What to Get My Geek for Valentine's Day?

A reader writes "Help!!! I've been dating my geek for three months and I'm in a bit of a dilemma. So I thought I'd ask the men of Slashdot what they would want as a Valentine's Day gift. I'm looking for something out of the ordinary that will knock his socks off. Somthing clever, crafty and unique. The budget is $100. My geek's interests are typical geek fare, games, computers, music and gadgetry. So! You, men of Slashdot, tell me what you would want to recieve for Valentine's day and help me make my geek happy."

ThinkGeek Valentine guide

[bstil]

Check out the ThinkGeek Valentine guide [thinkgeek.com].

Gadget coat

[Delusional]

Take a look at the stuff at ScottEVest [scottevest.com]. If he's a gadget geek (aren't we all) he's gotta have one of these.

Rez + Trance Vibe (Re:Not really a geek )

[StCredZero]

If he plays games, and he has a PS2, get him Rez with the Trance Vibrator [gamegirladvance.com]. It might be a bit of a rush by now.

A quick search on google

[armando_wall]

Well, lady, just typing "the perfect present for a geek" [google.com] in google gave me some interesting links...

This one might help you [presentpicker.com].

Amazon's hidden "Geek" section

[slothdog]

Amazon has a well-hidden Early Adopers Store [amazon.com] that has all the latest gadgetry and toys. Lots of fun stuff there....

Shower Shock!

[pvera]

Yeah, from ThinkGeek.

My wife got me 3 bars and the first time I tried it I got a nasty buzz. It is actually a very nice soap even if not taking into account that it delivers as much caffeine as two cups of coffee with each shower.

Something that will knock socks off

[Whispers_in_the_dark]

How 'bout an Airzooka! [airzooka.com]? They're a good bit of harmless fun, especially at the office. I know that the one I picked up recently can knock about a lot of lightweight things (including socks that aren't actually being worn) from a range of 15 feet or more. Household pets tend to get annoyed but then seem to enjoy it. Our dog gets all excited and wants to play every time I bring it home. Plus, they're reasonably priced (I got mine from a local Biggs for about $13).

Re:A threesome with your girlfriend

[BitchAss]

Yup - then blog [indecentblogging.com] about it :)

Geekier than that...

[FireballFreddy]

ThinkGeek is too easy. Here's an idea that is sure to please:

1. Go to Molecular Expressions Beershots [molecularexpressions.com], locate the microscopic photo of his favorite beer, and order the poster.
2. While it is shipping, go have a custom frame made for the poster.
3. Give framed poster and 6-pack of favorite beer as Valentine's Day presents.

You should be able to accomplish this for around $100, and it will appeal to many geek traits: Science, Art, the Unusual and Extraordinary, and Love of Alcohol. He'll totally dig it. And as an added bonus for you, after a few beers he'll probably be better in bed. ;)

-FF

LEGO!!!!

[Trejus]

Too many people have thier heads in their pants to think of the one true geek gift, the all-mighty LEGO set. I can't think of any geeks that don't love them.

Granted, nowardays the selection isn't that great, but for $100 you can get a reasonably complicated one.

And as an added bonus, the gift is somewhat romantic as you can spend some time that day putting it together before engaging in more traditional romantic endevours.

Something "Normal"

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm a geek. I remember not having a girlfriend and being taunted (and kicked once!) when I was younger. I definately would not want a geeky present. Valentine's day was always my saddest day of the year. Just on that day I realized how different I was, and that I didn't fit into society.

Tomorrow I can go back to studying white papers, reading motherboard specifications and working on my matrix operation library. But, make me feel "normal" just for one day. That would be sweet.

How about..

[Anonymous Coward]

the gift of letting this person NOT having to worry about buying meaningless gifts every other week for stupid holidays invented by greedy corporations?

Re:Blow job

[harlows_monkeys]

How is that off-topic? Every (male) geek wants one of those for valentines day

This is 2004, not 1904. If they've been dating for three months, he's already getting blowjobs, or better. A Valentines gift should be something special.

First thing that comes to mind after the blowjob suggestion gets us stuck on thinking of things involving genitals is to do something in the bedroom that you wouldn't normally do because it is too much effort. For instance, he's a gamer...so how about some cosplay? Dress up as some kind of young Japanese girl, anime style, and let him have his perverted way. :-)

Re:Blow job

[carrett]

actually, in my experience, you lose your geekness first, then you get sex.

