Archive for the ‘Men’ Category

If you are on a budget while shopping for a present, making something is a great solution. It allows you to stay on budget while being creative too. One of the easiest ways to go about this is cooking or baking, as there are very few people who could resist the idea of free, already prepared food. While cookies or other baked sweets may seem cliché you cannot go wrong with them. If you want to try something a little different though you can always stay away from the typical chocolate chip cookies and look up a new dessert or recipe. One of my favorite recipes to make are peanut butter balls. They only require a few ingredients and are easy to make. Just combine 1 stick of butter, 1 box of powdered sugar, 2 cups of crunchy peanut butter and 3 cups of Rice Krispies and shape them into small balls and chill them. Afterwards you can either roll them in powdered sugar or coat them in chocolate. Just wrap them up and they make the perfect gift to bring to a dinner party or just as a thank you gift. My only advice is to make sure you make two batches, as you will want to keep some for yourself- they are truly addicting! 

A great way to give a gift for any occasion to someone is to select a theme and pick various smaller presents relating to it and put it into a basket. This gift is not only fun for the person to open but also to make. For instance we all know at least one person with that caffeine addiction, so find a giant mug and fill it with specialty coffee beans, a gift card to their favorite coffee shop and biscotti. For anyone who enjoys a bottle of wine with dinner, a basket filled with specialty wine, wine glasses and cheese is hard to resist. My Mom has always loved to take a bath as her way to escape from work and a long day and would always love a gift compiled of bubble bath, bath salts, and various lotions and candles. You can also throw in their favorite magazine or a new book. If you are scrunched on time stores such as Bath & Body Works sell prepackaged baskets that will do the trick. This is also a great idea for anyone who is about to travel. Just fill a backpack with a camera, suntan lotion, and a journal and they will be ready to go. Kids will love this idea too and will be ecstatic with the idea of getting more than one present. With gift baskets you can find something for anyone and it is easy to personalize and to include their favorite things or even inside jokes. 

Whether you are searching for the perfect gift for a wedding, housewarming or birthday you cannot go wrong with the simple beauty of Simon Pearce’s hand-blown glass and pottery. While their collections are all simple they all contain a classic beauty that is incomparable. They have a large selection of various glasses and dishware sets that are all handmade and will go with any style. The pieces all also make great decorations and are perfect to simply display around you house to add an instant touch of sophistication and elegance. They make everything from clocks to vases and there truly is something for everyone. If you live close to a store, they also allow and welcome you to watch them make the glass and pottery right in front of you and even include a restaurant, so if the drive is an hour away from you the trip is definitely worth it. Don’t be discouraged from giving it to men as well as they also have an extensive collection of original beer mugs and desk accessories. The pieces that they have available also make great business or corporate gifts and is the perfect place to get all of your holiday shopping done in one trip. 

As the temperature begins to steadily fall, I love the thought of coming home or waking up to a nice warm cup of coffee. This makes a coffee maker a great gift and is the perfect way to warm you up from a frigid day. This is also not only great to give to an individual but to a family as well. When giving this though try to stay away from some of the ordinary appliances and splurge for either a cappuccino machine or a new innovative device that goes far beyond making just a simple pot of joe. The new single serve coffee machines are quick and easy and allow you to create a cup of coffee in seconds with little to no clean up. The single cup idea is also great if the person you are buying for lives alone or has a family that runs on completely different schedules. Even if your friend or family member isn’t a caffeine addict the modern gadget also allows you to create hot chocolate and tea that is sure to satisfy any taste bud. 

No matter what your personality or physical ability everyone can use a toolbox, man or woman, making it the perfect gift for anyone. Toolboxes are easy to find and come in such varieties that it is easy to find the right one for anyone. If you just need a quick gift there are a large variety of sizes, starting with a small one that includes just the basic hammer and wrench to super size ones that are complete with everything you could ever imagine. It is an essential item that every man must own. While the typical toolbox may not be as practical for a woman there are tons of great alternatives. They now make hammers that are covered in floral prints and just the right size for daily household handy work. Inside each of the hammers they also often come with built in screwdrivers of all types and sizes that will help you do anything from hanging pictures to changing batteries. It makes for the perfect small gift and is what helped me survive in my first apartment. 

