The Ultimate Gift Guide for Geeks in 2020

Everyone has that special geek in their life; loveable, socially awkward, super smart, and particular about… well, everything. This can make gifting this person a tough pursuit, so we’ve trolled the webs and rounded up some of our favorite gifts for computer geeks. (You’re welcome!)

But first, where does the word “geek” come from?

 

The word “geek” is said to derive from Middle Low German or Middle Saxon, which was in use around the middle ages. At the time, it pretty much meant “fool” or “idiot.” (Sorry, guys.)

We love this article on www.todayifoundout.com, which delves into the first recorded usage of the word “geek” in the early 20th century. At this time in history, the word “geek” was used to refer to circus performers who dabbled in dark and strange circus acts that would be considered freakish.

Why Is It So Hard to Buy Gifts for Geeks?

 

One of the hardest parts about buying gifts for geeks is not so much about the high cost of tech-related gifts, but that geeks don’t often talk about their current obsession without being prompted. Another tough angle to buying gifts for geeks is that they’re usually very selective about the tech and gadgets they love to use.

How Do I Know What Gift to Buy the Geek in My Life?

 

Never fear! The very obstacles to finding the perfect gift for the geek in your life are also part of the solution. Here are a few tips to help you figure out what gift to buy for the geek in your life.

1. Ask Them What They Really Want or Need

 

It’s totally okay to ask! This way, you’ll know exactly what gift to buy and your hard-earned cash won’t go to waste on another dust-collecting gadget. Even better, have them give you a list of things they might want or need. This way you have options on what gift to buy and your geek will still be surprised.

2. Use Their Pickiness to Your Advantage

 

A geek’s pickiness can be used to your advantage with gift giving. All you need to do is pay a little attention to their routine, likes, and pain points, and it won’t be long before you know exactly what gift to buy. Maybe they want an expansion pack for an old game they want to play again, ambient lighting for their office or gaming room, or a decent chair to save their back. Just listen in and all will be revealed.

Top 2020 Gift Ideas for Geeks

To help you find a gift for the geek in your life, we’ve scoured the webs and rounded up a few of our favorite gadgets to make any geek go weak at the knees. Here goes!

1. Take a Stand!

 

They say sitting is the new cancer! Geeks tend to do a lot of sitting, which makes a standing desk the perfect gift. Standing desks can be expensive, though, but with a standing desk converter, you can get all the height you need without the crazy price tag.

Check out AnthroDesk’s range of standing desk converters that’ll get your geek from sitting to standing in no time.

2. Measure up with the Force

 

Geeks might not spend a ton of time in the kitchen, but when they do, it should be worth it, right? Right! Add a little Star Wars magic to every geek’s culinary pursuits with the ah-dorable Star Wars R2-D2 Measuring Cup Set from ThinkGeek.

R2-D2 is made of four measuring cups in 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, and 1 cup sizes. He also has detachable arms that turn into nested measuring spoons of 1/4, ½, one teaspoon, and 1/3 tablespoon. The dome is both 1/2 cup and 1 tbsp and made of food-grade BPA-free ABS plastic. Meep morp!

3. Amen to Ramen!

 

Quick to make, umami for days, and easy to inhale in front of a PC or laptop, ramen noodles are the ultimate geek food. Except they don’t perform that well on the nutritional front.

To fix this problem, the folks from Vite Ramen have taken everything we love about ramen noodles and added real nutrition that’s backed by science. Just add (boiling) water and you’ve got a convenient meal packed with 27 vitamins and minerals, 9g of fiber, and 31g of protein. (That’s more protein than a fast food burger!)

Vite Ramen is made by gamers, for gamers, and is the perfect addition to a care package for busy, distracted people who could benefit from quick and easy nutrition.

4. A Musical Movement

 

Know any musical geeks? This one’s for them!

Genki Instruments have created a ring that gives the musical geek the power to take their music-making skills to the next level. The Wave ring is a wearable MIDI controller ring that gives the musician the power to control sounds and shape effects with gesturing.

The Wave ring fits on the index finger and allows the user to pan, tilt, roll, and tap to make sounds. It connects to all major music software over Bluetooth and comes with an LED display for visual feedback, micro USB charging port, and 8-hour battery life.

5. Straighten Up!

 

We all know posture can take a dive when we sit for hours on end, and poor posture can cause all kinds of other problems, like back pain, discomfort, and even a lowered self-esteem.

Luckily, the people at Alignmed have come up with a posture shirt that not only improves posture, but helps retrain the brain for better carriage, which can improve productivity at work, relieve pain, and improve overall health.

Perfect for the desk-bound geek showing signs of slumping.

6. Roving Robot

 

Keen to get that special someone a geeky gift that’ll get them away from their desk and moving? The gita robot from Piaggio Fast Forward is a following robot that will have any geek inspired to leave their chair and get active!

This compact little robot is designed to help people move better and further, with the key element of fun every step of the way. It moves intuitively along with its owner, rolling behind and carrying up to 40 pounds of goods, including laptops, groceries, drinks, and any other goods a geek might deem essential.

7. No More Dry Eyes

 

Gamers and developers know that blue light from computer screens can cause dry and tired eyes, making it hard to focus over time, and even risking long-term damage to the retinas. If your geek is always complaining about itchy or dry eyes, this could be your cue to give them the gift of happy eyeballs with gaming lenses made to combat the harmful effects of blue light.

Tifosi Optics has a slick range of gaming glasses that are specially made for people who spend loads of time in front of screens. They provide 100% UV protection, are lightweight, durable, and shatterproof. You can choose from their pre-built models, or customize a pair for a more personal touch.

That’s a wrap on our roundup of top gifts for geeks in 2020! We hope you loved our suggestions, and feel confident and inspired when shopping for those perfect geek gifts.