Staff Christmas Wishlist
Editor
For the last two years I’ve finally gotten back into Christmas, seeing it for more than just a super extended shopping trip, with bouts of gorging and binging on mulled wine, turkey (Quorn Turkey mind you!) and delicious brussel sprouts! No, for me I think I’ve finally realised that Christmas is about spending time with the people you love even if that means after an hour you’ve climbed the Christmas tree King Kong style and are throwing baubles at your Mother because she asked about your personal life for the umpteenth time! Moving on from my functioning dysfunctional famil, here is the gift I’d literally sell my firstborn for (it’s just an expression…mostly!)
Lenovo Yoga 13 – Expensive Wish
You’ve probably seen the advert for this on television and like my inner child/tech geek/stupid brain, you were probably/hopefully jsut as mesmerised by it as I was! The Lenovo Yoga 13 operates as both a laptop and tablet, it can be used in four different modes – Laptop, Tent, Tablet and Stand – each providing their own function whether you’re trying to break into a building or show off to your friends!
The Lenovo Yoga 13 is priced at a…. *deep breath*… now do keep in mind this comes with ehmmm… Windows 8 and it has nice a Silver Gray finish… but my if I was made of money gift comes in at a staggering $1,099. Well outside my budget and considering how bold I was all year round I doubt Santa is going to bring me one either…but if he’s reading this I’m really sorry and I’ll be on my best behaviour in 2013!
The Traitor Spy Trilogy – Perfect Gift
One of my favourite things to do at Christmas is to catch up on all the things I’ve missed out. Between running this site, ArcadeCon and working a fulltime job (I know, I’m practically Superman…just not as handsome or as invulnerable…) I have managed to miss this trilogy by my favourite fantasy writer of all time. Trudi Canavan isn’t just my favourite writer, she is a personal hero and idol of mine and I’ve been following her work since the days of ‘The Black Magician’ trilogy.
Now purchasing these books in hardback would probably push you over the €50 price limit but thankfully I do own the first in the series ‘The Ambassador’s Mission’ so with that in mind you’ll be able to pick me up the next two books (IT HAS TO BE HARDBACK) with no problem and hell you’ll probably have some change left over but probably not a lot! These don’t just make ideal gifts for me, if there is someone in your life who loves nothing more than losing themselves in a world of magic, fantasy, intrigue, betrayal and mystery then any of Canavans works will make the ideal gift and we suggest kicking your friend’s/sibling’s/child’s/parent’s habit/addiction to these books by starting with The Black Magician or turning to the Age of Five series. (Seperate series to the BM/Traitor Spy) and with most Book Shops doing fantastic sales on stock this time of year you’re sure to pick these books up for less than €50!
So we know what the Editor wants and sees as ideal gifts for the rich and those working on a budget but we’re not stopping there, all of our writers have something to contribute to this list and hopefully point you in the direction of a thoughtful gift for the geeky person in your life!
Liam Kavanagh
My tastes are not usually particularly expensive – I’m an obsessive bargain-hunter, or, to give it its technical term, cheapskate – but the thing about wishes is that they can be far more outlandish than the person who’s having them. And unless I find someone throwing the following items out in the skip, or happen on a particularly gullible charity shop, wishes is what they shall remain.
Dave Mustaine VMNT Double Neck Guitar – Expensive Wish
Even before I started playing the guitar, I loved looking at them, and the more ostentatious the better. I’m also a huge Megadeth fan, so imagine the earthquake of elation that would occur on my face if someone slipped this Dave Mustaine-endorsed piece of noise-delivering decadance under the tree this Christmas.
For a mere $1,599 (€1,226.90) you can have this awesome Double-Neck guitar with all-Mustaine signature elements; the necks, the pick-ups, inlays, the lot, as put together by the crazy folk at Dean Guitars. In fact, the only thing with more Mustaine parts in it is the guy’s house when his family visit him for Christmas.
It comes in Classic Black (can’t go wrong) but if a person really wanted to show me love, they’d spring for the “Blood Lust” finish, then smile and applaud as I stumble through “Blitzkreig Bop” on it.
Incredible Hulk: The Complete Series DVD Box-Set – Perfect Gift
The cheesy 80s adventures of David Bruce Banner (Bill Bixby) as he tries to contain and cure himself of the raging beast that dwells within – in the form of a painted, wigged Lou Ferrigno – formed a rather large part of my childhood; first I had nightmares, then I grew to love the Hulk, then I realised he was particularly awesome. He, Superman and Spider-Man are just three of the reasons why I chose to be a geek, fanboy, nerd, or whatever it is they call folk who like comic books and their other media incarnations.
This year, for about €60 – a little outside the limit, but they haven’t taxed DVDs in the budget, so treat yourself, or rather me – you can get me the complete collected adventures of The Incredible Hulk, every episode (no TV movies, but you can’t have everything) and witness this particular fan in full fangasm mode when that awesome “Lonely Man” theme tune plays over the end credits.
Andy Kavanagh
Christmas has always been a massive deal in my family. As far back as I can remember the whole thing has been ritualized and my mind conditioned to fill with childish glee at the sight of the first set of seasonal lights. Even now, 24 years into my journey to adulthood (still not there yet, mind) wrapping gifts and unravelling tinsel gives me the same sense of relentless excitement it did when I was 14, the prospect of the inevitable home-cooked Christmas dinner tantalizing enough for me to consider quitting my job, moving home and starting a campaign to realize Wizzards wish of it actually being Christmas every day. Unfortunately this would require some sort of Turkey genocide and even I don’t have the resources to outrun PETA so while reality remains a deadweight around my Christmas dreams, it’s never been difficult for me to enjoy this time of the year. In fact, the truth is I feel more at home at Christmas time, more than likely a result of the string of consistently brilliant Christmas’ my family have pulled together since myself and my sister arrived into the world. Between turkey and stuffing sandwiches at midnight, ice cold beer at two in the afternoon, perilous weather and roaring fires and generally just being around awesome people, the older I get the more I realize the gifts really are the smallest part of what makes Christmas so special.
