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It's that time of year again; the time when TechBoise collides with the holidays and we consolidate our November and December events into one cool holiday gathering. This year, it's called a Tech Kids' Christmas, and will take place December 2, 5:30pm, at the Watercooler. . (Link to map)

There will be things to occupy your hands and minds: LED ornament light kits from Reuseum. There will be Show and Tell: We want to know what YOUR favorite gift is for the Tech Kid in your life. There will be an opportunity to share: TechBoise will be accepting toy donations on behalf of St. Luke's.

To continue the spirit of giving: Ryan, Mark, Trent and the crew at MetaGeek will be bringing pizza and drinks. (Check out the Wi-Spy 2.4i for a sweet gadget gift!)This just in: Metageek will also hold a drawing for a Wi-Spy 2.4i when you donate a toy to the St. Luke's toy drive! Thanks guys.

Fun with LEDs: Reuseum, plus various other materials donors, will have LED "throwies" for you to create and turn into glowing holiday treasures (see picture above). We'll have LEDs, batteries, and some other various materials on hand, or you can bring an existing ornament for "enhancement."

Show and Tell: "Kids," you say? "I thought TechBoise was an organization for adults?" It is! When we say "kids," we only refer to those curious, inquisitive minds...the kind that make up TechBoise! So if you bought your spouse some awesome little gadget (PG, please) for the holiday, we want you to share that, too. The whole idea came from TechBoisean Jason Christiansen, who mused that after the holidays are over, his kids ask, "Dad? Why didn't I get ____ cool techie thing for Christmas?" Jason's frustration: he didn't know about said cool gadget until his child's classmate got it for Christmas. Our answer: if we can share what we think to be the coolest technology-related gift for kids of any age, people like Jason won't experience this frustration. It takes participation to make this work though, so be ready to share!

Toy Drive: Help make another Tech (or analog) Kid's Christmas bright! We will be accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys and books to fill "Santa's Toy Box" at St. Luke's. Nipper will deliver the toys to St. Luke's, and they'll be made available to families who would otherwise be unable to surprise their offspring on Christmas. The hospital is currently looking for the following items:

• Board books in English and Spanish
• Lift the flap board books
• I Spy or Look and Find Books
• Movies on DVD (rated G, PG, or PG-13)
• Infant rattles, stacking cups, shape sorters, balls, musical toys
• Little people
• Craft kits
• All plastic dolls
• Playing cards
• Card games
• Coloring books
• Cars, trucks
• Lego or Bionicle kits
• New or slightly used PS2 games (rated E for everybody)
• New or slightly used Wii games (rated E for everybody)
• Wii controllers / accessories
• $10 -$20 gift cards to places like Bath and Body Works, Old Navy, Walmart, Target, etc. (preferably on general print cards rather than Christmas, so they can be used year round.)

Events are free, open to everyone and gifts aren't required to attend. Food and drinks will be provided, so please come down and bring a friend! And please RSVP here so we know how much food to get.