HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FOR MIDDLE AGED DADS

The holiday gift giving season is fast approaching! With the supply chain troubles and shipping delays that we are all too familiar with, you may want to get your holiday shopping done sooner than later this year. Here are some gifts that I'm sure that middle-aged dads like me would be geeked to receive:

47 BRAND BASEBALL HATS

While hip hop style flat brim baseball caps and trucker hats are popular these days, for middle aged guys like me the classic look, which have also become known as "dad caps" still are the way to go. I'm always wearing a Detroit Tigers Old English D baseball cap from 47 Brand when out and about. 47 Brand has great-looking, quality made hats, sweatshirts and other gear highlighting pro and college sports teams. Getting something promoting someone's favorite team from 47 Brand is an affordable gift idea that is sure to delight any sports fan.

CASIO G-SHOCK SPORTS WATCH

Whether I am exercising, traveling or working in the yard, I like to have a watch on my wrist that is tough enough that I don't have to worry about whether or not it will break while I am in the middle of something. My Casio G-Shock Sports Watch is my go-to choice. It is durably constructed so I'm not worried about it breaking whether I'm climbing over obstacles in the woods or moving weights around in the gym. It also can be charged with either a USB plug-in or through sunlight with its built-in solar panel so I'm never wearing about its battery dying on me whether I'm at an amusement park or running along a street in a 5K. The watch has numerous capabilities that make it useful for more than just telling time including GPS connectivity, and heart monitoring. A great watch for people who lead an active lifestyle and looking for something more affordable than an Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch.

TRENDHIM BOXERS

Socks, ties and underwear tend to be fallback gifts for any dad. If you are thinking of giving one of these standard dad gifts for the holidays check out the boxers available at trendhim.com. These are the boxers I look to grab out of my dresser after a shower. They are the most comfortable ones I own and are really well constructed as they are also the ones that don't seem to deteriorate as much over time as other brands from the wear and tear of being worn. If you are going to give a dad underwear, make an effort to gift him some that he'll appreciate getting!

Trendhim focuses on men's lifestyle accessories so you can also find other nice gifts there including ties, gloves, shaving accessories and wallets. Everything I've always ordered from them has been topnotch quality and been handled with wonderful customer service. They even have a Christmas themed set of boxers and socks.

GOLDEN TEE GOLF

My buddies like to go to sports bars to watch games on tv; but we always seem to end up competing against one another in the Golden Tee video game instead. If you want to have the best mancave or game room in the neighborhood get the 3D edition of the Arcade1Up Golden Tee Golf Arcade Machine. I would be so geeked to get one of these myself! Hopefully my wife will keep that in mind when she reads this gift guide.

NEW WAVE TOYS REPLICADES

There is a lot of nostalgia for video game arcades for anyone who grew up in the 70s, 80s or 90s. Yes, although my kids don't believe me, there was a time when you either couldn't play video games at home or the very best, cutting edge versions were only playable at arcades. Anyone who was a kid during that era probably dreamed of having an arcade in their home like Ricky Stratton in Silver Spoons.

Who has that type of room in their house though to build out a life-size arcade of classic video games. Thanks to New Wave Toys, you can make that dream a reality with their sixth scale Replicades of video games. Replicades are accurate playable reproductions of popular video games that were once in arcades but are small enough that you can fit a number of them on a bookshelf, desk or table. Create a mini arcade with some of the limited edition models produced by New Wave Toys. 

I've purchased Dragons Lair and 1943 Replicades from New Wave Toys and have enjoyed both playing them and displaying these sixth scale arcade cabinets in my home office. It is impressive that they aren't just models but also video games that are fun to play even at the reduced size. A nice feature too is that you can plug a Replicade into a computer monitor or television to play the game on a larger screen. Games available now are 1942 and Q*Bert.

INFLATABLE HOT TUB

How nice would it be to come home from a hard day at work and destress in a hot tub. Owning a Coleman Inflatable Hot Tub makes it easy and convenient to own one. They are easy to operate, durable, and simple to set up and maintain. Who wouldn't be delighted to get one of these for a holiday gift?!

