Gifts for a Genius?

Hello M.,

Does he like astronomy? There are lots of really cool software programs (or books - there's a super one if you're just getting started called "Turn Left at Orion") in the $20 range that he could put on his home pc and be able to map the sky by the day/hour/minute which makes it fun to see the constellations and planets each night. I entered "stargazing software" under ebay and had three results at $9.95 or less (without shipping).

Another idea may be a new Wii/Xbox/??? game. Most of the toy and other stores with games have specials right now and you might find something fun in your price range.

Best of luck! My husband and I are both software programmers and he can be hard to buy for. :)

1 mom found this helpful

I second thinkgeek.com - it's got stuff that I haven't seen in any other store (for example, plush models of the cold virus, chicken pox, etc.).

1 mom found this helpful

M.....My father-in-law liked to get those metal puzzles that no one could figure out. There is a great toy store in Milford, Ohio. I think it's called " the coolest toys on earth." They have a lot of mind bogglers. Good luck.

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M.,
We have a similar problem with my Dad. He has everyhing, so we never know what to get him. I found a site called impromptugourmet.com and they wil make and deliver a VERY classy meal. You could put together a meal for 2 and offfer to take the kids off their hands for a night. Have a good holiday season!!

How well does he dress? A nice, warm, stylish sweater is always a good gift. Does he have any sports hobbies, such as golf? Does he have a favorite author? A favorite TV series you could get him on DVD? Does he collect anything? Talk to his wife, ask her these questions, and see if something comes up. Good luck!

Do you know if he likes coffee? You could get him Starbucks Holiday Blend coffee or a little gift set from there.

If you know of any restaurants he likes, a gift card might be a good idea.

There's a confectionary in Jeffersonville, IN, called Schimpff's confectionary - they have cinnamon red-hots that can be ordered...the website is www.schimpffs.com and they aren't that expensive. They have other things there that are YUMMY too - dark chocolates and milk chocolates. My dad likes the dark chocolate raspberry cremes and the cinnamon redhots. They have turtles too. I like the peanut butter smidgeons, but they're kind of expensive...something like $14.50 a pound, but they have little snowmen, and snowflakes, and nutcrackers of them...and it's like Reese's miniatures, but better - better chocolate, and better peanut butter.

Another idea would be to see if you can gather a bunch of photos from various family members (make copies, or scan into computer) and make a "family photo book". Have people submit stories about various family members - particularly anyone who's passed away to include.

Just a few ideas....for what it's worth...

I'd say get him some sort of puzzle... something tasteful, like a wooden or metal three-d puzzle. You might want to check thinkgeek.com for some great tech-minded toy ideas... it's a site geared toward computer people.

Or you could get him a bonsai tree!

HI M., I see you have a load of answers and mine is not a practical gift but I will tell you what my sister got for my uncle who lives in another state and always seem to have everything he ever wanted or needed. I will call him Jack. Uncle Jack came to the family reunion and we were having a white elephant auction to pay for supplies. Anyway everyone told him to bid on this one gift it was for the 'person who has everything'. Uncle Jack open it up (I think he paid five dollars for it) and there was nothing in the box. Well he had everything so he didn't need anything. Good Luck and Merry Christmas.

Buy some thoughtful books in genres he would not ordinarily purchase, i.e., poetry. While I am somewhat biased, I am a poet and have a book, I know that very smart people appreciate gifts that one actually put some thought to over something that is just pricey. If you want the title and other book suggestions, e-mail me.

I have found success with buying tickets to plays/theater, comedy clubs, things like that for the relative that has everything. I don't know if he would be interested in anything like that, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyways. Or, could you donate money in his name to a favorite charitable organization?

Good Luck!

There is a catalog called Computergear.com from which I like to purchase gifts for anyone who is a math/science whiz etc., and they have a really good selection of things that might be fun for your uncle.
It would be worth a look.
Or, does he like to read?
A gift card from a bookstore might be welcome.

How about a gift to his favorite charity? You could make a donation in his name to a local food pantry, the American Cancer Society, Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, his local church, his closest homeless shelter -- the list can go on and on and on.

M.,

Does he have a "cause" that's near and dear to his heart? You could make a donation in his honor. PS: When we draw names, we also put 3 items on the paper to give the recipient an idea of what to get us that we'd actually want :)

happy holidays!!

This suggestion might be a little different, but you could make a few of his favorite baked goodies and use what you otherwise would have spent on him to donate to a local food bank in his name, give to a local charity, buy a goat for a needy family in Africa on his behalf... the options of helping someone are endless.

I did something like this for a family gift exchange last year. My relative loved it and spurred the rest of the family to give to a charity and not each other for this year.

