Jenny in Florida Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 (Quick background: Because I'm crazy and didn't foresee the burden this "cute" idea would become, I started theming the contents of the family's stockings when our daughter was little. Now, it's tradition, and, as is always true, my husband has uppped the ante to a degree that has turned this "cute" idea into something I dread each year.) Yes, I've once again left this task until the last moment. As always, I waited, hoping inspiration would strike, then ended up running out and trudging through stores desperate for ideas. The one mandatory item that must be in stockings (a hold-over from my husband's family) is a pair of silly socks, which now, of course, must relate to the theme. During a frantic Target trip a couple of days ago, I bought a pair of socks that say "nerd" on them. Hence, a theme was born. I bought a t-shirt that loosely goes with the theme, also. And I got to Whole Foods today and bought some ginger candies. However, we have fairly large stockings, and, as I mentioned, stockings became a much more elaborate affair once my husband got involved. So, I now have from now until Christmas eve to think of, find and purchase a few more stocking-stuffer-sized gifts that play off the nerd theme. I'd like to spend less than $40-ish on this project. Anyone want to help me brainstorm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Try the book store. They have tables of Dr. Who, Hobbit, and Game of Thrones merchandise. This is where we purchased DSs Periodic Table of Minecraft t-shirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 pocket protector some pens to go in the pocket protector reading glasses with black frames Nerds candies bow tie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Yes, a BIG box of Nerd candies. I like the other ideas above as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBasil Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Barnes and Noble had stocking sized logic puzzles which I think would fit the theme considering the deadline. I've been called nerdy for enjoying the following items, it might be stretching but you are down to the wire! Sudoku book plus pen or crossword book? a game like Set? a book of grid based logic puzzles Character themed boxer shorts. I bet you could find something at Target. I am positive I saw Mario Brother's boxers at our Target recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Comic books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 Try the book store. They have tables of Dr. Who, Hobbit, and Game of Thrones merchandise. This is where we purchased DSs Periodic Table of Minecraft t-shirt. Part of my challenge is that he isn't into any particular nerd-dom at the moment. He's not a Whovian, actively dislikes the Hobbit movies and already owns every book Tolkien published, doesn't watch any especially nerdy current TV shows (and we cut off our cable a few weeks ago, anyway) and hasn't been playing any particular video or computer games. He's definitely nerdy, but is in something of a latent phase, I guess. pocket protector some pens to go in the pocket protector reading glasses with black frames Nerds candies bow tie I do like the bow tie idea! Yes, a BIG box of Nerd candies. I like the other ideas above as well. He's not a big candy eater, and no one else in the house eats refined sugar unless we can be sure the source is vegan. So, I hesitate to buy something I know will go to waste. Cute idea, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 Comic books Hmmmm, he hasn't read any since he was a teenager, but this does remind me that I should scoot by the comic book shop and see if that sparks any ideas. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBasil Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Did he ever like Firefly/Serenity? They just came out with a comic continuation. I think it was only 6 or so comics and there's now a compilation book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherry in OH Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Cartoon or holiday themed boxer shorts Wind-up flashlight Head-lamp Computer/small electronics tool set Computer/small electronics cleaning kit I-tunes card New cover for phone or I-pad Phone charger for car or emergency phone charger Ear buds Slinky Silly Putty Rolls of Duct and Electrical tape Magazine, single copy or subscription Educational placemat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Oohh, that headlamp is a majorly nerdy great idea. And so useful! :lol: Love it. (Nothing wrong with being a nerd, in my book.) OH--get some long, white, cotton athletic socks to wear with dress clothes, and a pair of black socks he can wear with sandels! BOOM! Nailed the sock thingy! :hurray: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Another thought--maybe you should also put something non-nerdy in the stocking. Start weaning back the theme idea a little at a time so that, in maybe 5 years, there's only 2-3 "theme" ideas in the stocking. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 What about gadgety stuff from Radio Shack? Or a little kit that makes a solar toy or salt-water car or something. This can be small, cheap, and stocking-worthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Get him what you want and what he'll like. You are not obligated to stick to a theme. No, really! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 Get him what you want and what he'll like. You are not obligated to stick to a theme. No, really! Umm, no, really, I am. This family is BIG on tradition, It's important. I think it has to do in part with the fact that neither my husband nor I have much in the way of extended family or roots. We set out when the kids were little to create traditions that would help them feel less isolated and drifting as we did. It worked, which is lovely. But it does mean that we really do have to honor those traditions and take them seriously. Of course, the other issue is that he's just pretty much impossible to buy for, anyway. So, it's not like I have a wealth of ideas that would work but don't fit the theme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Umm, no, really, I am. This family is BIG on tradition, It's important. I think it has to do in part with the fact that neither my husband nor I have much in the way of extended family or roots. We set out when the kids were little to create traditions that would help them feel less isolated and drifting as we did. It worked, which is lovely. But it does mean that we really do have to honor those traditions and take them seriously. Of course, the other issue is that he's just pretty much impossible to buy for, anyway. So, it's not like I have a wealth of ideas that would work but don't fit the theme. Do traditions have to be all or nothing, though? Does every single item in the stocking have to relate to a theme for it to count as honoring the tradition? I think you could make just about anything fit the nerd theme. There are book nerds, comic nerds, sci-fi nerds, movie nerds, computer nerds, word nerds (;)), music nerds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyJoy Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 What about a mug with some "nerdy" interest or joke on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Do you have a place to buy used DVDs? (Saying used to keep the cost down) If so maybe... episodes of Big Bang Theory Revenge of the Nerds A documentary of some sort Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Galaxy Quest dvd? Mensa quiz cards? Friend algorithm t-shirt? Subscription to Mental Floss? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBasil Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Maybe an issue of Wired, National Geographic, the Smithsonian, or Scientific American. Not a subscription necessarily, but just one if any of the cover stories look interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Now I kinda want this stocking for myself and I don't even self-identify as super nerdy. I LOVE when there's a science magazine among all the Redbooks at the doctor's office. You need this slide rule: http://www.amazon.com/INCRA-TINYT03-Precision-T-Rule-3-Inch/dp/B002GU68LM/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1419189005&sr=8-8&keywords=slide+rule Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Rubik's cube Foxtrot comics Mechanical pencils--ds1 likes drafting pencils with 3b or even 4b leads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamppost Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 My husband's getting this in his stocking- found in the junky toy section of the bookstore: Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymonster Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Do you have a science museum nearby? I spent a very productive 30 minutes in the gift shop and came out with a pile of stocking stuffers... They also had nerdy t-shirts (don't trust atoms, they make everything up, etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Astronaut ice cream Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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