Do you hear what I hear? Could it be the dulcet tones of the approaching holidays, sneaking up to ambush us with last minute shopping panic? Why yes, I think it just may be!
Description: Jack Skellington flings his arms wide, scattering snowflakes about. Image courtesy of Giphy
No matter what holiday you celebrate, it is always enjoyable to give to others. Seeing their faces light up as they open a gift chosen with care an affection is undoubtedly one of the best parts of the season. To help you spread the love, I’ve put together this list of gifts that may just put you on the nice list with the geeks in your life.
Note: we are not getting any type of compensation from retailers to feature any of these products. These are simply items that I have found fun and useful.
Amazon Kindle: $49.99-$299.99
Description: A front and back shot of a Kindle Paperwhite featuring the prologue of a book. Image courtesy of amazon.com
For the bookworm, I would recommend a Kindle. There are a lot of perks of having a Kindle, and one of the biggest ones I have found is that I always have something to read because I can carry thousands of books with me wherever I go. There are multiple models to fit just about any budget. You can get a full blown ten inch tablet or a simple book reader. Whatever your lover of books desires, you are sure to find something that suits them just right.
Williams Sonoma Harry Potter Ultimate Silicone Spatula Set: $31.96-$39.95
Description: Four spatulas of varying designs and sizes featuring the Hufflepuff house crest. Image courtesy of williamssonoma.com
Do you know someone who whips up absolute magic in the kitchen? Make their holidays extra enchanting with this handy set of four Hogwarts House themed silicone spatulas! The set includes two mini spatulas, one medium spatula, and a flat flexible nylon spatula emblazoned with your favorite house crest. The spatulas are heat resistant and dishwasher safe. If you don’t think you will use all four, you can also purchase individuals.
Description: A set of five no-show socks cleverly designed as different cats. Image courtesy of hottopic.com
Yes, socks! Hear me out—socks are inexpensive, useful, and fun! Gone are the days when socks were possibly the most boring gift ever. You can find all kinds of silly socks in a variety of styles, from no show, to crew, to fuzzy, to knee high, in fun designs. When your friends don their fun and funky socks, they will think fondly of the friend who is keeping their tootsies toasty.
My Personal Pick: Kitty Cat No-Show Socks 5 Pair, $14.90 from Hot Topic
Description: A box containing a Friends themed card trivia game. Image courtesy of boxlunch.com
Channel your inner Holiday Armadillo and gift your friends with the gift of Friends! How many categories of towels does Monica have? What does Chandler do for a living? Test your knowledge of this iconic show with your own gang for a good time this holiday.
Description: Max the dog joyfully distributes presents. Image courtesy of Giphy
Sometimes you really want to give someone a gift, but they insist that they really don’t want anything. Maybe they feel like they have a lot of stuff already, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t give them a heartfelt and meaningful gift—you can donate to a charity in their name. Find a cause that is meaningful to them and reach out to local organizations to find out how you can help.
Lo and behold, it has arrived! An extra special holiday extravaganza version of Geek About Town, just in time for the holidays! Whether this is the most magical time of the year for you, or you’re finding yourself down and in need of some cheery distraction, we’ve got you covered. From board games to holiday lights, comic books to Christmas carols, we’re excited to spend the holidays with you, our favorite geeky community!
Do you love board games and enjoy teaching others how to play? Explore the board/card game hobby and meet folks happy to teach you their favorite board games! Come and play with folks who love playing games. And the best part about the GeekGirlCon (http://www.geekgirlcon.com/) game nights with our friends at Wayward (http://www.waywardcoffee.com/)? They are absolutely FREE with no cover charge!
It’s ACT’s 43rd production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, adapted by Gregory A. Falls. Directed by Kurt Beattie, this celebrated adaptation follows the original Dickens tale taking audiences along on Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformational journey through time. Three ghostly visitors help Scrooge get into the holiday spirit, leading him on a trip through Christmases past, present, and future.
