Geek Gifts

I hate to out my mom as a nongeek, but she's certainly not the most gadget-conscious person out there. She has a BlackBerry but refuses to set up her email. She has an iPod but hasn't updated the music since she first got it. And, on more than one occasion she has called me and said "so, how do I get to On Demand shows again?" Maybe she's just old school, but I've made it my duty to try and keep her gadget collection up to date. Besides, she can't help it if she's a smart, trendy person that doesn't love gadgets, right?

Hardworking moms deserve to be pampered, so if money is no object I suggest getting the mom in your life TiVo (it's about $200 for the 80-Hour Dual-Tuner and about $500 for the HD Digital Media Recorder) or the iPhone ($399.) The Flip Video Camera, $120, is also perfect for anyone because it's compact and easy to use.

So maybe gadgets geared toward teenage girls are cuter than those for boys, but that doesn't mean the boys can't have a little fun, too. Teen boys tend to be gadget fanatics, so it's important to make sure you aren't buying something they already have. (Translation: Most teens, male or female, already own a MP3 player.)

If you are looking to impress the iPod nano, $150, is still a surefire hit, while the iPhone, $399, is still one of the most coveted gadgets of the season. Of course, Star Wars paraphernalia is almost always a hit.

If my obsessions with Gossip Girl and The Hills have taught me anything it's that teen girls love shiny, fancy gadgets. I don't blame them. Gossip Girl's hot cameras and Verizon phones and Lauren Conrad's obsession with her BlackBerry are all lust worthy, but what does the average teen girl want this holiday season?

I suspect the iPhone, $399, iPod nano, $150, and less expensive items like the Juicy Couture Velour Laptop Sleeve, $95, and iKaraoke for iPod, $50, will all be big with gadget loving trendsetters this year.

If you're seeking smaller stocking stuffer-sized gifts consider cute earbuds they can use anywhere. Not all girls love pink, so consider the iPod nano's new retro colors or more classic, geek chic cell phone tones if you're going to purchase a big ticket device for a teen girl.

Thanks to amyfinke, who submitted these adorable heart-shaped mini digital photo frames to the My Geeky Valentine Group! Each frame holds about 56 images and costs around $50. They can also be used as a keychain or pendant so your sweetheart can show you off to all of his friends. That's what I call a great Valentine's Day gift idea!

What are you getting for your geeky Valentine? To learn how to post something to the My Geeky Valentine Group, read more

Kudos to Phasekitty, who submitted these adorably geeky boxers to the My Geeky Valentine Group. I think these are the perfect combination of geekiness and cute Valentine cheekiness.

Phasekitty says: "I love this web site for all holidays, they've got any kind of boxers you can imagine. These are particularly geeky, computer keys, but they also have Superman, Spiderman, Family Guy, Nintendo, Peanuts and lots more! Plus they sell women's underwear too!" What are you getting for your geeky Valentine? To learn how to post something to the My Geeky Valentine Group, read more