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I went Christmas shopping for the family yesterday. Nothing about it was easy.
This was especially true shopping for my two sons. They are young men now, so forget about toys or even video games. I know little about the music they listen to, so CDs are not possible. I have no idea which movies they have already seen, so include DVDs among the “won’t work” gifts. Have them give me a list, you say? I do. It includes things like cars. One son put down “clothes” when he has never liked a single item of clothing that I bought him.
Women have faced this dilemma with men for generations. In the olden days (as in the days prior to about 1990) there were standard fallbacks, however. The gifts might not have been inspired, but they filled the box and were useful. The problem, I realized while walking miles through the mall, is that most of those gifts have been eliminated from the possible gift list, due to changes in how we live.
The list of items disappearing from the fallback group includes:
1) Watches. The store flyers are full of them and the flash sale sites are pushing them, but most young men do not use them anymore. They use their cell phones instead. I realized this about six years ago while giving an exam in one of my classes. There are no clocks in our classrooms, and students kept raising their hands, asking how much time was left. How odd. Then I realized none of them, not a one, had a watch on. With the No Cell Phones rule during tests, they had no way to pace their time. I have not seen either of my sons wear a watch in forever.
2) Wallets. These are not much used by young men either now. At most they use money clips for bills, and pockets for change. Every young man owns a wallet, mind you. They just don’t carry wallets so the one they own never wears out. License and credit card will go into a window holder on the money clip, or into a thin holder that joins the clip and coins in pocket. A wallet bulging in a pocket is “old guy.”
3) Ties. There a few places where male employees still have to wear ties to work, but their number decreases every year. Neither of my sons works at such a place. A couple of ties, for weddings and funerals and the occasional attempt to look grown up for a special date, and they are set for life. This is a shame because ties have colors and designs, so are fun to buy. Women always liked giving ties more than men liked receiving them, I suspect.
4) Cologne. Again, the stores push it. Hard. And every man already has a bottle or two. He may wear it on those occasions when he puts on a suit and tie, and carries his wallet. However, a lot more gets bought for them as gifts than ever gets used. How often do you get into an elevator and notice any man in it giving off a cologne scent? The everyday wearing of cologne by men never took off in this country.
5) Tools. You may have a young man in your life who uses them. You may even know enough about them to know what he needs or wants. Lucky you! I strike out in both categories. Younger son is getting some anyway, since he showed a modicum of interest in passing a few months ago and I am desperate.
Has anything replaced these items? As best I can tell, these things have:
1) Hoodies. Possibly the only item of clothing that a mother should try to buy as a gift for a young man. Otherwise her choices will be met with knowing smiles (kind ones, if they are good kids.)
2) Gift cards. The ultimate fallback gift for everyone and increasingly the only gift anyone wants. Only a Christmas gift opening scene is both brief and boring if that is all that is under the tree.
3) Underwear. What, you never had Santa bring underwear? Lucky you, again.
4) Books. Thank God! For those who read them, and even those who don’t (because they should, and moms get to give those kinds of gifts too.) Real books, even if they have ereaders, so there is something to unwrap besides another gift card.
5) Covers and holders and accessories for smart phones and tablets. For these to go in the fallback group, it is important to know what is already owned. No one needs 5 ipad covers. But there are possibilities here. It just takes a little sly research
What are your fallback gifts for guys? Do you still get to use the old standards? Have you discovered fallback gifts I haven’t thought about? What are you getting the men in your family this year?
87 Comments on “Fallback Gifts”
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New Guy and I have finished buying our Christmas presents for the main people, everyone else can wait until either next week or next year because we had to pay two weeks worth of rent, have money for fuel for the car, money for smokes for New Guy, put money on the rentals that we have as well as buy some basic groceries. We had to do a fall back present with the neighbours across the road so we gave them Danish cookies in a tin. We really need to get more organized next year so that we have all the presents purchased beforehand *sigh* maybe after we move we can start on the presents for the kids . . .
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 5:23 am.
I am a big fan of shopping after Christmas. Both sons will get some $$ to buy clothes then. It was nice of you to get a gift for the neighbors when you are strapped.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:27 am.
