The best part of the Holidays being over is the sales that follow. Hopefully you’ve managed to get some gift cards or cash and need to spend them. Or maybe you have some things you got that you need to return. Either way, it’s okay to treat yourself, and I’m here to help.

HotTopic, a great place for nerd things, is having some great clearance sales. You can find T-shirts for as low as $6, not to mention some of their things are buy one, get one free, online. If you ask me, that’s a perfect reason to go shopping. There’s much to find and buy. Not to mention, the one at Park Meadows Mall here in Denver has a large POP! figure wall…and we all know just how much I love me some POP! figures and nothing beats that instant satisfaction like going to the store and finding that perfect gift for yourself at the perfect price. 
 
If you’re not up for leaving the house, then head over to ThinkGeek and check out their After-Holiday sales. There, you may find some items up to 30% off! More importantly than that, you’ll find a Baby Groot cutting board. I could probably spend all day at this site looking at every single thing they have. I’d also go broke, but it would be worth it. Seriously, though, it’s all fun and games until I hit the hoodie section. I’m starting to think I may have an actual addiction to jackets…

Of course, all the local stores will be having their specials as well. For the gamers out there, Best Buy is having some good game deals. And I don't forget about Steam you computer gamers, because that site has some insanely good things going on. If you’re more into books, Barnes & Noble has up to 50% off of clearance. It’s really, all, just a matter of preference. This weekend seems to be the best time to hit up some good sales and spend that Holiday cash. I hope you all had a wonderful season! If you do come across any amazing deals of your own, please share!

Are you like me and wait to the end to finish shopping for everyone? Or maybe find out that a relative you weren’t expecting is going to show up to dinner. Well, that’s okay, I’m here to help with some last-minute Gift ideas for all nerds and non-nerds alike! Because this very thing totally never happens to me...okay, it does. Listen, sometimes you get so busy you think you got everyone covered on the Holiday shopping list, but sometimes people slip through the cracks!

That’s okay, because there's plenty of great last-minute gifts to be found, like Marvel movies! However, in case the person you’re shopping for isn’t a fan of those movies (seriously, they’re lying to you, because everyone loves Marvel. It’s a fact.), There is always the safe route of getting them a book. Not just any book, a book they won’t forget. All My Friends Are Dead and the sequel; All My Friends Are Still Dead make amazing last-minute gifts for anyone and are also good stocking stuffers. As someone who has the book, I can tell you, it’s so sad…but, mostly hilarious. Ironically, I’ve found this book at Target of all places. If you wish to venture to the actual bookstore, you may find a few books that are equally hilarious. How to Tell If Your Cat is Trying To Kill You is a fantastic novel for anyone with cats or anyone who likes cats. Giving it to someone without cats and yelling ‘surprise!’ after, might just be an added bonus. 
 
There are always two main staples in all my gift giving advice blogs. Blankets and Mugs. Who doesn’t want a nice warm blanket!? Since I'm always so cold during the winter (which is something that really needs to change). I have come to learn the true power of blankets. You really can’t have too many. As weird as this sounds, kids’ comforters also made really good gifts. It’s like having a blanket that’s bigger…plus, they come in far more nerdier things and far more local places. Like Target! Or Walmart! For blankets, Spencer’s Gifts or Hot Topic have just about any blanket you can imagine. Or, well, find. Speaking of Hot Topic, if you really love the person you’re buying for and they just so happen to be a nerd, the hoodie and jacket selection is pretty amazing, and the prices aren’t that damaging to the wallet. Mugs are a bit different. Hot Topic has some, as does Urban Outfitters, but really, if you’re going for something nerdy, the Disney Store has Marvel and, of course, all things Disney related. And, for that Frozen fan in your life, they have stuffed Olafs, complete with Santa hat and scarf!
 