Let it glow, let it glow, let it glow Seattle’s wildest holiday lights festival returns with sparkling lights, faux snowball fights, up close animal encounters, hot chocolate and family delights. Experience brand new wild and wonderful light displays that will be featured throughout the zoo including a holiday light spectacular at the zoo’s south entrance which will now be open throughout the run of WildLights.
PNB’S best-selling holiday classic is a fantastical combination of Ian Falconer’s unique design, Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, and the entire Company in show-stopping roles. A memory making tradition for generations of families and friends, Nutcracker fun includes McCaw Hall gloriously decked-out for the season’s best photo ops.
Broadway Market 401 East Broadway, Seattle, Washington 98102
The Broadway Market Holiday Pop-Up Market features a variety of vendor members from Seattle Made, an initiative to grow and support the area’s urban manufacturing and producer economy. Vendors will be selling a variety of holiday gifts, wearables and hand-made merchandise, all with a focus on recycled and upcycled materials. This event is presented by Broadway Market, Blanton Turner and Seattle Made to celebrate Shop Small Saturday.
Pacific Science Center 200 2nd Ave N, Seattle, Washington 98109
Join us on Monday, November 26 as NASA makes history when its next lander arrives on Mars, the first mission dedicated to studying the deep interior of Mars. We’ll have presentations by Mars experts and space related activities throughout the day. We’ll broadcast the landing live in our PACCAR IMAX Theater from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Our educators will be on hand to answer your questions and walk you through what’s happening during the landing. This event is included with general admission and is FREE for Pacific Science Center Members.
Arcadia Seattle 943 NW 50th Street, Seattle, Washington 98107
Join us for another magical evening! The Witches’ Night Out Market returns on Friday, November 30th – bringing you an array of metaphysical merchants and artisans, community networking, readers and bodyworkers, and much more! Every event we do is a little different – this time we’ll be focusing a bit more on the market – we’re making space for a few more artists and witchy creators to expand your holiday possibilities. Also, as this season also marks a time of remembering our ancestors and those who have come before us, we will have an interactive community altar. We have more things up our sleeves that we will be announcing as we get closer to the event. You are not going to want to miss it! As always, our events are free and all ages – but we have a fabulous door raffle to benefit the Cabiri and Arcadia. Cash donations will transform into tickets for you to win delightful things!
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center 440 5th Ave N, Seattle, Washington 98109
Give gifts that give back! Find unique holiday gifts for family and friends from over 30 vendors and organizations that support great causes locally and globally. Looking to do more than just shop for holiday gifts? You can make your own gifts alongside local artists and join Sanctuary Art Center in creating one-of-a-kind gift cards. Free and open to the public.
Hale’s Ales Palladium 4301 Leary Way NW, Seattle, Washington
Drunken Science Nigh returns this December 1st to the beautiful Palladium Theater at Hale’s Ales in Fremont. Doors open at 6 and the Stage Show starts at 7 sharp. This is most fun you can have without breaking the laws of physics. Science Night is a hands on Science Experiment free-for-all, with dozens of ever changing exhibits to try. Blow things up with air! Levitate metal! Make homemade lightbulbs, cube-shaped bubbles, 3-d art, float stuff on air, and more! Ever wanted to shatter flowers with liquid nitrogen? See sound waves? Tesla Coils? Jacobs Ladder? Oh my! We have got you covered. This is not a lecture… instead its a fully interactive science fair. Come ready to have your mind blown.
Meadowbrook Community Center 10517 35th Ave NE, Seattle, Washington 98125
Friends of Meadowbrook Pond and the Meadowbrook Advisory Council are joining together to host our Annual Luminaria Walk. Please come enjoy good company and hot cocoa, while walking around the beautifully lit pathway. We are also looking for community members to help make this event happen; work parties are listed below!
Do you love board games and enjoy teaching others how to play? Explore the board/card game hobby and meet folks happy to teach you their favorite board games! Come and play with folks who love playing games. And the best part about the GeekGirlCon (http://www.geekgirlcon.com/) game nights with our friends at Wayward (http://www.waywardcoffee.com/)? They are absolutely FREE with no cover charge!