How about Tastefully Simple Gourmet foods?
The food is delicious, uses 2 or less ingredients - and guaranteed!
We have gifts and many are on sale now!
I'm an independent consultant and would be happy to help!
Check it out -- www.tastefullysimple.com/web/sgarrett
S.

What about a book? I recently came across THE BILL COOK STORY (if you're not from Indiana you may not know who he is or what he's done in the state). He's a billionaire who's taken the WEST BADEN HOTEL in West Baden/French Lick Indiana and restored it AND the French Lick hotel (NOT cutting corners). My family & I have watched the process and progress for YEARS and know of some of the hurdles, etc. Anyway.......I would HIGHLY recommend it.

This may sound like an odd suggestion, but have you considered a wooden box? There are many prices ranges and you can see some of those here: http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=wooden+boxes&a... I like boxes because they are a nice keepsake that have an endless possibility of uses. And if you are uncomfortable with the idea of giving an empty box, put in some edible treat in a nicely sealed bag to give the person something that is immediately useful.

Hi M., I read all the responses and they all good idea's but, what about if you made him his favorite candy or fudge! How personal that would be and since he is already wealthy how much do you think he would appreciate something that you made your self and put the time and love into finding out what his favorite foods are. Merry Christmas!!

M.,
Why not get him something like movie tickets? Or passes for Mike's car wash? If he already has everything he needs then something he will use might be better rather than racking your brains for that one thing.

Good luck! A.

I have a friend who is like that, loves spicy foods; he loves to get hot sauces, spices. Also, loves Trivial Pursuit. He works crossword puzzles a lot- maybe ths guy would like these too.
You could ask his wife for a suggestion.

What about giving to a charity in his name?

Does he have any hobbies? What type of books does he like to read? What does he do for recreation? Golf? Tennis? Wold he enjoy a subscrption to any magazines? Can you get any ideas from your aunt or a cousin(his kids)? If he's a genius, I'm sure he reads a lot. Perhaps he'd likd a book about a hobby, a place he'd like to visit, or some other type of book that he likes to read. If he has hobbies or recreational interests, perhaps something along that line would be something he'd like. Perhaps he'd like something homemade and creative?

Good luck!

Merry Christmas to you and God bless you!

Carol

What about, I guess it would be kind of like a joke gift because it's considered a toy, but it may wind up being sentimental to him depending on his personality and your bond with him, a Rubik's cube or other brain teaser puzzle? I have heard that it takes a true genius IQ to figure out the Rubik's cube. You could make it kind of cute and include a personal note, if he would be into that sort of thing. Good luck! --A.

what man doesn't like watching tv? put together a gift basket. like a throw/blanket (favorite sports team) he can cover up with while watching tv and a pair of warm slippers (masculine). and a couple bags of microwave popcorn, small bag of pretzels, etc...

how about donating to a charity in his name

Food Food Food!! Any man smart or dumb (ha ha) loves food!!!
Make him a big basket with nuts and crackers and cheese and sausage and chocolate and all that yummy stuff!
He can munch on it while he's doing his techie stuff lol..

S.

Does he like to read? -- A gift I thought was a great idea - make one of those fleece throws that you tie the ends, a little book light that clips on your book and a book mark - this was a wonderful gift my sister in law made for my husband and myself. We loved it and we use them all all the time. You could also get a gift card to his favorite gook store. I do not know your money limit. The best thing is to pick something he likes a lot and go with it. And home made foods are always a good option!

There is a magazine that I get called Mental Floss that would be good (if he doesn't already get it). It's slogan is "where knowledge junkies get their fix" and it has all kinds of quarky info articles and lots of other stuff on their website store that you could look at for him too. Their website is www.mentalfloss.com. You can subscribe from there or check out the store. It's something I had never heard of but now I'm hooked on it!

I would get him a gag gift, like "Computer programming for dummies" and then put a gift card inside to a book store. I'm sure he's always in the mood for some reading.

A great gift is to find a picture of him when he was young and have it blow up a little and framed. maybe if there is a family member he was close to that is no longer around.

One idea is a stellarscope that helps you locate stars and constellations (http://www.delight.com/Stellarscope-Star-Finder). It's $38.75...not too pricey but I don't know if you have a price limit for your family drawing. Another fun online shop is www.thinkgeek.com. Good luck!

M.,
perhaps you could hand make him something or buy something hand made for him.Or maybe bake him his favorite treat and wrap it up for him. People say I am hard to buy for as well as I have all the gadjets I need although I am not rich I acquire them easily.I love books about just about any subject but not sci fi or fiction or those awful romance novels.My aunt made me a crochet afghan several years ago for christmas and I still snuggle on the couch with it when I am ill and I can feel the love she put into it and I usually start feeling better right away.
Debbie

I'm not a genius but a gift certificate to my favorite book store was always appreciated!!

