Why are boys so hard to shop for? - YouLookFab Forum

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Why are boys so hard to shop for?

Maya

Veteran

I have no idea what to get my brother for Christmas and time is running out! He is 31 and appreciates nice clothes but isn't obsessive or meticulous about how he dresses, so I don't know if clothes or accessories are the right way to go. They could be--I just don't know.

Unlike me, he is not very vocal about what he wants (I start building my Xmas list on December 26 and making sure everyone I have any connection with knows of its existence...), so it makes things hard--and on top of that I'm not terribly gifted at buying things for blokes anyway.

He is very techie and likes gadgets, but gadgets are expensive and I have no idea what gadgets he needs or wants...and he's kind of a geek who is into fantasy novels and manga, but again, I don't know the specifics.

Any ideas?

Shopping

30 replies

Latest reply was from Katiepea

Kristine

Veteran

Does he use ITunes? Maybe an ITunes gift card? A netflix subscription if he doesn't have one?

cciele

Veteran

Well, I've been giving my brother gift cards, heh. iTunes, Amazon, Borders etc. Personalize with a homemade goodie or something?

That being said, this year I gave out this cool LED wand for stocking stuffer that people seemed to like:
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/54218?feat=918-GN1

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I hear you, Maya! I have 3 men in my household and any gift selection is a pain.
Usually I stay away from gadgets as I am not interested in them and therefore have no idea. More often than not I go with clothes for them. I know my hubby does not like to shop for clothing so everything I buy for him saves him a trip to the mall - and this is a nice gift IMO.
If you brother appreciates nice clothing and does not like to shop for them that could be a good option.

Kari

Veteran

I hear you. My BF is actually not that hard to think of things to buy for, but hard to shop for due to specific fit issues with clothing, if that makes sense. And my dad is notoriously hard to shop for because he is very into musical or electronic gadgetry, and has such a specific idea of what he wants that we end up wrapping some of his December purchases and sticking them under the tree.

For my dad, semi-casual button down shirts or V-neck sweaters always seem to be a hit, and we often stick in something zany like a board game or Nerf guns. Last year I bought Settlers of Cataan for my parents, and they ended up LOVING it. Bananagrams and Apples 2 Apples have been big hits, too.

Not sure if that helps at all, but good luck with your search!

Scarlet

Veteran

I would play to your strength and his weakness, or something it is hard for him to pick out himself. With men this is often clothes.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Does dear brother play Xbox?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Cashmere gloves and hat perhaps? Not too personal that fit and style are really issues, and cozy for the season. (I'm big on cashmere and other 'cozy' things for xmas)

Maya

Veteran

Last year my mom gave everyone iTunes gift cards as stocking stuffers. My brother and my dad both gave me theirs, in addition to the one I got, on top of the one my brother got for me. A year later and I still have $20 left to use! There is an unofficial and indefinite ban on iTunes gift cards in my household.

I guess i feel bad because he is always so thoughtful with his gifts and knows just what everyone wants/likes/needs, and I am just getting him some generic man-gift or a gift card...

Mo, that was my instinct.

marianna

Veteran

Starbucks gift card, maybe? Or a gift card for a massage? Or to his favorite restaurant?

I buy my guy clothes, or nerdy things cause he's a nerd too. For his birthday last month I got him an original Nintendo system and some games. He loved it. Takes him back to his childhood! Not sure if your brother likes anything like that...

Debora

Veteran

How about ipod accessories? DS has these bass boosting Thunderbass headphones from Brookstone on his wish list this year. I'm including an itunes gift card with his.

http://www.brookstone.com/thun.....id=compare|mercent|googlebase|search&mr:trackingCode=6C001692-87BD-DE11-A84F-0019B9C2BEFD&mr:referralID=NA

I found a lovely soft scarf in the Nordstrom's young men's department for only $20, and I am giving this to my 21 year old nephew along with a Starbucks gift card.

Is he into graphic tees? DD is giving this one to her brother this year.

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....oductSize=

Megan

Good headphones are awesome- most of the guys I know would appreciate those.

wilson

A nice new leather wallet always seems to make my (five) brothers smile wide. Ted Baker usually has some cool ones:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/31.....ltback=250

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

OOH! I am really feeling the idea of a nice leather wallet. Depending on the price you pay for it, you can put a few selected gift cards in it for him (one for a favourite tea shop, one for French Connection or another store you'd like to see him shop at, etc).