Re:Something non-geeky

[jpmkm]

Damn straight. Get him something you want to get him. Don't look for something that he wants or needs, because if he wanted it himself then he would have already bought it. I know I would have. If I haven't bought the item then it's probably too expensive, in which case my girlfriend couldn't afford it either.
The whole idea of setting aside certain days of the year to give gifts just pisses me off to no end. I have no problem with getting gifts for people, but only if I feel like it and I want to. I just absolutely hate the feeling of obligating to get gifts for people. The problem is when people expect gifts and then I don't get them somthing, they are disappointed and then it makes me feel bad. They never fuckign seem to take into account that I'm a poor college boy and I can't afford all that shit. Am I supposed to not eat so that I can buy shit for people? I'm sorry guys, but I have to think of myself first.
uh, sorry about that rant, but it's that time of year and I'm pissed off about it.

Re:Tools!

[mindriot]

If it really has to be a typical geek thing (I kind of favor a non-geeky gift), then a keychain USB drive sounds good -- just don't forget to store a nice picture of you on it! (Will make a nice surprise the first time he uses the drive)

here is somethings that are unique

[geekoid]

pretty much a boring list of things.

How about a nice watch? something that connects to a USB port perhaps?
http://www.usbwatch.us/

You could also check out the local airport for an intaductory flight lesson. Where he gets to go up in a craft and check it out. Unique, fun.

I am not sure of the cost of this one, but you could lookinto getting him a tandem parachute jump.

Some local race ways will sell a ride in a race car. again, price will vary substantially.

If he's a gammer, you could get him some unique dice:
http://www.buncogame.com/bcat1.shtml

another good site for gamers is:
http://www.game-universe.com/default.php?cPat h=_30 &

Does he have a favorite comic? see if you can find some signed art.

into linux? adopt a penguin:
http://www.seabirds.org/adopt.htm

If he's into BSD, he could adopt a demon. heh.

Nice clothes, or something non-geeky

[zapp]

Speaking for myself (a geek with a 2+year lasting relationship) ... I like to get the geeky stuff myself.

What my girlfriend usually gets me are some clothes that make me look good (I have a tendency to buy comfortable clothes), which i can wear to nice events or dates. This works out because I hate spending more than $20 on a pair of pants or shirt (or clothes in general), because she has better taste than I do, and because it leaves me to pick my own geeky self-presents.

Seriously, if you wanna make your geek happy, buy him some clothes that you think make him look hot and then tell him how great he looks in them. :) Of course, you have to know a bit about his taste too.

Nah, use variables so he can do his choice...

[Anonymous Coward]

Roses are $bar;
Violets are $foo;

And it even rhymes!

Nothing

[Patik]

Don't bother celebrating a holiday that has no meaning for either of you. Save these suggestions for your anniversary. And if you just want to give him something, do it when you think of it, don't wait for a specific day (especially an arbitrary one like 2/14), just go ahead and do it. He'll appreciate the spontaneity and the fact that you were thinking about him far more than he'll appreciate any gift on 2/14.

Lingerie

[siphoncolder]

I don't know a single guy out there that doesn't dig lingerie, or chicks wearing scanty clothes. If you have any clues as to what might tickle his fancy, get it and SURPRISE him with it. I would go into more of a description, but that would be giving too much away - it'd be *MY* fantasy, not his.

Really, geek toys are for Christmas. This is VALENTINE'S day coming up, the day of non-material gift-giving.

(Though I suspect he'd dig either the blowjob and/or threesome ;))

What I'm getting him for Valentines Day

[clarinetforhire]

How about an extra large pizza delivered to his door with the pepperoni arranged in the shape of a heart? Geeks love pizza! You just need to find a place that will let you pay for it over the phone at the time you order it.

Of course, that's not going to get anywhere near your $100 limit, so you might want to toss in some more goodies. Have some Mt. Dew delivered too, and spicy wings, and dippin' dots....

Darn, now I'm hungry.

I'm doing this for the geek I'm flirting with, but without all the extras because his birthday is right after Valentines Day, and I'm jobless at the moment.

Oooh, I just had another idea: you could pick up the pizza and deliver it yourself, dressed up in some way that he would find appealing. My geek would be getting that if he'd let me be the girlfriend instead of just the friend....

If he's like most geeks...

[Trolling4Dollars]

...he's into sex, but pretends not to be. At least until he gets to know you better. If you are aware of what some of his interests/fantasies are, you could indulge him a little in that way. Rather fitting for Valentine's Day.

Dressing up in something a little sexy and waking him up that way one morning might just fit the bill.

The supposed lack of interest or opportunity related to sex is largely a myth. Geeks have very strong sexual desires and usually can be quite "open minded" once they are comfortable with their partner.

do you USE your leatherman?

[Anonymous Coward]

once you actually break in your leatherman it will flip open like a butterfly knife....
gerber's are ok, but not the same quality in my experience (i've broken both)....

