I like putting together gift wish lists for some reason. Most of the stuff is obviously stuff that no one really NEEDS, but I’ve found that you can end up in a lot more trouble when you don’t specify some things that you actually might enjoy. No matter how many times I say that I don’t want anything for Christmas – what do I end up with? – a bunch of random stuff that family members picked out because they HAD to get me something. You know the story. I’ve all but given up in my efforts to rob people of their joyous giving. It’s not my right – but I can help steer them in a decent direction can’t I? I think so.
Therefore, we have this list. And this list could go on and on…not because I think we should be all about stuff, but because I want to save you from buying that hot dog toaster for your special someone. He really doesn’t need that. As a guy I have identified that I like a 70/30 ratio of useful and fun. Perhaps the men or boys in your life are different – maybe a 60/40 ratio of useful to fun – who knows…even a 90/10 is possible I suppose.
The point is this: You’ve got a week until Christmas. If you haven’t figured out what to get by now, the internet will still be friends with you and you still have a few days to get things just in the nick of time. Things like this:
A good jacket. Sometimes people buy certain types of clothes to keep up with fashion trends, and other times there are trends created because something just happens to be that good. I think these jackets are a bit of both. Wearing a North Face jacket is like walking around with a Starbucks cup in your hand, it gives you a false sense of superiority, but it also keeps you warm.
I like this one too:
This wouldn’t be for everyone, but for the car enthusiast – Gran Turismo 5 is a must. It’s a real driving simulator for the Playstation 3. There are nearly 1,100 cars in the game and it’s endless hours of fun. The only downside is that players who have invested serious hours into racing may find themselves trying to hit the proper apex driving line when they’re in real life on residential streets. I speak from experience.
Want to accessorize Gran Turismo 5 to the max?
You’ll need this:
It’s been said that a good knife is like a fine wine, “Whip it out during a dinner party and you can slice right through the dull conversation.” Actually I just made that up, but every guy needs a good knife. You can cut strings with it or those evil little zip ties that hold your kid’s toys in their packaging cages.
Gloves that aren’t gigantic puffy oven mitts! I want my hands to be warmer when I need to use them for activities such as; moving my fingers, driving, picking up small objects, holding grapefruit, etc.. How am I supposed to do anything when I have humongous hand pillows attached to my wrists? Mittens…don’t even get me started on mittens.
Apple TV. This would fall into the category of extremely useless/useful. For those of us who have abandoned cable and now use NetFlix, Hulu, iTunes, etc.. for our TV watching, Apple TV makes everything easier. I don’t own one of these, but friends do, and I want one. It will stream stuff from your computer to your TV and make it all pretty and stuff.
A titanium spork. This could possibly be the most useful item on the planet. Imagine what MacGuyver could have done with one of these babies.
What can’t you do with a dremel? You can sharpen your knife with it – you can sharpen your titanium spork with it! You can sand things, take paint off of things, cut holes in things, engrave things, and more. Rumor has it that Chuck Norris defeated an entire army of Zombie Ninjas using only a dremel.
With this item you can make fire happen. And prove that lighters are for sissies.
Speaking of fire…nothing goes with fire quite like cigars. If your man likes the occasional smoke and he doesn’t like his cigars getting all dried out and repulsive, get him a humidor. It’s one of the finest of man gifts.
Chef or not, being able to check accurate temperatures of almost anything with an infrared heat gun is just plain awesome. After he gets done pointing it at people’s foreheads he can find the hot spots on the grill.
I like smelling good for my woman. That is all.
Backpacks are the new briefcase. Didn’t you hear? No one wants to carry around some strange little suitcase with their laptop flopping back and fourth and crushing their crackers. But men can’t very well walk around with a SpongeBob SquarePaints backpack and be respected either – the solution is something classy. Like this:
Men have stuff too. Ladies have jewelry boxes and all sorts of little caboodles to hold their wares, but us guys are always losing everything we take out of our pockets. I need a valet to park my stuff in and it would be awfully nice if it could charge my digital stuff while it’s at it.
