Still on the hunt for the perfect present for the guy in your life? You’ve got two weeks before those packages need to be wrapped and ribboned. Here, three guys with different taste offer their gift recommendations.
Gifts for the homebody guy
Giving gifts to the guy who has everything is always a challenge. It’s better to go funky and quirky than safe and stale, says Frank Fontana, host of HGTV’s “Design on a Dime.” Here are his picks for cool gifts that are sure to dazzle the cool dude in your life.
Mr. BeerFirst up — you can’t go wrong when you pair a guy with a science project and beer all at once! Most guys dream of owning their own microbrewery, and Mr. Beer from Red Envelope makes his foam-filled dream a mini-reality. Mr. Beer premium home brewery from
Dillinger soap gun
This white-handled six-shooting soap pays homage to the soap makers’ anti-hero, John Dillinger. According to legend, the Depression-era bank robber successfully escaped from the Crown Point, Ind., county jail using a bar of soap he’d carved into the shape of a gun and covered in shoe polish. By Criminal Crafts, , $4 each.
The black revolver
A stay-at-home Fort Worth mom has unleashed a line of homemade, vegan-friendly he-soaps like the black tea-scented Revolver. At , $8.50 for a set of three
The macho soap dish
To holster these funky new soaps, how about some masculine cast-iron soap dishes? At , $27.95 for a set of two
Dart coat hooks
If you’re looking for a nice way to tell your man to keep all his favorite coats and scarves off the floor, try tossing a few fun Chromed Steel Dart Coat Hooks into the wall. They screw on supereasy and look so cool you may not want to cover them up by hanging your coats on them! At , $29.50 for a pack of three
Fuselage frameAnd finally — this year I am giving you all permission for one splurge item, because your man has had a rough year, and he deserves something a little better than a pair of socks. What’s more special than a picture of you waving goodbye, displayed in the passenger fuselage window of a plane? Yes, you read right, these fuselage frames are cut from Boeing and Airbus commercial aircraft. Each unit comes with a wire hanger for wall mounting. Available in original, satin and polished versions. At , $250
Gifts for the stylish guyLet’s say you love your guy, but maybe — just maybe — he needs a little help in the style department. Not just clothes, but grooming, too. We’re not suggesting a full-on makeover, but we are saying that if you buy strategically (and affordably) for him, you can upgrade his look instantly. Just pick up any of these gift recommendations from Adam Rapoport, style editor of GQ magazine, and he’ll look better and love you for it.
Stubble trimmerWhat guy doesn’t want to look like George Clooney or Brett Favre or Justin Timberlake? Here’s how he can pull off that five-day-scruff look with ease — adjustable (and rechargeable) beard clippers; no clunky plastic guards necessary. You can’t screw it up. And it’s great for travel too. Philips Norelco QT4021 Stubble Trimmer, store.philips.com, $39.99
The perfect shaveWhen it comes to shaving, a can of foamy (dehydrating) shaving cream doesn’t cut it any more. A man needs to treat his skin right. He needs a pre-shave oil, shave cream (not foam), after-shave balm and more. This all-in-one shave kit from a grooming line every guy should know takes care of you before, during and after for an effortless, soothing shave. Feel good, look better. Anthony Logistics “The Perfect Shave Kit,” , $50
Scarf statementsA scarf is like a necktie for your outerwear. It’s a guy’s one chance to make a statement. Buy him a scarf with style and panache, like Uniqlo’s boldly-striped university scarves, which are comfortable and affordable. Give it to him Christmas morning, he’ll wear it out Christmas night. Uniqlo striped schoolboy scarves, Uniqlo stores, $19.50
Tie timeSlim, stylish and seasonal. A man can’t wear a cooler tie this holiday season. As fitting for a holiday party as it is for the office. Tartan/plaid wool ties ($12.95 - $69.50). Includes Tommy Hilfiger ($65), Club Monaco ($69), H&M ($12.95), The Gap ($24.50), J. Crew ($69.50)
For more gift ideas like these, check out GQ magazine’s gift guide.
Gifts for the sports-loverAs a former professional football player, who better to give advice on sports gifts than Tiki Barber? Here are his gifts picks for the guys in your life.
Stay coolAre you ready for the ultimate tailgating accessory? This amusing remote-controlled cooler can roll across the parking lot or patio or kitchen floor to deliver a well-timed beverage to you or your parched party guests. It holds 12 cans or bottles and ice. Remote-controlled rolling beverage cooler, hammacher.com, $69.95
Stay cozy
Keep your hands warm while tailgating with this very cool mitt from Burton. The Vice Mitt comes with a zip-out beverage koozie to keep your hands toasty while drinking cold beer. Burton Vice Mitt, , $69.95
Lights, (tiny) camera, action!Make your own action movies with the smallest DV camcorder in the world. This pocket-size camcorder fits in the palm of your hand and mounts easily to your bike handlebars to film yourself. Or strap it to your helmet or arm for hiking and running. Or use for boating or skiing. The sky is the limit — good thing this wasn’t around when I played football — or it might have ended up on my helmet. Mounting accessories sold separately in the Extreme Sports pack ($29.95). Muvi Micro DV Camcorder, , $129
No place like homeReturn to the playing field — if only for a moment — with the official Rawlings home plate leather mouse pad. Great for anyone who would rather be on the baseball diamond than behind a desk. It’s shaped like a home plate and made with baseball glove leather, plus it’s laser engraved across the center. Home plate mouse pad, , $22.35
Click and driveThe Road Mice products come in two versions, wired and wireless. Great alternative to the regular boring mouse — boys or car enthusiasts will love it. Road Mice, roadmice.com, $35 for wired, $45 for wireless