MAGICAL GIFTS FOR FANTASY LOVERS

Is there a special princess in your life for whom you are seeking a Valentine's Day gift she is sure to treasure? You can't go wrong with jewelry ... especially a replica of something worn in a favorite movie or television series. The Noble Collection has reproductions of rings and necklaces worn by actresses in The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter movies as well as the Game of Thrones television series that your lovely lady will be geeked to receive.

HARRY POTTER TIME-TURNER

Fans of JK Rowling's Hermione character in the Harry Potter novels and movies will adore a reproduction of her time traveling amulet. Available from The Noble Collection is a screen accurate replica of the Time-Turner featured in the movie Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Are you looking for a magical Valentine's Day gift?

The Time-Turner amulet is plated in 24 karat gold, is centered with a working miniature hourglass and its inner rings rotate. It includes an 18 inch chain for wearing your very own Time-Turner plus comes with a case to display it in. Tell your love that time freezes when you are together with the Valentine's Day present of an officially licensed Harry Potter Time-Turner.

EVENSTAR PENDANT OF ARWEN

Arwen the Elven Princess, known also to her people as Evenstar because of her unparalleled beauty, is destined to leave Middle-Earth and sail to the Undying Lands of the West in J.R.R. Tolkien's tales. While this fate looms before her, she falls in love with Aragorn, a mortal man, and is then faced with the heart-wrenching choice to leave Middle-Earth with her people or forego her immortality for the man she loves. 

Capture the brilliance of the Evenstar's enduring beauty with this replica of a necklace worn by actress Liv Tyler in the Academy Award winning Lord of the Rings movies produced by Peter Jackson. This screen accurate reproduction of the actual Evenstar Pendant of Arwen worn in the Lord of the Rings films is crafted in sterling silver. It measures 2.5 inches in length and comes complete with chain. Show your eternal love for someone with a fantastic gift like this!

TARGARYEN PENDANT 

By embodying the best of Daenerys Targaryen’s traits of determination, strength, confidence, power, and a need for justice, your Valentine deserves the Targaryen Pendant. Crafted in sterling silver, this pendant shows off the House of Targaryen’s sigil and is fit for a Queen.

GAME OF THRONES POP UP BOOK

Pop Up books aren't just for kids! Take for example the GAME OF THRONES: A POP UP GUIDE TO WESTEROS from Insight Editions which transports readers to the fantasy world of the hit HBO television series through incredible 3D representations of key locations in the show. Flip through the pages of the book one by one to view five stunning spreads or unlock its magnetic spine to unfold a giant 46" x 30" map.

Inspired by the clock-work style animated opening that starts each episode, the book provides pop up recreations the include the Red Keep within the Seven Kingdom's capital city,  the castle of Winterfell and the Wall. It is like having a pop up version of the Game of Thrones opening that you can hold in your hands and keep on your book shelf. It doesn't just have impressive imagery to enjoy though, GAME OF THRONES: A POP UP GUIDE TO WESTEROS also is an insightful reference guide to the world of Game of Thrones.

Designed by paper engineer Matthew Reinhart who has gained renown for crafting pop up books he has crafted, GAME OF THRONES: A POP UP GUIDE provides a wonderful glimpse into this fantasy world. In addition to the books central displays, it is also filled with numerous mini-pop ups highlighting various aspects of the show. From dragons to white walkers, fan favorite elements of the television series pop out at your from the pages of this book. Plus, accompanying the book's dynamic imagery is informative text that delves into the family histories of the royalty competing for control of the Iron Throne and provides a background into the history of these players and the lands which they desire to rule over.

A unique collectible, GAME OF THRONES: A POP UP GUIDE TO WESTEROS is sure to delight any fan of the show. This visual guide provides more than 30 amazing pop up effects as it highlights the family sigils of the show's characters, landscapes where scenes have occurred, and other aspects of the show such as dire wolves, giants and the unsullied army which have captivated audiences for eight seasons.

While Game of Thrones is a television show that is absolutely not meant to be viewed by children, reading through this pop up book brought out the kid in me as I was giddy flipping through the pages exploring all the details packed inside it. This is a must-have for any Game of Thrones fan so it definitely earns A Geek Daddy nod of approval. If this book caught your interest, you may also want to check out the The Walking Dead: The Pop Up Book from Insightful Editions as well.



