Does he already have an iPod/other MP3 player? Camera? Cool cell phone?

Those are the things on my 22-year-old brother’s list this year.

I wonder if anyone sells a combination ice ax/digicam.

Yes, he has an iPod and cell phone and a digital camera that he received for his 18th birthday. Maybe the problem is that he has too many geek toys already.  I was looking at some of the cool iPod accessories, though....

OMG, if they did, Linkmeister, he’d be the happiest camper going.

Books? Music?

Oh, our tree is up and photographed.

Music gift certificates, definitely.

Books, okay here’s where I could definitely use a recommendation. Anything related to WWII. Either biographies of generals or leaders, or military strategy or campaigns. Any favorites that leap to mind?

WW 2? There are 42 books in my library categorized that way (search for “world war 2” in the tags).  Cornelius Ryan’s trilogy (including “The Longest Day") is good.  Stephen Ambrose is highly readable and usually accurate.  William Shirer’s “The Nightmare Years” volumes I and 2 are both very readable contemporaneous works.  Meacham’s “Franklin and Winston” was quite good.

The benefits of those include the fact they’re in paperback if they’re in print at all.

Goodness, I don’t think you have nearly enough books yet!! 

“Franklin and Winston” strikes a pleasing chord. I think that might be the ticket! Thank you!

Try gadgetuniverse.com, maybe something will hit you, also techbargains.com which is a place my oldest (who loves gadgets and geeky stuff) spends a lot of time browsing.  Digital printer for the digital camera with all the supplies??  Digital camcorder?  Expensive yes, but cheaper than a new desktop?  Although there are some awesome bargains on computers these days--I am getting a new one (hopefully) in the spring.
A flat screen (panel??--I get them confused) monitor?  A new tv for his room.  Subscription to netflix or something like that?  I just got--among other things--a bluetooth something or other earpiece for older son who wanted it for his new cell phone.  Satellite radio??  Tweeter has a pretty good deal on it and I think the subscription is only 13.00 a month?  He could listen to Howard Stern (Yuk!).  Do some comparison shopping on stuff like the radio and see where the best deals are--can get one for the car with a set for the house.  Tweeter also has awesome teeney, tiny speakers for an IPOD with lots of accessories that might appeal to the geek in him, small dvd player?  OK, have run out of ideas for right now, will come back if I have more.  Good luck!!

P.S.  they do have binoculars that have a digital camera built in--I bought one several years ago for the son who loves to camp, roadtrip, hike, etc.  He returned it cause there was something else he wanted more, but it might work.  At the time I had found it at overstock.com and the price was not bad at all

check out readymademag.com and makezine.com.  I was supposed to check them out and maybe get them for my older son (or so his brother suggested), but as is typical for me, tucked the article from November 10 Globe away and never found it again until this morning.  Oh well............  anyway, they might be a good gift??  I have no idea.

Now is about the time I want to crawl in a corner and cry. At least there will be a couple of cool techno things under the tree for him. But I’m just not coming up with anything *really* special. I think I’ve done all the special I can do on previous Christmases.

I’m not even sure he hopes for that *special* something, since he knows the computer isn’t happening.

Funny, I overheard a conversation with his Dad last night. The Dad is having the same problem. What I heard was, “Well, if you’re not getting a computer, I really hope that when I open packages there aren’t any collars in them!” Which is to say, dressy/fancy/parent approved clothes are on the bottom of his list. Way beneath lumps of coal, even.

Unless the packages contain hoodies...well, that really sets off a twinkle in his eye. Thick, heavy cotton ones. Oh boy. Now I’m scouring the earth for thick, heavy hoodies.