Select a Gift for a Guy

Gift giving comes second nature to some people, but for others, it becomes a source of anxiety. Gender plays a big role in how people interact with one another, and gift-giving is no different. While men and women both like getting gifts, the approach you should take with guys may not be the same as you should take with women. If you find yourself stressing your brain for the best gift ideas but are coming up short, there are a few steps you can take to make the decision a lot easier.

Steps

Choosing A Gift He Wants

  1. Write down the hobbies or sports that he enjoys. If you are close to the guy, then you’ll already know what sports or hobbies he participates in. Determine what he likes the most, or something that he may not have all the equipment for and then think of gift ideas around it. It’s okay if your gift isn’t overly sentimental or meaningful. Some men prefer practical gifts.[1]
    • If he plays a sport, new equipment, a signed piece of memorabilia, or tickets to a game are perfect gifts. If you're younger, you could give him baseball cards or a new football.
    • If he’s into art or music, then art supplies or music equipment make for great gifts. You can even buy him a song on iTunes, or make a playlist if you are on a budget.
    • If he’s more of the gamer type, maybe getting him a new game or a new piece of hardware for his system or computer would be greatly appreciated.
    • Artists always need art supplies, so if he’s the artistic type, new brushes or paint would be great gifts.
    • Musicians are always in need of new gear, whether it be an extra strap for a guitar, cords for a DJ, or strings for a violinist.
  2. Talk to him about his interests. If you regularly talk to the guy that you’re getting a gift for, you can ask him in casual conversation for things that he wants. Some guys are more open and these guys will likely make their opinion known on things that they don’t have. However, in some friendships, candor can be limited, so make sure the conversation is organic so you don’t send mixed signals, or tip him off to your intentions.[2]
    • You can bring up something you plan on getting him and get his opinion on it without giving away the fact you plan on gifting it to him
    • Make a mental note of anything that he said he wishes he had in other conversations.
  3. Read blogs or magazines for the type of gift you plan on getting him. A good place to find good ideas for gifts are blogs, forums, and magazines. On blogs and forums, you’ll find people who are into the same interests as the guy you plan on getting the gift for. This will give you a heads up about the hottest new product or upcoming event.
    • You don’t need to create an account or post anything on the forums. Concentrate on reading up on what everyone wants or needs.
    • Bookmark any useful links you find along the way so you can come back to the product pages later.
  4. Narrow your potential gift ideas down to three. If you have too many gift ideas, you should narrow your selection. Think of what he would appreciate the most, what he would use the most, and what fits within your budget. Think of what kind of gifts would be appropriate for the situation, given your relationship to the guy. If he’s a close friend, family member, or significant other, you may want to have a bigger budget than if he was just a casual friend.
    • The items that are too expensive for your budget should be eliminated.
  5. Buy an accessory for the guy who has everything. If your guy is successful and it seems like he has everything, it may be difficult to think of something that he wants or needs because he can just get it himself. In these cases, you can buy an accessory for him that he thought he never needed but will come to enjoy. If he likes extravagant things like cars or fine wine, you can get him an accessory that doesn’t cost a lot, like a wine stopper or a custom stick shift. This is useful if you’re trying to save money or you’re limited on funds.
    • The guy who has everything is probably settled in how he operates every day. Don’t try to change his daily routine.
    • If you're younger, you can get him a new album or comic book. Think of something that just came out and that his parents haven't bought him yet.
  6. Do an activity together. Activity gifts are great because the gift involves spending time with the person too! You can go zip-lining, go rock climbing, go to the beach, take a hike, explore a cave, or do whatever else is close to where you live. Make sure to stay safe, and follow any guidelines that are set at the activity. If you are a younger person and can't afford an activity gift, ask your parents and see if they can help you with it.
    • If you're younger, then a trip to the arcade or cyber cafe is a great gift to give a friend. Just make sure that you ask your parents.
    • If you have it in your budget, then surprising him with a trip is an amazing gift.

