There are many people on my holiday shopping list that are nearly impossible to buy perfect gifts for. They already have everything they really “want,” or they are very picky people. In either case, I am stumped every single year when trying to find that one gift they will not only enjoy – but get some real use out of. This year, I’ve stumbled upon nav system map updates from NAVTEQ. This is a gift that will keep giving all year – and one that can be used by nearly everyone.

Many newer vehicles have an in-dash navigational system. The ones that do are usually all powered by NAVTEQ. By having the latest map updates, you’re making sure that the person you care about always knows the best way to get where they are going, where they can stop along the way and is as safe as possible throughout their trip.

With a map update, you don’t have to worry whether you’re buying the right color or size. There will be no re-gifting going on. Heck, this is even a fantastic gift for yourself! You don’t want to get lost on the way to the mall or your in-laws’ house, do you? We all know how desperately you want to be on time for these things!

I have already purchased a map update for myself. I think that my parents totally need this, as well. As I scroll through my list of people on my iPhone, I realize that nearly everyone I know could benefit from the gift of figuring out where to go – and how to get there on time. The only problem now is figuring out what I’m going to get for my dogs, Wicket and Pixie. Those two already have more than they could ever possibly need!

What are you planning to pick up for those hard-to-buy-for people on your list?

While building a new LEGO holiday scene recently on my live stream, someone in chat asked me what my favorite holiday memory was. It actually took me a moment to decide. I’ve been fortunate to have had many holidays that were a lot of fun and special in different ways.

I remember one year I pitched a fit because I thought Santa wouldn’t bring something I really wanted. This was seriously traumatic at the time, thinking he didn’t love me enough. My Dad would often take us out to buy gifts for each other and my parents. We were convinced we would be happy with what we were going to get from the other brothers.

I remember going out and seeing that gift, wishing I could have it. I NEEDED it, yo. I remember driving home in the car and Dad telling me that Santa wasn’t going to be bringing that to me. I later found the stash that Santa was to bring and found that exact present. I felt like a complete jackass after having thrown such a fit.

One year, I got a game that was pretty cool. I remember, of course, the first time I received a LEGO kit. At that time, I was confused as hell as to what it was supposed to be. Can you even believe now that at one point I was NOT a LEGO fanatic?

I’ve been blessed to have a fantastic family who created a lot of good memories over the years.

Let’s hear about your favorite holiday memory. It doesn’t have to be something about Christmas. There are many holidays through the year, and we all celebrate different things. I’d love to hear which holiday meant the most to you, and why.

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When I received my iPhone 4, I decided to give my 3GS model to my assistant and Community Manager Kat. She works extremely hard, and is always willing to drop whatever she’s doing to take on something else whenever I need her to. She’s fantastic at handling the community issues that crop up, and it seems as though everyone loves her. I was lucky as hell to find her three years ago on accident, and I don’t know what I’d do without her! Here you’ll find her attempt at an unboxing video. GO EASY on her, y’all. This is the first time she’s done something like this. She was extremely nervous, so she asked her daughter Ashley to join her in the video.

As you can see, I threw in some extra goodies! Kat was quite shocked to find everything that was in the box. She tells me her favorite is the gorgeous CalypsoCrystal iPhone Dock. These are solid lead crystal, and each are hand-made. They truly are beautiful, and the video doesn’t do it justice.

I included the Richard|Solo external battery so that she never runs out of juice. There’s a car charging kit as well as a wall-charging plug.

Next in the box was the ZeroChroma iPhone Theater Stand with Sound Scoop. I thought this would be a nice addition to her accessory collection. You never know when she may want to watch movies or listen to music… that sound scoop REALLY works well!

I also included the ThinkGeek AirVolt Wireless Charger (click here for ThinkGeek Coupons). Kat is a big-time fan of anything from ThinkGeek (hint! hint!). I know that these wireless chargers are a lifesaver at times, so I wanted to make sure she had one.

Kat indicated she has already bought a “girly” looking iPhone case. Lord help me… I’m not sure my heart could take seeing it when she’s here next month for Gnomedex! However, I did send my case along.

Since she’s new to the iPhone and smartphones in general, Kat is very excited to start trying out apps. Anyone who wishes to send her a free code to test something out (and then possibly talk about it here on my blog), feel free to Email her directly.

Kat – thank you for everything that you do. No one really has a clue how hard you work, or the amount of hours you put in every week. Hell, I’m not sure even I know how much of yourself you give every day. Just know that the entire community appreciates it, and we’re better off for having you running the show behind the scenes.

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Everyone in our community is abuzz with glee over gifts they received. Some were luckier than others, I’m sure. But all in all, everyone seems to be quite pleased with their holiday goodies! How about you?

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Be sure to check out our downloads center today! There are tons of new games, applications and software available at excellent prices!

I gave you a chance to ask for what you wanted this holiday season. Hundreds of you responded, but only one of you… actually, TWO of you were given a gift. We’ll do this again next year, assuming our community continues to grow.

The first winner was Kari, who asked for a digital camera for her stepdad. Apparently, her camera was stolen somewhere on her college campus recently. So, her stepdad didn’t think twice, and gave his camera to her so she’d have one. Kari didn’t ask for something for herself. She asked for something for another person, which is why I chose her as a winner. Her video was very touching, and her intentions were very good.

The other winner is long-time community member Ron Knights. Ron asked for financial help to go visit his elderly parents for the holidays. I believe Ron himself lives clear up in Maine, and his parents are in Atlanta, Georgia. Living on a fixed income, it’s difficult for Ron to make the trip on his own. I’m more than happy to help out, so that they can spend some time together. Ron also posted a follow-up thank you video last night. That made his winning even more special for me!

I had a great time going through all of the videos. It was a tough choice, to be sure. Thank you to everyone who entered. I appreciate your support!

