Help! Please!!!! Buying for the men/boys in your life!!!!

1. 61

   lav-seniorposted 13 years ago

   My dad is one of those men in their fifties that regardless of whether he gets a five-pack of socks or a hot-air balloon ride, he has the same reaction; "That's grand, thanks very much for that now."
   
   Despite the fact that I've been his proud daughter for 24 years, I am yet to figure out 'That's what daddy would love!' He's interested in books, gardening, wine, France, history and the usual things men in their fifties are interested in. Despite these interests, I still have never managed to find him the perfect gift, any ideas?
   
   My second dilemma concerns my brother-in-law. We're quite close as sister/brother-in-laws go and I need to give him a pretty decent pressie. The problem is he's the same as daddy, every present is accepted with equal excitement. He's 28 and interested in sports and movies. Help. Please ladies and gents! I'm out on a limb here!!!!

   replyreport
   1. 61

      boxxiesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      If you dad loves wine and France why not get him the most expensive French wine that you can afford?
      
      Marie

      replyreport
   2. 60

      gr82bmeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Maybe you could get your dad a wine making kit and a book on wine making. I make my own and it is fun

      replyreport
   3. 60

      gr82bmeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      As for your brother-in-law, get him a jersey of his favorite team or tickets to a game.

      replyreport
   4. 48

      Rismayantiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      you can check some idea in my hub may it will help for idea source and simply find the perfect gift

      replyreport
   5. 59

      americanwriterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Its just like Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. You have the answer already--you know what your dad likes wine, France, etc. Pair a beautiful pictorial calendar with dreamy pictures of France or wine country or wine making or other things he enjoys with handsome wine stopper or a sumptuously photographed book with travel destinations and dreamy or adventurous things.  Put that into the gift like others have suggested personalize your gift too with a handwritten note that says you love them and you searched for the perfect gift and you realize the perfect gift is myth you just can't put it all in a single thing its a lifetime of gifts and a lifetime of love... this upcoming gift is just a symbol you could spend a million dollars on a gift and it wouldn't mean any more than your love for that person. There many great ideas for gifts for men on hub pages.

      replyreport
   6. 73

      mirage erinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      i actually wrote a hub about surprise gift ideas! check it out and good luck!!!

      replyreport
   7. 59

      carrie450posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      How about a movie night basket you can make yourself?

      replyreport
   8. 85

      Jon Greenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      How about a guitar? It's nice to develop a new interest, and lots of my guitar students have started in their 40s and 50s.

      replyreport
   9. 75

      rogermacposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      That seems tough. I have a post about Original unusual Ideas. Why don't you take a look, here's the link:
      
      Gift Ideas for People who have everything
      
      Who knows, maybe you'll find a great idea there. Good luck with that.

      replyreport
2. 84

   KCC Big Countryposted 13 years ago

   Welcome to HubPages!  I see you're rather new.  You can try clicking on "Hubs" at the top of this page in the black area and then put in "gift ideas for men" in the search box.  You'll find lots of hubs with ideas that might help you. I personally have several hubs myself dedicated to gift ideas for men (and women).  I have several stocking stuffer idea hubs and one on gadgets for men.

   replyreport
3. 60

   vgf1968posted 13 years ago

   I make most of my gifts.  I know that most of the men in my life are more impressed by the effort of making something for them, than by purchasing something for them.  At least that has been my experience.

   replyreport
4. 60

   heart4thewordposted 13 years ago

   How about food?  Have made gift baskets with favorite munchies, and or homemade baked goods.  A nice coffee cup, even personalized!  Coffee creamers, hot chocolate, hot cider, and/or tea?  The men who have received these elegant gift baskets filled with such goodies...their eyes get big, and accept the gift with much gratitude!  Usually they will not open it in front of others, because they do not want to share:)  Hope you find the right gift, that knocks his socks off!

   replyreport
5. 69

   Karen Nposted 13 years ago

   That sounds like my dad.
   My sisters and I always bought him socks every year because we could never figure out what he wanted. Someone below suggested food and I've found that food is always a good way to a man's heart.  Many of us, myself included have already written hubs on finding presents for the people in your life and I'm sure that if you check around a little you'll find something to help you out.
   
