfortunately many people lack the enthusiasm for Christmas that they had as children and consequently will usually say something like “I don’t care” when you ask what they want.
If you’re buying a gift for the techie in your life it can be even harder; especially if you’re not technologically inclined. There are so many gadgets and gizmos out there that it can be hard to know where to look, much less know what’s good or not.
To help you out this holiday season, here are some awesome websites to check out while you’re doing your shopping as well as some amazing gift ideas that are bound to thrill the technophile in your life. Let’s get started…
ThinkGeek.com
Within the heart of tech lover is an appreciation for all things nerdy. If you’re looking for a fun, quirky, and inexpensive gift for the techie in your life, it’s hard to do better than ThinkGeek.com.
Looking to invoke a little nostalgia? How about a Boba Fett Bath Robe topped off with some Doctor Who Slippers? Looking for a project to occupy the DIY junky in your life? Try out the Build Your Own Gramophone or 3D Printing Pen!
If you want to spend under $100 and want to impress the tech fiend in the family, Think Geek is the place to go. There’s a little something for everyone; and who knows, you might wind up getting something for yourself!
Scientifics Online
Science and Technology go together like peanut butter and jelly. Scientifics Online is a great online resource for purchasing DIY (do-it-yourself) science kits; there’s a Robotics Kit, Levitating Lamps, and even a USB Powered Polygraph Kit!
One of the coolest things on there is the littleBits Open Source Electronics Module Kit. For as little as $99, you can start building small electronics or start integrating them into household objects like your shoes! If your loved ones enjoys electronics and DIY projects, this gift is perfect for them.
The price range for most Scientifics Online projects usually hovers over $100, so if you’re on a budget this might not be the place for you; but if you’re looking for some amazing and fun projects for the techie / serial DIYer in your life, Scientifics Online is perfect for your needs!
Roku Streaming Device
If you asked a tech enthusiast who the most despicable people in the world are, they would overwhelmingly respond with Comcast Executive; ranked slightly above ISIS militants. The fact of the matter is if you follow technology, you know how severely limited we are by the giant cable companies and media conglomerates.
If your tech fiend family member hasn’t already, they probably have at least talked about getting rid of cable and “cutting the cord.” Why not be the hero of the holidays and help free your family from the tyranny of cable with a Roku streaming box?
With Roku, you can stream Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO, Amazon Prime, and much more! Not only does Roku give you access to some of the latest and greatest television and film, but Roku also comes with thousands of niche web channels with millions of hours of content.
The best part is that Roku starts off as cheap as $50, so if you’re on a budget it won’t break the bank! Proceed with caution, however, if you’re not careful you might wind up buying a Roku for yourself instead!
Kano Computer Kit
The Kano Computer Kit is probably one of the coolest things on the market right now. Plenty of people talk about wanting to build a computer, but few ever do because it seems too complicated or expensive. The Kano computer kit solves both of these problems.
The Kano computer kit is a simple, easy to build, DIY computer that comes with simple and intuitive instructions. With little effort your tech-inclined loved one will be constructing a small and adaptable Raspberry Pi computer; and at $150 it’s not ridiculously expensive. If you’re looking for the perfect DIY Christmas gift, you just found it.
Finding the perfect Christmas gift for the technophile in your life isn’t as hard as it seems. All you need to do is know what to look for. Is it clever? Electronic? Can you build something with it? If you said yes to any of those, odds are they will love it. Remember, the most important kind of gift is one that comes from the heart. It doesn’t matter how much you spend on them, as long as it shows that you love them.
Dave Kennedy is a long time cordcutter who became increasingly frustrated with the high cost of Cable TV and decided to make a stance. In 2011 he launched KilltheCableBill.com, a site dedicated to helping people save money through providing simple, cost-effective cable TV alternatives. Since then, David has helped 1,000s of people cancel their cable subscription while keeping the shows they love.