If you’re looking to buy something funny for that person, then head over to The Wizard's Chest and buy a Cards Against Humanity pack or expansion. You really can’t go wrong with this game. I’ve yet to meet anyone who doesn’t like it…and if they don’t like it, they’re lying to you. If, however, you want to give a game that doesn’t end in tears (all from laughter), then Barnes & Noble is the place to go. These nerd themed games are available by the dozen, and who don’t want to play Doctor Who Monopoly? Probably nobody, because Monopoly ruins friendships…that’s only partially true…I cheat. Either way, they also have Battlestar Galactica and Firefly board games that really, I need to own…

Well guys, I have to admit, I’m just not ready for the Holidays yet. With only a few presents wrapped, it’s going to be a bit hectic over the next few days. Shopping can be hard, but remember, gifts should come from the heart, and always with a gift receipt. Unless you’re me this year, in which case, my family better love what they get.

As the Holiday season prepares to come to a close, there is much joy in the air. If you’re one that loves this season, or not, I have some quick and easy meal ideas to make any party, gathering, or event, much more fun to go to. Christmas dinner is coming up, so that means many of us will have left overs, right? Now, maybe we all have our own ideas of what should be done with left overs, but I’ve also got a few ideas that make things just that much better.

First, take your left over Christmas turkey, cut it or shred it into some bite-sized chunks, put them in an oven safe bowl, add whatever left over veggies you have, or frozen ones, add in some chicken broth, or cream of chicken soup (mixed with some milk), cover with any type of pastry trust, and bake! Many variations of this recipe exist on the Internet, and maybe in a few homes, but I have to say, it’s one of my favorite ways to eat a tasty left-over meal! Well, that and a turkey sandwich. There are many debates on how this goes. If you’ve got left over croissants, I say cut one in half, fill with turkey, mayo, and pepper jack cheese, and enjoy. But don't add lettuce. Don’t do it. But, if you want to make your sandwich a little more nerdy, take a piece of celery, leafy top and all, and a toothpick. Your sandwich now has a nice garnish. And might possibly be related to the 5th doctor.

However you eat your left overs is the right way. But you can’t always share those with others. Sometimes you get invited to a holiday party for work, or friends, and you’re asked to bring something. Like me! And really…I never have any idea what to bring. So! Quick trick! Those cookies they have, pre-made, pre-cut, and ready to go? I’m not going to lie, this is cheating, but if you’ve no time to bake, hey! Grab them! I like to cut the little cookie dough bits in half…it doubles what you have, and they turn out great. Nobody will know the difference…To make them look more homemade, just take the chocolate ones and sprinkle some powdered sugar on top. Also, there are sugar cookies out there that might just make some of us giggle. Frozen cookies can be bought, while they may have Olaf on the package, they have a heart in the middle of the cookie. Frozen heart cookies? Why not!

If you have some time and you’ve been asked to bring some savory side dishes, then get a bunch of red potatoes, some paprika, and some parsley. Cut the potatoes into wedges, place them in a pan, liberally cover with paprika, sprinkle with parsley, then add a stick of cut up butter, evenly, to the top. Cook at 425 for an hour, flipping the potatoes every 15 minutes, and you’ve got an easy side dish that will impress. This is even really good with any dinner. The reddish color gives them a slightly other-worldly feel, this is why I also call them my Vampire potatoes. Which, they are vampire safe, since there is no garlic.

Of course, if you’re looking for something that requires no baking, I’ve got an idea too. Take a half a tub of Cool Whip, add one container of strawberry yogurt, mix, and you have a fruit dip that will make everyone go nuts. Or how about some fun homemade chocolates!? If you’re like me, you hopefully have at least one nerdy ice cube tray around. Mine happens to be Batman themed. I like to take any chocolate, melt it, pour it halfway into the mold, and let it cool. Instant personal, fun shaped, chocolate, that is a fun treat to hand out during the holiday season.

There's some of my holiday ideas, and I'd love to hear some of yours because sharing is caring so if you gave these a try, comment or tweet us and let us know and share you own, because we'd love to try yours too!  Have a wonderful holiday everyone! 

I actually became a fan of football for one specific reason, my father. My dad is a professional photographer, one that I learned much from and growing up, he took many an incredible picture in his day and spent most of his weekends shooting college and professional football games.  

