| Buying gifts for men has always been a | | | | 3. Center it Around His Interests |
| challenge. But with the holidays approaching | | | | |
| and shopping season upon us (whether we like | | | | When looking for a functional gift for men, |
| it or not), now is prime time for the | | | | be sure it centers around something he likes. |
| all-too-common quandary of "What gifts can I | | | | If he's in to sports, this might be tickets |
| give him that he will genuinely like and | | | | to a sold-out sporting event, or some type of |
| appreciate?" | | | | sports memorabilia (think golf balls with his |
| | | | favorite NFL team logo on them -- see -- |
| Whether you have a husband who has everything | | | | versus a pack of regular golf balls.) A man |
| he wants aside from that half-million dollar | | | | who loves gardening may appreciate a special |
| Lamborghini, a brother who changes his | | | | plant or gardening tool. Does he love |
| favorite hobby daily, or a father who tells | | | | watching movies? Maybe a DVD player, a |
| you not to buy him anything, choosing gifts | | | | surround sound system, or a couple of CDs or |
| for men -- especially something they really | | | | DVDs would fit the bill. |
| like -- can be a challenge. | | | | |
| | | | 4. Avoid Generic "Token" Gifts |
| While there's no "perfect" gift out there | | | | |
| that will please every man, these tips will | | | | This rule applies just as much to women as it |
| ensure you'll be tuned into the psychology of | | | | does to men: most people, including men, |
| gift-giving to men, and help you choose a | | | | don't value generic token gifts. |
| unique gift for him he'll really love. | | | | |
| | | | Token gifts for men, like socks and underwear |
| 1. Think Function, Not Sentiment | | | | that you've given him every year, are |
| | | | regarded as "low cost and low effort," Rucker |
| "In a heterosexual relationship men tend to | | | | says. Generic gifts are regarded similarly. |
| think of gift giving more in terms of an | | | | |
| economic exchange of goods than women do," | | | | "If it's a gift you have in the closet, |
| says Professor Margaret Rucker, who holds a | | | | something you could give anybody, that's |
| doctorate in psychology with an emphasis in | | | | downgraded," says Rucker. |
| consumer psychology, and is a gift-giving | | | | |
| expert. | | | | 5. Make it Something Fun |
| | | | |
| So while a woman may be completely impressed | | | | While there are some men who will definitely |
| by a house filled with roses, a man would | | | | appreciate a practical gift (some new work |
| probably prefer an item that he can hold on | | | | clothes, a garden hose, etc.), generally |
| to, and use. Think golf clubs over naming a | | | | speaking, men want a gift that's fun. |
| star after him, and new slippers over a | | | | |
| decorative knick-knack. | | | | (The exception here may be seniors, |
| | | | particularly those on a fixed income would |
| 2. Listen to What He Wants | | | | actually prefer something they already need.) |
| | | | |
| While women may offer hints as to what the | | | | The key is finding something that the man |
| "perfect" gift would be, men tend to be less | | | | will use, but that will be fun to use, not |
| subtle and may come right out and say what | | | | something work-related. For instance, buying |
| they want. Rather than going out of your way | | | | a man a regular tool set is comparable to |
| to find a "surprise," simply buying the item | | | | buying a woman a vacuum cleaner -- unless the |
| he's said he wants can be ideal. | | | | man loves woodworking, etc., and you find |
| | | | that special tool he's been looking for. |
| The key is to pay attention and buy the item | | | | |
| that HE wants, not the item that YOU, the | | | | For some really fun (and FUNNY) gifts see |
| giver, wants (or thinks he should want). | | | | |
| | | | 6. |