For more information about pop up books for adults and other publications to geek out over from Insightful Editions head over to insightfuleditions.com

GAME OF THRONES PARTY IDEAS

After seven seasons of being warned that winter is coming, the eighth and final season of Game of Thrones which will feature an epic showdown between the White Walker King and his Army of the Dead against mankind is here! How are you planning on watching the last episodes of Game of Thrones? My friends at WHOLESALE PARTY SUPPLIES shared with ageekdaddy.com some great ideas to transform your house for hosting a Game of Thrones viewing party to make it seem like you and your guests are in Westeros while watching the show.

GAME OF THRONES PARTY DECORATIONS

DIY isn't just for home repairs! Create some do it yourself decorations to transform your house into a Game of Thrones style setting. House sigils, dragon eggs and a Weirwood Tree are craft projects that can provide a Westeros ambience to your Game of Thrones party.

• Daenery’s Petrified Dragons Eggs – use fun foam scales to cover paper mâché eggs (here is a tutorial to guide you). Place the trio in a chest to create an aura of authenticity.

• Weirwood Tree – bring the Godswood of Winterfell to the table with this small-scale version of the characteristic tree. Spray painted branches white then added red cardstock leaves to mimic the look. 

• House Sigils – showcase the heraldry of a few houses with these sigil flags. You can make them from cardstock or cut them from felt for a softer feel.  Free sigil templates can be found online to use to hand cut your own banners. Or if you have a cutting machine, download a .svg file like this one.

You can also get some impressive party props from wholesalepartysupplies.com. Here are a few ideas worth heralding:

• Place a Jointed Suit of Armor Cutout at attention ready to guard against potential ambushes. If you don’t have room for a full suit, place a few of these Medieval Knight Masks around for a similar look and feel. 

• Warriors need shields so hang a Royal Triangular Shield aside the suit of armor.

• Cover a table with a simple and raw canvas drop cloth then set out Medieval Jeweled Plastic Goblets for guests to sip from. These Cut Timber 10” Party Plates look real enough to fool the eye. Put them on a gold placemat or charger for an impactful juxtaposition. Now you have a medieval looking setup for your guests to feast from.

• There’s nothing more medieval than a stone wall. Create a full wall with this Medieval Stone Wall Backdrop or for added depth, flank a small section with velvet curtains.

• Fill in spaces with Black Crows, candles and wooded blocks for added interest. 

GAME OF THRONES PARTY FOOD

• Make a subtle reference to the infamous Red Wedding with a red drip cake. Embellish with a gold tag line topper for a touch of bling. (Get the free .svg file here.) 

• A cheese board, beefed up with a roasted chicken, is a quick and easy way to feed guests medieval style. Combine it with fresh fruits and breads for a feast filling enough for all of Westeros, Essos and Sothoryos. 

• Lemon bars make a showing in the series. Add some to the table for a tantalizing dessert option.

GAME OF THRONES PARTY FAVORS

After the show, as they return to their own kingdoms, endow guests with “riches” by gifting them King’s Medieval Crowns and Medieval Castle Favor Boxes filled with gold dragon coins (aka chocolate coins). You could even reward some with a coveted dragon egg!

GAME OF THRONES COSTUMES

Celebrate the Game of Thrones season 8 premiere in style thanks to these Game of Thrones party ideas! Getting into costume is also an entertaining way to make a party extra special. Represent your house like a true fan wearing one of these Game of Thrones Costumes. Dress Westeros style to really get into the spirit of the show while watching the final episodes of Game of Thrones.

CRAFTCOM 2017

We met the Ghostbusters at the CRAFTCOM Festival in Clawson, Michigan that took place over the Fathers Day weekend.  In it's first year, this community event brought together artists, craft beer makers, food trucks, and comic book culture for a fun time that let people enjoy the geeky side of life.  Ghostbusters Detroit and the Great Lakes Garrison of the 501st Legion, two great movie fan clubs, were there to greet people and the festival hosted a cosplay contest to encourage attendees to get into character as well.  Theater Bizarre was on hand as well with an elaborate tent promoting its annual masquerade extravaganza at Detroit's historic Masonic Temple which had developed a reputation as one of the best Halloween parties in the entire world.  DJs entertained the crowd with techno music and the event also featured performances by kids from The Detroit School of Rock & Pop and the musical group Wesley and the Crushers.

