So You Want to Buy Some Geeky Stuff?

I’ve been writing about some fairly heavy topics recently and it’s been getting me sort of down. So, I wanted to do something with a little more levity. And since Halloween is over and it’s pretty much time to start celebrating Christmas and the various winter holidays (that’s how it works, right?), what better way to welcome in the season that rampant consumerism? There’s a lot to work on in our favorite media and fiction, but there’s still much to enjoy and have fun with. To combine the ideas of holiday shopping and appreciating nerdy interests, I decided to highlight a few places I like to look for geeky gift ideas. Keep in mind that while giving and receiving nerdy presents can be a lot of fun, not everyone has the privilege to spend money on such things, so remember not to judge someone’s nerd cred based on what they own. Keep it fun!

Sanshee

If you’re looking for some interesting, custom made, licensed geek apparel and trinkets, Sanshee is the place for you. As with most retailers, they of course have T-shirts, but beyond that, they also have memorabilia that would be right at home in the series they’re inspired by. (Or at least in an intricate tribute outfit.) You want some Pokemon Gym Badges? How about Triforce earrings? Maybe an N7 scarf from Mass Effect? They’ve got you covered! Their products are good quality, and will be sure to be a unique idea.

Shiny!

TeeFury

Anyone who knows me knows that I swear by TeeFury. They’re one of those “Different-shirt-per-day” sites for the most part, which is interesting enough. Luckily for me, the shirts come in a variety of series and designs. Over the years I’ve gotten a Regular Show shirt in the style of the Sonic the Hedgehog logo, a Steven Universe shirt in the style of Charlie’s Angels, and a Team Rocket shirt that just looks like a fancy emblem. They’re all pretty near and dear to me. But, they also have shirts that are always available (until stock runs out, of course) and various limited collections that have life cycles that are longer than twenty-four hours. Sometimes they even have collections for charity (such as Parkinson’s awareness or the Oceana Organization for Earth Day), so be sure to be on the lookout! That’s not all, though! They also have sets of leggings, skirts, shoes, hoodies, and “ugly sweaters” for the winter seasons. Many of their designs are of the “two-nerdy-things-mashed-together” style, but I’m personally a big fan. If you aren’t, don’t worry: they have original and more straightforward concepts, too.

Ooooohhhh

ThinkGeek

ThinkGeek is a hub for all sorts of geeky collectibles and apparel. While some of their merchandise is exclusive to their brand, much of it is licensed and official. They have everything from figurines, to coasters, to ice tray makers, to shower curtains. Be warned, some of their items available do fall on the pricey side, but there is definitely a range available.

This little monkey will lead you to fun products for all your friends! (via ThinkGeek)

Hot Topic

Despite the frequent jokes about this franchise, Hot Topic has been gradually leaning towards the geeksphere in the past decade or so. They have selections of shirts, FunkoPops, costumes, and accessories. It’s mostly mainstream stuff, but the alternative/punk apparel will be sure to inspire fresh aesthetics with the right mindset. With both online shopping and mall locations, the store is good for last minute stops. However, they have been accused of stealing art for their shirts, which is definitely a poor practice. Some of their merchandise is direct from other companies, though, so hopefully those should be safe bets. But due to this sort of unethical behavior, I can only recommend it as a last ditch effort for the holidays.

Despite this common fan opinion, there’s some decent stuff there. (via South Park Wiki)

These sites/stores are fun even just to browse in your spare time. But, in the celebration of geekery, it’s often enjoyable to represent your passion in more tangible ways. Buying these sorts of products usually creates a good conversation starter, which, in turn, helps foster the growing nerd community. So if you’re in the mood to get some nice trinkets, or you just want to get ahead of the holiday rush, give some of these sites a look. It might be worth your time!

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