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HOLIDAY WISH GUIDE 2019

Holiday shopping season is here! Here is a selection of gift ideas that are all things I would be geeked to open on Christmas morning. Hope these suggestions help you find the perfect gifts for dads like me you may be shopping for this year. Merry Christmas!

BOSE NOISE CANCELING HEADPHONES

In one word how would I describe the Bose's new noise cancelling headphones? AMAZING! Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 does a fantastic job of highlighting the sounds you want to hear and blocking those you don't. The brand-new acoustic design of this model of wireless headphones allows them to achieve the best noise cancelling performance of any Bose headphone yet.

They have provided some of the best beat, clarity and tone to music that I've ever heard through headphones. Combine that with noise cancelling technology which mutes outside sounds and you'll find yourself within an envelope of listening splendor when utilizing these headphones. Available in Luxe Silver and Triple Black.

CM TRANSLATOR

This new portable translator device from Cheetah Mobile opens up the world by allowing people who don't share a common language to easily communicate with the push of a button. This sleek looking device isn't something from science fiction; but rather a handy tool that can be easily synced to an app on your smart phone.

Speak into the CM Translator using one language and it will be translated to another in real time via your phone. A great gift for people who travel the globe for business or pleasure. Anyone who has marveled at the universal translators in the fictional  Star Trek universe will be excited this sci-fi gadget has been made a reality. But you don't need to be a sci-fi geek to appreciate the usefulness of the CM Translator.

EKSTER WALLETS

Ekster wallets are slim making them comfortable to carry and incorporate smart safety features to help protect your finances and personal identity. Ekster wallets blocks RFID/NFC signals so criminals can't remotely steal your financial information from credit cards being carried around plus has a tracking feature so you can find a lost wallet. While half the size of a traditional bill fold, these wallets maintain the look of a classic wallet utilizing top-grain European leathers to provide a sophisticated look.

KEY SMART

KEY SMART has a jackknife-like case to organize all your keys in a convenient way to carry around with you. These swiss-style key organizers don't come with a knife but you can purchase add-on accessories that include a blade, bottle opener, fire starter, golf divot tool, pliers and wrench among other things. You can utilize KEY SMART so just your keys swing in and out of it or mix in with them a variety of tools.

REPLICADE

Who hasn't dreamed of building a full-sized arcade of classic video games in their house? While that may not be practical New Wave Toys has created sixth scale Replicades that can fit on a shelf or table top yet provide fun, quality game play. Create your own arcade with miniature replicas of classic gaming cabinets that include Centipede, Tempest, and Street Fighter II.

SCI-FI MOVIES

Give the movie geek in your life a Sci-Fi movie for a gift. AD ASTRA for example from 20th Century Fox is being released on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD on December 17, 2019. It is also available on MoviesAnywhere.com if you want to purchase it for a digital home entertainment library.

AD ASTRA is a sci-fi thriller set in space. When a mysterious life-threatening event strikes Earth, astronaut Roy McBride (Pitt) goes on a dangerous mission across an unforgiving solar system to uncover the truth about his missing father (Tommy Lee Jones) and his doomed expedition that now, 30 years later, threatens the universe.



Two other fantastic options for adding some sci-fi content to a home entertainment video library are THE MARTIAN and the National Geographic television MARS which are also available on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital.

THE MARTIAN is an epic sci-fi story about an astronaut marooned on Mar after the rest of his crew blasts off from the planet presuming he (Matt Damon) is dead after a fierce storm. With only a meager amount of supplies, the stranded visitor must utilize his wits and spirit to find a way to survive on the hostile planet. Meanwhile, back on Earth, members of NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring him home, while his crew mates hatch their own plan for a daring rescue mission.



NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MARS tells a fictional story about astronauts settling the Red Planet. The sci-fi elements are interspersed with commentary from real life scientists providing a documentary vibe to the television series. There have been two seasons of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MARS with 6 episodes each in Season 1 & Season 2.

