Men are notoriously hard to buy for. Not any more! No matter what he's into we've found the perfect gifts for men he most definitely won't be donating to Oxfam!
It's no urban myth that we tend to dread looking for that perfect present for the men in our lives, so we've put together our handy guide to the dos and don'ts to bear in mind when buying gifts for men.
Gifts For Men Dos:
Do try and give him something he wouldn't buy himself
When buying gifts for men experience gifts, or luxurious treats that he might not fork out for himself are always a good idea. Let's face it, it'll hardly be on top of his list to run out and book helicopter flying lessons for himself!.
Do opt for the classic gift option
His favourite book or album in a specialised format (an anniversary edition or vinyl) always make a great gift for him, and he'll appreciate that you put thought and care in giving him something he'll always remember.
Do remember that its okay to play it safe
If you know that he'll love something, don't be afraid to play it safe. If he loves sport, buy him a gift of tickets to see his favourite team; if he's a movie buff get him that box set he keeps meaning to get. Even you're not exactly filled with joy at the thought of spending all day in a field/ watching re-runs of Top Gear, he'll love it so your job is done.
Do keep it simple
We don't mean simple as in buying him a pair of socks- more that you don't have to spend hours making a handmade birthday card to show you care. It's the thought that counts and if you stick to what you know he'll like (you'll most likely have an in depth knowledge of this) chances are he'll be very happy.
Do stay away from gifts for him that you think might be a bad idea
Chances are, your instinct's will be spot on.
Gifts for Men Don'ts:
Don't give him anything with an obvious monetary value
Never, ever give cash!. Not only is it supremely impersonal, it shows a distinct lack of imagination. Plus do you really want him to know the exact monetary worth that you put on him?.
Don't give him anything his Mother would buy him (unless you are his mother!)
For obvious reasons!
Don't get him something you wish he would wear/use
In other words, don't buy him a gift that you think might encourage him to change. It may seem like a bright idea, but there's a good chance it could backfire and you don't want to get a bad rep for what we're sure are your super gift buying skills. The best gifts for him are gifts that he (rather than you!) likes.
Don't over think it
If you're feeling super stressed about it, trust your instincts and go with what you know he'll enjoy. Choosing a gift for him should be a pleasure, not a chore.
A collection of the music of the most successful folk-rock duo of the 60s, this Simon & Garfunkel box set will make the perfect gift for any crooner as a nostalgic soundtrack...
Price: £12.99 From Amazon
Bruce Springsteen's answer to the unforseen stardom that 1975's Born To Run brought; the pulsating and defiant Darkness On The Edge of Town is loaded with working man's tales of...
Price: £73.97 From Amazon
With an awesome output capacity of 85 decibels, this portable wireless speaker in black diamond is quite extraordinary for it’s compact size. Delivering crystal clear hi-fi...
Price: £117.61 From Amazon
The perfect gift for the vinyl fan in your life, this funky vintage-style clock is designed to look like an old vinyl record. Featuring white hands against black, it's always easy...
Price: €34.50 (approx. £29.52) From The Homebarn
Directed by Martin Scorsese, 'No Direction Home' is one of the most exquisite music documentaries ever made. It features in-depth interviews and footage, documenting Bob Dylan's...
Price: £6.49 From Amazon
Whether you're whipping a crowd into a frenzy like Elvis, or barking at your audience like Dave Grohl, you will be sure to captivate with this Dangleberry Microphone. This dynamic...
Price: £39.99 From Amazon
These virtually indestructible drumsticks use clever technology and a built-in vibration reduction system to reduce hand fatigue and let you play longer, harder and faster. Drum...
Price: £29.09 From Amazon
From the British brand of ampllifiers that counts Weezer, Black Sabbath and Noel Gallagher as loyal fans; the Orange Micro Crush makes rocking out marvellous on a mini scale. With...
Price: £31.99 From Amazon
If you ever had to fight for your right to party, then you'll seriously dig this. Even if you had better things to do than attempt to breakdance you'll still appreciate this...
Price: Was £17.01 Now £15.99 From I Want One Of Those
Rhythmic fun for wannabe rock stars and budding musicians, they can 'do a Keith Moon' without torturing the neighbours with these über cool electronic drums. A 5 piece drum...
Price: £419.95 From Amazon
Taking the title from his own pre-Led Zeppelin psychedelic blues outfit, Band of Joy, Robert Plant returns with an eclectic follow-up to 2007's critically acclaimed bluegrass...
Price: £6.99 From Amazon
Cementing their place as Talking Heads' rightful successors, LCD Soundsystem's third release (rumoured to be their last) is awash with addictive beat-driven electro tunes and some...
Price: £5.21 From Amazon
A wonderfully confident combination of punk, ska, reggae and rockabilly; much of The Clash's third album, London Calling is a social commentary on Britain in the late 70s. Tackling...
Price: £30.66 From Amazon
Jay-Z aka Sean Carter aka Mr. Beyoncé, has packed quite a bit of record breaking success in to the 14 short years that he's held household name status. Aside from launching...
Price: £5.99 From Amazon
Often hailed as the best live album ever recorded, Thin Lizzy's Live and Dangerous is one of the few live records that really conveys the spirit of the moment it captured. The...
Price: £11.99 From Play.com
It's a genuine case of style and substance with these superb quality retro headphones from Panasonic. A great gift for a guy who likes his tunes to travel loud.
Price: £55.00 From Urban OutfittersMen may be notoriously difficult to shop for, but our guide to special gifts for men makes it easy.
Read more