Ladies (and hey, all you guys too, if you find any of this relevant), Valentine’s Day is not something most men look forward to with any particular enthusiasm. If we’ve been together with our dearest love for more than a couple Valentine’s Days, it’ll be with quiet confidence that we tick the appropriate boxes and ensure that the expected day/evening/weekend of romance/pampering/wining/dining goes off without a hitch. If the romance is still new, there will be the inevitable stress, worry and frantic last minute Internet searching should flowers and chocolate suddenly seem unlikely to cut it. Let me assure you, the days before the Internet were scary times indeed.
But now we have Google and really it’s all pretty easy. Personalised chocolate bars, vineyard picnics for two, cute little his and hers pillow sets – they’re all readily available online – or at least the ideas are there pending a quick search. Let’s face it, the whole enterprise was never really very difficult for the guys – all we really needed was a bit of group affirmation, something to allow us to pick that romantic spar treatment (11,394 facebook “˜likes’) or that luxury weekend getaway (95% positive rating on Trip Advisor). With the pages and pages of online gift ideas now available we’ve got it very easy. Having looked through a fair few such pages myself over the last couple of weeks, I can assure you of this: that similar lists “˜for him’ are a far more dubious resource.
Before I continue, let me just say now that I’m not suggesting that all us guys hate the thought of romancing our loved-ones and making them feel special. Neither am I saying that the idea of exchanging gifts to show you care is in any way a bad thing. What I do want to emphasise however, is that while it may be the thought that counts, a well thought out Valentine’s gift for him isn’t necessarily one that comes wrapped in red ribbon or requires dissolving in a hot tub for full dermatological/relaxing effect.
Having looked at some of the “˜gifts for him’ lists out there, it seems that if you’re looking for a Valentine’s gift for your man, you have these broad choices.
- Buy something “˜Valentinesy’ that sucks the little charm it has from being personalised: I’m thinking “Personalised Gift Book – Little Book of I Love You” or, “Personalised ‘We First Met Here’ Postcode Jigsaw.” and similar. Yes, these are repeatedly listed as “˜perfect gifts for him’. Believe me, they’re not. They may be perfect gifts for you which, if he loves you, he will smile and accept graciously and love you all the more, while putting the actual gift to one side never to be used.
- Gifts with some comedy value: the “Gentleman’s Willy Care Kit” really stands out in this category. The novelty “˜bosom cushion‘ also deserves a mention.
- General “˜grooming’ kit and/or cologne. If he’s into personal grooming then you’re onto a winner. In these metro-sexual times grooming kits for men are the “˜chocolate and flowers’ equivalent in the girl to guy world of easy romantic gifts.
- Power tools. Men dig power tools. Enough said.
- Watches. Having not worn a watch myself for at least 15 years I don’t feel qualified to comment on this category. Apparently they’re a status symbol or something.
- Something that may not be very Valentine’s Day appropriate, but that he may just treasure and think happy loved filled thoughts over for a long time after.
I’m going to focus on category 6 here. I make no claim to it being exhaustive, or for that matter ideally suited to your man’s tastes. If you know he’d love a personalised his and hers calendar for his open-plan office at work then you have no need to read further.
Star Wars Jedi Bath Robe
I’m jumping right into geek loving here. If your partner doesn’t already own at least one item of Star Wars memorabilia, skip and move on. If he does, this may be the Valentine’s gift that blows his midichlorians right out through his eye balls. Be prepared to have him wear it to bed on your special night though. In fact it’d be best if you were a bit of a Star Wars nut yourself.
Desk fridge
Nothing says “˜I love you’ like a personal desk-top fridge. He’ll love that you understand the need for cold beer at all times. Nothing kills romantic thoughts like a warm beer.
Rally driver for a day
I’ll be the first to admit there’s not much about this idea that screams romance, but for the right guy it’s a great gift. Speed is a natural aphrodisiac for many men so you may just get more out of this one than you think. If putting your adrenaline crazed man behind the wheel of a rally car worries you, then this High Speed Rally Ride experience may seem a more reasonable option.
Tracks4Africa GPS maps
Another very unromantic gift you say? Think of it as a potential relationship saver for adventurous couples. If you love heading off into the wilds of Africa with your man, but worry about those nasty little arguments about whether it was left or right at that last cross-road, then Africa’s most extensive GPS mapping resource may go a long way for your long-term relationship.
Flight’s and Hot Air Balloon Tours for Two
Back in the fold with more traditional romance here. The Texan Harvard flight is more likely to blow his mind, but Hot Air Ballooning is cool too.
Leatherman Freestyle CX
This stylish and useful tool could be perfect for your outdoor man. As a general rule, the more blades and gadgets these little tools have, the better, but so long as they have a good knife and a pair of pliers you’re onto a winner.
Premium Brandy and Biltong Gift Box
Gift boxes are traditional Valentine’s Day fare through and through. Whether it’s whisky, brandy or vodka that he loves, he’ll love you all the more for putting his tastes first.
Champagne Sabre
Champagne is a given on Valentine’s Day, but opening a bottle with a Campagne Sabre? Now that’s manly!