So, I started watching football in the sheer hope of seeing him on the sidelines and quickly found myself immersed in the game. In fact, I found it hilarious, that I didn't start seeing my dad on the sidelines of games until the day came when I stopped looking for him. Suddenly he was everywhere, usually in the end zone on Monday Night Football oddly enough.   

But I digress, because as I grew older, I started helping my dad out at games. He taught me how to be a photographer, a skill I am grateful for to this day, but I was also a teenager and stupid when this occurred because I thought a great way to spend my weekends was on the couch with the remote in hand. It's funny how as you get older you realize what an idiot you were in your youth because, I now look forward to spending weekends at conventions with my camera in hand and well, I never really thought about how many awesome NFL games I have seen on the sideline thanks to my father until I grew up.

But my favorite memory of football came from my ignorance. I don't remember the date of this particular game. I just know the Bengals were in town and it was going to be cold and being my pissy teenager self, I wanted to stay home and tried to back out of helping him out. But he convinced me otherwise and I begrudgingly went off to old Mile High Stadium with him. At first, I regretted this decision. It. Was. Cold. Cold enough we had to wear gloves that covered everything but the index finger to take pictures with and even then...the cold that touched that little bit of skin was too much to bear.  

Our gear froze on several occasions. We had to improvise to keep the batteries and the cameras warm enough to function and my dad was concerned he might not get the shots he needed. That meant there was downtime, and that's when it all hit me. I stood there, with my dad watching John Elway throw perfect passes in front of a packed house of 76,125 roaring fans...this was something special. This was something amazing and I was getting to experience it not because my father wanted to instill a work ethic or punish me but because he wanted to share it with his son.  

I worked harder than I ever had at the time that afternoon. I hustled harder, I had the gear ready as my dad needed it, constantly checking everything I could to make sure it was ready for him. I wanted him to get the shots. I wanted to make him proud that day. I remember him asking on the ride home if I realized how fussy I was being and I admitted that I had and apologized of course and, in the end, I don't care how many Super Bowls the Denver Broncos win, nothing will be as incredible as that day.   

Every single one of those games was a gift. Not because of the free tickets or the free food. No because I got to spend time with my father, doing something I would later discover we were both great at, and quite honestly life doesn't get much better than that. Of all the games I ever seen in my life...that's the one I would love to go to one more time. But alas, one cannot go back in time outside of memories and I will never forget the roaring crowd, or the cold sinking into my bones and a father and son, who just so happened to be photographers and football fans, working together, side by side.

Are POP! figures contagious? Yes. Yes, they are. How do I know this? Because I have been spreading the amazingness that are these adorable little creations. Like their ever-expanding line, I have been doing my best to help spread collections, far and wide. How, you’re probably asking, or at least mildly curious? I’ve been giving them to non-nerds. That’s right, these little things are so well loved, even non-nerdy people are finding their inner geek with them.

If you thought this blog was going to be about other gift, well, sorry. Today, it’s all love for the POP!. My love is probably biased, since my own collection has been steadily growing, but that’s also not the point. Guys, these things are the perfect little gift for any one. I literally mean, any one. I’m going to share with you the truth about my nerdiness.

I wasn’t really born into it. Sure, nerd and geek influences have come and infected my life and made me who I am today. But my parents are as far from geeks as possible. They try, and I love them for it, but they’re nowhere near the level of awesome they should be at. Still, I have gotten the most non-nerdiest person…wait, no, the second most non-nerdiest person in my family to fall in love with these figurines.
 
I will say, my parents have at least watched some geeky things; likeGame of Thrones. And with one little POP, I have now gotten my entire family into searching for these bobbles at stores. Thanks to a Tyrion Lannister, one pop became two, I now have my mom looking for POPs anywhere they sell them. She even bought my dad a Walking Dead zombie POP! for Christmas. If you’re really looking for something extra to give that person, you’re not so sure likes anything nerdy or geeky, a POP! may just be the way in. Today, I even stumbled upon a E.T. POP!, and well, turns out I am still freaked out by that little alien. It’s all right, there are POPs of all series, genre’s, and even not-so-geeky-things.

