We may be Tom's Hardware Guide, but when buying for someone else we'd recommend sticking to consumer electronics, and not hardware upgrades for a PC, unless your consultation period with someone includes a sit down and study of the persons upgrading options, including flow charts and neatly drawn diagrams.

It may look pretty, but don't.

Choosing hardware for an upgrade is a rather personal business, not least because of compatibility issues with upgrading hardware. Shell out a couple of hundred quid on a graphics card for someone only to find that they have AGP slots, not PCI Express, that sort of thing.

So, unless you've really gone to town on consultation, don't go buying silicone.

As close to a gift recommendation as I'm going to give...

I suppose I might as well point you in the direction of one of the places that I do most of my novelty-geek gift shopping, the ever stimulating ThinkGeek. When looking for my range of interesting gifts (of which, I assure you, there are few) I go there, and while there are too many products going to make a list of recommendations, you won't be wanting for a smile if you buy somebody a USB-powered fish tank or a caffeine molecule t-shirt.

Don't mind this, unless you're planning on buying me a present and need a subtle reminder.

For the rest, you're on your own, but there's no fun in letting me do your gift shopping for you. Though chocolate and whiskey will do just fine...