There is at least one every year…that name on your Christmas list that you almost dread trying to find a gift for. Nine times out of ten, that name is of a man. Shopping for a man can be difficult. Below are some creative gift ideas for that hard to buy for man on your list:
Boyfriend
Buying a gift for your boyfriend should be easy, right? Wrong. In fact, the boyfriend may just be the most difficult person on your list to shop for. A number of factors come into play when selecting the boyfriend gift. How long have you been seeing him? What does he like? What is he getting you? You don’t want to be embarrassed by getting him a jar of peanuts and a baseball cap, only to open your gift on Christmas Day to discover a pair of gold earrings. On the other hand, if you haven’t been seeing him that long, you may not want to make the gift overly personal either.
•A warm, oversized blanket can be a great gift. Combine it with strawberries, chocolate and a bottle of wine for a romantic Christmas evening.
•Fix him Christmas dinner, and end the evening with his favorite movie.
Co-Worker
Selecting a gift for the male co-worker can be tricky. Unless you are very good friends, you don’t want to make the gift too personal. You don’t want to give him the impression that your relationship goes beyond a working relationship.
•Fill a box or basket with snacks and drinks
•Anything work related works well for a co-worker; a coffee cup with a phrase about work, computer supplies, even a gas card or a gift card to a nearby restaurant he can go on his lunch breaks is a great gift idea.
Father
Dad should be the easiest to buy for shouldn’t he? After all, you’ve known him all your life. He’ll like anything as long as it is from you. At least, that is what he will tell you. For the most part, this is true. Why do you think he still has those ugly green and yellow striped earmuffs you gave him when you were 5, even though he never wore them?
•Find all those old cards and pictures from his children that he has held onto for 20 years and arrange them in a scrapbook.
•Record a video or CD of your siblings and yourself recalling things you did with him and the lessons you have learned from him.
Husband
In this case, a personal gift is always a plus. Just remember that you have to live with the man. If you don’t like 80’s music, but choose to give him a CD collection of his favorite rock band from that era, keep in mind that you may have to listen to the CDs too!
•Electronics and tools always make for a great gift idea for your husband (and may just inspire him to fix some things around the house).
•If he is the devoted dad, take care of two gifts in one, and buy him and your son season passes to the games of their favorite baseball or football team.
Male Friend
Like with the co-worker, choosing a gift for a male friend can require a bit of forethought. You don’t want him to get the wrong idea. On the other hand, if you have been friends for some time, you don’t want him to feel that you don’t think enough of him to give him a thoughtful gift. Just be careful when selecting the gift that you are not crossing the line between friends and more than friends. However, if you are interested, that flirtatious gift may be just what you need to give him the hint!
• A gift certificate to his favorite restaurant or store
• If he is he a die-hard coffee drinker, get him a coffee pot or espresso machine.
Uncle
An uncle can be pretty simple to buy for if you have a good relationship with him. For the fun-loving, comical uncle who is always teasing you, a gag gift can be ideal. If you don’t really have that kind of relationship though, or he is the more serious type, the selection may become difficult. It can be hard to know what an uncle would like if you don’t spend much time with him.
• If he is the outdoor type, gear your selection towards the outdoors, maybe hunting ammunition or a fishing pole.
• Find out his likes or hobbies, and order him a subscription to a magazine on the subject.
Son
A younger son will probably be all too ready to provide you with the Christmas list he made 3 months ago. A teenage son can be a bit more difficult because…well…teenagers are difficult. The adult son can be a bit more of a challenge:
•Find some old movies and games he liked as a child and create some nostalgic memories.
•Arrange a collection of his favorite books or music
Father-in-law
This is where you enlist the help of your husband. It is his dad after all. But, if your husband is of little help, here are some ideas:
• If he likes westerns or history, a collection of books or movies makes an excellent choice.
• Find some childhood pictures of your husband and put them in a special album or make a collage. This will also get your husband back for not helping you with the gift selection.
Brother
Young brothers are generally easy enough to buy for. Find out what he likes these days, what kind of music he listens to, or where he goes with his friends. An adult brother may be a little more difficult to select a gift for. For a more personal gift, try to remember things you did together when you were young and incorporate the memories into your gift:
• Create a collage from old pictures
• A selection of his favorite CDs or movies
Fiancé
The gift for the fiancé can be as difficult a decision as buying for the husband or boyfriend. You definitely want to make the gift personal, and again are faced with wondering what he is getting you.
• Find a picture from early in your relationship and have it framed. Combine it with a poem or letter about how your relationship has grown, and how you look forward to learning more about him in your life together.
• A money clip or billfold with an account slip for a savings account you have opened up in both of your names to save for your future.
Grandfather
Grandpas are generally easy to please, and they really are happy with just about anything you give them. Grandfathers are usually the easiest men to buy for, but this is not always the case. Here are some ideas:
• If grandpa is a candy lover; a big jar of his favorite candy and a couple of movies makes for a great grandpa gift.
• If he’s a gardener or a fisherman, head for the outdoor aisle in the store. Gardening supplies may be a bit more difficult to find in December, but if you plan ahead, you can put together a gardening package he’ll look forward to using.
Male Student
The male student should also be a bit easier to buy for. Most likely, this is his first time living away from home. The gift choice for the male student can be simple and creative:
• A laundry basket filled with laundry supplies and quarters. A laundry basket can also be filled with snacks or school supplies.
• Any gift card will be appreciated. Some ideas would be a gas card, phone card, or a card to his favorite restaurant.
And if there aren’t enough ideas there, then Prezzies Plus has some other ideas for stocking fillers for men.
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