I ask. Yes, I know it’s not as much fun but then I know specifically what you want Santa to leave under the tree. Both brothers asked for drills, one electrical and one cordless. Here I am in Home Depot with my Dad and he’s asking me what I think about this one and that one. My response? I like the pretty green color on this one. That is the extend of my knowledge on anything that has to do with power tools. I will always gravitate to the one with the prettiest color.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 8:01 am.
Oh, I did the drill thing too! OMG, there were dozens of them. And no consistency in the reviews online. I concluded that whatever I bought would be wrong. Maybe today I will go out and just buy the prettiest one, like you do.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:29 am.
My family gets my DH a variety pack of unusual beers, as he is a brewer and enjoys good beer. That’s a good fallback gift for him.
Otherwise, smart phone gloves? Smart wool socks? Hot sauce? (the latter two being stocking staples in my house)
I suspect you don’t ride the subway much, otherwise you’d have other opinions about cologne. I think far too many men wear the stuff. I’m glad to live in the country now and not have to deal with that that often. However, last weekend while doing one of my shows, a group got into our horse drawn carriage reeking of cologne. I suppose the Omnibus is the 1876 equivalent of a subway after all…
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 8:08 am.
It could just be that my city is old school when it comes to cologne, I guess. Or maybe my sense of smell is not good anymore? I like the smart phone gloves idea. I did not see any, but I know they are out there. I’ll look when I do the mopping up shopping this weekend.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:31 am.
My father in law is the difficult one. He got a tie and a nice belt for Christmas this year. He still wears ties to work so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that it might be appreciated. And the one we gave him is nicer than any of the ones he already owns.
My husband is getting a healthy theme this year even though he’s stopped working out for a while. And my boys are 7 and 3 so they’re really pretty easy still.
Fallbacks are slippers and nice shirts. I knitted scarves this year for the mothers. And, of course, gift cards.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 8:37 am.
slippers are a good idea! My DH wears ties still, so I get to buy some for him. I do like buying ties. There is quite a variety out there this year. Although I wonder if the width is transitioning, back to narrow. It isn’t across the board yet, but it makes me wonder if what I got will be wearable in two years.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:34 am.
Now that all media is available and preferred by the young in electronic formats, it’s so hard to gift. I feel your pain.
The young men in my life get cash but one isn’t getting anymore. My cousins kids get gifts when they’re kids or in college. When our an adult college drop out and not my nephew, I’m done handing out my cash.
Sincerely,
Eb
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 8:43 am.
As an aunt of many, many nephews and nieces, I firmly believe that there has to be a cut off date on the gifting, and leaving college sounds about right to me. Cash is always welcome, and that is what I do now. But I need a few boxes under the tree for my sons. They don’t admit it, but they would be disappointed if I only handed them a card even if it had a nice bit of cash in it. Boys never grow up when it comes to Christmas.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:37 am.
I have an idea for you for the guys. I did this for both DH and my dad this year. Clothes = those moisture wicking athletic shirts and shorts. Just about every guy does some working out or golfing or some sort of sport. Those shirts etc are FABULOUS! I own a few myself and hardly walk with my girlfriends without them. I got both DH and my dad new shirts for Christmas and you can find them relatively cheep too. Target even sells them!!!
Ok that is my 2 cents for now. Gotta go!!!
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 8:49 am.
wow, I am so glad to get the rec about those shirts. I have always wondered if they work the way they say. This is a good gift idea for one son in particular.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:38 am.
Gift cards are always my fall back. Restaurants, bookstores, amazon, itunes, Pizza Hut, gas cards, movie cards. Those are about the only things I know they’ll use.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 9:18 am.
I have to do a gift card to Amazon for one son. He messes with computer electronics, and his list of items is all geeky and technical, and I don’t trust myself to buy any of it.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:39 am.
Even your fallbacks are hard to buy for my kids! Son is a great reader, but his interets are Transformers, Speed Racer, and animals. I finally found an advanced reading book that is all about cars. At my local bookstore (I only have one, as the rest closed), they didn’t even have books about classic cars on their bargain shelves. Took me forever to find an advanced reading book that is about all things that move.
