Instead of tasteful presents that someone might actually need, our 2010 gift guide highlights products that no one needs but some of us still want. Give the unexpected this year.

“Fundamentals are out…fun is in,” according to an analysis of the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) latest annual data on holiday spending.

“After Santa spent much of last holiday season doling out blue jeans and small appliances, Americans seem to imply that this year’s gifts will be a bit more…well, exciting,” NRF VP and spokesperson Ellen Davis writes. “While gift cards and clothing will remain the most requested holiday items this year, the number of people putting jewelry on their wish lists this year is up 13 percent from a year ago… . And more people are also asking for personal care or beauty items… .”

Spending on consumer electronics is expected to reach historic highs this holiday season, as the country begins to bounce back from the recession. According to the Consumer Electronics Association’s 17th Annual CE Holiday Purchase Patterns Study, nearly a third of consumers’ total gift budgets will be allocated to consumer electronics such as laptops, iPads, e-readers, iPods and video game systems. Among consumers who went shopping on Black Friday last month, 58 percent bought some type of consumer electronic product, second only to clothing.

Although the recession is technically over, everyone is still searching for the best prices.

To that end, all the products in IMT’s 2010 Holiday Gift Guide are priced at less than $50 (not including shipping and handling) — for the home, office and everywhere in between.

Paper E-Mail
Why go high-tech when you can go no-tech? This pad of “paper e-mail” is a great, funny mix of new ideas and old-school technology.
$3.99

Walking Robot Pencil Sharpener
Looks cool and is functional, too! Great conversation piece for the robotics lover’s desk.
$5.99

File Folders with Attitude
There are three different styles (and you get two of each) of these file folders: 1) “Useless documents to provide appearance of importance in meetings,” 2) “Papers to shuffle endlessly thereby accomplishing nothing,” and 3) “Stuff to hide from boss, spouse or otherwise nosy individual.”
$7.99

Geek Man Action Figure
This 6″ tall action figure comes equipped with glasses, handheld computer, notebook computer, coffee mug and watch — a great gift for the engineer or techie in your life.
$14.95

Mechatronics for the Evil Genius
This book provides hobbyists a fun and inexpensive way to learn mechatronics — the merger of electronics and mechanics — via 25 step-by-step projects.
$16.38

123 Robotics Experiments for the Evil Genius
This book provides experiments to bring out the robotics hobbyist in a reader, showing how to create basic robots and models using inexpensive materials and readily accessible tools.
$16.47

Materials-Handling Jargon T-shirt
Materials-handling professionals will chuckle at this T-shirt that lists commonly used industry terms and their humorous definitions. “Barcode”: “Rules in a pub.”
$17.96

Nerds: Who They Are and Why We Need More of Them
Family psychotherapist and psychology professor David Anderegg’s book examines why science and engineering are considered socially unpopular disciplines and how to prepare children to succeed in an increasingly high-tech world.
$18.96

Sterling Silver Drafting Triangle Earrings
This pair of sterling silver earrings shaped like drafting triangles makes a fun accessory for the female engineer or architect in your life.
$24.95

MythBusters Jamie + Adam Bobblehead Set
Together, the MythBusters mix scientific method with fun curiosity and old-fashioned ingenuity to create their own signature style of experimentation. Show your love for the Discovery Channel’s MythBusters crew with this talking bobblehead set.
$24.99

Crumpled Blueprint Paperweight
Designed by influential graphic designer Tibor Kalman, this “crumpled blueprint” paperweight is sure to bring a smile to the engineer or architect in your life.
$26.95

Cocktail Chemistry Set
Add some scientific flair to your holiday parties, mixing your drinks in test tubes, with a cocktail set that looks like a chemistry set. This starter set of glassware includes beakers, vials and a lab stand.
$34.99

Sterling Silver Slide Rule Necklace
Another great gift for your favorite female engineer, this necklace features a mini slide rule that actually slides.
$37.95

CAD Operator/Engineer (Male) Desk Sculpture
Created from nuts, bolts and other various hardware pieces, this 5″x4″x3″ sculpture celebrates the computer-aided design (CAD) operator or engineer, hard at work at his drafting table. (Female version also available)
$43.95

Mechanical Engineer (Female) Desk Sculpture
Created from the same materials as the CAD operator/engineer, and in the same dimensions, this desk sculpture celebrates the mechanical engineer, hard at work at her drafting table. (Male version also available)
$43.95

Blackbird Spy Plane Silk Tie
Great for any aerospace engineer or military buff, this 100 percent silk necktie shows the blueprint of a Blackbird spy plane.
$45

Bridges Silk Tie
Great for the civil engineer or architecture fan in your life, this 100 percent silk necktie prominently displays drawings of bridges.
$45

Blueprint Cufflinks
Drawing inspiration from his architectural background, famous designer Constantin Boym‘s pair of cufflinks make a great gift for that special structural or civil engineer in your life.
$45

How It’s Made Seasons 1 & 2 on DVD
Find out how the everyday objects we use become the things they are. Watch as the Science Channel’s How It’s Made reveals the methods and materials of everyday items in a behind-the-scenes look at the manufacturing process.
$49.95

Mr. Beer Premium Home Brewery
This reusable kit contains everything needed to brew and bottle your first batch of beer at home. Mr. Beer creates up to 2 gallons of beer in 14 days with simple instructions.
$49.95

Earlier

2009 Gift Guide for Geeks like Us

2008/2007 Holiday Gift Guide

The Great Engineering Gift Guide – 2005