Gift Ideas for Him

I find that shopping for men is one of the hardest parts about the holidays. The guys on my list tend to buy themselves what they want, so when the holidays come around I have to get creative. Here are ten gifts that have caught my eye this season and don't require attempting to find a parking spot at the local mall.

Deluxe Valet, Red Envelope, $80

Does your man tend to leave his wallet, change, keys, cell phone and iPod EVERYWHERE? Then this is the gift for him. A sleek stained wood and leather valet with a spot for all his essentials, with gorgeous brushed nickel hardware to boot. It even has a drawer for tucking things away and two charging stations for electronics.

Sanctuary Charging Station, Red Envelope, $130

If you are looking for something a little more modern for the techie guy on your list, this charging station is great. Fingers crossed that if I get this for my little brother, he will stop "laundering" his money all the time (a washing machine can only take so many beatings from quarters). This station has 12 built in connectors for electronics, and works with iPod, Blackberrys, pagers and most cell phones. Does anyone still have pagers beside doctors?

Glass Cocktail Shaker, Pottery Barn, $24

Now this monogrammed glass and stainless stell cocktail shaker is really a gift for anyone, and there is something so classic and elegant about it. You can nestle this in a box with a couple of martini glasses, a bottle of vodka and recipes for some of your favorite cocktails to pass on. With this sleek shaker in hand, your man will be looking like Don Draper from Mad Men in no time.

Merino V-Neck Sweater, GAP, $49.50

This is one of the nicest men's sweaters out there and at a great price too.Its well-made, fits great on most men, and is not too tight or too baggy. It looks great with everything from casual jeans and khakis to a button-up shirt and dress pants, and is sure to become a staple in his wardrobe.

Contrary to what you might think, men of all ages love to get toys. But it has to be something that flies, or shoots little discs, or just creates mayhem in a house one way or another. Last year we gave my father a little helicopter and he lit up like a Christmas tree when he opened it. Just be sure to run for cover when they actually take it out of the box. Getting you hair wrapped in the propellors is not very fun. You can find them at most toy stores, or major retailers.

Brown Oval Tank Casual Collection Watch, Kenneth Cole, $85

Kenneth Cole has a great line of watches that come in a range of price points. This water resistant number has a genuine leather band, removable cuff and also comes in black. I love the different take on the traditional numbered face.

Soda Siphon, William Sonoma, $70

Again this is a great bar tool that you could give to anyone. It makes amazing carbonated water for mixed drinks, but it tastes just as great on its own with a few slices of lemon or a splash of apple juice. It basically creates club soda, but without the sodium making it an incredibly refreshing alternative to plain tap water. The bonus is that it is cheaper than buying canned or bottled soda. One Co2 cartridge is about $1-1.50, and makes a litre of soda. If you are giving this as a gift, don't forget to buy a pack of the Co2 cartridges too.
When looking around, be sure that you get one that was made in Austria, like the ISI Soda Siphon, and don't fall for imitation siphons from China.

Men's Travel Basics Kit, Zirh, $34

Going on vacation over the holidays? Then the Zirh Men's Travel Basics Kit comes with all the essentials for the jetsetter in your family. It includes an alpha-hydroxy face wash, conditioning shampoo, shave gel and post-shave cream. All of the products are TSA-complaint for carry-on luggage and come already packed in a gray travel bag.

Sound Isolating Earphones, Shure, $80

Do you have a music aficionado on your list? These headphones are just the ticket. They are designed for music lovers looking to upgrade the headphones that come with their iPod, or MP3 player. They are road tested by pro muscians to ensure that they deliver a rich, lifelike sound that eliminates outside noice, while still being a compact size.

Beer Holster, Red Envelope, $30

This last one is purely for fun, although I do have enough redneck friends who would love this. I was once at a party and saw a guy carrying around his extra beer cans in a fanny pack around his waist, with his dog's leash looped through the belt. I kid you not. But if your cowboy thinks that he is the next John Wayne, he'll be sure to get a kick out of this.

Any great gift ideas for men this year? I'd love to hear what you've got tucked under your tree this year.