Shopping for presents can be a stressful thing. This is why Christmas is not always “the most wonderful time of the year.” While presents are not the reason behind the season, as they say, it is part of the holiday nonetheless. For that reason, we have put together 5 tips and ideas for gift-giving to a nerdy loved-one.
Do your research.
A little espionage never hurt anybody. Social media is a great place to start. Does this person have a specific fandom they rave about online? If so, use those platforms to find out what kinds of things are popular for that fandom. For example, if your gift-receiver is a fan of “Supernatural,” there are some great online resources for gift-giving. You can start with shopstands.com or conquestjournals.com for some great “Supernatural” gifts as well as some other fandoms.
Conquest Journals also has some magical “Harry Potter” planners if you have an organized nerd on your hands. If this person is a reader, try finding out if there are any good books or graphic novels they are looking for or wanting. If you are buying for someone with a love of cosplay, there are some great websites for buying cosplay accessories, but remember, it is important to research and be sure you are buying something this person will use in their cosplay.
Listen to who you’re buying for.
This and number 1 go hand-in-hand. It can be easy to run to the store, see a fandom shirt and grab it as a gift. And, don’t get me wrong, we’ve all done something similar. The problem, though, is that some nerds are very into their fandoms and very likely already have something similar to this item. If your nerdy friend/family member has an upcoming event (like a convention), there can be photo op or autograph tickets purchased as a gift instead. Some conventions and events will be more costly than others so gifting money towards the desired item may be more in your desired price range. Maybe there is a new show or movie this nerd is currently obsessed with; this can be a good opportunity to find merchandise specific to that fandom. Another thing to keep in mind is if your loved one is not into gift-giving, a nice alternative is to donate to their favorite charity in their name.
Think out of the box.
One of the great things about fandoms is that there are usually a ton of independent artists who can be commissioned for their artwork. Not only can you get a great one-of-a-kind piece for your loved one, but you can help that independent artist during a stressful season. Custom comics, drawings, and paintings are great autograph items if your nerd has the chance to meet one of the celebrities in said artwork. Word of caution, please commission them in enough time to get the gift before Christmas. Many of these people take their time to create something great for their customers and want it to turn out exactly as you wish it to, so give them the time they need. Etsy is also a great place to try and find some fandom-y items that can’t be just purchased at Walmart or Target and still help smaller businesses.
Subscriptions are the gift that keeps on giving.
Nerds everywhere have started buying subscriptions to the new Disney+ streaming network so they can watch some of their favorite Marvel movies any time they want. Some have enjoyed watching just for the nostalgia of their childhood. Amazon Prime and Netflix also have their own original shows and movies that have nerds salivating for more.
“The Boys,” “Good Omens,” “Stranger Things” are all a few of the original shows that have come from streaming networks. If you have a friend or family member who would love this, but can’t afford the monthly service, this can be a great gift idea! There are other types of subscriptions that nerds love, too. Subscription boxes for gamers, “Harry Potter” enthusiasts, and comic book lovers are another way to wow. Accio, My Sci-Fi Club, Enchanted Fandom, Marvel Gear + Goods, and Anime Bento are all examples of subscription boxes that nerds love.
Never underestimate the power of plastic.
Gift cards, that is. Some people shy away from giving gift cards for Christmas because they think it is a little impersonal. I disagree. If you know your nerdy loved-one really wants this gaming console or accessory that you cannot afford to buy them, give them a gift card and let them know you want them to put that toward the purchase of that console or accessory they’ve had their eyes on. This lets them know that thought really was put into this purchase. Gift cards are also great because if you do not have the ability to find out what this person does or does not already have, this allows them to buy whatever they want with no worries of having to return or exchange it.
Christmas gift-giving can be a fun experience, but sometimes it takes the extra effort to make it worthwhile for both the giver and the receiver. Knowing that your loved one received something they adore is worth the time and effort that you had to put in to find that item. Happy holiday shopping and have a very nerdy Christmas!
Written by Alicia Barr
