Rich Garner

As is custom at this time of year, I wanted to share some cheap and easy online gift ideas to make your Christmas shopping season a little more sane. If you know me, or have met me online, you’ll probably already know that I am a hardcore geek at heart. I own Transformers toys that I bought when I was an adult, I watch the entire The Lord of the Rings Special Edition Trilogy at least once a year, I know every line to every episode of Futurama and I can even speak a little Klingon (although the translation is a bit foul).

So it stands to reason that I have collected a few of my favorite gifts to give any geek in your life. To make thing even easier, these are ALL gift certificates that can be purchased, and redeemed, online. (And YES, I do realize that I shared some of the same gift ideas last year. But you know if it works, why change it?)

GOG.com - http://www.gog.com
Good Old Games has made a huge name for themselves in the gamer community by offering classic PC games from the past 20 years for download without any DRM restrictions. Their games are either $6 or $10 and they have a very good selection of popular PC games that have made history! Every game you purchase has an option to “Gift It” to your favorite gamer geek.

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RiffTrax - http://www.rifftrax.com
If you have ever watched Mystery Science Theater 3000 then you know these guys. Basically they offer downloadable audio tracks that you sync up to your favorite DVD and listen as the hilarious team of riffers make fun of the movie from beginning to end. Gift Certificates here.

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Netflix – http://www.Netflix.com
Hardly needs an explanation, but here goes anyway… Netflix sends you DVD rentals in the mail that you watch and then return in their pre-paid mailing sleeve. The best feature of Netflix (in my opinion) is the ability to watch TONS of movies and TV shows online through their streaming web service. Gift Certificates here.

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Pandora – http://www.pandora.com
Pandora allows you to create your very own online streaming music station that randomly plays music you like or may like based on your tastes. It’s very accurate and best of all… IT’S FREE! Create a Gift Station for your friend with music they will love!

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PC Gamer – http://www.pcgamer.com
The magazine has gone through a lot in the past couple of decades and yet they still manage to throw together a VERY informative, entertaining and stylish publication month after month. With subscriptions come PC Gamer Demo Disks packed with game demos, trailers, tools, and tons of goodies every month!

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Amazon – http://www.amazon.com
Again… A web service that need no explanation.  Yet, here it is: Amazon is one of the largest online retailers of books, music, movies and practically anything you can think of.  Geeks can find all sorts of sci-fi collectibles, movies, music, games and even downloads.

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Whatever you do, make sure you give your geek what he really wants… a big HUG!