A special day of art, culture, and creativity celebrating Indigenous families. Meet local Indigenous artists and makers. Create treasures to bring home. Stick around for more festivities after 1:30 p.m. including artist talks from yəhaw̓ artists in residence and a 4 p.m. film screening of Rumble.
Shop a market and open studios for art, “hand-knit hats, ceramics, jewelry, clothing, and more” and stop by Vichayapai’s solo exhibition, which she’s been preparing all through her artist’s residency.
Green Lake, Seattle Seattle, Washington 98103, 98115
Come join us for this FREE holiday event for the whole family! Stroll the glimmering Green Lake circuit, paths, and docks which will be lit with thousands of twinkling candles. And while you wander through the magic of the sparkling lights, enjoy complimentary refreshments and live holiday music. If the weather is good we’ll have hot air balloons again from 4:30-5:30pm only. You can also visit and like the Green Lake Pathway of Lights Facebook Page for updates on the event!
The inaugural race was so much fun, we wanted to bring it back, see all the costumes, and get into the holiday spirit. In the spirit of Star Wars, this will be a FUN opportunity to get out your light saber and practice your best Darth Vader impersonation, as well as dress up in your favorite holiday race outfit! The run/walk is for FUN, no official timing, but there will be a running clock.
The Factory Luxe 3100 Airport Way S, Seattle, Washington 98134
Once upon a time there was darkness, So we made light. Once upon a time there was cold, So we kindled fire. Once upon a time there was fear, So we faced it together with song and speech and light A proof by example: We are not alone. Join us to celebrate humanity’s accomplishments, reflect on our past, and consider the future with food, light, song, and camaraderie. Your donations help us cover venue, audio/video equipment, permits, and supplies, ensuring that we can continue this tradition year after year. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seattle-secular-solstice-2018-tickets-47498714935
Do you love board games and enjoy teaching others how to play? Explore the board/card game hobby and meet folks happy to teach you their favorite board games! Come and play with folks who love playing games. And the best part about the GeekGirlCon (http://www.geekgirlcon.com/) game nights with our friends at Wayward (http://www.waywardcoffee.com/)? They are absolutely FREE with no cover charge!
It’s no wonder that some people have described this year as a giant dumpster fire.
But I guess that I’m ever the optimist, and even in the face of an uncertain future I look forward to opportunities for changing ourselves for the better. It might not look like much in the grand scheme of things—I mean, what is learning how to crochet really going to do when there are animals on the brink of extinction?—but I believe in progress, even if progress happens to be tiny baby steps that are barely perceivable on a large scale. As long as you keep on moving, you’re still getting somewhere, as it were.
Doctor Who and the holidays will always be intrinsically linked. This may be because of the annual holiday special the show airs every year. Or perhaps this sci-fi mainstay feels so full of festive because of its tone–it’s rare to find a show that is so unfailingly positive in its belief in humanity’s goodness.
Now that the most wonderful time of the year is upon us, it’s time for me to rundown the top five Doctor Who episodes to watch during the holidays.
Instead of picking episodes that all focus on the holiday season, I chose stories that combine thrilling plots, terrifying baddies, and heartwarming lessons to create the perfect “spirit of the season” blend.
So, let’s get to it! No time like the present, unless, of course, it’s the past. Love the past. Good place. You should visit sometime. Are you paying attention? Here we go.
At 9am on Thanksgiving morning, my father was in the kitchen cooking our turkey and heating up sides that were prepared the night before. By noon, after we were done eating our “Thanksgiving Brunch,” my mother began fluffing one of her five synthetic Christmas trees. At 4pm, we went to go see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them at their local theatre, and proceeded to spend the car ride home defending it to the nonbelievers (I’m looking at you, Pat). Finally, at 8pm we were all stringing up twinkly lights, and ogling at our massive, life-accrued collection ornaments whilst decorating the tree(s) as a family.