Choosing A Gift He Needs

  1. Survey his room or apartment and see what’s missing. Some guys don’t mind not having the nicest things, some don’t care about the necessities, and others may not have the money to buy everything they need. This might be a new pair of shoes because his old ones have holes, or a new cellphone because his screen is cracked.
    • Getting a gift that he needs might not have the same “wow” factor as buying something he wants, but it’s likely to get a lot of use.
    • If his apartment needs repairs, some tools or a toolbox is a great gift.
  2. Talk to his close friends or family for gift ideas. Even if the guy doesn’t admit that he needs anything, his friends or family might be more realistic. People who are personally close to the guy, especially those living with him, will have a good idea for things that he needs.[3]
    • Asking people the guy lives with will also prevent you from buying something he already has.
  3. Ask him if he needs or wishes that he had something. Talking with your guy will give you good insight into what he needs. Try to not be too forward when you ask him what he needs so he won’t be offended. Instead, listen when you talk to him, and ask him questions to discover if he’s missing anything.
    • Some guys are more open than others. If you really can’t figure it out by talking to him, you may be able to be more direct and just ask him if he needs anything for his apartment or house.
  4. Compare prices for your potential gift ideas. Many people have a limited budget when it comes to buying gifts for friends. Because of this, it’s always good to compare prices online and in department stores. Try to always go for the highest quality item, for whatever you are trying to get, so the guy will be impressed. If this isn’t in your budget then you should choose another gift.
    • Sometimes you’ll find the perfect gift in a place you wouldn’t expect like an outdoor market.
    • Getting the best price for the item will not only save you money, but will ensure you can upgrade to the best quality gift.
  5. Buy him a gift card. If all else fails and you're not sure what to get, you can always get him a gift card. Think of what he likes to do and where he usually shops, and aim for a gift card from that store. Determine how close you are with him, how much you have to spend, and how useful the money will be towards a purchase. If you are just acquaintances a $20 or $25 gift card is an appropriate amount. If it's a family member, you most likely want to spend more if it's in your budget.
    • If he likes working with his hands, then getting a gift card from a hardware store would be a great option.
    • Gamers or computer nerds are easy to shop for. Get them a gift card to a gaming or electronics store.
    • If you're not sure what he likes, you can always buy him a general gift card that can be used at most locations that accept credit cards.

Making Him Something

  1. Think of something to make that would be meaningful to him. Try to think of a personal moment that the two of you shared and make your gift be related to that. Think of what your talents are, and try to create something that uses your strengths. Don’t worry if you’re not the greatest artist. The quality of the art matters less than the significance that the gift holds for him.
    • If you are not artistic, a photo collage is personal and easy to create.
    • If you're younger, you can use an extra white shirt and create designs on it with marker, or dye it. Think of creative things you can do with extra clothes to make an awesome gift for them.
    • You could make him a painting, compose a song for him, or create an installation art piece.
    • Read Make Handmade Gifts for more handmade gift ideas.
  2. Make a list of things that you need to complete your project. If you go to the store and buy supplies, you don’t want to waste time going back because you forgot something. Creating a complete list of all the materials you need for your gift will prevent you from giving the guy the gift late, or worse yet, scrapping the project mid way through.
    • Remember, if you need photos developed, they may take a day, so be sure to plan out your gift according to your time restraints.
    • It’s better to have leftover art supplies than to run out in the middle of creating it.
  3. Buy the materials you need online or at an arts and crafts store. Once you have your idea, you need the supplies required to create it. Go to your local arts and crafts store, or an online marketplace to buy what you need.
    • Going to the art store and then comparing prices on your phone is a great way to save money.
    • If you buy supplies online, make sure to factor in the time it takes for it to ship.
  4. Create your gift. Take your time and create the gift that you had in mind for him. Remember, the more time and effort you spend will pay off with the final product, so don’t skip any corners or try to rush it to completion. Once you are done, store it away in a place where he won’t find it.
    • Don’t be scared of the gift not being perfect. What matters is the time and meaning you put behind the gift, not its artistic merit.
    • If you mess up, don’t be afraid to go back and start over.

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Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.acrwebsite.org/volumes/gender/v01/SD%20Gender%20Conference%202%20-%20The%20Relationship%20of%20Gender%20to%20Gift%20Giving%20Attitudes.pdf
  2. ↑ http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03637758309390150
  3. ↑ http://gpi.sagepub.com/content/7/4/398.short
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