There also were a variety of vendors on hand selling crafts, comic books, toys and jewelry.  My daughter bought a Harry Potter themed necklace with the Gryffindor seal emblazoned on it that she hasn't taken off since picking it up at one of the CRAFTCOM exhibitor booths.  I noticed a lot of kids that we ran into at the festival had purchased handmade plush toys called Cool Critters that a vendor was selling.  Another vendor, Red Lava Toys, was selling customized Minecraft inspired action figures that also seemed to be very popular with the kids my children's age.  A local hardware store was crafting unique marshmallow shooters from pvc piping and duck tape that they were giving out for to kids for free.  My children pretended to hunt the giant inflatable T-Rex that was on hand with theirs.

A variety of craft beer places participated in hosting CRAFTCOM including Clawson's very own Black Lotus Brewery.  B. NEKTAR, from Ferndale Michigan, which specializes in meads (honey infused drinks) in addition to ciders and craft beers was my favorite exhibitor to try some samples from.  Shmaltz Brewing traveled all the way from Clifton Park, New York to share their Star Trek Klingon Imperial Porter which not only has a cool theme to it but also tasted great with a unique chocolate flavor to it.  Ommegang Brewery from Cooperstown New York also was there showing off their Game of Thrones branded Bend the Knee line of ales and wines.  Iconic Detroit area soda brand Faygo was also on hand to provide beverages to the Under 21 crowd and adults who didn't want to partake in the alcoholic drinks.

Although alcohol was a big part of this festival it was still very family-friendly with a Kids Zone that included free inflatable bounce houses, an arts and crafts area where Detroit Imagination Works helped kids craft unique projects, and HUB Stadium setup some bombowling lanes which combines horseshoes, bowling and football into one game.  My kids had a lot of fun creating there own super hero masks while we were there.

Hopefully CRAFTCOM was successful enough that its sponsors will bring it back next year because we had a lot of fun during its inaugural run.  For more information, visit craftcomfestival.com and stay tuned for announcements about 2018.

Fun Fathers Day Gifts for the HBO Fan

 ** I partnered with HBO for this post but the following selections and opinions are my own **

Winter is coming ... in July!  HBO's Game of Thrones' seventh season begins July 16, 2017 and lots of dads like myself will be tuning in to what promises to be the most epic season yet of the popular television show.  Falling just a few weeks before the show's return, Fathers Day marks the perfect opportunity to give Games of Thrones merchandise from the HBO Shop to a dad who is eager to learn the fate of Westeros.

Every guy I know would be thrilled to possess a real life sword of Valyrian steel and rush into combat against the dreaded White Walkers and their zombie hoards.  While that obviously isn't going to happen, you can provide dad with a Long Claw (one of the mighty swords from the show) letter opener that will allow him to slice open his mail while imagining he is on a Game of Thrones battlefield.  This replica of the famed sword from the House of Mormont of Bear Island has a die-cast metal handle and stainless steel blade.

Admit it all dads roll their eyes at the though of getting the trademark Fathers Day gifts of ties, underwear and socks.  This year though you can actually put a smile on dad's face by giving him socks with the Game of Thrones Sigil Knit Box Set.  These three pairs of socks in blue, black and grey featuring the banners of the three major houses of Westros are subtle and classy enough to wear with a suit; yet are also comfortable to go with a casual look.  Game of Thrones fan can feel like a knight of Westeros as they walk about wearing a grey direwolf of House Stark, the three headed dragon of House Targaryen, or the gold lion of House Lannister.

For the active dad on the go pick out a Game of Thrones Sigel Swell Bottle to help him stay hydrated when he is out and about.  This reusable drinkware will highlight to people that he is a Game of Thrones fan as it features each of the banners for the houses of Lannister, Targaryen and Stark.

Want to give dad a home-made present for Fathers Day?  Make some Game of Thrones cookies for him that he can enjoy while watching the show.  The HBO Shop has cookie cutters so you can bake him a special treat shaped like the banners of all the major players in the Game of Thrones.

Show dad he is the king of the house by bestowing on him a replica of the crown of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros for Fathers Day.  This replica of the one from the TV series was made from a direct casting of the original screen-used prop to provide the utmost accuracy to it.  It is crafted from actual metal to provide it with heft, embedded with reproduction gemstones, and finished with a lustrous gold effect.  It comes with a specially designed iron sword motif display stand which allows you to rest the crown on the hilts of 4 swords.

