We've talked a lot here about what to buy your favorite fella this year. Here's a list of some things he doesn't want. How do I know? Because I'm wise. Can't you read?
It's not that we're ingrates. We appreciate the thought, and just because we don't want these things doesn't mean you shouldn't buy them. We don't like carrots, either, but they're good for us. Just don't expect any guy to get too jolly about opening any of these this holiday season. He'll fake it, of course, but inside he'll be wondering why you didn't get him that toilet kit I recommended.
1. Sweater - we have enough sweaters and we don't wear the ones we have.
2. Book - I'll add it to my colossal pile of things to read and maybe I'll get to it when I'm dead.
3. Crap gadget - know how you'll pass by Radio Shack or Brookstone and some git will be in the doorway playing with some lame gadget-y thing like a remote control helicopter or a foot massager or a calculator that translates Swedish? You always overhear someone's mom say, "Oh, Ted would LOVE that!" No, Ted wouldn't. It's shit. Ted will take it to the white elephant gift exchange at work and dump it on some other sap, that is, if it doesn't break on the way. Avoid.
4. Cologne - unless you know it's a scent your guy likes, don't do it. He might not like what you like, or, if he's me, he might not wear cologne at all. Some of us smell awesome without it.
5. Homemade coupons - what, I gotta have a coupon now to get my nuts tickled?
6. Tie - yeah, it's a cliché, but seriously? Don't buy us a tie, even if we need one. That's Mom's job.
7. Slippers - nothing says "I picked this up at the cash register" more than slippers. And no guy under 80 wears slippers. If he does, he already has a pair he likes and doesn't want new ones.
8. Gift debit cards - I don't mean specific store cards, I mean those things you get at the bank that can be used anywhere. Sounds good, right? No. They suck. Some stores won't even take them. Some want to take them, but aren't sure how to ring them up (which is always fun with a long line of ever-patient holiday shoppers behind you). Some will take them but won't let you combine them with another form of payment, so unless you want a Coke and some gum, that $3.37 balance on the card is pointless. But don't worry, a hidden monthly fee for not using the card will eat up that balance in no time. Gift FAIL.
9. An animal - thanks for the pet bird you got me for Christmas. No, really, I loved it. Tasted a bit like chicken, but a bit tougher. The fish were fun, though.. well, for that hour they lived. Cat, dog, hamster, gerbil, snake, etc. Keep them. Guys have enough trouble feeding themselves.
It's not that we're ingrates. We appreciate the thought, and just because we don't want these things doesn't mean you shouldn't buy them. We don't like carrots, either, but they're good for us. Just don't expect any guy to get too jolly about opening any of these this holiday season. He'll fake it, of course, but inside he'll be wondering why you didn't get him that toilet kit I recommended.
1. Sweater - we have enough sweaters and we don't wear the ones we have.
2. Book - I'll add it to my colossal pile of things to read and maybe I'll get to it when I'm dead.
3. Crap gadget - know how you'll pass by Radio Shack or Brookstone and some git will be in the doorway playing with some lame gadget-y thing like a remote control helicopter or a foot massager or a calculator that translates Swedish? You always overhear someone's mom say, "Oh, Ted would LOVE that!" No, Ted wouldn't. It's shit. Ted will take it to the white elephant gift exchange at work and dump it on some other sap, that is, if it doesn't break on the way. Avoid.
4. Cologne - unless you know it's a scent your guy likes, don't do it. He might not like what you like, or, if he's me, he might not wear cologne at all. Some of us smell awesome without it.
5. Homemade coupons - what, I gotta have a coupon now to get my nuts tickled?
6. Tie - yeah, it's a cliché, but seriously? Don't buy us a tie, even if we need one. That's Mom's job.
7. Slippers - nothing says "I picked this up at the cash register" more than slippers. And no guy under 80 wears slippers. If he does, he already has a pair he likes and doesn't want new ones.
