NationStates Jolt Archive

I desperately need some gift-giving advice. I couldn't think of anything to get my boyfriend (of two years) for Christmas this year. So I bought him a bunch of clothes, and my mom bought him a toy thing he will like. I have already given him a bunch of his gifts from me, and the other night our conversation went something like this:

Me - "I still have two more things to give you."
Him - "Its not more clothes is it?"
Me - "..."
Him - "..."
Me - "I am going to return the stuff I got you and get you something else."

He likes "toys." By which he means electronic stuff, or camping stuff. Not clothes. I really can not think of any good ideas (well, I have good ideas, just not any affordable ones).

Please give me some ideas if you can. Thanks.

It would be a lot easier if you told us your budget.

I'm 28. Anything electronic that we can ditch the manual and try to figure it out ourselves. The effort alone is a joy, trust me.

I know something else he might want. fluffle

By something that would keep him out of your hair while you do things.
that is what my girlfriend does. It works great. ;)

Just being with you should be all the present he requires!

:D

I desperately need some gift-giving advice. I couldn't think of anything to get my boyfriend (of two years) for Christmas this year. So I bought him a bunch of clothes, and my mom bought him a toy thing he will like. I have already given him a bunch of his gifts from me, and the other night our conversation went something like this:

Me - "I still have two more things to give you."
Him - "Its not more clothes is it?"
Me - "..."
Him - "..."
Me - "I am going to return the stuff I got you and get you something else."

He likes "toys." By which he means electronic stuff, or camping stuff. Not clothes. I really can not think of any good ideas (well, I have good ideas, just not any affordable ones).

Please give me some ideas if you can. Thanks.
My sons, who are just a bit older than your b/friend, are majorly into Halo 2, an X-Box game? Does he have an X-Box, or one of the others?

go into a camping store..,., threy have lo6ts of overpriced gift ideas...

Yeah...video games aren't dorky...all guys love em! You could on the other hand get yourself some clothes or other pieces of attire that he will...ahem...appreciate...

get him a bottle of Jameson

My sons, who are just a bit older than your b/friend, are majorly into Halo 2, an X-Box game? Does he have an X-Box, or one of the others?
Good idea! If he has an X-Box,and is into that kind of stuff, then I recomend this.

That new little Nintendo 64 thing looks cool. If you can find that, he'll likey.

That new little Nintendo 64 thing looks cool. If you can find that, he'll likey.

What year are you living in? 1995...lol?

He bought Halo-2 the day it came out...and beat the game the next day. So that is a no go.

My budget...less than $100. If I went OVER $100 it would have to be something for us to share (like a camcorder, heehee).

Or, you could give a gift certificate to a clothes store. :p

That new little Nintendo 64 thing looks cool. If you can find that, he'll likey.

Street Fighter 2 kicked ass, especially Chun-Li

I can't believe I remember that name...

He bought Halo-2 the day it came out...and beat the game the next day. So that is a no go.

My budget...less than $100. If I went OVER $100 it would have to be something for us to share (like a camcorder, heehee).
Why don't you buy him a gift certificate at some electronic store then? I know buying them usually feels lame but most guys won't care. That way he can buy what he wants even if he doesn't know.

If I went OVER $100 it would have to be something for us to share (like a camcorder, heehee).

Well that just opens your options up greatly. Read my first post about you buying yourself some...interesting attire...that he will undoubtedly enjoy...or other things of that nature.

Personally I think he's a bitch for not just being greatful for his presents.

Why don't you buy him a gift certificate at some electronic store then? I know buying them usually feels lame but most guys won't care. That way he can buy what he wants even if he doesn't know.
No no, buy him a gift certificate to a clothes store

Why don't you buy him a gift certificate at some electronic store then? I know buying them usually feels lame but most guys won't care. That way he can buy what he wants even if he doesn't know.

Gift certificates and cash are my two favorite gifts.

Why don't you buy him a gift certificate at some electronic store then? I know buying them usually feels lame but most guys won't care. That way he can buy what he wants even if he doesn't know.
He's hit it on the head. I could only hope to be so lucky as to get a Best Buy or Circuit City gift card... in fact, I like the idea so much I can't stand up right now without embarrasment.

I just turned 26 so I know this same game.