With several lines and many shows, games, and movies, to choose from, it can be hard to pick. But, Funko is ever broadening their product, and with such, their website is host to a list of every POP! figure to ever exist. Amazon is also a really good place to look…as well as HotTopic, and Barnes & Noble.  And, if you're like me, and you struggle with what to get someone that isn’t really…into anything geeky, you’d be surprised at just how well these things go over.

When it comes to my favorite holidays, there's a tie in my mind for the most awesomest of holidays between Halloween and Christmas. Halloween is a favorite for obvious reasons, I love horror, but I also love Christmas because of the story I'm about to share with all of you about my geekiest and best Christmas memory. 

The year was 1983. We had just welcomed my little brother Daniel to the family earlier that year and well...it was also the year of Return of the Jedi. I had seen ROTJ twice that year, because well...it was awesome and because they put it into theaters twice. At this point in my life, all the geeky things that would stay with me forever were everywhere. I was discovering re runs of Star Trek about this time as well. But, when it comes to young kids and toy stores, there was of course display upon display of Star Wars toys and damnit...I wanted them all. So naturally Santa got a letter from me asking to have that entire galaxy, far, far away to make an appearance under my tree...and the man did not disappoint. 

That Christmas morning was epic. As you can see from the pictures, and they are just a sampling, it was a very Star Wars Christmas. Boxes, upon boxes of figures and play-sets from the movie were under the tree and well...I screamed a lot in pure joy. It. Was. Awesome.

​It is a Christmas I will never forget, and quite frankly it is this memory of the holiday I always refer to if I'm feeling down during the season. Simply because, at the time all that mattered were the toys, but now I understand what Santa, with help from my family truly managed to accomplish. This was the Christmas that taught me the meaning of the holiday.  

I learned on this day, that the gifts do matter. Not because of materialism or consumerism. I too went through that phase, especially after witnessing people fist fight over DVD players on Black Friday. No, the gifts matter because of the joy and because the hunt for the perfect gift, is all about bringing joy to the person receiving it and for a brief moment, we are forced to think outside of our own world and think about what excites our friends and family and what will make them smile.  

That's really what the holiday is all about, sharing in each other's lives, and enjoying the gift of life we have all been given and sharing the things that make us happy, if only for a moment. And it was a lesson I learned all because my father and mother wanted to see their son smile. Merry Christmas everyone, I hope it's a wonderful one for you and your family.

Hey guys! I am back with another Geeky Gift guide for this season's gifts for all those geeks and non-geeks in your lives! Or to just share my thoughts on some pretty cool stuff to be given. It's always hard to shop sometimes and let's be honest, nerds can be hard to shop for! I know I'm still struggling with a few friends! I mean, what does one get for the geeky friend that has everything!? And since it's illegal to kidnap celebrities, I guess we'll all have to make do! 
 
So! Today, my top pick is kind of for that special geeky someone or maybe a sibling or close friend! Maybe it's that special geek gal! Whoever it's for, jewelry is always a crowd pleaser. ThinkGeek has a wide assortment of nerdy themed jewelry out there that will fit any and almost every fandom! As does HotTopic and of course, Ebay, Amazon and/or Etsy. Charm bracelets? Got it. TARDIS necklace? Yep! Maybe a nice pair of DnD earrings! Whatever the fandom, there is a large array of geeky jewelry out there for the awesome nerd in anyone's life. And, the best part, this gift isn't limited to just girls! There's plenty out there for guys too! Watches, ear gauges, rings (because, seriously, who wouldn't want a Green Lantern power ring!?), pocket watches, and insanely cool pins! When it's all said and done, a nice TARDIS jewelry box can hold all the wonderful trinkets, geeky or not. 
 