Louise

Veteran

I hate buying for the men in my life too. This year BF has some xbox games, my Dad has thermal leather driving glove and brother hat and gloves this is the first year I haven't struggled. I like the idea of a cashmere jumper, using up the whole present budget on one item sounds like my kind of shopping x

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

The "men in my life" are getting the following this year:

Brother (24, engineer, snappy dresser) - voucher from boutique wine shop
Dad (61, likes outdoors stuff, coming to visit next year) - Leather travel card holder, book on walks in London, tickets to a play at the Globe
Brother-in-law (35, ironman) - e-voucher for bike shop
Husband (32, snappy dresser, doing marathon next year) - scarf, cufflinks, lap top bag

If you want to go down the voucher route how about ASOS e-vouchers? If he is a foodie how about vouchers for a boutique food or wine shop or even for cooking classes or for a restaurant or cafe? What about some nice grooming products - shaving cream, moisturiser, hand cream? I think that you have mentioned before that you and he bake together at Thanksgiving? Does he have a favourite chef? How about a cook book (or selection of cookbooks) together with a nice apron?

Queen Mum

Veteran

hmm, here are some things I've gotten my boys this year...
flannel lounge pants
book light (for my son who we also got a kindle for)
jeans (my boys are always needing jeans)
i-pod cases
headphones
gloves
(just in case this helps spark any ideas)

I personally think a nice shirt is always a good gift as men don't typically enjoy shopping for themselves. And of course living in a cold climate, gloves and scarves are a nice gift as well.

Is there a magazine he would enjoy a subscription to?

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I can sure sympathize....my DH is REALLY hard to shop for- he always says- I dont know what I want, so how can you know? You've gotten some good ideas....

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Some of my friends husbands have expressed a preference for remote control helicopters...I know bless them but they are quite inexpensive.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/toy-he.....038;page=1
I tracked down the vinyl version of Ben's favourite album and bought a 12" album frame to display it
http://www.notonthehighstreet......cord-frame
or how about a hamper of his favourite foods, biscuits, cheese, olives etc

Okay I'm done now, good luck with Christmas shopping, I hope you get over the cold soon.

Maya

Veteran

Some very good ideas here. It really highlighted how little I know about my brother, so I hope to correct that in the coming year. All if you are very thoughtful gift-givers. I'm sure all the men in your life will be very pleased!

Marianna, I think you have hit on a potential idea.

http://www.fredflare.com/custo.....38;cat=309

I'm sure a lot of other 80's children feel the same nostalgia I do upon seeing that.

I don't know if he'll actually like it or not though, but it sure brings back memories. It doesn't ship until January though, but it's just as well since I won't get it in time anyway. I just don't know if I can see him playing this in his apartment or getting excited for it. Hmm.

Maya

Veteran

Oh, I just thought of something else.

UK ladies, do any of you watch The IT Crowd? He loves that show and we always watch whenever we're both at home. He expressed a keen interest in buying The Internet (you'll only understand what I mean if you know the show well), and said it could actually be purchased but I have no idea where! Since I'm sick and can't go shopping anyway, I feel like I'm not as reluctant to order online.

Steph

Veteran

Maya, if he likes techie gadgets, maybe those gloves that have little nubs on the fingertips so you can use a touch screen while wearing them? http://www.topiphoneresource.i.....ne-gloves/

I have that Atari joystick, and last year bought a similar Nintendo throwback. Both were fun, but I'm just not a big video game player, so we never really plug it in to play. However, we don't play x-box, Wii, or anything else either, so it could just be us. There's no question that it was fun to play some of those games again.

I'm getting my brother two bottles of wine. We both enjoy wine and trust each other's taste, so it makes for an easy and appreciated gift.

anne

Veteran

Maya - the IT crowd is on in Australia too and DH and I love it - am committed enought to record it !

My suggestions is a speciality magazine (or several) about something he is interested in.

Aida

Veteran

Maya I couldn't find The Internet for sale (though I will ask my husband, he may know) but I did find a shirt:
http://www.zazzle.com/the_elde.....9397762872

And if you're a little techy or know someone who is you could make The Internet:
http://www.instructables.com/i.....-IT-Crowd/

Maya

Veteran

Ha, Aida, that shirt is perfect. I would love to make the internet, but I am afraid I am not technically gifted. Maybe I could buy the supplies for him to build it though.

Steph, good to hear from someone who has it. My brother is a pretty dedicated gamer so he might get more use out of it. Ok, I will get him the Atari joystick and Elders of the Internet shirt Thanks gals!

Aida

Veteran

For what it's worth, I have an Atari 7800 that I still hook up and play so if he's a dedicated gamer he'll probably enjoy it

marianna

Veteran

Yay! Glad my Nintendo gift helped inspire you. Gotta love nerds.

AJ

Veteran

Hubby and I are IT Crowd fans too!

Have you looked at uncommongoods?
http://www.uncommongoods.com/for-him/gifts-for-him

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

I think you've decided already, but just in case anyone else needs some help...

I know way too many geeks (probably has to do with me being one myself xD), and this site is fantastic for geeky gifts:

http://www.thinkgeek.com

I don't think you could ship in time for Christmas, but you can find some really interesting things on there.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Yay, fantastic choice of gift! I am sure that your brother will enjoy it!

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