NEVER buy a man clothes. The "other" women--mother, grandmother, sister, friends, etc--will buy us all the clothes we already don't need. And just by observation of friends my whole life, being guys, we tend to wear the same things over and over again, and more so as time goes by because it "fits" better. We look at clothes from our girlfriend like we look at a possible night curled up with a bag of burnt popcorn and a Lifetime marathon of bad movies.

Video games are good. But you have to understand that with a video game comes a price. You have to let us play them. We don't just get them so they can sit there. No, we have to play them. And by playing them, that means we have to sometimes divert our attention away from our girlfriends. Not always, but sometimes.

Books can be good too if your man is into that. Not every guy is. A good majority of our species are the type to only want to look at pictures, if you know what I mean. But if he does like to read, the obvious possibilites for books could be Max Barry, Chuck Palahniuk, Nick Hornby, and so on.

CD's and DVD's are always good things too. Most women I know collect shoes, and dresses, and sets of underware and bras. Most guys I know have more DVD's and CD's than they do pairs of socks.

We do like gadgets, and toys, and things that we can open and get that rush we used to get during childhood, opening up GI Joes, baseball cards, or Garbage Pail Kids, or something.

Shirts, pants, shoes, etc., that type of stuff is just kind of...blah. It's like someone else is forcing what they liked on us and expecting us to like it. Although you still stand the risk of that if you were to buy a DVD, say A Walk in the Clouds, the risk is diminished a great deal.

Gift cards always work too. Impersonal, perhaps. But that way we can get what we want. Also, if you go with him when he spends it, you can see what his interests are.

Didn't mean to make it seem complicated. Really, we're quite easy to buy for at this age. Did I mention, no clothes? Shy away from that and you should be just fine.

I don't really want to get him a gift certificate. I like buying him something, and knowing that he enjoys it. I am going to go shopping this weekend...and I know i am going to hit up Spencer Gifts for maybe a "naughty" present. But I need at least one "cool, manly thing."

Okay, he has an Xbox, go and Buy him Prince of Persia - Warrior within :)

its a good game..if he's into that kind of thing:

http://www.princeofpersiagame.com

a LEATHER THONG!

I guess I KNEW clothes was a lame move. But his mom and his sister don't know what he NEEDED (like a new belt, etc). And his mom always used to bitch about his ex-wife never buying him the clothes he needed...soo...yeah. Ok, dumb. Last year I got him a flask engraved with his last name, some cologne, and a nice wallet, and a video game. This year...I just feel stuck.

Okay, he has an Xbox, go and Buy him Prince of Persia - Warrior within :)

its a good game..if he's into that kind of thing:

http://www.princeofpersiagame.com
I was just about to mention that. I don't know this guys personal taste in vidya games but Prince of Persia can be liked by everyone.

I guess I KNEW clothes was a lame move. But his mom and his sister don't know what he NEEDED (like a new belt, etc). And his mom always used to bitch about his ex-wife never buying him the clothes he needed...soo...yeah. Ok, dumb. Last year I got him a flask engraved with his last name, some cologne, and a nice wallet, and a video game. This year...I just feel stuck.

Yeah. The problem is that men don't want what we need. We want cool toys that do stuff.

I'm tellin' you guys! A leather thong! He'll love it!

I guess I KNEW clothes was a lame move. But his mom and his sister don't know what he NEEDED (like a new belt, etc). And his mom always used to bitch about his ex-wife never buying him the clothes he needed...soo...yeah. Ok, dumb. Last year I got him a flask engraved with his last name, some cologne, and a nice wallet, and a video game. This year...I just feel stuck.

Is he a sport's fan? Football, Baseball, etc. I noticed that you live in Min. Vikings? Twins?

get the guy bottle of jager and a hummer.
he'll look forward to xmas for the rest of the year

I'm tellin' you guys! A leather thong! He'll love it!

Have you ever worn a leather thong? Leather isn't exactly a comfortable material outside of jackets. No leather thong experience here...the pants were more than enough on halloween.

My man (28) has this and plays it all the time: http://www.capcom.com/SB/

Sure, it's expensive, but worth it if he's into video games! Another idea would be to buy him a DVD boxset of his favorite TV show.

get the guy bottle of jager and a hummer.
he'll look forward to xmas for the rest of the year

This also isn't a bad idea. Give my man some fine Italian wine and a HUGE bar of chocolate (dark, of course) and he is good to go!