Alright, this gift idea I kind of stumbled upon. I was actually looking for something to get my mom, who is not nerdy at all. I love you mom, but I find your lack of geekery disturbing, so I had to find something that still was cool, but not decked out with the Star Trek insignia. Mugs, coffee cups, travel thermos, or beverage holder! It seems like a strange idea, but oddly, these things are pretty cool, expressive, and you can never have enough cups. They make an awesome gift; no matter what your gift receiver drinks! The best part is they come in all kinds of fandom themed shapes, sizes, and pure awesomeness. And, if that person isn't nerdy? That's okay! They have science themed ones, ones with pretty pictures, cats, and of course, snarky comments (Mom has one that says 'World’s Most Okay-ist Mom'). You can find these expressive drink holders at Amazon, Ebay, ThinkGeek, ThisIsWhyImBroke and many other places. They're pretty fun and I have to say, some are magical. They have a TARDIS one where the TARDIS disappears or appears depending on the temperature of the drink! How spiffy is that!? Or a square mug with a Creeper face on it? Yeah, pretty neat!
 
Okay, my last geeky pick is one of my all-time favorite defaults. It's also a bit tricky and can bekind of expensive. After a half hour of browsing through the section at ThinkGeek though, I'm stuck stedfast. Apparel is kind of an all-encompassing thing when one really thinks about it. This can also get a bit pricey, however, it can also cover non-nerds as well. As it is the season to be giving, there are plenty of nerdy shirts, jackets, sweaters, and whatnot to go around. Maybe this is the adult in me but getting clothes for holidays now is kind of awesome. Anything from socks, to even nerdy undies, jammies, and bath robes, can also be found around. We live in an amazing era where all these lovely nerdy things can be found in all sorts of genres. Why not show someone how much you care with some Batman undies! Or maybe you just thought some X-Men socks would look great! Maybe this person isn't nerdy in the least; that's okay! They have some pretty nice stuff with snarky remarks, sarcastic sayings, and overall awesomeness on them. And you can find these great gift finds in many locations. I got my dad a shirt from ThinkGeek that says, 'I'm Here Because You Broke Something'. To me, nerdy reference, to dad, it's a funny shirt that has relevance! Besides! Who wouldn't love an Assassin's Creed Assassin's hoodie!? Or maybe they want to be discreet with their nerdiness and have a cardigan with a small Star Trek logo on it. Whatever the case many of these nerdy things can be found at ThinkGeek, Amazon, HotTopic, Redbubble. Target and many other places!

Happy Holidays and good luck shopping! I don't know about you guys, but I'm still not done with my shopping yet…nowhere near done…at all. This procrastination thing is always a bad idea, but I am determined to find the perfect gifts!

​Hey everyone! With Christmas rapidly approaching I find myself in a gift buying panic, because I always save my shopping for the last minute. While, that's not always bad it's also, sometimes, slightly stressful. This time of year, we're all searching for that perfect gift. Boy, am I searching for that perfect gift. Along the way, I've found some great gift ideas though, and I'm here to share my finds, with you! I'll be going through and giving you my top gift picks for nerds (and non-nerds) until Christmas!
 
First up, is my ultimate, favorite, go-to-gift. Giant Microbes! These little guys are plush versions of various microorganisms, such as the flu, mad cow disease, or herpes! I love these little guys. I give them to my friends, and family, on every holiday. My poor mom has the largest collection out of everyone I know! It's fun to watch people unwrap their gift, only to realize they've gotten a Flesh-Eating Virus! Or maybe Martian Life! These are my go-to-favorite gift to give because they're for everyone; not just us nerds! They're reasonably priced and can be found on Amazon, ThinkGeek, or their own website, GiantMicrobes.com.
 
My next nerdy gift is something I know a lot of my friends personally adore, and I love them too, POPs! From The Avengers, to Doctor Who, Walking Dead, Batman, and even Disney, these vinyl figures feature characters and places from every fandom out there! The best part? They look incredible. These are a big-time addiction of mine, and I have over a hundred of these and they're just a wonderful gift for your friends and family because who wouldn't these precious little figures on your desk, or your dresser or anywhere!? These can be found in Hot Topic or Urban Outfitters and many other random places, as well as Amazon and other online stores!
 
