Choosing a Gift for Men

5 Rules to Make a Good Gift for Men

Buying gifts for the opposite sex is a tricky business. Ladies, does it ever seem like we go above and beyond and still miss the mark? Choosing the best gifts for the men in your life may seem daunting, but it’s possible to overcome the struggle and find the perfect present. Could it be that men and women view gifts differently?

Sometimes it seems like men and women are speaking different languages in terms of what they want. Most loved ones–husbands, boyfriends, fathers, and brothers– will appreciate your effort no matter what, but most of us really want to surprise and impress the recipients of our efforts. We spend time listening for clues about what he might want. We guess and second guess until frustration and time get the better of us.

One of the most common pitfalls for us as women is that we try to figure out what the men in our lives want based on what we value in a gift. There will arguably be some overlap between what men and women want in gifts, but there are also a lot of cultural and social norms tied to gender that affects the way gifts are given and received.

Why men don’t need surprises like women

When we think about giving gifts to men, we think about the presents from our perspective. Women are moved by a man’s intentions and efforts regardless of the gift. Men seem more interested in presents that demonstrate your understanding of their needs. They like practical gifts that contribute to their personal and professional life.

When you start to panic about getting the perfect gift, think about much of the gift-giving process is for him and how much of it is for you. It may make you happy to spend hours on a project, but if he isn’t interested, then the gift probably satisfies a need that you have, not his.

Instead of wasting time planning an elaborate surprise or spending months knitting him the ultimate sweater, think about what he really needs. Sure, he’ll appreciate your kindness, but he might not appreciate it the same way that you would appreciate it.

5 mental notes to choose the perfect gift for men

We tend to overcomplicate our gift-buying, but it is possible to come up with an ideal gift without going off the rails.

  1. Understand his needs first. Are there items that will help him enjoy his hobbies or perform better at work? Does he want to try to take his hobby in a new direction, and is there something that facilitates that shift?
  1. Don’t overthink it. Guys are pretty straightforward when it comes to what they want and need. They are probably not going to analyze your gifts in the same way that you deconstruct the meanings behind the things he gives to you. You don’t have to spend months making a collage of your life together (unless he has expressed that he really wants that). Sometimes less is more.
  2. Observe what they like to buy for themselves.[1] If your guy buys video games on a regular basis, then get him something related to gaming. When a man makes a financial investment in his hobbies, you can guarantee that he’ll appreciate a present related to them.
  3. Notice how they spend their time. Your guy may not be the type who likes to spend lots of money on a regular basis, but he has to spend his time somewhere. Whether he’s career-oriented, sporty, or into cars, he’ll probably wear his heart on his sleeve about his interests.[2]
  4. Figure out what they need. You know what piques his interest, and there are probably things that he needs to take those interests to the next level. If he likes something that you don’t know much about, you can do some basic research to learn more. You don’t have to get him something that is way beyond your level of understanding. You can make a safer buying choice and still cater to his needs.

For example, your boyfriend loves photography.  You knew that he would appreciate some camera gear because he spends his spare cash and limited free time on taking photos. So you thought about getting him a new lens, but they vary so much in price and functionality that you didn’t feel comfortable choosing one.

Instead of buying him a new lens, You should do a bit of research and found a nice tripod that would work with his camera. He will absolutely loved it. It enabled him to practice new photography techniques and make use of the other gear that he already had. It shouldn’t take tons of money or an inordinate amount of time and photography experience to get him a gift that he will truly enjoy.

Still at a loss? No worries! We have gift suggestions that cover most of the guys out there for you

Breaking out of a cycle of overthinking gifts can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be rocket science.