MENSA has somse stuff out there, maybe google it. I bought my husband who is a computer geek a polo with a guy stomping on a computer in the corner instead of a polo logo or whatever. He liked that. Google computer polos and see what you get. I also bought my husband a clock that shows the time in binary code. It sits on his desk at work and his co-workers admire it.
How about a coffee table book of a favorite interest or place he's been? A CD of Christmas music? Or a game he could play with his family (Imaginiff is a fun one).
HTH-
J.

I didnt read through all of the entries so if this is repeated sorry! What about a short term NetFlicks subscription? He can choose his own movies and you dont have to worry if he likes it or not.
Good luck
SZ

Hi M.,

I had to laugh, because when you described your uncle, I thought it must be one of my sisters writing the note! I could have described my own uncle exactly the same way!

Because he is already financially stable and doesn't need/want any more "stuff", I find that sentimental gifts are the ones that really touch his heart each year. One year I gathered old family photos that were from my dad and uncle's childhood and had my husband scan them and put them to music for about a five minute slide show on DVD. Both of my uncles and Dad were extremely touched. I also gave a copy to each of their kids, so that they have all of those old photos too. Total time spent was about 2-3 hours (less than I would've spent shopping!!!) and each copy cost me less than $2 after I printed a cover that included some favorite photos. (Sam's Club prints 8x12 photos that can be cut down nicely to fit a DVD case.)

The other idea I would suggest is thinking about your family history and coming up with a gift that relates to it. For example, my great grandfather owned a pharmacy that was known by their last name. So I googled the store name and came up with info, have found some really cool antique pharmacy bottles with their name on them (on Ebay), and even came up with one of their labels for medicine and turned it into a very pretty wall hanging (high quality photo scan, with some retouching since the real label was nearly 100 years old). If you don't have any ideas like this, I'd suggest putting his last name into an Ebay search... you might be surprised what you come up with.

This year I'll be doing a scrapbook for each of my uncles from the gigantic family vacation we all took together. I'll be doing it digitally, so I can easily make multiple copies.

Best of luck!
~Dani

Ok, what about wacky stuff like the book that tells you how to make 100 different useful things out of duct tape? Or does he like brain puzzle books? Maybe just a gift certificate to a bookstore or his favorite restaurant?

Try a donation to a charity in his name.

You might try a magazine book or magazine subscription of mind games/puzzles like this one at :

http://www.amazon.com/MENSA-Math-Logic-Puzzles-Tuller/dp/...

It is full of Mensa level math and logic problems. There is also a magazine called "Games" that is really popular and full of some challenging mind teasers.
Good luck!

As a CM consultant for 12 years, I've seen the power of photo gifts! A calendar, small album, framed photo, etc., using pictures of the family would be so meaningful and can be put together quickly. Even better if it includes your writing/stories!

I know some people are against gift cards, but I personally love them! It allows me to get what I really want. Anyway, what about dinner and a movie, and offer to watch the kids if they are small. Is it possible to ask your aunt for ideas??? Maybe there really is something that he wants, and she can steer you in the right direction. Hope that helps!

Try Cafepress.com - they have some funny 'Geek' t-shirts if he wears t-shirts, or try www.thinkgeek.com - they have gadgets/games and stuff as well as apparel. Good luck!

How about a gift he can share. If your family is close and you do things together outside the season then maybe a gift card for movies or bowling or laser tag or whirly ball. Some kind of activity he can share with another. If her likes a specific sport, 2 tickets for him to take someone or something cheaper that would tie into that sport. Other ideas concerts, plays, etc

In our family when we draw names for the adult gift exchange, we have the person write a suggestion on their slip as to what they would like in the amount of the agreed upon price. It makes it so much easier when shopping, and everyone is happy. Or else if you haven't done that, you can also ask the participants to e-mail their wish list and tell you where it can be bought. My grandsons even e-mail the web sight where the desired object is located. Just an idea.
Good Luck! and Merry Christmas!

Sky mall has a lot of cool stuff, so maybe a gift certificate would work.

M. - If you go to www.target.com and put in Mind Teasers, you'll come up with books, calendars, etc. from MENSA and other organizations that tease the brain of the super smart for not much cash. Also, I've seen (but am not able to find) a two-sides puzzle (not jigsaw, it has flat edges) that usually has a theme. The one I saw had an NYC theme and had taxis on one side and parts of the Empire State Bldg on the other so that you had two options. You line up the pieces so that the portion of a picture on one completes the portion of the picture on another. The trick is, even though they all look alike, there is only one way to line them up correctly. It takes some time to get it right. Happy hunting! Let us know what you come us with as we have some super-smarties in our family, too!