When you start shopping for teenagers, your ultra-picky relatives, and kids who already have everything out there it gets a bit challenging to decide what to give these people. There is always the gift card option. I do that sometimes but I try to make those gift cards “mean” something too - show that I’ve really thought about what to do for the recipient. This week I’m going to try to share my skill of finding unique gifts for the men in my life with you.

Before you can buy unique gifts for someone you have to understand them - know what they are interested in, what makes them excited, what kinds of things they like and etc… really think about the person, observe them if possible and get to know them. If you are buying gifts for them they must be an important part of your life so do both of you a favor and develop that relationship.

For Guys start with these questions:

• Do they like sports
• Do they enjoy outdoor activities
• Are they readers
• Do they like to grill
• Do they have a hobby
• Are they a grandfather
• Do they like gadgets
• Do they enjoy keeping their house and yard looking nice
• Are they obsessed with their car or truck or motorcycle or boat….

If the answer to any of those is no simply move on to the next one, for every yes answer you have possible gift ideas. I don’t know anything about sports so I’ll skip that one but the next question about outdoor activities - almost all the men on my husbands side of the family like to hunt, fish and camp so if I don’t have any ideas I go to the local Cabelas and wander around looking at things within my price range. And I always check clearance out first. Teen boys who enjoy these things are easy - they probably need all of the “accessories” so there are lots of things to choose from. Men who already have their stuff are a bit harder so for the guys who enjoy “gadgets” I look for the stuff that is “New” on the market and see what I can get them or I can always get them a t-shirt with some hunting or fishing scene on it and that is something they wear, they enjoy and is easy to do.

Going through the rest of the list

• If they are a reader - what kind of books do they enjoy, who is their favorite author, is there anything new by their favorite author or is their a new author who is writing in the style that they enjoy reading?
• If they like to grill - do they have all the latest and greatest grill tools, do they need a new apron, how about a gift bag full of a variety of high-quality spices?
• If they have a hobby - support it! Do they like to do woodworking? Buy them a gift certificate to the place where they buy their supplies. If they have an old car buy them a gift certificate to a car parts place, do they love movies from the 1940’s? Buy them a movie. Do they get excited about photography? Buy them a book about it. Honestly you can find books about anything and coffee table books are always neat to look through and often show up in the bargain book section at Borders.
• Grandpas always like things with pictures of their grandchildren on it - how about the whole family going together and buying him a digital picture frame?
• Guys who love gadgets are easy… go look at any computer or office supply store, you’ll find things - lots of things!
• If they are obsessed with their house or yard you can get gift certificates to the local home improvement store. Same with the guy who is dedicated to keeping his car looking brand new - buy him gift certificates to the local car wash - he’ll appreciate it and use it.

Now it’s your turn - how do you find unique gifts for the guys in your life?

Posted: 08|27|08 at 8:43 am. Filed under: Money Saving Tips.
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