Valentine’s is next weekend, so your window for finding that perfect gift is rapidly closing. Thankfully our crack team of GeekParents–specifically Brad Moon, husband-and-wife team Rory and Jenny Bristol, and little ol’ me–has compiled a quick list of ideas that are sure to appeal to your geeky significantly other.
The New Nintendo 3DS XL
The latest iteration of Nintendo’s hallmark handheld hits the American marketplace the day before Valentine’s Day and comes in both a slick black color and a handsome and totally holiday-appropriate red. (Coincidence? I think not!) With improved face-tracking, built-in amiibo support, a faster processor, and a second analog control, it’s the ideal gift for your geeky gamer girl or guy. You can check out my earlier review post for a breakdown of all it has to offer, but the bottom line is it’s a portable that’s sure to please and is well worth the money. [Review materials provided by: Nintendo of America] (Z.)
Lego for Two
It’s great fun to build Lego sets with your beloved. Whether it’s one big set that you tackle together, or dueling smaller sets, it’s fun to see the kits take shape. I know that some people prefer the free-form building of the basic sets, but I’ve always been a sucker for following assembly directions. My favorite sets are the Lego Architecture sets and, especially, the 3-in-1 Creator buildings sets. Pair one of those for me with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or 3-in-1 Creator vehicle set for my guy, and we’ll have a fun afternoon! What are your favorite Lego sets to build with your partner? Buy them at Amazon. (JB)
Nanoblocks (for those with restricted space)
If your growing Lego collection is taking over your house, but you know that a building set will be a perfect gift for your love, try Nanoblocks. Similar to Lego bricks but much smaller, Nanoblocks come in many varieties, including world architecture, Pokemon characters, animals, the space shuttle, and even free-form building sets. It takes a fine hand (or a good pair of tweezers) to assemble these, but you can fit many more of them on each shelf. Buy them at Amazon. (JB)
Galactic Beverage Glasses
Does your heart belong to a home-brewer or craft beer enthusiast? Is said partner a big Star Wars fan? If you answered yes to either question, allow me to direct your attention to Frogpants Studios’ Galactic Beverage Combo. The set includes both their Trooper Ale and Admiral Ackbeer pint glasses–collaborative efforts from Frogpants’ own Scott Johnson and longtime GeekDad ally John Kovalic–that promise to be a hit with even the most discriminating drinker. [Review materials provided by: Frogpants Studios] (Z.) UPDATE: Use the discount code GEEKDADVDAY for a 10% discount on the above Galactic Beverage Combo (or anything in the Frogpants store) until February 14!
Duel Decks: Anthology
Nothing says “I love you” better than a gift for a couple to share. Magic: The Gathering‘s Duel Decks: Anthology is a great gift for couples looking for hours of fun together. This anthology includes the first eight 60-card decks from the Duel Decks series, including Elves, Goblins, Jace, Chandra, Divine, Demonic, Garruk, and Liliana. These decks aren’t the latest products, but they are amongst the greatest. This anthology, originally introduced as four 1v1 products, is the cheapest way to obtain all eight decks. With 28 combinations, the happy owners of the Anthology will have hours of fun playing whichever combinations take their fancy. Buy it on Amazon (RB)
SleepPhones Wireless Sleep Headphones
When my wife asked for these at Christmas, I thought it was a joke: especially when Amazon had a set of Sennheiser Momentum headphones on sale for the same $99 price. However, if you or your significant other likes listening to music in bed, these SleepPhones Wireless Sleep Headphones are amazing. They’re comfortable enough to fall to sleep while wearing them, with no wires to get tangled. The speakers aren’t exactly on par with the Sennheisers, but they aren’t terrible, and the thick cloth headband means when my wife is wearing them I don’t hear a thing she’s listening to. Buy it from Amazon. (BM)
Electrohome Signature Retro HiFi Stereo System
If your love’s interests stray more into the realm of the audiophile, Electrohome’s Signature Retro HiFi Stereo System offers versatility and undeniable eye appeal that won’t break the bank. This all-in-one system allows your loved one to listen to everything from AM/FM radio and CDs to MP3s via USB drive or a smart device thanks to a 3.5mm auxiliary input. Best of all, it comes complete with a solidly stable three-speed turntable, and you can even use the aforementioned USB connection to rip your old records to your laptop. All this in a gorgeous wooden cabinet that retails at Amazon for under $200. [Review materials provided by: Electrohome] (Z.)