And lastly, for today, but never least, I'm going to have to recommend a nice, warm, plush blanket. I know, I know. Blankets are kind of an…odd-ish thing to give someone. But, hear me out. They have many, wonderful, qualities. Especially here in Colorado! Our weather is bipolar, at best, and seems to go from hot, to cold, within seconds! That being said, blankets make awesome gifts for anyone! They keep you warm, are fun to snuggle with, and can totally have the TARDIS on it. That's right, not just any blanket, a geeky-blanket-of-awesome! Nowadays you can find blankets with all sorts of cool nerdy things on them. Nightmare Before Christmas, Kingdom Hearts, Game of Thrones, Invader Zim; you name it, you can likely find it in blanket form. I know a lot of Minecrafters, and how awesome would it be to have a Creeper blanket to bundle into while playing? It's a practical, awesome, gift. And like the Vinyl figures, Hot Topic has a wide selection, as does Spencer's, and of course ThinkGeek, Amazon, or other online stores. It's always fun to find something in a fandom that you're wanting to give a gift from. Plus, blankets come in non-nerd form and make great gifts for even the non-nerdy friends we all secretly have.

Well guys, these were my top three gift ideas for today! I'll be back soon to share more awesome finds! Merry Nerdy Christmas! 

​I'm willing to bet that there are some of you out there that absolutely love this holiday, like John. Well, my darling little Christmas Loving Freaks, I am sadly not one of you. For a various stack of reasons, that I shan't get into, I don't particularly care for this holiday. But this year I am trying. So, in sitting here staring at a blank screen going 'what do I even write about!?' this happened. It's like some kind of weird magic trick, only massively disappointing.

Why Christmas doesn't suck, especially if you're a nerd, is a bit far-fetched of a concept. I hear you on that one. Maybe your family has finally learned your interests, maybe you found that one alcoholic beverage that makes this family gathering acceptable, or maybe you're just too awesome to let anyone bring you down. Regardless, Christmas has some charms to it. And on a side note, I guess I say Christmas with the intent of it serving as the ever all-encompassing term for Winter Holiday season, which If we're going for political correctness, I shouldn't. It's just the holiday my family celebrates, and the inspiration for this blog.

Food! Like that choppy transition that made zero sense? Me too! Seriously though, food. From October 31 to January 2nd it is literally a food paradise. And if we are Facebook friends and you have happened to notice all the decorative cookie video things i keep posting, then I'm half sorry. My entire Facebook existence has turned into sharing video blogs about food being made. Most recently they took sweater shaped sugar cookies and decorated them to look like a Star Wars Christmas sweater. Yeah, that's way too much work for me, but it looked beyond cool. The sheer talent that goes into making things like that is admirably astonishing. Like, I don't have the patience to even make regular sugar cookies, let alone decorate them like tiny Star Wars Christmas sweaters.

Aside from all the tasty food, shopping is a fun thing to do. Except for that one time at the mall; that was a scary experience where bail money was almost needed. As it so happens, shopping can be a wonderful thing. Whether it's being in the store and finding gifts for people, or even looking online. I've spent countless hours researching some of my gifts this year. I am dead set on finding just the right things for people. Shopping for nerds is the funnest and most challenging experience ever. Seriously! What do you the geek in your life that has everything!? I can't even keep track of what POP figures John has anymore! But, at the end of it, knowing I got the people I love something special and from my heart, kinda makes this holiday worth it. Especially the look on their faces.

And of course, opening gifts. Who in their right mind doesn't like presents!? I'm not the biggest fan of people doing nice things for me, but that's because I never know how to accept a gift. I always feel like I should give them something too! Christmas is perfect for people like me. We get to give and get all at the same time. My family has long since accepted my nerdy habits and they have all been really good about buying me the perfect nerdy gifts. Of course, for those family members that don't know me too well, cash and gift cards have always worked out nicely. But hey, the important thing is that Christmas isn't that bad a holiday after all, unless you go to the mall the weekend before it. Then it's awful, well, the mall is. But I approve of the rest and hope you all have a Merry Christmas!