PERFECT GIFTS FOR THAT SPECIAL MAN (OR SOMEONE ELSE YOU LOVE)

I think you should always have a few nice small gifts tucked away so as to not be caught empty handed when someone surprises you with a gift.  Museum stores are a terrific place to find something arty and well made for about $20.

Consider : LACMA STORE 

Fine people still use fine stationary (and stamps) so a box of notes (but not thank you notes) made of good heavy paper, is usually appreciated. Throw in a page of stamps to upgrade the gift.

Also, you should never go to a dinner party empty handed.  A good bottle of wine (if the person isn't in A.A.) is always thoughtful. 

REMEMBER, NO GIFT CARDS.  They are lazy and our landfills are full of plastic that won't degrade for 200 years.

So men. We find you difficult to buy for in general. So many men have everything they need and see no reason to have things they don't need. What you need may be the basics or might include a hundred thousand dollar painting: Can you give us some clues? Because the best gifts are the the things you probably won't buy for yourself, even if you have a secret desire for something.

I'll never forget going shopping with one of my Platonic male friends, something I rarely do, but we were out and stopped into a department store. We separated when I went into Jewelry but found him sniffing around the counters where they had men's scents on display.  How he lingered and used that time to tell me which one he liked. Hint! (Yes, I went back and bought it for him.)

Ties, socks, aftershave, clothes: Maybe good for dear old dad or your brother, but generally not for your friends, and NO, NO, NO - not for your lover or boyfriend. No - don't even buy him a sweater. 

Here's a list of things I think are good gifts for special men, be it for this holiday or for a birthday coming up.

A sturdy classic UMBRELLA . Don't laugh!  I'm not listing this just because this month is about the joys of inclement weather. He may loose it, but you should still buy one that could last a lifetime if he doesn't.  Check out this best of list: NEWYORK MAG/ STATEGIST/BEST UMBRELLAS 2021 I favor the ones big enough for two to walk under together that resist heavy wind.

A CLASSIC PICNIC HAMPER in which you have put in something you baked or cooked yourself. Consider the  AMISH BASKETS : HANDMADE THE OLD WAY

A GRILL, Maybe outdoors he can be a Master Chef?  Consider these as rated by Good Housekeeping. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING: OUTDOOR GRILLS 2021

The following items from THE SMITHSONIAN : GIFTS FOR MEN

The Castle Marquetry 8-game Wooden Game Box, the Scrabble set, Clue, Monopoly, or Chutes and Ladders, or one of the Mineral Globe Paper Weight are all good. (It helps if he played these games as a child.)

Electronics are tricky. They tend to become redundant or expire quickly.  I say take a pass.

Avoid novelty socks and ties unless he's already known renowned for wearing them. If not, they're a waste of money and will just sit in a drawer, just like the cologne in the closet.

If you are very close, HIS and HER SILK ROBES - the long ones, not the shorties, with a generous amount of fabric that can be wrapped around you while you have your breakfast can be a very cool gift. If he's your gay best friend or Metrosexual, check out these by VERSACE: ROBES

Hand wrap your present. It's OK to reuse some gently used wrapping papers, bows, and so on, but you can get inventive too and use yardage or a scarf you have around the house. If ordering, have things sent to you and then you hand deliver! 

Missy

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