   Good luck and welcome to Hubpages!

   replyreport
6. 61

   pisean282311posted 13 years ago

   well even i react is same way when eve i get any gift...for me ideal gift is something which can be of usage in day to day life and would endure..for e.g. i love to have books as gift..for movies dvds are fine..something which can come handy and endure..

   replyreport
7. 61

   rihamahposted 13 years ago

   for your brother in law if he is a movie fan and a Harry Potter fan the new movie "Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows" was just released and if he's a fan you might get him the new movie DVD or even the book or any other Harry Potter related item.
   just search HubPages for the term "Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows gift ideas" and you will find plenty of things.

   replyreport
8. 86

   Lily Roseposted 13 years ago

   Spoon Sisters has some really great gift ideas and even has helpful categories like 'men', 'office', 'travel', 'books', 'under $10' and so forth.  There's a terrific selection of gifts from unique to funny and lots of cool gadgets, too.
   
   We set a $10 max amongst the adults in our family this year and I bought gifts for almost everyone at Spoon Sisters.
   
   Good luck!

   replyreport
9. 60

   thelasthonestguyposted 13 years ago

   I have just the perfect list of presents for both your dad and your brother in-law.
   
   It's called "13 Gift Ideas for Men this Christmas"
   
   Check them out here: <snipped link>

   replyreport
10. 64

    Flightkeeperposted 13 years ago

    Here are my suggestions:
    
    For your Dad: A History of the English Speaking Peoples by Winston S Churchill or The Second World War (Six Volume Boxed Set) by Winston Churchill and John Keegan.
    
    For your Bro-in-Law: If he likes soccer, get him a nice hoodie or jacket of his favorite team.

    replyreport
11. 60

    motherbeastlyposted 13 years ago

    I don't know where you are but you could perhaps buy both of them membership of the wine society for a year.  Or choose one of their wine cases which range in prices.  I did this for my father and brothers a few years ago and they were delighted with them.
    
    Whatever you choose have a wonderful Christmas and I am sure they will be delighted with whatever you get them because you have really thought about them.

    replyreport
12. 68

    ThoughtfulSpotposted 13 years ago

    I wrote a hub about this because I have the same problem every year w/ my husband, my dad, my Father in law, my brother in law...   Just about all the men in my life except my 2 little boys.
    
    (Don't want to "self-promote", but check it out if you want to under my profile - or do what KC suggested and just search in the search bar above - I'm sure many wonderful hubbers have many wonderful ideas!)
    
    In general, I find the best gifts aren't the big, "impressive" ones.  I try to take note of the little things my men mention in passing over the year.  (Like if we're shopping and they pick something up and fumble with it and look as though they might buy it, but then put it down because its "too much" or they "don't need it."  Or if we're talking and he says "I've always wanted to do that...")  A lot of times guys just won't spend the money on themselves - especially practical ones like your Dad seems to be.  But, they'll be thrilled if someone else does it for them - and also touched that someone paid attention that much.
    
    Maybe try listening to the small things he mentioned, instead of going for the big things like his hobbies?  It might make the gift just unexpected enough that you'll win a smile or a less-standard answer.   Of course, he may just say the same thing anyway... some men are just like that!  In which case, enjoy the shopping and the knowledge that he will know you were thinking of him whether he seems excited or not!
    
    Good luck!

    replyreport
13. 55

    foreignpressposted 13 years ago

    I've had the same problem. What you want is jaw-dropping shock value. The gift must be totally unexpected. You know you've broken the insipid "How nice; thank you very much" when they stare at your gift in silence for several seconds. Then they look at you with misty eyes totally speechless.
       So what will shock your Dad? How about a cruise to France? A motorcycle? If you can't afford it, then perhaps an antique gold keywind pocket watch (that works) with grapes etched on the casing. eBay is always good for antiques.
       The point is to stray outside of the comfort zone. Think: Intense, violent reaction. A whoopee cushion? Maybe a farting machine concealed beneath his favorite chair? Then again, it's possible both men are beyond the Wow! Factor.

    replyreport
14. 60

    Brandy Alexanderposted 13 years ago

    Create a calendar using a collage of photos of his interest. There are many sites available for stock images or use pictures of your own. The gift will show thought and creativity. Good luck!

    replyreport