Re:Blow job

[Zugok]

You mean like this [sabrina.jp]? No they are not mannequins.

Re:Something non-geeky

[chromasoma]

I've been with my geek for 4 years. Even though I'm pretty well qualified for that title myself, I ususally never buy him hardware or geeky toys unless he tells me that's what he wants (and yes, it is all right to ask HIM if you are stuck). The reason? If he doesn't already have it, he probably doesn't want or need it.
The most successful gifts I've given are useful, often more stylish versions of things he's had for years and never upgraded. For instance, his bulky old digi watch didn't work for dressing up, so I got him an ultra-thin metal Swatch skin: Swatch Skin [yahoo.com]. Now he doesn't even wear his old watch at all.
If he's a gamer, try an Nvidia [shopnvidia.com] or ATI [ati.com] hoodie- warm and comfortable but not just a boring clothing gift (just make sure you know which card he prefers first).
We had lost our lotr books in one move or the other, and since he wanted to re-read it I got him the leather bound compilation with the pull out maps for about 85$.
I've also done things like refoaming his old stage speakers. About 80$ and it made quake much more enjoyable for him. I also have bought an inexpensive entertainment center (our tv was on the floor) and an external switchbox that took s-video. I set it up at work and it was a nice surprise; now he can play one of his consoles or watch a dvd without unplugging anything (word of advice: don't try lifting a 36" tv by yourself).
If there's anything that he's been saying he means to do but hasn't got around to use that as a guide. And if you can't think of anything to buy, go somewhere cool, like a picnic on an island or at a park, or plan a weekend trip that involves his interests (i.e. we live in Florida, so I took him to see a shuttle launch at Kennedy Space center a few years ago. Got rained out, but he'd never seen the museums before and we got to see the ISS before it was launched).

Exchange secret interests

[X86Daddy]

This can be sexual or non, but share with him an interest that he doesn't already know about. Likewise, the follow-up is that you can indulge him in his and provide him with a new facet of yourself to get involved with...

Even if you've been together for a long time, you can probably think back to an old interest / hobby, or good old-fashioned fantasy which you haven't made apparent to him.

Do Something Geek Instead

[DynaSoar]

Acknowledge to him that it's "for" Valentines, but prepare a celebration based on something strange, unique, trivia-laden, or in other ways geekish. The act of having done so, in order to honor the geek in him/her/it, will probably be far more appreciated that a cool gift for a common holiday. Pick a "holiday" near by Valentine's, such as:

Feb 11: White Shirt Day, as well as 40th anniversary of the Beatles first US concert.

Feb 12: Barbie's (the doll) birthday. Dress up like Barbie and um.....

Feb 14: Ferris Wheel Day

Feb 15: National Gum Drop Day, as well as Jewlery Day (something for everyone!)

Feb 20: Hoodie-Hoo Day

Or just celebrate any of the things February is chosen as the 'month of' such as chocolate, snack food or candy.

http://www.butlerwebs.com/holidays/february.htm# 14

im surprised

[lode303]

I'm surprised by the total lack of maturity and respect by the slashdot community. I truly expected more. Every day i read insightful comments and articles on some really cool topics that make me think. well, this one did too. I just think that all the stupid blow job comments and the ones about sex were totally lame and seemed straight out of middle school. and no, i dont think it was a "joke" because it wasnt. so anyway, just wanted to share a piece of my mind. I wish geeks (i use that word loosely) wouldnt live up to their lame stereotypes and get some social sense. grow up please. Anyway, I also have some gifts to recommend If i was to buy a gift I would invest in a good book. Fiction or Non-Fiction. Some I enjoy a lot are: Godel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstadter (amazing mind opener, nobel prize winner) Solaris by Stanislaw Lem (writing a thesis on him currently, this book has so much within it anyone can love it) (Also His Master's Voice by Lem is great) Under more conventional science fiction I enjoy books by Vernor Vinge, Connie Willis, Philip K. Dick etc. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep and The Man in the High Castle are both endlessly enjoyable. Hope this helps. : ) good luck

something ungeeky!

[john_uy]

i would want to have a very different valentines gift. something you don't do everyday.

- scuba
- bungee jumping
- trip to magic mountain
- kayaking/canoeing(?)
- beach
- surfboarding
- trip to nasa where you can get to train to be an astronaut
- go in a sea land (aquariums)
- skydiving
- building skydiving (or some term that i forget)
- hiking
- cruise
- sleep!
- parasailing
- trekking
- visit a zoo
- visit a museum/art gallery
- getting wed again!
- rock/wall climbing
- exercise!
- gliding
- skiing

etc.