JAMES BOND MOVIES

For those who are more into action adventures than sci-fi, James Bond movies are always exciting to watch. Check out 007: The Daniel Craig Collection featuring all the James Bond movies starring this actor in 4K Ultra High Definition. From his introduction in Casino Royale through to his most recent mission in Spectre, Daniel Craig as Bond has experienced explosive action and adventures while his character crisscrossed the globe in a non-stop quest for justice. The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs of THE DANIEL CRAIG COLLECTION showcase Dolby Vision® ultra-vivid imaging. When compared to a standard picture, Dolby Vision® can deliver spectacular colors never before seen on a screen, highlights that are up to 40 times brighter, and blacks that are 10 times darker. With Dolby Vision®, you will feel as if you are inside the action alongside 007 as the picture comes to life.

UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATERS

Encourage someone to show their festive side during the holiday season by giving an Ugly Christmas Sweater. From funny sweaters to fun pajamas, uglychristmassweater.com has plenty of gift ideas that are sure to put a smile on someone's face. I particularly like the Holiday Cheers! sweater that has a stocking pocket on the front for holding your beverage in so you can keep your hands free for opening presents or playing a game of euchre during parties and family get-togethers.

ZOKU REUSABLE POCKET STRAW

More and more places are banning disposable straws from amusement parks to science centers to zoos. For those who prefer straw drinking, ZOKU has introduced a portable pocket straw that is easy to take along with people when they are on the go. Great for camping trips, outings to the neighborhood park or venues that have eliminated the use of disposable straws from concession stands. It has a telescoping stainless steel tube that fits any size glass, silicone mouthpiece for comfortable drinking, and a brush for keeping everything clean. Fits into a plastic carrying case that is small enough to slip into a backpack, purse or even pant pockets.

BOSE FRAMES

Combine cool looking shades with headphones for the first audio sunglasses featuring Bose speakers. These are great because they don't involve sticking anything in your ear. Speakers in the frames direct sound towards your ears as well as send out anti-noise waves to cancel out the sounds so that others can't hear the audio. BOSE FRAMES let wearers cordlessly enjoy tunes or engage in hands-free phone calls while protecting their eyes from the sun. These are great for wearing in the car because you can still hear ambient noises around you because your ears aren't covered or plugged up. Plus they give a lot of freedom for outdoor uses such as running, backyard chores, or spending some leisure time at the beach. BOSE FRAMES come in one size fits all RONDO or ALTO in two sizes (Small or Large).



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Top Toy Picks For Holiday Gifts

Looking for a holiday gift idea for a girl or boy between the age of 6 and 10? This is the age range of most of the children A GEEK DADDY will be shopping for this year including my own son and daughter; so I've provided a listing of gift ideas that I actually would give to my friends and family's kids as well as approve of my own twins receiving based upon my researching and reviewing toys throughout the year for this blog.  As I am a big fan of toys that educate kids through play, many of these selections encourage creativity or engage children to learn about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) concepts. 

Some of the toys included in this listing were provided for free to ageekdaddy.com to review but no brand was promised inclusion in this gift guide for providing product samples and no one paid me to be mentioned in it. These are my genuine suggestions for toys that will delight kids not just when they are unwrapping the present but through countless hours of imaginative play that each of these items will provide a child.  CLICK HERE to check out A GEEK DADDY's list of great present ideas to place under the Christmas Tree this year.

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Star Wars Fans in your Life

It's an exciting time for the Star Wars franchise with the recent launch of a popular television series, Marvel debuting new comic book series early in 2015 and a new blockbuster feature film hitting movie theaters at the end of next year.  This year would be a great time to tie in to that excitement when purchasing holiday gifts for the Star Wars fans in your life.  Here are a few gift ideas that this Geek Daddy would be glad to give or receive.

Take command of the neighborhood holiday decoration contest by displaying The Dark Lord of the Sith and your own personal Death Star on your front lawn.  You may laugh but you know you want this!

FOR THE DADS

A good ball cap is a staple of most guys casual wardrobe when out and about, doing yard work, or just hanging out around the house.  New Era 39Thirty caps give the option of sporting the Rebel Alliance or Imperial banners on a stylish and comfortable hat.

Women have ear rings, necklaces, bracelets and rings but for most guys the jewelry of choice is a nice wristwatch.  $190 for a Comic Con San Diego exclusive watch where only 150 were made isn't a bad price for this Darth Vader Stainless Steel timepiece that is stylish enough that the mature adult will be comfortable donning it in public.