Daughter is a different story. She is a ‘tween. As my grandma would say, she is too big for baby dolls and too young for lipstick. In our area, girl’s fashions have sucked this fall. I took Daughter shopping for a couple of shirts, and we finally settled on some graphic t’s that weren’t too bad. While we’ve had really warm weather this fall, and even into December, those flimsy clothes just weren’t going to keep her warm. And, neither of us liked the colors. I ended up in the women’s department buying smalls and hoping that they fit.
I get what you’re saying. Those fall back gifts just aren’t what they used to be.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 9:53 am.
gee, I always assumed that if I had girls it would be easier.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:40 am.
12 year old girl clothes are awful–either too babyish or too “mature.”
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 12:47 pm.
For my mother-in-law, any type of pin/brooch or some earrings. She loves jewelry, and you don’t have to spend much. I like simple jewelry that I can wear every day without fear of it catching on things…she likes more obnoxious jewelry.
The FIL is a little tougher, but this year we found him a cool Longhorn jacket that he can play golf in. The hub is an avid fisherman, so I got him some cool new fishing shirts, and a Stratos cap (which is the kind of boat he has), and I also got a great Black Friday deal on a Samsung Blu Ray DVD player, and a couple of Blu Ray DVDs.
The fall back gifts are usually gift cards. Most folks love to go to Starbucks, but it’s a treat because it’s so pricey, so those gift cards are treasured.
Most folks love the Cinemark movie gift cards, too. We are all big movie fans. The best one I’ve found though is a gift card to Half Price Books. They have all kinds of things in there–books, movies, music, journals, novelty items, etc. And, since they are all discounted, you usually get more for your money. 
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 10:00 am.
Oh, you have given me a good idea with the Half Price Books gift card, for one son in particular. I should have thought about that, and that they would have gift cards. He goes there all the time. I have a neat collection of Christmas pins given to me over the years. I’m trying to figure out how to wear them all at once.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:43 am.
I’ve seen women place a set of brooches on a jeans jacket. It works.
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:24 pm.
Most times gift cards are my fallbacks. This year though I did my mothers shopping for my dad. He texted me and asked what he got her, so I told him. His next text proceeded to tell me to try harder. After mumbling many not so nice words I sat and thought for a few minutes. My fallback item this year? A beautiful centerpiece from ProFlowers. I picked out the most expensive table runner centerpiece I could find. Then I chose some pretty beautiful words for the card and hit the purchase button. My mother benefited nicely! Granted, you couldn’t do a fallback gift like that for a male, but it worked well for my mom!
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 10:16 am.
I think Moms are the easiest to buy for. Lots of fallbacks for us. I can never figure out why the men in my family act like they don’t know what to buy me. I am so easy to shop for, IMO.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:45 am.
There are no more men for me to shop for. My late ex was the last and I always knew his preferences in clothes, cologne and what else he wanted or needed. Now my sweetheart from high school sends me a gift card, which I think is very nice and above and beyond any expectations I might have.
My fallback for anyone is an Amazon gift card because you can find just about anything there. The girls always get an iTunes gift card and they generally give me one because we all love music so much.
I’m at a loss as to gifts for your sons. You pretty much covered all the bases unless you want to get them a new car or a flat screen tv. Hahaha Good luck, Madeline
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 10:32 am.
Yeah, younger son has been “hinting” about a new car for months now. In your dreams, sonny boy.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:46 am.
He’s never too old for a Matchbox car.
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:25 pm.
Madeline, I am still learning about shopping for young men! Even though I have been married for 32-years men are the WORST to shop for! Having raised two daughters I find women much easier.
DD2 now has a boyfriend (soon to be fiance I am sure) so now I have to shop for a young man. He made it pretty easy for me as he wants kitchen things; stainless steel measuring cups and spoons, good knives and a knife sharpener. I still got him a couple sweaters and a hard cover book – like you said “things to wrap.” I love Cail’s idea of smart phone gloves and now need to go get some for him. Thanks Cail!
I never thought about wallets and watches being old-time stuff but I think you totally nailed it. Who would have ever seen that coming? But then most days I feel like a fossil.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 10:34 am.
I can’t figure out why the stores have not figured out that more and more men don’t use things like watches (unless they are collectors of the really expensive ones.) I get these flyers filled with all the old fallbacks. Pages of them. I wonder where the stores’ buyers live, that those still work.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:48 am.
