Gifts, the things one person freely gives to another. No payback, no compensation, just a free token of appreciation. A favor. A tribute. A way of saying thank you. For many people, hearing the word gift brings a sense of joy, warmth, gratitude. Others hear the word and they experience dread (or at least what feels like dread). Not because gifts are bad, but because they’ve been on the receiving end of a bad gift, or worse, they’ve given a bad gift.
Finding the perfect gift for people is a challenge. Some people have a knack for knowing what to buy. The rest of us don’t. Year after year, holiday after holiday, we experience that all too familiar angst. For people with BGGS, that’s short for bad-gift-giving-syndrome (not a real thing), gift-giving is an awful obligation we hope to be free of one day.
While kids are waiting on their presents from Santa Claus, there are adults fretting about what to buy. Parents attempt to figure out what to get kids, lovers try to figure out what to get their partners. And then there’s you, trying to figure out what to get him. Your husband, boyfriend, “just a friend.” Surely you can relate. As fate would have it, you’re with someone who doesn’t even know what they want.
Asking for suggestions won’t shed much light, so what do you do?
Give up and panic!
No, please don’t do that. There’s a solution to your dilemma, more than one solution actually. If you’re searching for the perfect gift for the man in your life, then consider these seven gift ideas for the guy who's impossible to buy for and put all those worries to rest.
Does your man like to stimulate his mind with a good ol’ book? There’s always something new going on sale either on Amazon or at the local bookstore. This gift requires knowing a bit about what piques his interest. Is it mystery, true crime, science fiction, horror?
Do a bit of research to see what’s trending (and why), and see if you approve of anything listed.
Buying him a new Bible is also a good choice, especially if his current edition is rough and tattered. Otherwise, if the Bible still looks good, then consider buying a book of daily devotionals.
Strengthening your relationship with one another means ensuring your connection to God is also solid. A godly man living out Scripture will always take you in the direction of God.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.” (Ephesians 5:25-26)
We can all be forgetful, including him, but there are ways around our forgetful nature. Creative inventions like the wooden docking station serve well for helping people stay organized. Depending on which one you buy, the docking station could be a place to store shades, a wallet, watch, car keys, and even plug up the phone to charge. The convenience is clear, as will his enjoyment after receiving this gift.
Does the man in your life like to cook? Is he culinary mastery? A man known for his literal fruits? If he spends a ton of time in the kitchen then the Flip Fork could be the perfect gift for the perfect chef, and also a good choice if you want him to cook more tasty meals.
The Flip Fork is designed to do plenty. As their website states, “Our patented design lets you flip, slice, tenderize, poke & open bottles all-in-one!”
With all that functionality, you’ll need fewer other tools. Less drawer space has to be used with this, but the result is still more deliciousness. What’s not to appreciate?
He spends enough time in the garage and out in the yard, sometimes fixing up the car. No one likes all the expense and time put into car maintenance. And surely he doesn’t like making a dozen trips to the mechanic every year to figure out what’s wrong with the vehicle.
Help him eliminate the hassle by getting FIXD. This device works the same way the mechanic would use a scanner at the shop. Plug in the device after the Check Engine light pops on and he’ll be able to get an error code himself. This is a faster and more convenient way to get information than relying on mechanics who are sometimes untrustworthy and inexperienced.
Being man of the house means wanting to provide the family with protection. The Ring Video Doorbell ensures a great sense of security and control. You’ll feel more safe, and that in turn will make him feel good too.
He can’t watch everywhere all the time, but Ring allows him to see much more, including when he’s not home. The video doorbell allows you to speak to the stranger at the door through the device. If you don’t feel comfortable answering the door and he's away, this allows him to still be there. They offer a number of other products too, including security cameras.
The Flip Fork might be something he can use in a kitchen, but taking the responsibility of cooking off of him for a night or a day would be a nice treat too. What does he like to eat? You can hit the kitchen and prepare his favorite meal. Better yet, you can stretch this gift from a day to all week.
Every man doesn’t want a gift to unwrap and keep somewhere in his room. Sometimes he wants a gift to eat and devour.
Actions speak louder than words? What about the action of writing words? Not every gift has to be bought. Sometimes you can use what’s already at home to come up with something incredibly thoughtful. With the stationery at home, you can compose a one-page or even multi-page letter for that special guy.
You can make the letter holiday-themed, recite what you appreciate about him, or write down some special memories. The choice is yours, and the thoughtfulness behind this will surely make him smile.
Photo credit: ©Click_and_Photo
Get in touch with him at aarondanthony.com and check out his debut short story anthology Honey Dreams on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.