Friendships, Home Entertaining, Lifestyle
The Perfect Holiday Gift Guide for Men
Don’t settle for predictable – get an early start and go for the unexpected!
One of the most difficult things to do is to find the perfect holiday gift for the man in your life. Maybe you’re thinking, “OH, it’s not even Thanksgiving – I’ve got plenty of time to pick holiday gifts!” Sure, there is still time – but time seems to be moving faster and faster these days. And, the best gifts are the ones where thought and preparation has gone into the selection. You can’t get that with a last-minute dive into “mall hell.” Seriously.
My mother taught me that one way to ‘be prepared’ was to get an early start. That way you can take your time, think about who you’re buying for and pick just the right gift. I have a few tried and true tips for finding that perfect present for the men in your life.
First – Men like the unexpected; they enjoy being surprised. And, it doesn’t take a lot of money to do either – just a bit of creativity. For instance, if you want the gift to be memorable, then avoid the obvious (predictable) choices. Like sports gifts. Don’t assume that just because your male friend watched the World Series means that he’s enough of a fan to want a monogrammed “team” hoodie. And gift cards? Gift cards of any kind are a definite sign that you don’t have time to put even a little thought into the gift. Yeah, I get the “office party gift” angle, but for a personal friend? Seriously?
Second – think about where you and your friend agree on what I like to call “fashion and distraction.” When I think of fashion as a gift, I think about how my friend reacts to fashion big names. Some guys just like something because it’s cool, not because it’s popular. As for distractions, think about something that’s NOT work-related. Seriously, giving your guy friend a set of beautiful ballpoint pens may seem like a great gift if he collects them, but personally, that’s like giving a woman a vacuum cleaner. Don’t get me started on some of the anniversary gifts I’ve received over the years.
Third – and this is probably the most important one. I think it’s great to be generous, but I try to never overwhelm my friends. There’s an old English proverb that says there is no grace in a gift that sticks to the fingers nor the soul. I can go crazy when giving to a special friend and might spare no expense. But not when it’s someone I’m just getting to know – the last thing you want to do is make the friend feel uncomfortable. And to be honest – the very best gifts are the ones that have had a lot of thought put into them – not the ones that necessarily cost the most.
Whatever you do, keep it fun. Here are some suggestions for just about every guy on your list…
I love these colorful socks styled by Ted Baker. They have so much personality! Guys in suits look pretty cool with a dash of color. This is a great gift for the guy who likes to be a bit fashion forward. $15
How about a “Rabbit” flask from Bloomingdale’s? This is an extraordinarily cool gift for the friend who likes to take along their favorite scotch whiskey on an outing or to the game. Also, check out other barware gifts made by Rabbit , they make my favorite wine opener. $50
If your guy likes to wear hats then check out these knit beanies by The Kooples? I found mine at Bloomingdale’s, but they seem to sell out fast. I got the striped wool beanie because I loved the two tone. Then I went back and got the solid black ribbed one. By the way, they’re a French brand that is sold all over Europe and is going fast in the US. Yes… that trendy. $65
You know a guy who likes to primp a bit? I found this great grooming kit called Saturdays NYC, celebrating GQ’s 60th anniversary (GQ60). GQ did an exclusive partnership with Bloomingdale’s, and this is the ultimate “Chaz” bag with all the essentials. $135
Not every guy is into sports, but I don’t know a single guy friend who doesn’t like his tech. And for music, you got to get him the latest PowerBeats3 wireless earphones. I like these earphones because the ear loop holds the buds in a bit more snuggly for a full sound which is great whether your guy is at the gym or just hanging out. $199
And finally, for that really special friend, how about a wonderful black leather E/W Messenger Bag? This bag makes a statement, and it’s beautifully made. The leather and craftsmanship are excellent. Large enough to carry a 15” MacBook and light enough to just tour around. Made by Shinola – you remember, the company that used to make boot polish? Who would know, right? $795
Whatever gifts you find for your guy friends, just remember to think about who they are and how they live and you’ll never go wrong!
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