Specifically looking for nerdy knickknacks like magnetic viewing film that a fellow autist would appreciate
I’m getting a friend a box of adhesive googly eyes.
I once bought our son a transparent practice lock picking set. Great fun. Not the cheapest but he has since been able to repay me many times over from the proceeds of various jewellers shop robberies & bank heists
- Rechargeable AA or AAA batteries
- Electric handwarmers
- Lotto Tickets or scratchers
- Travel Board or Card Games
- Charging accessories
- Darn Tough vs. Fun Socks
- Phone Stand
- Mini tripod
- EDC stuff like Olights
So many things…
Obligatory gifts are never cool.
the original fidget spinner
I almost skipped past this post, but something cheap I carry in my wallet every day is a credit card sized Fresnel magnifying lens, same size and thickness of a credit card. Suprisingly durable, and can even start fires in good sunlight.
A similar idea is a magnetic field viewing film. I have one and it’s neat to see exactly where magnets are in different things.
Thank you for this! I need to come up with some stocking stuffer ideas for my wife to get me. And I’ve been struggling. But something like this would actually be useful and fit the bill very well.
What level magnification are you getting, and is there much distortion when using it to read (or to examine objects)? The only thing I know about Fresnel lenses are lighthouses!
I’m not sure exactly, but I’d guess about 2x magnification, and text is totally legible and easier to read.
The focal point distance for sunburning/fire is about 7cm.
The lens part itself is 6cm x 5cm.
Yes I did some measuring…
As a girly who gets cold easily - warm fuzzy wooly socks. Oh my god. Pls I need several pairs to get me through the winter! Oh and I’ll take a couple sample sized brandys while you’re at it😁
Gyroscope
3d printed thingy
Diffraction grating film
Prism
Silly socks, a puzzle of some kind, a magic trick, some weed, a good book, fun magnets, a geode
The other sock.
Something I’ve always requested when anybody asked what I wanted for a gift, (and only got once from somebody who went on to be my wife) was a hand-written letter.
As somebody who buys the things I require whenever I require them, it’s something so much more personal than damn near anything else.
Edit: I gave her a box of secrets. Basically I wrote a bunch of lines or paragraphs on pieces of paper that I don’t like to talk about or have trouble expressing. The only caveat was that she could only read one per day and only when she’s not having a great day.
Oh that’s incredible. You’re a good husband.
Nerdy knicknacks for stockings? I guess DnD dice maybe
When we were kids my parents would put some snacks & gum/mints and the biggest & juiciest apples and oranges I had ever seen, it doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated sometimes. For something a little nerdier maybe a puzzle, book like a comic, novel, or almanac, or maybe a handheld synth or sampler like the teenage engineering pocket operators or stylophone or something similar.
Candy. Hot wheels.
It’s not real exciting, but phone chargers make great stuffers. Everybody can use one more.
My wife has bought me some, but then ends up taking them and losing parts. This year we are getting color coded ones
If you know what phone they have you can get one at or a little higher than it’s top charging speed. It might end up their fastest charger. (I mention a little higher if you feel like it, since if/when they upgrade maybe that speed will go up a bit and your purchase will be even better. I wouldn’t bother doing that with chinese phones that are at 100W anyway.)