Ok...so I made a note of the video games that have been mentioned...will look for them this weekend. Liquor, lingerie, and sex are of course, doable options.

He does enjoy his rum...maybe I could get him some really nice expensive stuff he would never buy for himself...

What type of sports does he like?
Maybe a fishing rod. Reserve a day trip on a party boat?
A Jersey from his favorite team? Signed paraphernalia, baseball mitt, hockey puck?

Hope this helps.

Still ... being of the male persuasion, I humbly submit that you seriously consider the weekend of unmitigated Viagra drenched debauchery option.

Merry Xmas & Njoy...

Can't say I've ever worn a leather thong, but it is nice when girls go out of their way to wear nice things like that. However, we especially like stuff like that on days we're not expecting it, i.e., not Holidays. I guess it probably because we just assume that we should naturally get some on holidays.

But another thing that has always gone over well with me, and strangely enough my girlfriend and I did it for each other last Christmas was that we made each other "coupons." Neither or us knew we were going to do this, but it ended up working out good. There were basic ones like who gets to pick the movie, or where you are going to eat (because those situations can inevitably lead to stupid arguements), but also more risque ones for those nights, well, when you just need one of those nights.

But for what you said, about his mother complaining about his ex never getting him what he needed, like someone else said, we don't want the things we need. We just want the things we want.

Get him a cat. ;)

Do you know what Josh calls him? Grandma-Man.

Is he a sport's fan? Football, Baseball, etc. I noticed that you live in Min. Vikings? Twins?

Since it was on the bottom of the page

Get him a cat. ;)

Do you know what Josh calls him? Grandma-Man.


So allergic its not even funny

One more thing about the expensive rum...that should be a no go. Though we do enjoy a better tasting drink, college has accustomed us to accept the nasty stuff, and we are quite ok with drinking stuff that gets the job done, and using the rest of the money on extra stuff. Even though you'd be buying him it, he still might be thinking that way.

He isn't really that into sports...he plays basketball, but he doesn't particularly follow any teams

One more thing about the expensive rum...that should be a no go. Though we do enjoy a better tasting drink, college has accustomed us to accept the nasty stuff, and we are quite ok with drinking stuff that gets the job done, and using the rest of the money on extra stuff. Even though you'd be buying him it, he still might be thinking that way.


Thats true. Maybe I will just buy stuff for an "Irish Car Bomb Kit." Maybe.

One more thing about the expensive rum...that should be a no go. Though we do enjoy a better tasting drink, college has accustomed us to accept the nasty stuff, and we are quite ok with drinking stuff that gets the job done, and using the rest of the money on extra stuff. Even though you'd be buying him it, he still might be thinking that way.

Accepting and liking are two different things. I still go for grey goose any time it's around...regardless of how many shitty beers I down at parties.

So allergic its not even funny

Why are people allergic to us? :(

Do you know what Josh calls him? Grandma-Man.

Well of course Smirnoff tastes better than White Tavern. But when you can buy three White Taverns for the price of one Smirnoff, it's a no brainer. And thinking about the age, that line of thinking I think is still pretty much in tact. I know it is with me, even though it really shouldn't be anymore.

Thats true. Maybe I will just buy stuff for an "Irish Car Bomb Kit." Maybe.
I would marry a woman who bought me that!

I would marry a woman who bought me that!

If you do decide on the more expensive route, guys do love a nice Jaggerbomb.

Well of course Smirnoff tastes better than White Tavern. But when you can buy three White Taverns for the price of one Smirnoff, it's a no brainer. And thinking about the age, that line of thinking I think is still pretty much in tact. I know it is with me, even though it really shouldn't be anymore.
I love the expensive stuff. I just don't want to get drunk off of it because it costs too much. For sitting around the fire though with a good book or plesant conversation, a bottle of Barbencourt is the way to go.

I would marry a woman who bought me that!


Hooray!! I think i have a winner! I just need Guinness, Jameson, and Baileys, right? (just double checking myself, its been awhile).

Well of course Smirnoff tastes better than White Tavern. But when you can buy three White Taverns for the price of one Smirnoff, it's a no brainer. And thinking about the age, that line of thinking I think is still pretty much in tact. I know it is with me, even though it really shouldn't be anymore.

I'm 20...so I more or less have to depend on others...while still forking over the cash...