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Part of the geek experience is playing with LEGO. I took the bricks for granted, as some people (like Imei) have never played with them at all. This was her first time – caught on tape. Actually, it was caught on Memory Stick.

LEGO is serious business for most of us Geeks. We GET it, you know? You don’t need to have a set of directions, or a particular build in mind. You just dump out your bricks and build whatever is in your mind! It’s almost like a Zen experience for me!

What was your first LEGO experience?

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Santa sent me a video email! Can you believe it?! I didn’t know he did things like this! Oh, I hope I’m on the Nice list! I’ve tried so hard to be good this year. I only asked Santa for one thing. If I’m lucky, I’ll find it in my stocking on Christmas morning!

Wait, what? Santa says I haven’t been good enough? That is a load of hooey! I’ve been a model citizen this whole year! I’ve been good, I swear it! What’s the deal?! That list is rigged, I’m telling you. Someone is telling lies about me!

Are you on the naughty list – or the nice list? What do you think you’ll find in your stocking on Christmas?

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The season of giving is now upon us. Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, you still like to receive gifts, right? You’re in luck… I love to give gifts – and I want to give some to YOU!

This holiday, you have a chance to win a gift from me. This is open to anyone in the world, no matter where you live. Post a video response on YouTube (NOT here on the blog) to this video. Tell me what you want, and why you deserve the gift. It doesn’t matter what holiday you celebrate – or even if you celebrate anything at all. What matters is that you have a need or wish, and that you are willing to leave a video response to tell me what it is. You don’t have to be a professional videographer or come up with the funniest few moments ever recorded. I’m looking for sincerity, people who I feel will truly benefit from whatever it is they ask for.

I don’t care what religion you are (or aren’t!), what your background is, or even what your ethnicity is… you still have a chance to win! I will be choosing a winner live on the stream on Christmas Day – December 25th. Everyone deserves a little happiness and sunshine in their life. It doesn’t matter if YOU celebrate Christmas – I do, and this is how I am choosing to honor the day this year… by giving back to my community.

Happy Holidays everyone!

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Everyone loves gifts! I especially love them when I’m not expecting them! Nancy from the Outrigger Waikiki sent me a surprise gift basket to my room when I was staying there recently, courtesy of Bruce Fisher and his team. I was in Hawaii for the [re]Think Hawaii conference. Apparently, the hotel noticed that I was tweeting from my hotel room, and posting pictures of the scenery! In any case, they sent me a very cool gift basket, and I was pleased as heck with it!

The card was really nice… appreciative of my stay at their hotel. Inside, there was an actual basket, believe it or not! There were some Sweet Potato and Taro chips inside, right on the top. They’re very yummy, and made by the Hawaiian Chip Company.

I also uncovered some Island Assorted Candies, some chocolate-chip macadamia muffins (SO delicious!), chocolate and pineapple flavored macadamia nuts, and some shredded newspaper! Oh, wait… the newspaper was probably to keep the chips and such from getting broken!

I really appreciate Bruce, and everyone who made my trip to Hawaii a reality. I had an amazing time on the Islands, and at the conference itself. Also, thanks to the Outrigger Waikiki for sending me this great basket of goodies!

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There’s nothing wrong with occasionally letting your inner child come out to play when you’re a grown-up. I personally think it can help keep you sane and stress-free if you let your hair down once in awhile, and take the time to remember what it’s like to play. What do you do during occasions like these? Do you indulge yourself with crayons? Do you prefer to duke it out with action figures?

What toys do your inner child still love to play with?

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Now that Cyber Monday is here, our download center team is working hard to come up with new and amazing programs for you to grab at deep discounts. Be sure to check every day to see what they have found for you!

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I remember playing with an original Lite Brite when I was a kid. My brothers and I would spend hours on end creating different pieces of artwork. You could use the pre-made sheets to guide you, or create something right out of your own imagination! Nowadays, you can play with the new Lite Brite Cube! Create something different on all four sides, or go with a theme. The only limits are those within your own mind! I’m very grateful that ThinkGeek sent this to me to review.

The Cube comes with two storage drawers to hold all of your pegs. You can, of course, buy extra pegs – just in case you happen to lose some! One child can create four different scenes, or keep all the little ones busy at once! There’s a carry handle on the top of the cube for easy transport. Just a word of caution, though… I’d put a piece of tape on those drawers when you move the Cube around. They come out pretty easily, and it’s impossible to find all those little pegs on the floor if they spill!

Wicket and Pixie both want to try to create a picture for me for Christmas. The problem is that they lack opposable thumbs! I don’t think they’ll be able to pick up these little pegs and stick them in the slots. Oh, well. I’m sure they’ll come up with something else to get into.

What childhood toys do you remember playing with? What was your all-time favorite?!

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I was fortunate to have my mom with me during Mother’s Day this year. I gave her an iPod, which is kind of funny. Up until now, she’s never wanted one. She had no idea how they worked, nor if she’d ever use the thing. She took it into an Apple store with her, and explained she had no clue what to do. They talked in circles around her about syncing and such. She walked out more confused than when they started.

Mom is a trooper though! She says that when she gets home, she will sync the iPod, since she has to choose between “sync or swim”. Yes – I get my sense of humor from her. She loves technology, of course. She still has the first transistor radio her father bought her several years ago – and it still works!

The iPod I bought for her was personalized, and even has her email address engraved on the back. During the video, I taught her to open the browser and search for something using the touch screen. I explained to her about Apps, and I have a feeling once she dives into looking at them she’ll go crazy! There are just so many cool things she can do using her iPod.

Did she roll her eyes when I told her she could subscribe to my podcast?!?! Seriously?!?!

Just kidding, Mom. You know I love you, and think you’re the best. Happy Mother’s Day!

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