They’re still pretty important though, so in that spirit for any of my friends reading this, listen closely…
Roland Ax-Synth – Expensive Wish
I’m not gonna lie, I spend a lot of my time perfecting my on-stage stance with my beloved Elizabeth (my fender Jazz bass, much love for anyone who gets the reference). I would feel weird about that, but as an aspiring musician I feel an obligation to make myself look as cool as possible. Imagine how much easier that would be with this bad boy. Ever since Hellogoodbye brought them back from the dead in the video for ‘Here (In Your Arms)’, a keytar has taken up a consistent slot on my wishlist. It’s pure style over substance, but dammit I’m nothing if not willing to sell my soul and I have it on good authority that my lack of keytars is directly responsible for my subsequent lack of rabid fangirls. Running at anywhere between 950 and 1,200 euro, these guys are not cheap. Unfortunately, I am.
Alternatively, Hideaki Anno is in possession of the film reels for Evangelion 3.0 at the moment, I’m not sure how much it would cost to get him to part with them, but it would earn my eternal and undying love.
Anything from www.welovefine.com – Perfect Gift
Earlier this year I was exposed to My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic for the first time. Unsure, but aware of Lauren Fausts incredible talent, I threw caution to the wind and gave it a shot. Fast forward 4 months and I have already received TWO orders from the fine folks at We Love Fine to satiate my unyielding addiction to all things equestrian. As the absolute afficianados for FiM merchandise, anything from We Love Fines pony range would give any Brony (myself included) a very mare-y christmas.
I regret nothing.
Well Liam and Andy don’t fancy sparing the expense but with some viable and nifty gifts there is definitely something the geek in all of us would love even if it’s covered in colourful ponies… moving on let’s see what Sean and Tendai would like in their stockings!
Sean Halpin
Razer Blade – Expensive Gift
Razer are like the Apple of the gaming world, they make wonderful products and charge a premium for them. We as the consumer are generally happy to pay this premium because well “You get what you pay for” right!
There is one exception to this rule though, it’s called the Razer Blade.
Razers ultra high powered portable gaming laptop the Blade is truly a sight to behold, a device that looks like its straight from the future with its sleek black and green design and built in touch screen and customizable hot keys that change to match the game you are playing. The Blade really offers any hardcore PC gamer all the options they could ever need under one portable and frankly beautiful package. Plus the hardware inside matches the power of a full gaming desktop PC with its i7 processor and top of the line nVidia GTX graphics card you can safely play any game at max setting and not have to worry about a single frame. This all sounds great right? The perfect laptop for a gamer?
Remember that premium though? The Blade costs $2,499.99.
You could buy a gaming PC and a gaming laptop for that price, yet why do I want the Blade so much despite my better judgement!
It really comes down to the fact that it is the ultimate gaming laptop and nothing on the market can match its style and looks. If I ever had way to much money to spend, I’d buy it in an instant but for now and for 99% of gamers the blade is just a dream. Santas would have to charge his elves overtime to make this beast for all of us, that just ain’t possible folks.
The Walking Dead Compendium Vol 1 & 2 – Perfect Gift
One of my favourite things to do during Christmas is sit down in my jumper by the fire and read a nice book… or comic book… or graphic novel… or manga… (In case you didn’t notice I like reading stuff!) So when I open my present on Christmas day and see that its a big book I get very excited, it means more fire time for me!
So this Christmas my perfect gift would have to be The Walking Dead compendiums, taking issues from one of today’s greatest comic book series and combining them into one easy to read book is a great way to get introduced or just re-read this wonderful story. Each book contains roughly 50 issues of the comic so that’s a lot of reading in one package and they recreated in all the high quality black & white glory that you expect from reading each issue separately. Each volume comes in at around roughly €55 to €60 but prices vary from retailer to retailer. So if you are like me and a fan of the show, the game or just a fan of comic books in general do yourself a favour and get your self or a loved one into the Walking Dead Comic and thank me later by sending me a bag of coal… because its cold and that stuffs expensive!
Tendai Muzwidzwa
Microsoft Surface – Expensive Wish
I would absolutely love the new Microsoft Surface. I love everything about it, the design, display quality and UI. I have had dreams about owning one and if I stopped eating I might be able to afford one if I don’t perish first. It has a great screen quality and even though it does not have many big name apps in the store the amount of apps are growing everyday. Despite the fact that the screen resolution is lower than other tablets in its price bracket, the screen’s vibrant colours and higher refresh rate give it a display that’s easily comparable to the higher resolution screens.
The touch cover is a handy addition, and surprisingly easy to type on, though it does take a few days to get used to, so I’ve heard from numerous reviews. Even though it is 590 euro for the 32GB Surface with the Touch Cover, it definitely seems worth it.
Geek Clothing – Perfect Gift
I love anything fan girlesque and since I am a bit of a girly girl I wear my heart on my sleeve. I love showing how much I love a certain thing by wearing official merch, custom and fan made clothing or buying expensive R2D2 dresses but my ultimate favourite item of clothing would be t-shirts.
If it has any symbol, quote or image from any of my favourite shows I would be more than happy to get a t-shirt and the great thing is that they cost less than €25 euro a majority of the time. They make me squeel with happiness every time I open a new package containing a brand spanking new cotton, printed, amazing piece of clothing.
Best place to pick this sort of stuff? Well you can be lucky, Penneys often stock super hero inspired t-shirts but for the good stuff and at fantastic prices you have to check out teebusters.com for geek inspired t-shirts and zoodies!