I had my boys, also now young men, make Amazon Wish Lists. It was very helpful ,actually.
I still buy clothes for them. My older boy never takes time to buy clothes, and I can go to Banana Republoc for him. The other one wants a Power Ranger t-shirts for his 6’3 , Vin diesel self.
He also wants a watch…a Suunto All Black.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:02 am.
Aren’t Amazon Wish Lists great, Barbara? My girls have them and they’re there anytime I want to give them something.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:19 am.
Okay, an all black watch may work for younger son. I am going to check it out. I do get lists and they are really specific, but not amazon wish lists. I think I will use that idea in the future, so I can just click and not search for something that fits all the particulars they have in mind.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:50 am.
My son now gives me a detailed list (even model numbers sometimes!) since he now knows it’s either that or a half dozen sweaters. Now that he has a home of his own, it’s much easier—he’s always after things he took for granted when he lived at home.
If you know the recipient well, gag gifts are often an option; my father’s green thumb will be rated by a new garden gnome wearing a Phillies logo next spring. I’m sure that silly thing will elicit a smile long after Christmas.
Fall backs include gourmet nut assortments, car care kits with mitts, wax, and other gadgets for maintaining their ride (a family of car enthusiasts make this a no-brainer), a homemade coupon redeemable for tickets to the movie, sporting event, or concert of their choice.
Good luck. I always found buying for son more difficult than buying for the girls. Merry Christmas!
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:36 am.
I like the idea of home made certificates. That would work with these guys. It is sort of open ended too and puts the choosing back on them. I like it.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:52 am.
What are your son’s fave sports teams? My BIL’s fall back gifts involve Red Sox and Patriots logos. Anything will do – lights, towels, shirts, whatever. They are happy to have it.
My dad gets t-shirts with funny sayings – he’ll wear just about anything. My brother is the same.
We are required to give “Santa lists” by Thanksgiving to my mother or we will find “Granny and Grandpa drawers” under the tree. This is the written rule in our house. Not many take the chance of it being enforced.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:41 am.
I should have the Thanksgiving rule. although younger son, who has been known to give me his list on Dec. 23 in the past, actually sat down with me last week and dictated one. LIttle of it was buyable, though. Especially the car, lol
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:54 am.
Our fallback gift for guys are what we call ‘man baskets’… They include some party mix chips, beef jerky, beer, and possibly some kind of candy treat (whichever the guy seems to like). We have also been known to do movie baskets with popcorn and a movie theatre gift card and other movie snacks, or a wine and cheese basket. I have also done a candy and confection basket, a pampering yourself basket (with bath goodies, a loofa, etc), and a coffee/hot chocolate basket with a mug.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:43 am.
This gives me an idea for older son. Thanks!
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:54 am.
No problem! Happy to help
Some guys are just so hard to buy for. This year we’re giving my brother-in-law a ‘man basket’ for lack of any other ideas. It’s something that’s not going to take up clutter (because it’s consumed), and they look really nice once they’re all done up. Good luck!
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 1:30 pm.
It’s definitely a problem! I dont like to give gift cards but I do. Tickets to sport events are good too. That’s the good thing about guys in my family. If there is a ball involved they will watch whatever it is
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:45 am.
I don’t want to embarrass my sons by admitting this, but neither one is really big on sports. It is as if they work at being hard to shop for, I swear!
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:55 am.
Not a single man in my family (father, brothers, husband, son) is much into sports either, so that wouldn’t work for us.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 9:52 pm.
How about passes to a movie theater (recipient gets to choose what movie and timing) or a local sports team?
These gifts went over well with the males on my gift list last Xmas.
My impression is that more and more people would prefer to be gifted with experiences rather than “things”.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:47 am.
Good idea. I guess I never realized you could buy passes to movies and give them as gifts. I’ll check the movie theater near older son and see if I can do that.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:56 am.
I read every suggestion avidly. Sports team clothes are a good idea…even something small like socks. I actually just bought fun colored socks for all the guys on my list. I needed a little something and they were there (I actually wanted Christmas socks, but none to be found, alas.)
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:50 am.
