Awesome Gifts for Nerds - From Geek Gadgets to Pop Culture Prizes

One of the few things I hate about birthdays, weddings, showers, and holidays is that it can be so difficult to find good gifts for people. We all know that difficult person who just buys everything he wants, or who returns everything people give her, no matter what.

Thank goodness geeks are easy to shop for! Though the nerdier members of our population may be a bit odd at times (at least with all those obscure references and predilection for fringe culture), there are plenty of gifts out there that are sure to be a hit.

The key is finding exactly what your geek/nerd buddies are geeky and nerdy about, then getting some gifts related to that thing. Easy peasy! Below I've assembled a collection of the top geeky gifts of the year for you to consider. If you're like me, you'll have to buy two of everything- one for the special nerd in your life.... and one for yourself!

I'm a major Doctor Who geek, so I have to start with some gift ideas for those who love one of my favorite television shows of all time.

An obvious choice is a sonic screwdriver. Before choosing one of these replicas for the Dr. Who fan in your life, make sure you subtly ask about which Doctor your buddy likes most, since there are different screwdrivers for different Doctors.

Other great Doctor Who gifts include:

• Bow ties, suspenders, a cowboy hat, or even a fez (for 11th Doctor fans!)
• TARDIS figurines, cookie jars, USB Hubs, and earrings (See Etsy for the earrings)
• A poster of the Van Gogh TARDIS painting (FROM MY FAVORITE DR. WHO EPISODE OF ALL TIME)

Many people assume that computer nerds will only get excited about new electronics. To be perfectly honest, buying hardware and/or software for true computer geeks is a bit dangerous, since they're so well-versed in these things (and often so passionately particular about what is good and what is terrible) that your less-informed purchase decisions run a high risk of disappointing.

You can, however, have a much higher chance of pleasing and impressing computer enthusiasts by catering to their brand preferences. The nice thing about getting, say, an Apple logo necklace or a Linux shirt, is that you don't have to worry about getting something that is technologically inferior, somehow incompatible, or already-purchased!

What's more, non-techy-but-nonetheless-computer-related gifts are fun, which can be a nice diversion from the usually workhorse-like nature of the hardware and software that computer-fans usually invest in.

If you're not exactly sure what your geeky friend likes most, consider Star Wars to be a safe bet. It's such a widely-beloved classic that pretty much any self-respecting nerd is going to like Rebel or Empire-related goodies.

Lightsabers make for extra fun gifts- mostly because it doesn't take a serious Star Wars fan to enjoy the brilliance of futuristic glowy swords. Since lightsaber replicas (at least the decent ones) are pretty expensive, I recommend giving the gift of lightsaber chopsticks. I bought my own pair a year ago and still get a huge kick out of them!

Stormtroopers are also a common Star Wars favorite (WARNING: Do not give Empire gifts to those who identify with the rebel forces), so fun little Stormtrooper clocks and nutcrackers (for the winter holidays) also make great goodies.

Yeah, yeah, just when you think you're free of the 'Star' gifts.... But Star Trek fans abound, and there are so many cool gifts you can give to Trekkies!!

I'm a big fan of kitchen goods and useful gifts, so I love the USS Enterprise-shaped bottle openers and pizza cutters out there. They look cool, and unlike many other replicas and figurines out there, they'll do something more than collect dust!!

If you've got some boozy buddies who love Star Trek, I recommend the hip flask. If you want to promote fun mock fights instead of drinking, go with the phaser. There are also, of course, Starfleet Command Division badge prop replicas, Star Trek colognes, and tons and tons of figurines... but... I strongly, strongly recommend gifts that do things! Nerds are all about functionality.

It doesn't get nerdier than Dungeons and Dragons, so why not have a bit of fun with some D&D gifts!

If your D&D-loving friends or family still play, consider getting them some sweet new game accessories, like steampunk dice!

If you know a Dungeons and Dragons fangirl, I highly recommend D&D dice earrings. They're AWESOME, and even though I've never played or even really know much about the game, I totally want a pair.

Before doing a bit of searching, I had thought that internet memes were too etherial for there to be gifts made of them, but I was wrong!

One of my favorite (and perhaps the strangest) meme gifts is the bar of Trollface meme soap. Talk about hilarious and creepy!! You can also get Me Gusta and Forever Alone soap and some other hilariously strange bars.

FYI, there are also Nyan Cat t-shirts, classic lolcat books, and many, many other blog-related publications, if your meme-loving buddies are into that whole... book thing.

To be perfectly honest, the best gift you can give to a nerdy friend is something that money can't buy.

What I'm trying to say is that geeking out with your nerdy buddy is more valuable than any trinket (however cool) you might offer. So if you have to choose between spending money on a thing versus treating the two of you to (or joining in on) a geeky convention / movie / event, definitely go for the experience.

But if you're really itching to wrap something all purdy-like... well, these aren't terrible options.