Stay away from power tools as "guy gifts"
by Jonathon Morgan (Subscribe to Jonathon Morgan's posts), Posted Nov 27th 2007 at 3:31PM
Every Christmas I have no idea what to get my girlfriend, sister, and mother. I'm fairly confident I could wander through the aisles of my local Mega Box Store and, without putting much thought into it, find something my dad or brother would die for -- because if I think it's awesome, chances are they will too.
But the women in my life are always giving each other candles, gift baskets, and other kitsch I'd never think to purchase -- is this what they want from me?
I imagine you ladies are faced with a similar conundrum when it comes to buying gifts for your brother, boyfriend, father, etc. Just because he's a man, does that mean he needs a power tool for Christmas?
Obviously, the answer is no. Rather than fall back on something stereotypical, pick out something he'll use, but probably wouldn't bother to buy for himself -- like a wallet, some nice looking luggage, etc. You know his taste, and (chances are) you have a better eye for what's fashionable, so you'll be able to pick out a stylish item or two that won't end up at Goodwill. Check out this post on Fabsugar for a few idea to get you started.
alison tyler 11-29-2007 @ 8:22PM
Oh, I have the perfect gift: "Naughty or Nice," a collection of holiday erotica, which I edited. But I'm not the only one who likes it! Playboy.com said it was the perfect gift, too!
XXX,
Alison
http://gotnaughty.blogspot.com
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daisy 11-29-2007 @ 8:22PM
Men are easy to shop for. ELECTRONICS! They love gadgets..the smaller, shinier and newer to the market the better.
I shop online and can wear my pj's, not use gas and a lot of times not pay taxes! I buy most of my stuff at an online shopping
mall that gives me between 5-55% back in cash on all my purchases.
There are over 1000 stores including Best Buy ( there is so much guy stiff there) Sephora, Apple, The Gap, Target (great for soo much), Macy's. I also wait for sales so I get my cash back and the lowest price
http://www.dailyoink.com The site is ugly, but well worth it.
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Monday Morning 11-29-2007 @ 8:26PM
If you're man is into words, try Words of a Feather! (My dad wrote the book, so I'm a bit biased, but everyone I've given it to has said, "This would be the perfect book for my dad!)
—Annalisa
http://www.wordsofafeather.net
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Monday Morning 11-29-2007 @ 8:30PM
Sorry! I meant "your" not "you're." I got too excited while typing!
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mythosphere13x 11-29-2007 @ 11:18PM
Look - Mr. Morgan - you need a swift lesson in tact.
Some of us cannot afford to shop anywhere else BUT GoodWill.
Let me EDUCATE you, Mr. Morgan. The shirt I am wearing is Liz Claiborne (paid $4.99 for it!). The shoes I wear are Doc Martens (paid $4.99 for it!). The air purifier in my living room is a Sharper Image Ionic Breeze Quadra Pro model [the one that kills viruses & bacteria and costs over $500 retail]... (paid $4.99 for it because bourgeouis arrogant jerk like yourself probably didn't read the instructions on how to clean the thing) & the gorgeous stained glass lamp on my desk I paid only $14.99.
ALL OF THESE ITEMS I BOUGHT AT GOODWILL and I HAVE A LARGER LIST IF YOU WANT IT.
You sound like a JERK to make that comment about GoodWill, Mr. Morgan.
GoodWill provides jobs AND fantastic items for the less fortunate. You should be ashamed of yourself!
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mythosphere13x 11-29-2007 @ 11:22PM
RE: Monday Morning:
You're is a contraction of 'you are.' You were correct the first time.
Sincerely,
a former English tutor
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Glen 11-29-2007 @ 11:33PM
While I agree with Daisy's comments (Yes, electronic gadgets are pretty sweet!) I have to say to anyone shopping for me... disregard this article!! Go ahead and buy me the power tools! What does this Jonathon guy know?!? Has he ever even tried to listen to the beautiful song of a 5hp table saw biting through a piece of 3/4" maple plywood? I think not! Has he ever felt the power of an 8.5 amp belt sander bring a finished home project to a beautiful smooth texture? Perish the thought! Has he ever used a 40" wood lathe to turn a log into a true work of art? Hell, Jon would probably wet himself upon SEEING a lathe.
So bring on the power tools!
Wait... I take that back. They don't have to be "power" tools. sometimes even us gadget hungry sawdust monkeys like to "Kick-it Old School"!
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K 11-30-2007 @ 12:40AM
"If you're man is into words..." is not correct former English tutor. She was right to correct it to "your."
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weevet 11-30-2007 @ 12:33AM
Dear English Tutor,,
In that context,, she meant 'your'..as an adjective..modifying the noun man
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Candi 11-30-2007 @ 9:18AM
Dear English tutor....
If you read what Monday Morning has wrote over again, she is saying 'If your man is into words, try Words of a Feather!' Soooooo Monday Morning was correct on her correction. Otherwise I believe she would have said 'If you are A man THAT is into words....'
Thank You
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Jeff 11-30-2007 @ 1:41AM
OK, shop at PowerMall.com if you choose (referring to daisy's comment above...www.dailyoink.com) but be forewarned...don't get suckered into the 'incentive income program'. It's just yet another twist of the common multi-level marketing scam.
You'd do better just to vest a little time Googling what you're looking for online and buying directly at the best priced retailer's sites and price shopping.
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elkkid 11-30-2007 @ 1:54AM
Annalisa, Your father's book DOES look like a good gift for a few "writer" types I know (male and female). I'll probably buy a few copies -- thanks!
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kitty 11-30-2007 @ 2:08AM
Wow! Man email at this site is so intellecual and about corrections. I've learned alot!!! Women's email on these sites is diversified and to the grind. This male email is thought provoking!!! A bit petty and he-hoe but ok. The dudes who said power tools are ok give us ladies-lous a good idea. We could use a good clue guys! The English tutor leave us alone we like mishaps!!! Lighten up...let the English stuff flow.
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Kareltje 11-30-2007 @ 3:37AM
There is no way my wife can get away with buying me a gadget or power tool. She would buy it because it has a nice color or because the nice sales man said it was the best one. Ok I admit I am very very nit picky and research all options to death before I actually pull out my wallet, but anything else I will not use.
She can buy me clothes because that she knows better then me, but even there praticallity trumps looks (for me).
Now the problem is mutual. There is no way I can buy anything for my wife unless it is a gadget that she wants. But then still she cares way more about looks then anything else, while I don't. Case in point I bought her a Sony MP3 player, which has all the right functionality, is very sturdy and small, in other words perfect in my eyes. She however really wants an iPod, which is bigger, fragile, has less features, is more expensive and locks you in a proprietary iTunes store/music, which is a horrible deal in my eyes, but still she prefers it because of the status symbol.
Anyway we have decided that we are not buying each other gifts for Xmas, we just buy stuff for the kids and family. That saves us money, is much better for the environment and prevents us from having to fake 'being happy' with a wrong gift (only too bad for Goodwill).
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fred phillips 11-30-2007 @ 6:23AM
Personally I'd be able to use a reliable book dealing with how different cultures implement their attitudes toward social stereotypes for persecution, the question being Áre men the new witches?''
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