I bought younger son socks. Only I can’t get him fun colored ones. He is not the type. And that really limits things—- whether they are the type for this gift or that. sigh.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:58 am.
I’ve got most of my Christmas shopping done this year, thank goodness!
Of course the two for whom I have absolutely nothing are men – my brother and my nephew!
However, as they both love those warm flannel sleep pants (or whatever they are calling them this year!) I am going to get them each a couple of pairs of those.
The other brother and his wife entertain at home quite a bit so I got them this great bar topped roll around cooler.
Got Mom a new DVD player as hers broke and she didn’t bother to tell us for six months! Sheesh! I discovered it when I went home for Thanksgiving. She has DVD’s she hasn’t even opened because the DVD player was broken. I am also getting her a bookcase to start converting the den into a library for her oookbooks. She collects them and they are on tables and on shelves or dressers all over the house. We’re going to put bookcases on the walls of the den and organize her cookbooks on them.
There are some really neat flashlights out there with weather radios on them and a hand crank to power them when the batteries run down. I think those would make great fallback gifts.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:53 am.
Younger son is getting a flashlight. A really bright one with mega lumens and a long life battery. It was on his list. I like your idea of the cooler. It would be cool to see that. You sound like a really nice daughter, taking care of your mom with those gifts that she really can use. My mother would not have told us that her DVD player was broken either! It must be a mom thing, although I doubt I would ever keep my mouth shut as a mom.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 12:01 pm.
Hey! You could use the cooler as the ‘basket’ in a man basket! Just a thought.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 1:31 pm.
This year the g-sons both got PS3′s, we have passed the time when they could or would share; all the battles over the Xbox 360 told us that. Beyond that they will get mostly clothes and maybe cologne because they do wear it a lot and they finally learned to use it sparingly so they don’t smell like a hooker convention. They want new smart phones, not going to happen. But the clothes are a safe bet because they are in sports and their school has a dress code on game day; away games they wear black & white Nike pants & jacket, home games dark slacks long sleeved shirt & tie.In fact older g-son owns the tie in the picture and a maroon one like it. Last week we were at the mall getting new game day clothes for both guys, they had growth spurts and their shirts & pants didn’t fit.
I miss the days of action figures and new b-balls under the tree.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:54 am.
I really wish I were back in the days when I could invest in a gaming machine or even games. sigh. They were expensive, but they got used and I never felt as if I was throwing money away.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 12:03 pm.
You can invest in some really nice stink-pretty for your males. Ours like Usher, Addias, and Armani Code. I threatened them with bodily harm if either one of them thought they were bringing Axe into the house.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 5:44 pm.
The fallback gifts for my brother are anything Elvis or aliens.. If I can find alien Elvises (Elvi?) my work is done.
My fallback gifts are wine or nice liquors. A small batch scotch or beer selection is always a hit. (of course, this may be because my friends are all lushes
)
Anything for charging. Battery backups, etc for all those electronics. Little flash drives are also good for stocking stuffers.
I also have been known to give Matchbox cars or action figures as kinda funny gifts when I am at a loss… accompanied by little notes. Like a MB car that looks like the model the Duke’s drove with a note “I had a real one for you, but Bo and Luke took it” or Superman with a note about how awesome they are – except around snakes.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:55 am.
Maybe I will get second son his car—- a matchbox car. LOL. And I will borrow your idea and have DH get them each a bottle. One son likes Baileys, and the other will try anything.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 12:04 pm.
Movie passes are good, even for greybeards.
Cologne is not good; it’s a very personal thing and many people (like me) always use the same one because a) we like it b) it works on our particular skin c) our partners like it d) our Tango partners like it too and e) it says “it’s me”. Have you never noticed how heroes and heroines in romances get noticed by the particular scent they wear? All this is why Cologne X gets used once and then left on the shelf.
Oh, and in case you needed to know, I always wear “Armani for Men”.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 12:44 pm.
I think scent is personal too. I am fortunate that my sweeties has never tried to buy perfume for me. I personally prefer classics lke Shalimar, Chanel #5, and Diorissimo (which can be hard to find.) Although I love the commercial of J’Adore enough to give it a try. I doubt it will turn me into that 10 foot tall gorgeous blonde, tho. Too bad!