The Holiday season is officially upon us, and we are all abuzz with family traditions, seasonal drinks from your local coffee joint, and time with laughing with your friends and family. We are a diverse community that celebrates a plethora of different holidays. My family personally celebrates what we like to call “Commercial Christmas,” as we are avid fans of baking cookies and watching our favorite holiday movies on repeat. Regardless of which holiday you celebrate, or which traditions your family shares, many of us are looking for the perfect present to give your loved ones to let them know how much you care.
In order to help you take a step back and enjoy the holiday season that much more, or give you more time to finish up your last bits of work before hunkering down to spend some well deserved time with family, we’ve curated some of our favorite books, games, and festive plush toys that your geeky loved one will absolutely adore. Whether your geek is a big fan of Supernatural or renewing their love of Pokemon with the recent release of Sun and Moon, we’ve got something for every geek…and maybe just maybe, a little something for yourself!
Coloring Books, Novels, and Art
For your book-worm geek we’ve put together a list of coloring books (because those are trendy, right?), a unconventional YA series about a 16 year-old female assassin who takes on a world of magic, graphic novels, and art books detailing the beautiful concept work from the latest Disney flick:
We’ve found some great stuff for your media-obsessed geek. Whether your gamer has been plugging away since they could hold a controller, or is even newer to the gaming scene, we’ve got a few video games that are breaking the mold with fabulous female leads and compelling stories. We’ve also found an amazing but lesser-known film from some of our absolute favorite studios, Studio Ghibli, following a woman as she looks back on her childhood. Included are also a couple of coffee table books highlighting the history of Tomb Raider and the film Aliens’ cinematography.
Does your geek have an annual countdown to the holiday season, to when it’s appropriate to wear “ugly” Christmas sweaters and listen to nothing but Carol of the Bells for two months, non-stop? Well, that’s my kind of geek and I’ve got you covered. For my festive friends, we’ve got sweaters and other snuggly gifts, plush toys wearing plush sweaters, and nerdy cookie kits:
Whether you’re looking for stocking stuffers, or something a little extra special, we’ve also put together a ton of miscellaneous gifts. Scarfs and shower curtains for your science lovers, cosmetics and bath bombs for a little self-love, and PUSHEEN! We wanted to make sure that there was something for everyone under the tree or by the fireside:
Note: Links to Amazon are affiliate links, which means GeekGirlCon receives credit if you make a purchase using them. You can also sign up for AmazonSmile for free and help out GeekGirlCon! Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable donation of your choice, like us!
Whether you’re looking for something to add to your own wishlist or to bring to what will definitely become the best white elephant ever, you’ll need something fantastic and geeky to make a splash. The staff at GeekGirlCon came together and curated this perfect list, with options ranging from a few bucks to a few hundred, so there’s something in every price range.
Written by Adrienne M. Roehrich, Manager of Editorial Services
It’s that time of year again: shopping for the holidays. Regardless of what holiday you are shopping for your geeky loved ones (or yourself), GeekGirlCon has some ideas for you. Last year we provided many ideas on Geeky Gifts on a Budget, Tabletop Gifting, Geeky Gifts for Kids, and Last Minute Gift Ideas. We’ve got a few more ideas for you this year, to find that perfect gift for your geeky gift recipient (or to add to your own wishlist.)
When I wrote about the Optimystical Studios Ladies of Science jewelry line (which would make great gifts for the chemistry lover you know), I got a few suggestions on other chemistry-related gifts. The first was a Radioactive Elements Glowing Coaster Set from ThinkGeek. The pressure sensitive coasters light up when you set your drink on them.
Someone else knew my love of board games and chemistry, and sent me links to Compounded, the tagline of which borrows from the American Chemical Society’s old “better living through chemistry” with “Better Gaming Through Chemistry.”
Speaking of board games, one I picked up as a gift for some geeky kids I know from GeekGirlCon Exhibitor’s Hall this year is Bhaloidam. In the words of the creators: “With it you’ll spin character-driven stories and weave them together with the stories of your friends. You’ll exert your influence upon the storyworlds you create together, shaping its future and controlling your characters’ destinies as you perform their successes and their failures.”
