So, apparently, people are wondering what to buy their nerdy significant others. Obviously, just flowers and candy are very generic and while always appreciated, these things are not at all special or nerdy, and thus, lack a certain awesome-ness factor. You want to make sure your NA's (Nerdy Amour's) gift is perfect and also, not really weird or disconcerting.
(Much like that sentence lacks proper punctuation. Oh Well).
And because I like mnemonic devices, all you need to remember is: M.A.G.I.C., which stands for:
Memories, Amount, General Information, and Corporeality.
Memories: I think the most important thing to consider is what you two have in common. How did you meet? What are your shared interests? Do you have any special memories tied to any specific games, movies, songs, restaurants, or foods?
Amount: "Amount" refers to money. How much money do you have? How much money would be uncomfortable to spend (for both parties)? For example, if you've only been dating for a few weeks and your NA's birthday is coming up, you don't want to drop major $$$ on a flat screen TV or anything. On the other hand, you don't want to give them, like, a piece of gum (even if it is very tasty gum), because that bodes ill for the future of your relationship.
General Information: General Information is the planning part. Like, check your NA's schedule before hand, especially for dinner dates and birthdays. You want to make sure you have the correct information. Also, if they have any allergies or particular aversions to foods or other activities (like, if they're totally terrified of clowns, don't take them to the circus. If they hate the cold, don't take them ice skating, etc.) If they have to get up early, don't come over late. Basics.
Corporeality: This is the final step, and the most important one. Corporeality refers to if you want a present to be something you can wrap up (corporeal), or something you experience (non-corporeal). If you're short on funds, I would recommend the non-corporeal variety. These include, but are not limited to: Movie showings, writing a song, making something artsy, or cooking something. Memory comes into play here, because you really want to make it special for your NA.
In terms of corporeal, a good general rule is the $25/3 rule. As in, if you've been dating for less than 3 months, try not to spend over $25. Every three month increment after that (6, 9, 12, etc), you can go up $25. This is good for about a year. After a year, it's completely arbitrary. You should know your NA well enough by then to determine what would be OK, and what wouldn't be.
If you're looking for something REALLY nerdy, I recommend the following sites:
1. Think Geek: Think Geek is a compendium of everything awesome ever. They have sexy nerdy underwear, baby gear, LED shirts, a working R2D2, plushy microbes, everything. It's pretty fantastic. A bit expensive, but not all that bad, provided you have access to a credit card.
2. Threadless: Threadless is a graphic design t-shirt website where people submit their designs, vote, and the winning ones get printed. Shirts are relatively cheap, come in a variety of styles, and yes, this is where the original NERDFIGHTERS T-shirt that Hank and John Green wear came from. Also, the haiku shirt.
3. The Particle Zoo: These are like the microbe plushy toys, only, they're PARTICLES. PHYSICS PARTICLES. OMG, THE QUARK IS SO CUTE.
4. Webcomic Online Stores: Most webcomics have online stores where you can buy really cool webcomic-y gear, like prints, t-shirts, or toys. Check out your favorite webcomic, and see if they have anything adorable.
Hope that helps. Jump those railroads, folks!
~Risk(y)
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