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 1:50 pm.
Another person who knows Diorissimo! I love this scent and it is super hard to find and usually very expensive when you do.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 3:41 pm.
O.K. good, I’ll remember to take some Chanel No 5 with me next time I see you.
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 4:55 am.
I-Tunes gift cards… solar power backup for phones, etc.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 12:45 pm.
I have looked for power back ups and can’t seem to find them. I wonder if they sold out around here. Solar powered would be great.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 1:52 pm.
I still haven’t bought my dh’s gift, unless, you count the rain barrel that he bought himself. This year he requested ‘intangibles,’ which reminds me of the year I did coupons for his birthday. He never used them, so after 2 years I tossed them. I own more tools than he does, so tools are out. I don’t think that there are any new books relating to film or animation, that he wants. Or even old ones for that matter. He already has quite a few books, so I wouldn’t even be sure what to get him.
Then, there’s our 12 yo ds, who has a pretty simple list, we just didn’t get it until last Sunday. I’m not sure he’s going to have many presents to open Christmas morning because in an attempt to teach ds a lesson, dh refused to pay the priority shipping to get it here before the 25th. We’ll see what happens. At least ds has a couple of gifts under the tree from my mom and his grandaunt.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 12:49 pm.
It may be a hard lesson, but if it takes you won’t be getting the lists on Dec. 23 the way I have with my second son. It is truly annoying when that happens. Although Ihope it gets there in time for Christmas for him anyway.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 1:54 pm.
My fallback for my teen guys is couch potato pants/lounge wear pants in flannel, jersey or fleece. The problem is now they’ve quit growing and really don’t need new ones.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 12:54 pm.
When they grow up it just gets so complicated! I bought a pair f those anyway, on the theory that ds can always use another pair.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 1:55 pm.
Husband getting new phone and networking kit. Son is 23 and what he wants is out of my price range so he gets cash. Money seems to be all he wants every year. Oh and he has a big box of peppermint wrapped up under the tree, he loves the stuff.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 1:16 pm.
Cash is king around here, that is certain.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 1:56 pm.
Interesting! I think our sons are roughly the same age and my sons have and use all the fall backs that are of no use to your sons. Is this a difference in region? I can’t think what else it could be.
Wallets? They use a wallet. Ties? They use ties and like to get them. Cologne? Every day. Watches? Older son wouldn’t be without his. Younger son wants his when he is dressed to the nines—and they both love to dress to the nines. Tools? They LOVE tools. They both work on their cars and so tools are a necessity, especially a nice “multi-tool” I think they’re called.
New back ups? iTunes card. They love that. But it’s boring, no doubt. Books are something I don’t attempt—it’s like picking out art for someone elses house. How can you know what they’d like? I don’t dare attempt it.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 1:51 pm.
Maybe it is regional! with books, I just pick out something related to their interests, and hope for the best.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 1:57 pm.
Madeline, I’m off to the store now because I was completely stumped about what to get my nephew, but then I saw the ‘watches’ on your list and thought, ‘Oh, those are coming back!’ I’ve seen more and more of them in the store, but never thought about getting him one and yet he’s the perfect age for it.
So THANK YOU!
I’ve already bought some other people on my list some fall back gifts – an iTunes card, a wallet, and earrings (you can never have too many earrings). It’s nice to have those!
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 2:10 pm.
Glad to help!
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 10:11 pm.
Little gadgety things are always good. And flashlights that bend or attach to your wrist and stuff. At least I hope that works this year. *g*
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 3:17 pm.
Oh, the spotlight on a headband in lieu of a regular flashlight. Hands free for whatever you need: grilling, reading in bed, working with those tools mentioned above.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 3:24 pm.
I took one of those on a stretchy headband and wrapped it a couple of times around the top bar of the front of my mom’s walker. She now has an easy to turn on “head light” that lights up the entire room when she wanders around at night or gets up to use the bathroom in the night. Plus it is interchangeable between her wheeled walker and her portable (car) walker.
Of course, I also got her a bike horn and fastened it on the side of her walker, but that is another story for another time . . . .
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 3:48 pm.
What a great idea!! I will make a mental note of that for the point when my parents need walkers, hopefully still far down the road.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 9:50 pm.
