Sam's Giant List of Christmas Gift Ideas for Guys!

With Christmas on its way, lots of girls complain that they don't know what to get their boyfriend/significant other (or even dad or brother). I, on the other hand, always had trouble deciding between the thirty different gift ideas I had anytime Christmas or a birthday rolled around. Since I am single this year, I figured I can gift vicariously.

Warning: this is mostly for the super manly dudes. If your guy has a desk job, does yoga and reads the Economist for fun, this list probably isn't for him.

If they have a fave drink, get them a mini fridge and stock it with all the stuff to make it. (Works better if they have a fave mixed drink, like caesars. Then you can stock it with vodka, clamato juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, pickled beans/asparagus, celery salt, etc etc.) Bar accessories work too; every guy secretly wants to be a bartender. If he owns his own place and loves beer, see what it takes to get a keg installed or check into home-brew kits.

For the musician, get them music stuff (guitar picks, tab books, strings, new case, etc etc). For the aspiring musician, get them a guitar. Or keytar!

For the music listener, there are some fantastic CD box sets out there that often contain unreleased music. If he's into classic rock? Check into turntables and get him the vinyl versions of his fave albums. Search ebay for vintage band t-shirts in his size.

There are also some amazing coffee-table format autobiographies of musicians (or anyone for that matter). They're usually chock-full of glossy photos, so even the guy adverse to reading will still enjoy them.

For the sports fan, you can go with jerseys, limited edition memorabilia (signed football in a case, signed hockey stick, game-worn jersey or helmet, etc), or you can go really overboard and get them a Fathead of their favourite player. You may regret that last one though. Unless it's a Fathead of Reggie Bush omg. In fact, please get me a Reggie Bush Fathead for Christmas.

If feasible, get them awesome seats to an upcoming game.

NFL jerseys are surprisingly inexpensive. So inexpensive in fact that a few Christmases ago when I was shopping for my ex I got him two. At $100 a pop for the official pro-stitched versions, ebay was a scoop and he was stoked to get one for both of his favourite teams.

Does he snowboard and need new goggles or gloves? Or maybe a season pass? Get the two of you a weekend in Whistler with a two-day lift pass. Does he want to take up boxing? Get him a heavybag or speedbag and gloves. Rides motorcycles? See about boots, gloves, helmets or an armoured motorcycle jacket. Golfer? How about new clubs (or *a* new club, they can be pricey), glove or a golf bag.

Does he camp (or want to)? Some guys lose their shit over camping stuff. It's weird. Maybe they just all secretly want the modern world to meet its demise so they can live in the forest and sustain themselves from nature. Anywho, look into a tent, campstove, sleeping bag, cooler, lantern, flashlight, inflatable lounger with built-in cooler (party barge!), etc etc. Hunting knives are usually boner-inducing gifts, even for the non-hunter. Guys like sharp things. On that note, swords make awesome gifts too.

This is definitely for someone with a way higher budget than us average folk, but a friend of mine considered a trip to Vegas with her boyfriend so he could spend two days learning to race at the Lotus racing school. I recall it being around $1200 for two days, so it's definitely not a budget gift.

Guys love watches.

For the dapper dude, cufflinks.

One Christmas I got the ex a remote-control monster truck (the Dodge Raminator!). He spent Christmas morning doing burnouts on the styrofoam packaging. He spent the afternoon cleaning up the mess. Other ideas are remote-control planes and helicopters. The good ones are usually gas powered though, and therefore super expensive, so it will suck when he crashes it five seconds after takeoff. Maybe just get him a non-powered replica of his favourite car/bike/helicopter/plane.

For the movie/TV dude, see about box sets of his favourite flicks or shows, or even check into surround-sound speakers.

For the dude that is constantly wrenching on his truck or is restoring an old car, check into tools that he needs, toolboxes (Costco has really nice stainless ones at decent prices), or upgrading any of his worn out or cheap tools for nicer new ones. Bonus: post a hot picture of you in booty shorts wrenching on his car on the inside of the toolbox lid! If he's got a job that gets him dirty, new Carhartts are always appreciated.

I think starting this New Year the no-talking-on-your-cell-while-driving ban comes into effect. Get him a Bluetooth hands-free adapter.

Book him/the two of you a spa day. Lots of spas are really couple- and guy-friendly, with options for him that have manly titles like "sports massage." Just don't tell his friends that you're taking him to the spa for Christmas.

For the guy that loves to barbecue: apron, (A girlfriend of mine found a sweet apron for her dude, I think from Granville Island Brewery. It has an insulated beer cooler pocket and a bottle opener on a self-retracting cord!), utensils, sauces, or even a new barbecue. Also, there is tons of sports team-branded barbecue stuff out there. But I don't know this. And I totally don't own a BC Lions oven mitts & apron set.

For the wannabe chef, consider high-quality kitchen knifes and a sharpener, new pots and pans, or a wok. If he burns water? Upgrade his microwave.

If he's into it, video games or consoles (and don't forget Wii / Guitar Hero / DJ Hero / Rock Band). For the nostalgic guy, see about an original Nintendo system and Duck Hunt.

More ideas!
-foosball table
-monogrammed flask or Zippo lighter
-cologne
-electric shaver
-clothes (but stay away from boring boxers and socks)
-hats (find out his hat size and go for the fitted ones)
-iPod & iTunes gift cards
-high-quality poker chips, or ever a poker table
-concert tickets
-jewelry
-pool cue for the avid player
-leather jacket
-accessories for his stuff, like a neoprene laptop case, iPhone case, car adaptor for his iPod, DJ-quality headphones
-subscription to his favourite bike/car/music magazine
-a dog
-PVR/Tivo
-sunglasses
-photography stuff (for the beginner, a digital camera, or for the pro, new lenses)
-Swiss Army knife or Leatherman
-art from his favourite artist, or a print of a piece you know he loves

If none of this helps in your search to find the perfect gift for you guy... you're screwed. Happy shopping!