Another popular show on HBO for sci-fi / fantasy fans is Westworld.  It revolves around a technologically advanced theme park staffed by lifelike robotic hosts who engage in Wild West type adventures interacting with the wealthy guests who visit.  What happens though when these robots stop following their programming and start thinking for themselves?

Pick up a Westworld logo hoodie that looks like something you'd pick up from an amusement park gift shop for the father who is a fan of the show.

Get pops a Pop! The HBO Shop has the popular Funko Pop! vinyl figures in a variety of the Westworld characters.  These are always a fun way to let dad personalize his work space on the job or decorate his desk in a home office.  Funko Pop! have really taken off as collectors items and you're seeing them displayed more and more in game rooms, theater spaces, and man caves in people's houses.

Let dad show off his caring fatherly side and his humorous bad boy side at the same time with this Oscar the Grouch shirt.  HBO is proud to be the new home of Sesame Street and has a variety of branded items available in their online store.

Speaking of shirts, every dad likes to have a comfortable, cool looking shirt to workout in.  The HBO Shop has a number of shirts that will make a guy feel like he has entered the world of one of his favorite shows.  Two of my favorites are the Pied Piper start-up shirt from the series Silicon Valley and the high school gym shirt from Vice Principals.  These cool shirts promote aspects of these comedic shows instead of the titles and main characters.  Other fans will get the meaning of wearing these shirts but it will be an inside joke that people who haven't been watching HBO won't catch on to.

Pub glasses are always a nice way to personalize a kitchen or bar.  The HBO Shop has a nice selection ranging from ones that feature the banners of the houses from Game of Thrones to others that look they were were souvenirs from a visit to the city where the show True Blood was set.  My favorite though is from the Prohibitionist era themed show Boardwalk Empire sporting a gangster motif on it.  "You can't be half a gangster!"

Check out these Fathers Day gift ideas plus numerous other selections to choose from at store.hbo.com --> Use code DAD at checkout to save 20% off purchases made before 6/8/2017 from items in the online store's Fathers Day Boutique.

Game of Thrones FUNKO Pop!

Winter is coming and so are a new batch of the popular FUNKO Pop! figures representing popular Game of Thrones® characters.  As the hit HBO® series returns for Season 7 in July three fan-favorite characters from the show are getting new figures with updated looks and three characters are making their FUNKO Pop! debuts.  

Not only has Jon Snow returned from the dead but he has returned to the FUNKO Pop! lineup ready for battle with sword in hand.  Tyrion also makes a return this time poised with a chalice of wine in hand.  Cersei has made a comeback not just on the show but also with a new look featuring her depicted donning her coronation gown and royal headpiece. 

First time additions to the FUNKO Pop! Game of Thrones collection coming out this summer include Bran Stark, Tormund Giantsbane and one of my favorites from the TV show Wun Wun. After having been missing from the show for an extended time, Bran Stark looks to be one of the key players in the Game of Thrones for Season 7.  Wielding his trusty sword is the renowned leader of the Free Folk from North of the Wall, Tormund Giantsbane.  Showing that arrows can't take him down is Wun Wun the Giant. 

Also coming this July is a new Jon Snow Pop! Keychain that Game of Thrones fan can take along with them as a lucky charm wherever they go. 

All these items will be available at the HBO Shop and a variety of retailers nationwide just in time for the start of the upcoming season of Game of Thrones.  White Walkers with a zombie army, barbarians with dragons, and feudal knights all heading towards a major battle royal are sure to make Season 7 of HBO's Game of Thrones the most explosive one yet!

Celebrate Easter with an #HBOEggHunt on the HBO Shop

While many kids will be enjoying egg hunts this weekend, HBO is having its own Easter EGGstravaganzas that adults can have some fun with too that will allow them to save money on merchandise from their favorite HBO shows! Starting Thursday, April 13th through Monday, April 17th, the HBO Shop will host an Easter Egg Hunt.

HBO fans can search for hidden discount codes that can be found throughout the product listings of six fan-favorite HBO shows: Game of Thrones, Westworld, Last Week Tonight, Silicon Valley, Veep, and True Blood. Hunt through each of these series’ product selections in search of a single item with an egg decal. Some of these eggs contains a discount code for up to 20% off your entire purchase and some will be a bust with no special code so you'll have to keep hunting through the web site.

