How to Choose Christmas Gifts for Men

Hand him a gift he will love!

Determining what to buy for your dad, husband, brother, son or another man in your life can be difficult. You want to choose a Christmas present that is thoughtful and meaningful. You need a gift that fits your budget. Most important, you want to choose a gift that will thrill him. By considering his interests, tastes and hobbies, you can have fun shopping for the man in your life instead of feeling stressed.

Instructions

1. Think about what he does in his spare time. Is he into playing sports? Go to store.nike.com and custom-design a pair of shoes for him. Is he more of an armchair quarterback? Give him a subscription to a beer of the month club, like the one available at amazingbeerclub.com. If firing up the grill is more his speed, get him a personalized barbeque serving platter at orvis.com.

2. Consider his needs. If he is constantly en route to meetings or work emergencies, x-tremegeek.com sells a great gadget called Cell Cup, an auto organizer that will keep his phone or PDA, pens, change and more organized and handy. If he has so many gadgets that you call him "Inspector," grab a charging tray with 12 built-in connectors from frontgate.com.

3. Bear in mind the occasion. Because it is Christmas, you might want to give him something with lots of "wow" factor. Check out the 52-Inch Widescreen Personal Movie Theater, available at hammacher.com. He can wear it like a pair of sunglasses, connect it to his video iPod and watch the show in widescreen. Browse cloud9living.com for the coolest gifts ever, such as the opportunity to drive a stock car or be a fighter pilot for a day.

4. Take into account your relationship. If he is a relatively new boyfriend, choose something thoughtful without going overboard. A magnetic dartboard or leather money clip will fit the bill. If you are shopping for your husband or long-time committed boyfriend, you can invest a bit more. Wallstar.com will create a vinyl sports decal with his image, letting him be the star you know he is. If you are shopping for your dad, go sentimental. Get him a digital picture frame and load it with family photos.

5. Do some research. If you are riding in the car with him, make a mental note about songs or groups he likes and load up his iPod or buy him some CDs. Pay attention when he says he loves a certain meal or restaurant. Buy a gift card or create your own "Meal of the Month" club and deliver homemade dishes to his door. He will be delighted that you paid so much attention.

Tips & Warnings

• Homemade gift certificates are always a winner. Give him a book with coupons good for "Watching One Movie of Your Choice," or "One Saturday with No Honey-Dos."

• Don't feel like you have to spend a small fortune. A thoughtful gift, even if it is homemade, will be appreciated.

Resources

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