I got these for all the men a few years back. I thought they looked very cool and useful.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 10:12 pm.
I think one that attaches to your wrist would be neat. About ten years ago they were advertising one that was bendable for tool guys. They showed it bending around corners, hanging off rafters, etc. I went looking for it. Turns out the ad campaign was running, but the product was not being produced. Must have been a glitch in China, I figured. What a shame. It was a great idea.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 10:14 pm.
Try buying for an autistic man who will only watch certain tapes/DVDs and listen to certain music, and then get back to me on the difficulty of buying presents. I bought him a body pillow for his birthday. A pillow!! I was desperate.
Turned out he loved it. And since his hurricane lamp just seems to have bit the dust, he’s getting another one for Christmas. Let’s hope he doesn’t mind that it’s different!
Our fallback gifts are always food. But then, we’re a family that loves food.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 9:49 pm.
I think body pillows are great gifts. I wish I had one. But then I would either need to get a king bed, or tell DH to sleep elsewhere. I don’t think there is room for the 3 of us in our bed.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 10:16 pm.
My go to gift is Levis. Hubby, son and SIL all wear them and like getting a new pair. My son likes to camp so I can usually find stuff at the sporting goods store. I do make them give me a list of things they would like. They know to list reasonable stuff that I can afford or they might just get all gift cards (I do give them a few of those also, they like the food ones).
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 9:55 pm.
DH is getting a pair of new Levis among his boxes. My son who wears them is still wearing a baggy style that I discovered is not being made anymore.Silvertabs. You can buy them used for lots of money, though. I’m not going there. He can adapt, but it means taking him to try on the alternatives.
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 10:17 pm.
A few items to consider is Axe soap, body spray and such. Also there are other brands such as Gilette, Dove’s, and others. Guys can always use additional socks, and skivvies. An idea too is some of their favorite candy/snack in various sizes. Now what I plan to get for son and dil is an address book with everyone’s info inside, so that in the future they don’t have to call around/texting for info. And let me tell you address books are hard to find. But I am a woman on a mission.
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 12:16 am.
I saw some address books at Office Depot, near where they have the calendars. Lots of choices.
Second son is getting the skivvies. Santa thinks he can always use them.
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 12:56 am.
I use the Amazon wish list and buy items for my son from that. I know I’ll get something he really wants, otherwise I wouldn’t have a clue.
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 12:24 am.
Next year i am using that. !!!
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 12:57 am.
I bought my hubs his favorite candy, the new TSO CD (which he’ll immediately load onto his phone) a gift card so he can eat out at lunch while at work as a treat instead of taking his lunch once in a while and I bought a plain wooden box from Hobby Lobby and stained it myself. I thought he’d like it as either a “treasure box” (For his Military moments.) or to hold his cords for his iPad and phone during the day instead of jamming them in a drawer. I kind of miss when you could give a man handkerchiefs. (Used to give them to my dad every year.)
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 12:58 am.
Books are always a great gift.
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 2:27 pm.
Guys are difficult all around! This year my husband is getting a big bottle of Southern Comfort wrapped up nice and pretty. My son is receiving one of those multi-tool gadgets that fit in his pocket. My dad was the hard one this year. Usually, I buy him bathroom reading material such as Guinness World Records books, witty quotations or Top 100 of “fill in the blank.” Nothing like that caught my eye this year. Yesterday, I gave up and bought him some nice fuzzy slippers. At least his feet will stay warm!
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 7:34 pm.
High tech gloves, zip up layering jackets, flashlights every year, quick charge device for cell phones, quick charger for car battery, micro fleece lounging pants, cashmere skull caps, gloved ice scraper for auto windows, new scanner proof wallet shaped like a front pocket, Bose blue tooth speaker dock for iPhone, auto safety kit that includes jumper cables, tow rope, emergency flashers…these were a few of their favorite things this year. I also usually get each a cashmere sweater and books.
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 1:51 pm.
“Double Four Time” takes The Swayback’s ability to blend different genres together to a whole new level. After his third reward he didn’t unlock anything, so Infinity Ward is probably going to allow players to pick any three kill streak rewards. Lethal Stroke – A single hit that has multiple damage effects.
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 2:46 am.