The Flip Side
What Guys Really Want
(for gifts)

Guys are notoriously hard to shop for. Especially if it's someone you haven't been dating long. So we've been asking every guy we know what they really want. This is what we've learned so far....(and we’ve even provided some handy links to places to buy what they want...)

Gifts Under $25
These are great gifts for guy friends or someone you haven’t dated very long. The last thing you want to do when giving a gifts is scaring your guy away. These are all thoughtful gifts, without screaming “Marry Me!” Gift giving is also not a contest, but many guys we talked to felt guilty if they received a gift that was far more expensive than one they were giving in return. Although gift giving should never be about money and expense, this point was brought up often enough to warrant mentioning.

Magazine Subscriptions.
This was on every response we got back so far. As one guy put it: "Every guy is interested in something. And there are magazines out there for everything. This is a gift that shows you care enough about a guy to know his interests. Even if - especially if - it's a magazine he already subscribes to - it's great to get a renewal."
Get great prices on hundreds of magazines

Videos and DVDs
Scan his current collection. You'll get an idea of what he likes. If you've been dating awhile - get him a copy of the first movie that you saw together (assuming he liked the movie).
Amazon.com 100 Hot DVDs
CD Now video and DVD choices

CD's
You should know what he likes by now. Better yet - find out what he has on cassette or (eegads!!) vinyl - and get a CD copy.
Amazon.com 100 Hot Cds
CD Now CD choices
                    
Tools / Gadgets
Another popular response. Guys seem to like gadgets and specialty tools. It doesn't even have to be practical - just something he doesn't have yet. Brookstone and Sharper Image are two good places to find such things.
Top Selling Tools & Hardware
(from Amazon.com)

Dinner
Maybe the old saying is true. You can get to a guy's heart through his stomach. At least it is with the guys we polled. Whether their favorite is Taco Bell or homemade spaghetti - dinner was among the top choices.

Gifts Over $25

Tools / Gadgets (again)
If you really know your guy well - he's probably mentioned some tool that needs to be added to his toolbox. Or better yet - some tool that he's had to borrow from a friend. Be a sweetie - get him his own.
Top Selling Tools & Hardware
(from Amazon.com)

Watch
Another choice on everyone's list - although everyone's style was different. Choose one that really suits your guy.

Clothes
This one really surprised us. But again - a popular choice. This ranged from a suit to a leather jacket to clothes in general. WARNING! Do not take this as an opportunity to change your guy (common mistake). Buy him something similar to what he already wears - or better yet - something that he has already picked out. Remember - gifts are about the receiver - not the giver.

Tickets
Either to a concert or to a sporting event. If you want to really score points - get him 2 - so that he can go with his best friend.

What Guys Hate

Underwear
Unless it's of the silky / sexy variety (and you already know he'd like that)

Flowers
No reasons given - but was cited by more than one...

Candy
Chosen by those guys that hate flowers.

Personal Hygeine Products
I guess this would be similar to a guy giving a female a broom or mop as a gift.

For more holiday shopping help - read our latest Gifts for Guys Shopping Guide!

Read the Flip Side to this article:
What Gals Really Want for Gifts

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