For those guys looking for a more sophisticated time piece but still want to show off their passion for Star Wars check out the SEIKO Stormtrooper wrist watch.  It's pricey at more than a thousand dollars but it really is incredible.

So it seems a staple of gifts for Dad are socks, ties and under wear.  If you are giving these items to a man in your life how about having fun with a Star Wars theme?

No one but dad will know that he's wearing these Darth Vader or stormtrooper socks under his suit slacks, work khakis or jeans.

Guys can wear these ties with the Rebel Alliance or Imperial logos on them with their suits and only other Star Wars fans will notice the connection on these nice fashionable pieces. 

These fun Star Wars boxers will make any geek dad smile.

If the dad in your life is going to be wearing t-shirts as part of their attire make sure it is a cool one! Can't beat this Chewbacca Photo Bomb shirt to help dad standout as the hip guy at the kids school drop-off or pick-up.

GADGETS & USEFUL STUFF

Here are some items that aren't just fun to have but also can be useful.  

We all need ice cubes!  Choose from a tray featuring some of the most popular vehicles from the Star Wars universe or a set of trays that feature some of the franchise's most memorable images.

These BBQ thongs are impressive, most impressive ... and who doesn't need a light saber flash light?!

Boba Fett is my favorite Star Wars character and I just thought this pillow case was nicely done and unique.

Who wouldn't want R2D2 as their co-pilot.  This USB charger sits in your vehicle's cup holder and charges your electronic gear while you are on the go.  A great feature of this device is it whistles and hoots just like the R2 unit from the movies. 

TOYS

For younger children this R2D2 operation game looks great to play while for older kids this X-wings Minatures Game brings the space battles from the movies to a board game.

My son and I have been collecting Hasbro's 6 inch action figure line as a fun hobby for us to do together and this Boba Fett character has been impossible to find at stores...but it is available at Amazon.com.  This line of toys provides more intricate articulation and sculpture details than the 3 inch Star Wars figures that I collected as a kid.

When I saw this LEGO AT-AT play set on display at the store all I could say was WOW! It was like I was an eight year old again and I wanted it!

My son loves the new animated television series STAR WARS: REBELS and this new Commander series of toys by Hasbro let kids play out the adventures of the show with plastic molded figures similar to the green army men of my youth.  This JEDI DUEL play set features the characters from STAR WARS: REBELS and is a must have for any kid who enjoys the show.

READING MATERIAL

With all the upcoming activity going on involving the Star Wars universe from movies to toys to books to television shows stay informed with a subscription to Star Wars Insider Magazine.

Whether you want to read these for bedtime stories, down time on vacation, or just on a lazy Saturday afternoon A Star Wars Pop-Up Guide to the Universe, Darth Vader and Son, and Vader's Little Princess are great for parents to enjoy with their little ones.

A new book titled TARKIN tells the background of the powerful villain who held Darth Vader's leash in the original Star Wars movie.  For such an important character very little has been known about him til now.  This is a must read for die-hard Star Wars fans!

George Lucas original screenplay for Star Wars was a lot different than the film that was released in movie theaters in 1977.  Dark Horse Comics recently released a graphic novel adaption of Lucas first draft titled THE STAR WARS.  An interesting visual experience to enjoy on a Kindle.

WINTER GEAR

Check out these beanies to wear when the weather is frightful.  You can be Princess Leia or R2D2 when braving Hoth like weather outside.

STOCKING STUFFERS

Encourage your kids to brush with a GUM light saber toothbrush that really glows while it cleans their teeth.  My kids have these and love them!

Build your own miniature metallic Millennium Falcon with this fun model kit from Metal Earth.

PEZ are always a great candy treat and for my kids with food allergies they are peanut and tree nut allergy safe which makes them especially great.

Everyone needs a LEGO Darth Vader flashlight / key chain ... don't they?

  Hot Wheels also has a lineup of Star Wars inspired toy cars that are a perfect fit for a holiday stocking this year.

On a final note as you are waiting for the release of Star Wars Episode VII why not go through and watch all the movies again.  Pick up the Blu-ray complete compilation and enjoy it throughout the time off you have for the holidays.

A Geek Daddy wishes everyone a happy holiday season and don't worry December 18, 2015 will be here before you know it.  Won't that be the best holiday present ever for a Star Wars fan!