gifts for men - yearly things

[perSue]

so i overheard a couple guys talking about a week back and brought this up to Dh who confirmed it (and said he'd even had the same convo w/some of his colleagues)...

these men were talking about "yeah for christmas every year I get the same old...." fill in the blank with: tshirts, underwear, socks, ties belts... OR worse, bad attempts at tools or bad smelling aftershave/soaps, etc.

I'm already beginning to see a pattern in MY habits... and I feel badly.
Dh always asks for new tshirts - something he doesnt like to do (shopping) and would wait until the current tees are strings before he'd go buy.
He almost always asks for good socks.
So, sure, they're useful, he likes them... And yet, I get these types of gifts yearly.
I DO buy/make a few special gifts just for him, so that he doesnt ONLY get tees, socks and the like.

But, I'm feeling REALLY bad about this.
I don't want to get stuck in the rut of "every year I get socks" sort of thing with him... but Dh says his colleagues say "they expect it because no one else buys them anything they like or are creative enough to do something special for them."

Do you have standard gifts you give yearly (or most years)??
Advice from guys?

[Greebo]

Guys are transparent. When you go into the living room, and he's sitting in the chair staring into space, and you ask, "what's on your mind?" and he says "nothing" - he means it. He really was just zoned out.

This is a difficult concept for women, I know, because you gals think about 80 different things at once, and you don't use the dictionary definition of "nothing" either. But men do.

So if he asks for socks, give him socks. If you don't know what to give him, ask him what he'd like.

[itlw8]

mens gifts the hardest thing in the world.... I think I find something perfect for dh and a year later he has never used it.

[fixer]

Ask him exactly what he wants, or better yet let him pick it out. I will buy my own gifts for my wife and mother. They will do the wrapping and I will have a joyous Christmas.

[madhen]

I have a couple of male acquaintances, and every year they get gift certificates for gaming, hardware, etc. One gets a gift certificate every year for a place that sells chainsaws. They seem happy enough, even though they know what they are getting. I gave a hunter friend of mine a box of ammo one year, as that stuff is getting expensive. I also once gave someone a jug of concentrated Round-Up weed killer.

This year, as a generic stocking stuffer, I've been gathering trial-sized items for an "emergency" kit. Includes a personal-sized roll of tp, handi-wipes, toothpaste, stain remover stick, etc. For the men, I added things like "Axe" cologne and foot deodorant. For the women, facial masks and bath salts. I am big on stockings for Christmas, and try to out-do myself every year.

[Contrary Housewife]

I asked my husband to make a Wish List at Amazon.com. They sell everything. He reads a lot, so he picks books he wants. Or DVD movies. Or games... and I can go through and choose things and it is still a surprise because he can't tell what I bought.

I think food is almost always a good gift for men. My dad and uncle used to go nuts for those cheese and sausage boxes. I've never met a guy who didn't appreciate a plate of homemade cookies.

Unless you are really familiar with their hobby, a simple gift card to their favorite hobby shop really is appreciated. They can put it toward what they want without having to provide you with complicated lists of model or part numbers.

I find that nearly anyone is happy to get a gift card to the local movie theatre.

[Rebookie]

you could always make some "romantic" coupons! hehehehe They are always happy with that AND it's free!

=)

[perSue]

see, i hate giving giftcards... sure for teens and new parents, that's fine.

but i believe in getting those ppl you know well (or should) something "real"... and gift cards and stocking stuffers only go so far.

i dont have the "typical" man... no tools, no sports related stuff (that he plays anymore).

And when I ask him... that takes away the "suprise!!!" of opening up a gift. Sure, we always make lists for each other, but you dont always get what's on the list. And I think it's disappointing to open up everything you've asked for, pointed out, mentioned, etc.

Gifts should be creative and unique to the recipient. Always, no questions about it.

I just wonder if getting tees or socks yearly - tho they're used/wanted - is cliche and unappreciated.

nanagail - what about "care packages"? Like a gift box/basket filled with things they like and/or need? Aftershave, soaps, colognes (if cheap), a 10$ digital watch, other clothing they may use often and want.
Do you know of any music cd's or dvd's they'd be interested in? Hit some sales. Make some cookies/breads/muffins they've always loved... now that's a great gift from any mom! Also, like others have mentioned, giftcards if there's a store you know they like, but dont know what they like. lol
I think it all depends on their status too... are they married? have kids? in college? living alone? with roommates? What about dorm related stuff? first apartment? get a rug and clothes basket, fill with sample or trial sizes of different things.

thanks.

[kittykatstrong]

I always buy pjs and we open then christmas eve. I dont even know why I wrap them. Everyone knows what they are.

[perSue]

Nanagail:
Hmm... well, since they both still live at home, think of some things you have there already... things they don't always notice.
What are some interests then?
Anything like a "mom's eye view" of the kids growing up - a photo album of them at different ages and stages.
You can always "re-make" something.... a long needed torn sweater, fixed. What are you good at? Handy at repairing?

What about making an old dishplate into a clock? Clock kits are really cheap and all you need to do with a favourite plate is drill a small hole.

A desk "organizer" made of boxes or cups from special places visited.

what about "mom coupons" you make for things to help them with or a "lay-away from mom" on certain things.

have any old sheets/teeshirts/designed fabric setting around? you can always make pillows new by covering them up. sewing up sides is simple and can be done by hand... perfection isn't required... only in the "fashion industry" where they're perfectionists by trade.

it doesnt have to cost a lot or look "exactly" like something you saw elsewhere... they're at the age where they can appreciate "mom made it"

[rowdy35]

my husband likes:

Craftsman tools (you can even get a gift cert)
Maglite Flashlight
Leatherman Tool
Socks
Carhartt Shirts / Jackets
Beanie caps
favorite football team apparel
gold jewelry
Diver's watch (Citizen Eco Drive)
lunch box (Craftsman brand or insulated kind)
Coffee cups (commuter mugs)
first aid kit
car stuff kit (jumper cables, etc)
tarps
bungee cords
anything from Home Depot
Work Gloves