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Holiday like a Nerd

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shopping

It’s that time of the year. A time when we start to hear Jingle Bells in the air, when our dreams turn toward family and friends, and when John McClane once again has to retake Nakatomi Plaza. That’s right it is the holiday season and the malls are packed with people getting in their last minute shopping. Yet, here at The NYRD we believe in shopping smarter, shopping like a NYRD. That is why we believe in the power of the Internet. So below we have assembled some of the finest places to pick up all your gear, games, and knerd-knacks for this holiday season.

Lightsaber Candlestick
$29.99
First and foremost on the list is Think Geek. It is premier geek shopping site on the web. It’s like a Wal-Mart for all things nerdy… except cleaner. Whether you are buying for a Techno-Geek, a Sci-Fi-Freak, or even that weird kids that sits in the corner and eats glue there will be something here for you. Make sure to check their Sales section as they are always offering sales and promotions on even some of their top-brand merchandise. Other notable sections include the Home and Office, Geek Kids, Caffeine & Edibles, and… really everything. One of it’s few drawbacks is the high price tag you find on many of the items, but -fear not- there are deals to be had as well. Either way, we promise you can’t go wrong shopping at this site.

Fangamer

Power Up Pins – Hero
$7.00
Next is a lesser known site, Fangamer. It does not have the same extensive selection as Think Geek, but if you are a gamer, or if you know a gamer, or if you want to pretend to be a gamer, there are some pretty cool stuff to be found here. They mostly specialize in t-shirts, pins, and poster, but don’t let that fool you. All their creations are visually stimulating, and there are a few really cool goodies hidden among their smaller sections that will make any gamer jump up and down like a child on Christmas morning. The only drawback of shopping here is a smaller selection than other sites, but what you find tends to be quality.
Transformer USB Drive
$14.00
This one is not so much a shopping site as it is a collection of really cool things that can be bought across the Internet. If you are a nerd and have a few extra hundred-thousand to spend then this is the place for you -especially if you are looking for anything from a Tron cycle to full Mass Effect armor to a working mechwarrior. However, don’t let the higher end items fool you. Be sure to check out the Under $20 section for some more moderately priced items. Everything here tends to range from whimsical to nerdy to downright weird, but it is certainly a site that lives up to its name. The only drawback here is that you may find yourself lost among multiple outside sites.
kateggs
Funny Side Up Cat Mold
$9.99
Have you ever felt like maybe adulthood wasn’t for you? Well you’re in luck this holiday season because you can visit Perpetual Kid. It is a website dedicated to adults shopping like children. You can purchase adult coloring books, fun things for your pets, your kitchen, your office, and a lot more. Check out the Stocking Stuffers section to find great and inexpensive items for your family grab bag or even that questionably sane coworker you never seem to know what to buy for. This site is full of great and cheap items. This site’ the biggest drawback is its rampant use of fart and poop jokes.
Shirts range from
$15.00 to $25.00

C’mon, you didn’t think we would actually give you a shopping list and not take the chance to plug our own wears? What do we look like, honest people? So, in all fairness, there is no lack of places on the Internet to buy creative and geeky t-shirts, Snorgtees.com, tshirthell.com, threadless.com, etc, but for our money we prefer The NYRD Shop. It is a great place to find unique and creative shirts for gamers, geeks, and people who like off-beat yet quirky humor. The site offers a smaller selection than others, but each item is quality and crafted with love… and manufacturing machines.

Kingdom Builder
$59.99

Do you love boardgames? We’re not talking about your standard Clue/Monopoly/Candyland, here. No we’re talking obscure, challenging, interesting, and possibly European boardgames. Well if you do, than Boardgame Geek has you covered. The biggest drawback of this site is noticeable immediately. It does not have a clean sleek interface like some sites. Instead, it can be a little unwieldy to navigate, but once you master it you can find literally any type of game you are craving. Like This is Why I am Broke, it is a third party site and will link you to places where you can purchase the items. However, Boardgame Geek also gives recommendations for the hottest and most current boardgames out there, so you know you can find that right game for that special dungeon master in your life.

Panda Trooper
$17.68
Do you like art? Do you like being a geek? Well, than let’s talk abut Society 6. When doing your holiday shopping this site is worth vising. With many similarities to DeviantArt.com, Society 6 is a fully functioning, art purchasing, ass-kicking, place to buy original artwork by artists from all over the Internet. Prices range by size and style, but you can get more than just prints. Almost any art you find can be put on everything from tote bags to coffee mugs to iPhone cases. The biggest drawback is that the site can be a bit pricey, depending on the artist, but there is a lot of cool and cheap things to be found if you take the time to search a little. So, if you have an art-geek, or just a geek-geek in your family this is definitely worth a pop over.

In conclusion, Santa Claus is a nerd. We mean, think about it. He is overweight, kind of scraggly in the facial hair department, and even wears glasses. He has an addiction to junk food, and a borderline obsession with toys. Also, he only works one day out of the year. So you have to ask yourself, “What does ol’ St. Nick do the rest of the time?” We can’t know for sure, but if you are ever on World of Warcraft and meet a Level 90 Orc warlock in red armor, by the name of Kringle Khan, you better watch out, and you better not cry, because Kringle Khan will burn you down… So, Happy Holidays everyone, and happy shopping from all of us here at The NYRD.

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