Valentine's Day is nothing if not an opportunity to buy your husband, boyfriend or lover a gift. Certainly, buying a Valentines Day gift for men is far easier than for women. Basically, you must think in terms of toys, liquor, tools, but for the most part, eschew clothing, unless it's a baseball cap of a favorite team. In fact, buying a Valentine's Day gift for a man is like buying a Christmas or birthday gift. Just keep one thing in mind: mind are not as sentimental about specific days, that's why we forget them more easily than women.
Valentine's Day is Like Christmas for Most Men
This is true, except that you are probably only going to buy one Valentine's day gift for a man rather than several. The basic categories of gifts for a guy will be things that they use or look at, rather than wear. Therefore, consider liquors or good wines (if he appreciates wine).
Good Liquors would be:
- Bourbon (a good Kentucky brand)
- An excellent Scotch, especially a single malt
- Gin, such as Bombay Sapphire
- Vodka, perhaps, but kind of 'iffy'
- Good, well-aged Cognac or Armagnac
On wines consider a good Cabernet Sauvignon or a Spanish wine, like a good Rioja or Tempranillo. On the American cabernet, look for one that is at least, four to five years old. On the riojas, do not buy one that is too old (> 10 years), they do not age all that well. Or maybe just a good set of heavy, glass beer mugs.
Tools are a Choice, Pedestrian, but Always Appreciated
Any decent tool that your husband doesn't have such can be found at a Sears or Lowe's which markets the Kobalt brand (LIke Craftsman, 100% return guarantee, if broken . Kobalt are, according to their sales people, American made. Generally stay away from electric hand tools because unless you know exactly what a man wants, he'll either not use it or return it for what he does want. Also, good electric hand tools can get a bit pricey.
Men's Toys, Could be Fishing or Other Sports or just Whimsical
If you know whether or not your significant other, likes fishing or golf, then try to get him something that would be appreciated with respect to that sport. For instance, in fishing it could be a set of killer lures (if that's really possible). In golf, it could be something that might make his golf game easier to play, such as an automatic score keeper. On the side of whimsy, be creative, but just relate the gift to something that the guy would really like. If he loves to smell good, then there's always cologne.
Books and Stuff Like That
Books or magazine subscriptions are always a good choice, if you know the types of books or magazine he might like. There are hundreds from which to choose. Of course, if he likes to read at night, than a clip-on reading light is kind of nice. If he's into the Kindle thing, then you can download any number of selections. We might even through in with cool kitchen items like cutting boards. Anything that might lie in his area pf interest and that he mightn't pick up himself. Creativity here rules!
All in all, try to be creative with his tastes in mind and your Valentine's Day will be a success.
Nick Schklair - Nick Schklair, author, writer and business consultant has published a work on business startups in today's economy.