Or you can get one with fake grass in it:
Hopefully these ideas have helped you out. If you’re still not convinced and you’re unsure of what to get – there’s always the gift card, and those are always welcome. Happy gifting.
DUDE! You SO rock!!
I’m done with Christmas this year, but Father’s Day and Valentines are coming up fast!
THANKS!
{reply}
Hahaha Ryan the northface/starbucks blurb made me laugh out loud! Good thing I asked you what Turismo ment last time I saw you or I would have been so lost.
{reply}
Same as Cam…will definitely have to bookmark this for valentines and birthdays!! Thanks Ryan!!
{reply}
Ryan, this is priceless
Certain things on here make total sense!! When is Allison going to print the list of gifts for women? 
{reply}
This is a really good list! I know my husband would like a lot of this stuff. Thank you.
{reply}
Hey Ryan thanks for the ideas and the giggles. Wish you and your family a very merry and happy celebration.
{reply}
Ryan, this is Awesome! What a great idea and some great ideas! Henry always gives the “nothing” response and ends up with socks and underwear! I could get him one of each of your suggestions and he would love them all…even the Grass Charger! Thanks so much!!!
{reply}
You are heaven-sent for sure! I’ve never been able to figure out what gifts to give to the men in my life. Thank you!!!
{reply}
Awesome list! Thank you for the great ideas!
{reply}
I am not a dude, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my titanium Spork. It is by Snow Peak. As a long distance backpacker it is the greatest Christmas present I have ever received. Yes, I realize that makes me dork.
{reply}
Rob just got himself a hotdog toaster. True story.
{reply}
Allison says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 11:24 am
@Elaine, That is crazy. He must really like hot dogs.
{reply}
just purchased the first north face jacket on your list, thank you very much! Love all the good ideas. Good stuff! Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family Ryan. You are deeply blessed and talented. Thanks for sharing with us all the ups and downs this year. Here’s to a happy and healthy 2011 for both of us.
{reply}
Ryan, Any thoughts on the Apple TV v. the Roku? My husband mentioned a Roku and frankly, he might as well be speaking a different language when he gets into talking about this stuff. My eyes glaze over. It is total Man Talk.
{reply}
So for only $700 or so plus a jacket of indeterminate cost you could be a happy camper? I won’t be spending that much on my entire family. Can you say RECESSION????
One other thing: Holding grapefruit???
{reply}
Allison says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 11:39 am
@Bob in Georgia, Haha, truth is Ryan would be happy with any gift. He gets excited with just about anything. Even if I get him something that’s not exactly what he wanted, he would act like it was the best thing ever, and I think he actually talks himself into actually believing it. This post makes me feel a little guilty because we typically don’t exchange anything as a couple.
We won’t be spending that much on our entire family either. I’ve been watching the sales and actually made a spreadsheet this year so we could keep better track of what we were spending.
{reply}
I don’t know how anyone can survice without a Dremel. I’m not sure how civilization was even created without the Dremel. Best tool ever.
I think i am gonna ask for a titanium spork for my birthday. thanks for the idea.
{reply}
Nice one Ryan! Thanks for the giggles too. Very cool. I wish I could get my man the majority of these awesome items.
Anyway, glad you are posting, I love reading your posts. Hope the leg is better. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
{reply}
Unless it’s a custom made jock strap, me thinks these gifts would be really nice for GIRLS too.
{reply}
Seriously. Do you know how much my hubby would LOVE a titanium spork? I didn’t know they existed, so thank you for the post!
{reply}
A Titanium Spork. That is the most amazing thing I have ever seen on a wish list. I will have to remember that one for the next time I am man shopping.
{reply}
I wish there was an option to print this post. It’s exactly what I needed!!! Thank you, Ryan. My boys will love the Playstation 3 racing game and accessory! I really like the jackets and gloves too. Have a Merry Christmas!
{reply}
Great list, and really great writing! I loved to read this list. How often does someone say that?!
{reply}