Speaking of taking a get away, if you are looking for an anniversary gift, a vacation is the perfect present. While the options are endless, a cruise is my ultimate recommendation. A cruise allows you to pay a set fee from the start and then enjoy your time off without having to worry about bills or any additional expenses, as food is already included. With all expenses included you better get ready to eat your heart out with an endless supply of meals and irresistible desserts that will be available to you 24/7. The endless amount of activities and events that are already planned will allow you to both finally get a chance to relax and let others take control as you soak up the sun. Most ships also stop in multiple locations throughout the trip, which allows you to visit various locations and get a taste of different cultures and histories often all within a week. I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to go on two cruises and both of them have given me experiences that will last a life time such as swimming with dolphin and parasailing. Cruises are great for any age and also a fun idea to plan with other couples or family and friends. So book your ticket and get ready to sit back and relax!

Especially today, with the stress of today’s economy we could all use a get away. When choosing a gift instead of selecting another materialistic item, why not plan a day trip for you and your friend to have time to relax without having to worry or make decisions. If you live close enough, New York City is the perfect option. There is a never ending supply of things to do, whether you are on a tight budget or willing to go all out with spending. The Today Show and other morning shows often offer free concerts and it’s easy to go online and scope out your friend’s favorite band or musician to pick the perfect day. If you’re not a morning person there is a large variety of other free shows that are easy to get tickets to such as Rachel Ray or The Daily Show. If you have some time to kill and are not up for shopping, Central Park is a great place to just walk around. While Times Square is swarming with restaurants, you’re often better off staying away from the central tourist areas. Il Vagabondo is a great Italian restaurant that is filled with a classic look and history. The restaurant also has a bocce ball court inside that gives it a unique flair. The dozens of comedy clubs and lounges that line the street are also great ways to fill your night and are sure to bring you back for more. 

With summer coming to an end, men will look for any reason to get together for a routine boy’s night out. On the rare occasion that there is not a football game on, poker is the perfect excuse for guys to get together and escape from work and other problems. A great gift for any guy you know who has a weak spot for poker is a poker table. You can find custom tables at many websites or in stores and while it may be a little pricy, it serves as the perfect group gift that you and your friends can all chip in on and will all also be able to use together. If you’re willing to be creative and want to stay on a smaller budget you could always make the table yourself with just a few trips to Home Depot and a craft store. And of course, the poker table would not be complete without a new set of chips and cards. 

We all know at least one guy that embodies the typical male stereotype and loves anything fast. For any guys, or girls for that matter, that exude this sense of adventure why not take advantage of this when searching for a present. A great present for those who feel the need for speed is a planned day at a NASCAR driving track that allows you to actually get behind the wheel yourself. They put you through a training session and then give you the opportunity to drive the professional racecars for yourself around the track. This is a great thing to do with a friend, so if you are up for it, be sure to sign yourself up for it too. If the idea of driving the car seems a little too intimidating, you also have the option to be a passenger, where you can still get the full experience. My cousin was given this as a gift by his wife and even today it is all he talks about. It is truly an amazing experience. If you are located near a city a lot of places also offer Dream Car Tours where you are put behind the wheel of five of your ultimate fantasy cars for the day and allowed to hit the road. So buckle up!

While I have always been a pet and animal lover myself, giving a living present is often a risky idea. No matter how cute your friends or family may find your new puppy, it does not necessarily mean they are ready for the responsibility that goes along with them. A safer gift however to give any animal lover is a fish tank. A fish tank is perfect for any budget big or small as you could go all out with a large tank, or keep it simple with a sleek bowl. For a man it is often best to stray away from the more delicate looking fish and instead look for small cat sharks or other similar types that adapt well to aquariums. It is the tropical fish however that have always caught my eye. The gorgeous colors and relaxing feel provided by a fish tank is a great way to warm up a house or apartment. If you are looking for a smaller gift, simply find a glass vase and fill it with natural stones and flowers with a small fish such as a beta fish, which requires minimum effort. They also now make fish tanks that can even be mounted onto the wall if you want something truly unique. A gift card to your local pet store is also a great addition.