Have to Return Something: Geekscribe Guide to Great Gifts 2009

 Print This Article |  Email This Article

So, you have to return that sweater your Aunt gave you.  Why not pick up something cool for yourself?  This list is for you!   Having a hard time figuring out the perfect present for yourself?   Well, there are a lot of great gifts out there, and some of my favorites are listed below.  I thought it might be helpful this year to add categories, and whenever possible I linked to Amazon so you can see the product and product reviews.

Gifts for a Traveler

Ableplanet NC300W noise canceling headphones: I reviewed these recently and found them to be excellent, comfortable headphones.  They are great for cutting out noisy environments such as airplanes or bus rides. ABLE PLANET NC300W True Fidelity Around-the-Ear Active Noise Canceling Headphones (White)

Total Cost: Between $100 and $130

Gifts for movie lovers

Year subscription to Netflix: My family just started up on Netflix a couple of months ago, and we love it.  We are on the 2 Blu-ray at a time plan which includes unlimited viewing of available online content through our computers, XBOX or PS3.  There are about a thousand titles online including obscure TV shows that we can’t find locally for sale but have wanted to watch.  Blockbuster has a competing plan that a friend of mine has.  However, I had nothing but headaches with them.  They raised my rates several times in a short time and changed the conditions of my agreement as well to increase their profit and decrease my use.

Total cost: between $110 and and $685 for an entire year’s worth of awesomeness depending upon the number of DVDs or Blu-rays that are checked out at a time.  The high end plans ship you up to eight DVDs or Blu-rays at a time.  I’m not sure how you could possibly watch that many all at once without your brain melting away.

Movie Review Books: Specifically what I mean is books that attempt to review every single movie (or a good portion).  I have no suggestions here, unfortunately.  My favorite guide as you may recall is The DVD & Video Movie Guide by Martin and Porter which hasn’t been published since 2007, and  I haven’t found a suitable replacement yet.  If you have suggestions, I would love them.  Just don’t mention the Leonard Maltin video guide.

Total cost:  $15 to $25 generally

Movie Books: There are a ton of books out there that specialize in certain topics.  My wife got me a great one last year called Flickipedia – Perfect Films For Every Occasion, Holiday, Mood, Ordeal, and Whim. It’s organized by topic, such as St. Patrick’s Day or Easter movies, or even movies to watch while you are Sick.

Total cost:  $15 to $25 generally

Gifts for a gamer

An awesome new video game: There are a lot of great titles out there.  Here are a couple I have heard are excellent.

Left 4 Dead 2: This is supposed to be an amazing game.  I have friends who played the first and loved it and the second title is supposed to be even better. Left 4 Dead 2

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is supposed to be an instant classic.  It’s winning raves left and right from hardcore gamers. Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2

Gifts for someone who isn’t technical but wants to be

The Twitter Book by Tim O’Reilly and Sarah Milstein (O’Reilly Books):  This book is a great primer for people who want to get involved with Twitter but have no idea what it is.  It has great samples and explanations, written in a way that makes Twitter instantly accessible.

Total cost: $15 to $20 depending upon the retailer

Gifts NOT to get

Steering Wheel Desk: I am not making this up –  this is a desk for your steering wheel.  If you want a good laugh, read the reviews of this product on Amazon.  There are some amazing pictures as well that have been submitted by shoppers. Laptop Steering Wheel Desk

Share, Promote and Bookmark to:

No related posts.