Recently, our forums have been crowded with threads of gifts and tips and materialism. We've well-unpacked the topic of what to give the ladies. Now, how about the perfect gift for "him." Nearly all of us have a "him" in our lives somewhere and for every man, somewhere there is a woman saying, "I never know what to get him. He's so hard to buy for. He has everything he wants."
Here's a secret: no he doesn't. There are many things he wants that he can't get for himself. If you have a gentlemen in your life and would truly like to surprise him this year, try a few of these.
An Evening In - Why not plan a special evening with no interuptions, no electronics, and no deadlines. Those quiet, candlelight dinners are rarities and when all the work is done for him, it's like a special evening on the town at a five-star restaurant, without the crowds.
A Special Trip - Nearly all men have a special place or two they've been wanting to go. Most likely, it's not someplace you want to go, though. Go anyway. And make all the plans. Maybe it's that special charter fishing trip to Alaska or a backwoods, plane-access-only camping trip. Or maybe it's a quick trip to his favorite trail for a day of hiking (you smuggle in the champagne in your pack) or an evening journey to another city to see a concert of his boyhood-fav band (if it's the Stones, then you might want to hurry!). Weekend ski-trips are my favorite.
Tickets to a Game at His Alma Mater - Again, go with him. I know you might not like football as much as he. But you can't imagine how much fun it is to have you sitting there with him.
Write a long letter to his kids...letting them know many of the things you admire about their father. Most men would never admit that they are suffering from a lack of affirmation but they are...their world just isn't set up to deliver this.
These are just a few; some expensive, some not. Hopefully, they'll help. Referencing back to the materialism thread, few men I've ever known have complicated tastes when it comes to gifts they receive. Instead, most yearn for the unexpected and the thoughtful--and the surprise, the things they can't do for themselves. Whether it's a son, or a husband or a father or a SO of any kind, I trust this Christmas you'll be able to give a gift that he'll remember forever.