Gifts To Get Him This Year
The retail industry’s trade group, the National Retail Federation, projects consumers will spend an average of $518 on holiday giftsthis year.
While gift cards remain a popular option for some gift givers, others still steer clear of the option, saying gift cards are either too impersonal, or come with all sorts of other worries—fees, expiration dates, and the like.
If you’re stumped about what to buy the men on your list, we’ve compiled a list of some of the gifts that are most-wanted this year.
By Christina Cheddar Berk
Posted 15 Nov 2010
Casio G-Shock Watch
Price: $99.00
Many retail industry analysts expect holiday gift givers to be a bit more generous this holiday season, and possibly avoid some of the more practical gifts that dominated the last two holiday seasons.
One could argue that a watch is a practical gift, but let’s face it, with a cell phone in every pocket, no one really needs a watch anymore. Still, watches can make a statement and sales are surging at the moment.
Although there are plenty of watch styles to suit every taste, one popular trend right now is wearing brightly colored watch like this Casio G-Shock.
Maine Hunting Shoe
Cost: from $64
“Duck boots” are back, and while many retailers are selling this style, L.L. Bean is the company that originated it.
The Maine Hunting Shoe was created by the retailer’s founder and namesake, Leon Leonwood Bean, nearly a century ago, and his success with this product helped him to build the company into what it is today.
While the rugged, rubber-bottomed boot was designed to tramp through muddy forests on hunting expeditions, the shoe’s style translates well to wet city streets today.
Bean sold the shoe on its ability to keep feet warm and dry, proclaiming, "You cannot expect success hunting deer or moose if your feet are not properly dressed."
Cotton Submariner's Sweater
Price: $89.00
L.L. Bean’s boot (pictured in the previous slide) may be resonating with shoppers right now for another reason. Apparently, retailers are seeing a surge in demand for American-made products.
In fact, Orvis, a store typically associated with its fly-fishing gear, has seen strong demand for products in its “U.S. Patent” collection, which are products that are all made in the U.S.
Shoppers will find some of these items don’t come cheap. (There’s a $2,500-Marlboro Shearling Cabin Jacket and a flight jacket that costs nearly $600, for example.) But they will find a broad assortment of goods from clothing to fishing gear to leather goods.
Pictured here is a cotton submariner's sweater that was knitted in Fall River, Massachusetts, a town where long-idled clothing factories are returning to life.
Colonel’s Leather Phone Case
Price: $59.00
This holiday season hot gadgetslike Apple’s iPhone and iPad are dominating many holiday wish lists. If you’re giving those items, don’t overlook the accessories that go along with them to add a little more “wow” to the gift.
Accessories also make good gifts for gadget-hounds on their own. This leather case can safely carry an iPhone or a Blackberry. It attaches easily to a belt, briefcase or golf bag, and it even has an opening for plugging in earphones. For a personal touch, add his initials.
Superhero Stamp Cuff Links
Price: $89.95
Businessman by day, dreaming of leaping tall buildings by night.
With whimsical products like these, it’s easy to see that just because you grow up, you don’t have to leave all the fun behind.
For the comic-book lover, you can select one of three sets of superhero cufflinks: Spider-man, Batman or Superman. Each pair is made from actual U.S. postage stamps sealed in an epoxy coating.
Psycho Bunny Duo Faced Star Wars “R2D2’ Cashmere Blend Scarf
Price $165.00
Clothing and accessories always make a good holiday gift—in fact half of those surveyed by American Express Spending & Savings Tracker said they would give clothing as a gift this holiday season. But look for items that suit his style or taste, or appeal to his sense of humor.
For the Star Wars fan, Psycho Bunny offers a variety of products, including this R2D2 cashmere-wool-blend scarf. If his tastes run more conservative, the company also makes scarves with a classic tartan pattern.
Craftsman Nextec Right-Angle Impact Driver
Price: $99.99
Want a gift that will help get him out of some tight spaces? Check out this tool.
With a 90-degree head and a light-weight, compact design, this driver can help the do-it-yourselfer angle a drill or screwdriver in hard-to-reach spaces, making it perfect for everything from putting together a swingset to handling under-sink repairs to automotive installations. The tool runs on a 12-volt lithium-ion battery, and includes a self brake.
Polaroid Instant 300 Camera
Price: $89.99
The Polaroid is back!
Whether you remember the classic Polaroid cameras or not, this camera is a lot of fun. Just snap and wait, and the camera goes to work creating a business-card sized color photo. Although the image it produces is smaller than the original, the photograph has the same classic shape with the fat, bottom-border.
Sure, these aren’t the highest quality prints that you’ll see, but that’s not really the point, is it?
Weston Leather Cigar Case
$59.95
A practical gift for the cigar aficionado, this mahogany-colored leather cigar case helps keep smokes from getting crushed or damaged.
The case comes with a zinc alloy lighter and stainless-steel cigar cutter. The lighter may be engraved with up to three initials.
To make the gift even more personal, stock it with three of his favorite cigars.
Ion Portable USB Turntable
Price: $140
Does the music lover in your life refuse to part with his vinyl? Now he can put it to good use.
This device hooks to a USB port and provides a way to transfer record albums onto MP3s. Once on your computer, the files can be converted into playlist, transferred to CD or to an iPod or MP3 player.
The product is very versatile and can even be used to transfer from other music sources, including cassettes.
