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It’s here. Zero hour. Your procrastination has finally caught up with you. We are mere days away from the Grandaddy of all Gift-Giving Holidays – Christmas – and you’ve got bupkus, squat, zilch! For this very reason, dads wind up getting stinky, outdated drugstore cologne; girlfriends and moms get lousy perfume and crappy mall jewelry. And while we know that “it's the thought that counts” and anything you give will pass as, well, acceptable, wouldn’t it be nice to wow someone special by your gift? Be Better Guys has pulled together some gift shopping tips, just to provide a few thoughts to remember next time you’re faced with the dreaded “holiday shopping gauntlet” (10 gifts in 2 hours before the stores close at midnight).
 It’s here. Zero hour. Your procrastination has finally caught up with you. We are all mere days away from the Grandaddy of all Gift Giving Holidays –Christmas – and you’ve got bupkus, squat, zilch. For this very reason, dads wind up with stinky, outdated drugstore cologne; girlfriends and moms get lousy perfume and crappy mall jewelry. And while we know that “it's the thought that counts” and anything you give will pass as, well, acceptable, wouldn’t it be nice to wow someone special with your gift? Be Better Guys has pulled together a quick guide to gift giving, just to provide a few tips to remember the next time you’re faced with the dreaded “holiday shopping gauntlet” (10 gifts in 2 hours before the stores close at midnight).The problem with gift giving is that what makes for a good gift is entirely dependent on the individual to whom your giving (obvious, we know) but nevertheless, "experts" still publish the arbitrary holiday list of hot must-have gift ideas that your Mom/wife/girlfriend/friend with benefits will just adore. The prices are out of your reach, the suggestions aren't your taste and don't seem like must-haves to you, and it seems like whomever concocts these lists doesn't even know you, which, of course, they don't. Remember, choosing a gift is the time to show that you actually know the person, not an opportunity for you to exert your taste on someone else. But time’s tight so you need to act. We’re doing away with the arbitrary hot gift list this year, seeing as what we think is hot might not appeal to your Uncle Rip. However, if you absolutely, positively have to have a list of stuff to scoop up some ideas, check out our other suggestions just in case this article doesn’t answer your questions. Here are our Be Better Guys tips for gift buying, good all year 'round.
- It’s Not Your Gift: “Of course, it’s not” you say. Then why do us guys buy expensive lingerie for our women who never wear anything but cotton panties and one of our own shirts to sleep in? Or decide that our mothers need a cute small Coach or Prada purse, when she really carries a swag big enough to hold a small panda? Our egos float above the whole process like the Snoopy balloon at the Thanksgiving Parade because we want to stand back, chest puffed out, and proudly exclaim, “I got you this awesome (and probably expensive) thing!!” Deflate your ego and remember the gift is for the receiver, not for you,
- Know Your Audience: This is a direct corollary to the previous tip. We get lazy, start thinking, “All women/girls/chicks/FWBs,” which is usually another way of saying to the recipient, “I didn’t take the time to consider your tastes and get you something you might actually like.” Gifts should reflect how you feel about someone and how well you know what he or she likes. She plays golf, buy her a new putter. She enjoys cooking, get her cooking classes or a new set of chef knives. You may have to perform some covert operations to nail the gift, but channel your inner Bond and do the necessary spywork to make sure you deliver what she truly likes. Talking to her best friend is always a good start.
- An Appliance Isn’t a Gift. It’s a Chore Waiting to be Assigned: Don’t give appliances, tools, or anything too everyday-practical as a gift. Show up with a washer/dryer for Christmas and you might have to call Tyrone and ask him for a couch to cuddle up on. Now, some people will appreciate the practical gift, like my father-in-law, but the vast majority of folks won’t, as my mother-in-law did when she was given a broom and dustpan (see below). The best gifts have a touch of frivolity to them: art work from a favorite local artist, hard-to-get tickets for a concert or a unique piece of jewelry.
- Gift Cards Are the Gift of Last Resort: So you have the “hard to shop for” person staring you in the face. Someone like my mother, who will not accept a gift from me, but will then turn around and buy the very thing I was about to give her. Or Auntie Rae, who’s a needlepoint fanatic and I couldn't choose a pattern or pick thread she likes, even if a night with Heidi Klum was riding on it. Then, and only then, might a gift card be appropriate. Find out the pain-in-the. . . I mean, the person's favorite shop, pastime, or restaurant and get him or her a gift card from that place so that they can spoil themselves with your money. Yes, you should 'wrap' the card in something, like a Hallmark card.
- Embrace the Experience: Some people like things, some people like experiences. Knowing which type of person you’re buying for makes a huge difference and will save you time schlepping around the mall. He really enjoyed the Chili Peppers concert, get him guitar lessons so he can learn to play the songs himself. Your girl had a fantastic time on a trip with you last year? Surprise her with return trip for a weekend getaway. The memory will last long after the occassion has passed.
Our advice works regardless of budget, regardless of holiday. Swinging for the fences and missing means that someone will be in the back of a long, frosty line on December 26 th returning the fondue set you bought because you thought you heard that your Dad had a good time at the Melting Pot.Good luck and Happy Holidays.
This is Why Household Appliances are a Bad Idea
My father-in-law once gave my mother-in-law a broom and dust pan for Valentine’s Day. They were red–you know, for the occasion. She mentioned that she needed new ones, and him being the practical guy that he is, got them for her. I’m sure he thought this was romantic. Needless to say, this didn’t sit very well with her and she told him. Properly chastised, my father-in-law showed up later that evening with a more appropriate gift.
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