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Valentine's Day Gifts for Men
While Valentine's Day may instantly evoke images of long stemmed red roses, 
diamonds the size of acorns, and enormous boxes of candy, the guy in your life will be less than thrilled with flowers and a box of truffles. Most men have accepted that we're below women, children, and Paris Hilton's pets in the Valentine gift hierarchy; if you're going to get that special guy something special you might as well buy him a gift that you know he will enjoy.
Some Tips
What he needs, what he wants, and what he has to have.
The best part about getting your guy a Valentine's Day gift is that his expectations are likely low. That means anything will be a score for you. Forget about how much he needs new underwear or socks and take this opportunity to get him the kind of fun and frivolous gift that he wants but would never get for himself, like a Gilligan's Island DVD box set. You may have made a mental inventory of gifts that are acceptable for varying circumstances and events, but for men no such system exists. We're just happy to be getting stuff. So no need to stress over the perfect gift to convey the fire that burns within your heart for him - just go with the iPod.
Buy for him, not for you
Even though you might think he'll look smashing in the $130 pair of Lucky low rise jeans with the frayed accents, if he's been wearing Wranglers since he could walk, chances are you'll find your gift spending a lot of time on the floor of his closet.
Don't overthink it.
You may have been dropping obscure and esoteric clues for the past eleven months about what you want, but chances are he hasn't put nearly as much thought into it. Buying guys gifts is simple. Find out what he likes, and buy him things that pertain. For instance, if your guy is a Simpsons fanatic he's going to be thrilled to get the Sixth Season DVD box set. If he loves the New York Knicks , getting him tickets to a game will make his day.
Don't get too creative
If it's going to require explanation, documentation, or a forty page thesis to explain, chances are it isn't as clever an idea as it seemed. An elaborate and over the top gift may have the opposite effect than what you are going for.
Buy for the boy in your man
As the true as the sun rising in the east, all men love toys! Be it a portable DVD player, a 8.1 mega pixel digital camera, or a USB office missile launcher, no matter how old, how successful, or how mature he seems, gadgets make have the power to turn most men giddy. Indulge his inner child by getting him electronics, sports memorabilia, power tools, and other big boy toys.
It's not just the thought that counts
A new set of golf clubs is an incredible gift, but do you know if he prefers steel or graphite shafts, forged or cast irons, oversized or standard heads? For the novice you likely can't go wrong with top of the line equipment, but experts and enthusiasts who are serious about their stuff often have very specific tastes. Unless you know exactly what your aficionado wants, avoid getting the kind of gift that will be heading back to the store on February 15th.
Nothing like a good package
Get a great price on the Callaway Great Big Bertha II 415cc driver he wanted? Throw in a few sleeves of Nike One Black golf balls, and a new golf towel. Picked up the Bolle XP snowboard goggles you know he'd been eyeing but don't think it's enough? Pair them with some Burton Pinnacle XCR under the sleeve gloves. Get the picture?
Don't be scared to go with plastic
To you a gift card screams thoughtless, poorly planned and lame, but to him it's a chance to have fun in his favorite store. Get one for Best Buy, Home Depot, or Sports Authority and turn him loose.
Gifts For Every Man
The Sportsman
If your guy is into sports, anything that he can use to participate in his favorite game or activity will be greatly appreciated. If his sport involves a lot of equipment, a new sports bag will help him keep track of all of his equipment. Or maybe he would enjoy a pedom to keep track of his progress during a run or perhaps a new basketball for his next shoot around. Think about what does his free time for and what equipment he would get the most enjoyment out of.
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Baseball Glove |
Tennis Bag - Will help him keep track of all of his equipment
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Ski Goggles - Much less expensive than any other ski equipment
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Pedometer - Make it easier for runners to calculate workouts
- Sense body motion and record distances
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Golf Balls - Golf balls are tiny and get lost easily
- Every player could always use some extra ones on the course
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The Handyman
Does your guy love to fix things around the house or always looking for an excuse to use his tools? If so, some new equipment may be the perfect gift. Tools maybe difficult because you don't want to buy something he already has or something he will never use. A new power drill will definitely come in handy, but if you're totally clueless you may want to go with a gift certificate to his favorite store. Take a look at these suggestions to see if any of them would work for your guy.
The Businessman
Every businessman needs certain accessories when it comes to looking professional. Anything he can wear to work or use at the office will show that you acknowledge all those long hours he put in and know how hard he's been working. A new neck tie or maybe a nice watch would be very useful and greatly appreciated when he's trying to impress his boss or clients.
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Mont Blanc Pen - No ordinary writing utensil
- Will look very elegant on his desk.
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Necktie - Classic gift
- Every working man is always in need of more ties.
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Cuff Links - Classy accessories
- Help make a good impression.
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Wallet - Can be plain and classic or stylish and extravagant
- Are always useful
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Briefcase - Can be a bit pricey, but will last forever
- Good for carrying laptops and work documents
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The Fan
Every sports fanatic is always looking for ways to show support for his favorite team. Maybe he's a Patriots fan and would do anything tickets to see Tom Brady or perhaps he loves the LA Lakers and wants a huge poster of Kobe Bryant. No matter what team he's supporting, he could always use more ways to show how big a fan he is.
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Tickets - An activity he can do with you or with his friends.
- Being at the game is so much better than watching it on T.V.
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Apparel - Great for supporting his favorite teams whether attending a game or watching it on T.V.
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Binoculars - Useful if he has terrible seats for a game
- Also good if he's into car racing or horse racing
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Autographed Memorabilia - Great if he a has a favorite player
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Team Novelties - A true fan can always use more items that display his favorite team's logo
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The Outdoorsman
If he is into any outdoor activities such as hiking or camping, some new equipment for his next adventure will make a great gift. A new lantern for camping or new water bottle to keep him hydrated are great gifts for an outdoor guy. Take a look at these suggestions to see what works for his favorite outdoor activity.
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Outdoor Cooker - Small and easily transported
- Are easier than trying to start a fire.
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Handheld GPS - No guy likes asking for directions.
- Are very helpful whether he's lost on the highway or in the woods
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Tackle Box - Will help him keep all of his fishing equipment organized
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Camelback Hydration System - Small, light weight water bottle that is carried like a backpack
- Will help keep him hydrated, whether he's biking, hiking, etc...
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Hand Crank Flashlight - Won't have to worry about running out of batteries
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Gadgets
A guy who is into electronics always appreciates a new gadget to play with. If he has a long commute, something he can use on the train or in the car, like a satellite radio, is a great gift. Whether he wants the latest technology from Microsoft or some new accessories for his favorite device, a new gadget will definitely amuse him. However, if you're technology illiterate, you may want to get him a gift certificate to his favorite electronic store.
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Sonyspellchk PSP - Small, handheld gaming system that he can take with him anywhere
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iPod - Stores and organizes all his favorite music so he can listen anywhere anytime
- Great for long commutes, exercising, walking in a city, etc...
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Satellite Radio - Allow him to travel anywhere without having to change his radio station
- Offers commercial free stations in a variety of genres
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Electronic Bartender - Small, easy to carry around and great for hosting parties
- Finds out recipes for cocktails, what kinds of glasses should be used and what types of alcohol is needed
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GPS Golf Caddie - Helps analyze the entire golf course so he can pick the best golf club for each shot
- Measures distances to course features such as the green or sand traps
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The Everyman
If you're looking for a more generic gift, these are all good choices. If he's into shows like Entourage or action thrillers such as Die Hard, a DVD may be the way to go. Make sure to choose something that he will most likely use. You may hate the fact that he reads Playboy, but a subscription to the magazine could be something he would really appreciate.