For a smart nephling, I got Angry Birds: Furious Forces, which I heard about from a physicist. This is a great book for the game lover who also has an interest in physics or a physics lover with an interest in games.
Another of my geeky family will be receiving some items from CuteBricks, another vendor at GeekGirlCon ‘13. (You may be catching on that one of my favorite places to shop for gifts is at conventions.) These little LEGO bricks in various shapes as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and cufflinks are super cute!
For a good friend whose birthday was long past, I got her a Surly from SurlyRamics—a matching pi necklace and earrings (not exact one pictured.) I also got myself a little gift—one of the new sparkly Surly’s, a dragonfly.
Hi folks! In this installment of Ask GGC, we asked our staff members about the most memorable gifts they’ve received. Read up on what some of them had to say:
“My first pet, a baby black and white kitten I named Domino! I asked for a cat (from Santa) when I was seven and decided to test Santa’s reality by putting my christmas list in a neighbor’s mailbox down the street (instead of my own where my parents could find it!) I never mentioned wanting a kitten to my parents, and I wanted one SO badly … and it turns out the neighbors found my letter and brought it back to my parents the next day. So Christmas morning, I woke up to a little black and white ball of fur under my neck! It was seriously one of the most magical moments from my childhood! I was convinced Santa was real!” – LB Chambers, Manager of Fundraising
Sarah’s gift: a talking Dalek!
“I dated a very nice guy several years back, and he was pretty good with gifts. For my birthday, he got me a pair of sterling silver earrings with pretty purple stones, and a gift card to Barnes and Noble — both right on the money. The best gift he ever got me came wrapped in the newspaper — comic section, of course. I opened as we were driving to dinner, and I remember bursting into delighted laughter. He got me a talking Dalek from Doctor Who — black case, flashing lights, rollers underneath it. When I hit the button it croaked out, ‘Exterminate the Doctor!’ and ‘Obey! Obey!’” – Sarah Grant, Copywriter
You can’t go wrong with Snoopy!
“One year, I asked Santa to bring me everything Snoopy … which were my exact words. ‘Bring me everything Snoopy!’ My mother saved all the letters, so there’s tangible proof. Among the avalanche of Snoopy memorabilia, two items tie for some of my most memorable gifts. There was the super-cool Snoopy snow cone machine that my cousins always wanted to use during the summer. It was a lot of work for a little treat! And I loved my Snoopy soap dispenser. The contraption attached to the counter with a suction cup, and it used a weird granular dry soap that looked like dry laundry detergent.” – Kristine Hassell, Twitter Administrator
“My most memorable gift was a Super Nintendo from my dad that was bundled with Donkey Kong Country when it first came out. We didn’t have much money growing up, so any kind of gift more than $50 wasn’t something I could hope for. My Pa and I used to play on the NES together (he’d ALWAYS AND FOREVER beat me at Tetris) so he thought of it as an investment in family time. My SNES still works perfectly, and I marathon Donkey Kong every so often!” – Meg Humphrey, Assistant Volunteer Coordinator
Stephanie and her boyfriend, Robert, celebrating after completing a half-marathon.
“My awesome boyfriend spoiled me on my birthday! He bought tickets for Wicked and got me a Camelback — complimenting my geeky and sporty interests.” – Stephanie Little, Web Administrator
Thanks, Staff! Readers, what was your most memorable gift?
It’s Black Friday, and you know what that means! We are gearing up for the holidays, and GeekGirlCon brings you a series on geeky gifts this year. We start off with some geek gifts on a budget. Whether you are creating your own wishlist, or buying for a partner, child, companion, or fellow-saver-of-the-universe, we’ve got some goodies for you! Some gift shoppers are looking for deals, so we present to you: Geek Gifts on a Budget.
GeekGirlCon encourages you to patronize our past and current sponsors, exhibitors, and artists alley residents. In addition, Small Business Saturday® arrives tomorrow and presents an opportunity for you to support your local business and get good deals. If you live in the Seattle area, both today and tomorrow, visit etsyRAIN’s 4th annual handmade holiday show. You’ll find many geeky gifts for every budget.