Whether you have a friend or family member who loves HBO shows, or just want to treat yourself to a great deal, don’t miss out on the chance to score some great, discounted merchandise this holiday weekend. Here's a hint where you can find one of these golden eggs; but you may want to search for others too because there are some with more lucrative offers than this one provides which are hidden within the HBO Shop as well.

Coloring books aren't just for kids anymore

This Christmas a whole bunch of people in our family received coloring books for presents and none of them were children.  My college-aged niece, wife, and mother-in-law all received coloring books during our family's gift exchange.  Coloring books aren't just for kids anymore.  Many adults are beginning to take coloring up as a hobby and books with intricate patterns and detailed drawings are beginning to skyrocket up the publishing industry's best seller lists.

Health professionals are encouraging this new trend noting that for adults taking some time out to color can reduce stress, spark creativity, maintain fine motor skills, help keep your mind sharp, and can be just plain fun to do.  Several studies have shown that coloring can also have a therapeutic value in dealing with anxiety, cancer, depression, and post-traumatic disorders.  We have a cupboard full of coloring books that my kids are always using but I can't recall the last time I spent some time doing some coloring.  During my last routine doctor's visit, my physician warned me that my blood pressure was starting to become troubling so maybe I should take some time to relax a bit with one of these new adult focused coloring books.

This video shares some information about the benefits for adults when it comes to enjoying a coloring book:



While many of these adult focused coloring books are marketed to the ladies there are plenty of selections that will appeal to guys as well.  Plus with the popularity, and profitability, of this new trend a bunch of new coloring books are on their way to retailers to join the existing ones that are already on store shelves.  Here are a few suggestion that dads, and moms, who enjoy the geeky side of life will probably appreciate:

Art of Coloring Star Wars: 100 Images to Inspire Creativity and Relaxation 

This coloring book is filled with pen-and-ink illustrations that portray exotic sci-fi landscapes, elaborate patterns inspired by the movies, and memorable characters from the Star Wars universe.

Secret New York: Color Your Way To Calm

Color your way through the boroughs of New York City with this book filled with images of everyday life in the Big Apple. 

Coloring Dragons

This coloring book is filled with fantastic imagery of these mythic beasts from John Howe, the concept artist for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies.



Color Your Own Age of Ultron

Comic books aren't just for kids anymore and neither are coloring books.  Marvel has published a coloring book aimed at adults who enjoyed last year's blockbuster Avengers: Age of Ultron movie. Also coming out in 2016 will be Color Your Own Deadpool and Color Your Own Civil War based upon those two upcoming movies.



The Official A Game of Thrones Coloring Book (A Song of Ice and Fire)

Ideal for any fan of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire and HBO's Game of Thrones, this coloring book contains forty-five exclusive illustrations of the characters and places in Westeros.

Creative Haven Steampunk Devices Coloring Book

30 illustrations of flying machines, locomotives, submarines, watches and other curious contraptions with a steampunk flair.

Lost Ocean: An Inky Adventure & Coloring Book

Wonderful pen and ink illustrations take you on an underwater adventure through coral reefs and barnacle-studded shipwrecks to discover intricate shells and lost pirate treasure.  The sea life and backgrounds are as colorful as you want to make them.

Highlights Hidden Pictures: A Coloring Book for Grown-up Children

My grandma who was a librarian used to always give me a Highlights Magazine subscription for my birthday when I was a child.  Now this iconic children's brand has a publication featuring a nostalgic collection of Hidden Picture puzzles meant for a grown up audience.  Color the puzzles for a relaxing activity that will remind you of the fun you had as a kid doing the hidden picture puzzles in Highlights Magazine.

Plus coming out soon will be:

Doctor Who Coloring Book

This book features 96 pages filled with some of the best quotes from the television series and out-of-this-world images featuring the escapades of Doctor Who that will delight any Whovian.

Harry Potter Magical Creatures Coloring Book

Discover the magical beings and extraordinary beasts from the world of Harry Potter in this 96 page coloring book.  It also includes a selection of concept art and film stills from the making of the Harry Potter films to your coloring creativity.

There is even a Walking Dead coloring book based upon the AMC television show coming out in the Fall of 2016.

If you haven't colored in awhile with selections like the ones mentioned above you won't need to use your child's Care Bears, Paw Patrol, or Scooby Doo coloring book to have some fun....although there's nothing wrong with using a kiddie one if you want to.  Hey its all about relaxing and having fun! So get out those crayons, markers or colored pencils and embrace your inner artist.