8. Gift debit cards - I don't mean specific store cards, I mean those things you get at the bank that can be used anywhere. Sounds good, right? No. They suck. Some stores won't even take them. Some want to take them, but aren't sure how to ring them up (which is always fun with a long line of ever-patient holiday shoppers behind you). Some will take them but won't let you combine them with another form of payment, so unless you want a Coke and some gum, that $3.37 balance on the card is pointless. But don't worry, a hidden monthly fee for not using the card will eat up that balance in no time. Gift FAIL.
9. An animal - thanks for the pet bird you got me for Christmas. No, really, I loved it. Tasted a bit like chicken, but a bit tougher. The fish were fun, though.. well, for that hour they lived. Cat, dog, hamster, gerbil, snake, etc. Keep them. Guys have enough trouble feeding themselves.
lol. yeah a tie is my standard back up. He has alot already, so this year I have to find something different. :)
Excellent list! I hate those gadget gifts.
Coupons for nut-tickling, eh? Here I've been giving that shit away for free.
Time to monetize, B. I can help.
Store gift cards are just as bad as generic gift cards, IMHO. If you have that little imagination, just give cash, that's what I do.
I don't mind them if it's a store I like or a store that has everything, like Amazon.
do jackets fall into the 'sweater' catagory? expensive nice leather jacket not jus any jacket
No, that's a nice gift.. as long as it's not this one. $19.99 at CVS Pharmacy.
LMAO! Eww! They actually sell those??
They did, but they sold out before I could get down there and grab one, dang it.
the book one really depends on the guy. Some guys read a lot. For my boyfriend i know that if i pick a good book he'll love it. I'm the same way. I feel disappointed if i don't get at least one book each christmas and birthday.
With the "crap gadget" my guy would probably want a calculator that translates Swedish, considering my family and I are all fluent in Swedish. hahah
Personally, I'd LOVE a book or a remote-controlled helicopter.
Ah, good to know. Updating my list now.
I say don't give him a book this year. Wait and get him a book for Christmas NEXT year. That way you can give him Cary's book after it comes out this spring. =)
Robots. I should get him robots.
That's what I've taken from this.
Nah, robots are gadgets. Give him a Snuggie.
Hahaha, I gave my former guy a sweater once! And the guy before that too.. actually that guy, I gave him jeans, sweater, flip flips (the ones with the built in beer bottle opener) over the course of our relationship... and now he looks great. And he has kept up the good-jeans wearing/buying (it's been 3+ years). Yes, I am proud.
But yeah, probably a bad gift idea... once I drew a picture of something that meant something to one guy, and then had it framed (I couldn't afford to give gift on same level as my guy). This year... gosh I don't even know... I only met him a month ago so we're just dating exclusively and we will stop dating in January when I go to school. I will probably bake something... and maybe get a scenic/local picture I took printed 8x10 and framed for him? I don't have much to spend right now, so can't be something $$ but I'd like it to be thoughtful & appreciated by him. Maybe I should just buy him Baileys.. he does drink. And he will be entertaining in the future I think.
I've never dated anyone before who watched sports and went out to drink on weekends. I have usually dated very nerdy/introverted people who had very specific interests. Anyone here have any suggestions?? :-) thanks!
Regarding books.. what about a hardcover Photo book of our moments and poems and photos ?
I guess those "Prewrapped Gifts for Guys" that all the department stores carry would fall under the gadgets. :( I shall heroically NOT buy the talking coin counter that fits in the car's cup holder, or the stuffed race car with a chamois bottom for cleaning your computer screen.
Hey! One of my favorite gifts this year was a book!
The Enemy Papers by Barry Longyear.
Complete Enemy Mine trilogy with Authors excerpts.
So go ahead get him a book, but make sure it makes his inner geek sqwee!
:)
Late comment, but my guy is always wearing my slippers. I would get him slippers, but nice ones, not cash register ones. I'll file that away for an 'I love you' gift.