My love language is gift giving. There’s nothing I cherish more than passing a wrapped trinket or treat to my loved ones, watching as the corners of their eyes crinkle and their faces light up in surprise. When I walk by storefronts and peer in, I always find myself thinking “Lucy would love that” or “Mom’s been looking for this.” When it comes to guys, however, it’s a much more difficult journey.
Not long ago, when I was heckling my boyfriend for a wish list to spoil him, he was rather unhelpful. He said he couldn’t think of anything and claimed he’d be content with “whatever.” He didn’t think he really deserved a gift at all. But where’s the fun in that! To me, giving gifts isn’t just an obligatory spending of money. Instead, it’s a chance to demonstrate in a tangible way that you love someone. You love someone enough to listen to them and truly know them enough to give them something. Whether it’s a book they mentioned, a poster for a movie they like, or tickets to an excursion they’ve been dying to visit, a gift of any price can hold immense weight beyond material value. And don’t get me STARTED on handmade gifts – those are my bread and butter.
To get your gears turning, here are some pretty general ideas applicable to most of the dudes in your life! (And obviously, these aren’t gifts only for men, but rather just thought of with guys in mind.)
1. Self-care
As we all know, men are stubborn. Many are adverse to taking care of themselves for the fear of being too “girly.” News flash: being clean isn’t going to emasculate you. In fact, no one is more confident than a well-groomed guy. Start that journey through some gifts! Simple skin care products are always a strong choice, like moisturizers, a nice sunscreen, or serums. Hair products like fancy shampoos, mousses, powders and clays, or styling gel, are also great. Shaving kits, colognes, body wash, a nice razor, face masks, pimple patches, the choices are endless.
2. merchandise
This is sort of a catch-all term for lots of specialized gifts. If the recipient is a sports fan, get them a jersey, a hat, or a t-shirt. If they like PokĂ©mon, get them some trading cards or a plushie. If they like gaming, a steam gift card or a new game they’ve been dying to have. If they’re a car guy, take them to a car meet, or try F1 merch. Do they have a unique interest? Books are your best friend! The strength of these gifts is the attention to detail. By gifting them something from a show, movie, franchise, or subject they like, you demonstrate that you listen. You care when they speak, you care about what they say, and you want them to continue to enjoy it with you!
3. Handmade
One of my personal favorites by far. I’ve dabbled in all sorts of crafted gifts, from paintings to sculptures to replica Clone Trooper helmets. Nothing says “I know you” more than an extremely personalized present created with them and only them in mind. Some of my favorite ideas are drawings, collages, needlework, sculpted figures, props and replicas, or baked goods. And don’t forget the heartfelt letter! That’s a must.
4. Experiences
Not every gift has to be permanent. Some of the most memorable gifts are the ones that literally make memories. Excursions, especially those related to their interests, are some unique gifts! Trips to the zoo, aquariums, museums, exhibits, go-karting, amusement parks, a little road trip, tickets to a concert or performance, a picnic, walks in the park, a pleasant dinner or lunch, anything and everything can be turned into a gift with enough thought! Sometimes the best gifts are the ones shared and molded together.
5. Food…
Yeah, this isn’t just a guy thing. Everyone loves food. One of the most unique things about a person is their snacking preferences, so a great way to show your loved ones that you’ve been paying attention is by spoiling them with all their favorite candies, chips, and meals! This can also come in the form of gift cards to their favorite restaurants. And if you don’t feel like a grocery run, a home-cooked meal is always heartwarming.
6. And more!
I couldn’t exactly come up with another broad term for a gifting genre, so here’s a final dump of all my ideas! For the more outdoorsy or athletic, coolers, water bottles, sports equipment, games, or a hiking backpack. For a traveler, a satchel, a nice suitcase set, or a duffle! For their pocket, a keychain, a new wallet, or a phone case is always good to replace the dirty and worn predecessors. Watches, hoodies, jewelry, a cool new pair of shoes, belts, sunglasses, cameras, headphones, the list goes on and on.
While these ideas are a bit simple and nothing may stand out to you now, I hope something on this list has inspired you. Finding presents for every cherished person in your life can be stressful, and with the holidays just around the corner, it’s easy to get burnt out. Always remember that spending more money doesn’t make it a better gift. You truly don’t need to spend any money at all.
As corny as it sounds, it really is the thought that counts.