Every geek needs a wash (who doesn’t?). They’ll enjoy their baths and showers more if they have super geeky soap, such as these SNES parody soaps.
SNES Parody Soap
After getting nice and clean, the geek in your life may like to dress up a bit. Geek jewelry is prolific on the internet. Is your geek giftee a fan of Sailor Moon? Check out these Sailor Moon ribbon necklaces (inner senshi only at this time – great for all ages – although it has small parts, and if you have skin sensitivity issues, some extra precaution)!
If gaming or science is more the style, here are a few more pieces of jewelry:
Orange and Blue Portal Friendship Bracelets
1up Necklaces
Handblown Glass DNA Strand Capsule Pendant
Now dressed up and all set to go, the geek in your life may wish to decorate their accessories with these Smartphone Earphone Jack Plug – they add decoration to your phone and keep the jack free from dust. For example, this Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Earphone Jack Accessory:
If your geeky cook is a Star Wars aficionado, be sure to accompany the Star Wars cookbooks with Star Wars spatulas, cookie cutters, or pancake shapers from Williams-Sonoma. Or maybe your geeky cook is more into the Marvel Universe, and loves the Hulk, Cap, Spidey, and Iron Man. Williams-Sonoma has you covered on that, too.
Star Wars Cookie Cutters
Star Wars Pancake Shapers
Marvel Cookware
There are any number of books and movies available this holiday season, which are always a great budget item. While reading a book or watching a movie, the geek in your life might like something to cuddle with. What better than a plushie? Super Mario Fans may enjoy an Invincibility Star or a Red Power Up Mushroom.
Howdy again, folks! In this round of “Ask GeekGirlCon,” we asked our staff who they’re going to celebrate with during Valentine’s Day. Here’s how they weighed in:
“My Geeky Valentine is my boyfriend Nick. He cooks me breakfast while I play video games and bought me the Mario Kart Wii system for Christmas. I also really look up to his first-person shooter skills; it’s true love! This is my favorite picture of him (he is gonna kill me).” – Melanie Howard, Customer Service Coordinator
“My Geeky Valentine is Andy Munich! During our relationship, we’ve done many nerdtastic things. The best thing is he’s run RPGs throughout the entirety of our twelve years together. For several years, he ran a game so I could play a thrill-seeking Filipino vampire slayer (pinay represent!), and for nearly ten years, a Star Wars RPG that has allowed me to play two generations of a Eurasian Jedi!” – Kristine Hassell, Twitter Administrator
“Rockin’ Robin/Lovin’ from Sugar Sugar Rune: He’s a witch, a rockstar, and he’ll steal your heart crystal. Ooh-la-la! Also, how can you go wrong with lavender hair? For being 6,800 years old (although he does use beauty masks), he has a mysterious way of singing his way into your heart.” – Tammy Vince Cruz, Design Manager and Vice President
“For all my talk about guys from my favorite geeky roles like Jamie Bamber (Apollo), Aaron Douglas (Chief Tyrol), James Marsters (Spike), and Ray Stevenson (The Punisher), my one true valentine is my husband. He may draw the line at watching SyFy Original Films, but I can count on him to come along for the ride on most other geeky events. He believes every guy should see Miss Representation. He seeks out speculative fiction by female authors. He is my partner in life, and also in making sure we get a copy of each new release on Free Comic Book Day!” – Adrienne Fox, Copywriter
There’s a sample of who the staff is geeking out about for this year’s Valentine’s Day. How about you? Is there anyone IRL or in your fandom that you’d “take an arrow [of love] to the knee for?” Leave us a comment about who makes your heart swoon!
–
Shubz K. Blalack
PR Content Producer
prcontent@geekgirlcon.com
![[Source: GeekGirlCon Flickr]](http://geekgirlcon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/22565003925_a2cb7c3667_k-200x300.jpg)
, and 
.