But it depends on the occasion. If you're drinking to get blasted and score, it doesn't matter what you're drinking. If you're drinking while playing cards or at a more formal party, and you want to stay at least semi-sober for a good while...then I'd much rather have something with taste.

take him skydiving

Hooray!! I think i have a winner! I just need Guinness, Jameson, and Baileys, right? (just double checking myself, its been awhile).
Yep, or their substitutes.

A. Get him an Alienware PC.
B. Get him one of the Total War games.
C. Get him a low budget dream computer. I can get my friend to fork over the list of parts to it, he has one that cost less than 700 bucks to assemble but is.... *drools* Kickass...

Yep, or their substitutes.


Excellent. I think I shall do that, plus maybe something from best buy. I am so happy.

Now I just need to think of something for my dad and I will be set. (He is turning 45 tomorrow, likes fishing...any help there?)

Excellent. I think I shall do that, plus maybe something from best buy. I am so happy.

Now I just need to think of something for my dad and I will be set. (He is turning 45 tomorrow, likes fishing...any help there?)
Nope. Clothes?

Buy him an utterly sweet pair of fishing boots. Or maybe one of those really good fishing rods.

Nope. Clothes?


LOL...clothes! Thats it! :fluffle:

LOL...clothes! Thats it! :fluffle:

Buy him something electronic too. Maybe one of those fish-tracker things that you stick one end into the water and it tells you where the fish are?

A man's love of electronics doesn't fade over age...although his understanding of such toys might. Luckily I think that fish thing is easy to use....as for how expensive it is...I don't know...

Buy him something electronic too. Maybe one of those fish-tracker things that you stick one end into the water and it tells you where the fish are?

A man's love of electronics doesn't fade over age...although his understanding of such toys might. Luckily I think that fish thing is easy to use....as for how expensive it is...I don't know...

Here's one

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2238250

Here's one

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2238250

and another that's more expensive

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2233438&cat=5188&type=21&dept=4125&path=0%3A4125%3A4145%3A5188&xsell=2238250

I've thought about the fish finder thing, and it is a good idea. If I could get my brother to go in on one with me, I would be set.

If you live anywhere near a military (usually Army or Navy) surplus store you can find lots of nice stuff for outdoorsmen. I personally consider getting outdoors clothes as a much better gift than just regular clothes, because I can actually use them for something fun :D. There is more at these stores than outdoors clothes though. You can get sleeping bags, back packs, and all sorts of tools, and of course MRE's. Some of the newer ones are pretty good.

I bought my dad, who is 47, an "Ambient Orb" for his office. They sell them at Sharper Image and Neiman Marcus (which is where I bought his). It can be set to Dow Jones, and weather updates and everything else :). I found it quite cool, I want one now, haha....

Ambient Orb- http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod9270054&parentId=cat6080740&masterId=cat000547&index=41&cmCat=

I bought my dad, who is 47, an "Ambient Orb" for his office. They sell them at Sharper Image and Neiman Marcus (which is where I bought his). It can be set to Dow Jones, and weather updates and everything else :). I found it quite cool, I want one now, haha....

Ambient Orb- http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod9270054&parentId=cat6080740&masterId=cat000547&index=41&cmCat=


That is very snazzy!!!

That is very snazzy!!!

Isn't it? I keep wanting to give it to him early, haha

If he is a 25 year old MAN then all you need to get him is a bottle of single malt scotch, aged no less than 12 years.

If he is a 25 year old MAN then all you need to get him is a bottle of single malt scotch, aged no less than 18 years.
fixed

Pink fluffy dice for in his car

Lesbian porn

Lesbian porn
or bring a friend home,

is he a guy that likes practical gifts or something sentimental he sounds like the former, so maybe go with power tools :)

Now I just need to think of something for my dad and I will be set. (He is turning 45 tomorrow, likes fishing...any help there?)
A Maglite torch...

best torches there are..

Im not sure how much they would be in America or wherever you are, but in Australia they range from $15 to $100

very durable, and waterproof etc...

http://www.maglite.com/productline.asp

try one of these knives for your dad -

http://www.surpriseyourfather.com/product_details.php?product_id=2008&subcategory_id=84

(lots more good stuff on the site too)


Fo your boyfriend I'd say buy the rum and a porno DVD and tell him you can watch it together(certainly a present that I'd appreciate!)