| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Jana |
Posted - Sep 08 2007 : 02:08:59 AM
I am at my wit's end trying to come up with Christmas gifts I can make for men. Scarves are getting to be a bit old! And the homemade jams and the like.
Anyone have any ideas?
Jana |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Canadian farmgirl |
Posted - Nov 02 2007 : 07:13:57 AM
My guys like anything plaid and flannel. Those quilted plaid coats are always handy, and I find the collar wears out on them before anything else!
Socks and underwear are the standing joke here, but always appreciated. Magazine subscriptions are a gift that gives all year, too.
Last year I bought my DH a Shakelight flashlight, the kind that you don't ever need batteries for, and he thought it was really cool. Yesterday I ordered him an emergency radio, which you can crank or run on solar power. We have frequent power outages here.
One year we did up a "movie night" gift bag, with a DVD, chips, popcorn, drinks, etc. It went over well.
I don't know any guy who doesn't like pepperoni, jerky, salty or spicy things, or nuts.
Basic tools are going to be a necessity, for young guys. My dad did up toolboxes for my sons, with tape measures, hammers, etc. If they are driving, there are lots of cool small gadgets, like tire pressure guages, that are handy, too.
I find it hard to make "crafty" gifts for guys, though.
Lori |
| Bluewrenn |
Posted - Nov 01 2007 : 10:20:37 PM
Boys like cash! At least my nephews do.
I asked about their hobbies and have gotten them stuff that is related... usually books on drawing or art supplies for the one that likes to draw and blank books for the one who likes to write his own stories. I sent Russian painted chess sets one year for the boys on the chess team. This past year they asked for posters for their walls. One likes to cook so one year he got a chef's hat, an apron and some cookbooks by his favorite celebrity cook (which I found at the half price book store).
I made up a "letterboxing" kit for my brothers in law which included a book on letterboxing, some blank notepads, a stamp or two and stamp pads. It's a neat hobby and similar to geocaching which is a trendy hobby right now. It's a perfect gift for an active outdoorsy type.
Camping gear, movies and popcorn, movie tickets, etc...
Most kids like band tees. You just have to find out their favorite bands.
Jonni's ideas - the basket of British goods is an awesome one!
My Homesteading Journal http://toomyvara.livejournal.com
My craft journal http://bluewrenn.livejournal.com
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| SarahJ |
Posted - Nov 01 2007 : 09:44:03 AM
An Itunes gift card is always a good idea, T-shirts with band logos or other things of interest... |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Oct 31 2007 : 06:13:39 AM
Hey Frannie--
Does this "teen" like music? Where does he reside? My youngest brother in law, just turned 18, but when he was smaller, we ran into difficulty buying for him, too! One year it was a scooter, the next year it was an And1 sports jacket, and one year an electric guitar (from Target). We have a really great independent music store, located in the really hip part of Northside, so that's what he's been getting the last couple of years-$30.00 to go buy what he wants, and feel super cool and hip while doing it (with his big brother, my husband).
Does he have any interest in history, or places, like England? One year, my bil and inlaws went to England for vacation, so we prepared a basket full of fun English stuff that I could get here, stateside (MAN, I love homegoods!) Great cookies and sweets, Beatles cd's, a London Underground T shirt, etc...A book about the "horrors" of London, ghosts, etc...stuff a 14 year old would dig.
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Oct 30 2007 : 2:02:52 PM
any really creative ideas of things to BUY for teenage boys and men? i don't do 'electronics' .. and they have just about every gadget known to boy or man! (only want to spend about $30. each) .. i surely don't have time to MAKE anything .. i've done books .. which has always been my fav .. i like the idea of the photographs .. but i don't live near them .. can always do more framed photos of the 'kids' for the men .. but i've also done that! a 14 year old boy is my biggest challenge! AND it has to be mailed .. so i don't want to get anything HEAVY - LARGE - or shaped like a camel! i've done FOOD .. the teen wouldn't care about that anyway. lordy! boys are difficult to BUY for .. UNLESS you get into that electronics trap! all the 'regular' stuff .. i have either given or he really wouldn't be terribly interested in. i do want it to be very special though. (i do plan to give money also .. so he can get the 'electronics' he wants .. but i also want him to have a gift to open. HALP!!!!!!
True Friends * Frannie
HEAR MY STORIES
come, visit my:
"GATHERING ROOM" ..
http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com
e-mail me: Freedom_Valley_Farm@windstream.net
MaryJane & Family
Green County, KENTUCKY
October 2007 |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Oct 30 2007 : 05:51:25 AM
Ha! I figured it out (for my man, anyway :))...he studied editorial cartooning in college, and last night, on PBS, we watched a story about Charles Schultz, the creator of Peanuts. What was MOST spooky, is that dh and Charles Schultz could be twins when it comes to their life--(childhoods, etc...) but dh really responds to his style of illustration. Anyway, he was crying through almost the whole thing, and I remembered that when I was last in Joseph Beth Booksellers, we ran across a complete early collection of Peanuts--from the first strips, and he wanted it in the worst way...but they were $50 a piece (2). Well, that's what he's getting!!!! (and maybe some new corduroys :)
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
| Jane Carney |
Posted - Oct 24 2007 : 8:27:37 PM
I made my Dad an armchair caddy one year for Christmas, you know, for the remote, his glasses, the newspaper and maybe some candy. He's not with us anymore and I inherited back the caddy. Everytime I use it I think of him. Oh, and on the front of the caddy I cross-stitched:
Of all the blessings
I've possessed
My Dad's among
the very best
Take care,
Jane
http://janesdesign.blogspot.com/ |
| nashbabe |
Posted - Oct 22 2007 : 06:47:12 AM
I know at least some guys like quillows--the little throw that folds into a pillow. Especially if you made it in their favorite team's colors, perhaps???
Crunchy crafty goodness and psychoses...;-)http://nashbabe.blogspot.com |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Oct 21 2007 : 10:21:17 PM
Books and corduroys.
That's about all that makes mine happy!!
The book could be about watching paint dry, he would still read it and talk for hours about it. And, apparently, you can never have too many pair of corduroys.
I do a subscription for the Sunday New York Times, because he loves the crossword puzzle (that's always in his stocking) and he also loves WWII history and items, so if I run across something (like the sterling Army "sharpshooter" badge I found at the estate jewelers, I'll pick it up for his stocking, too (and I did).
This year I will make him a knit hat, but I don't have anything else on my list...I think we talked about my giving him money towards a new electric guitar (which, thank god, he will pick out--whew!!!)
Both he and I agree we could shop at the antique mall for each other and win every time...
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
| farmgrlchick |
Posted - Oct 18 2007 : 10:09:25 AM
Music! If you have basic computer skills you could make up a personal CD with favorite songs...or music for road trips, relaxing, working out, ect.....
Farmgirl Blessings,
Theresa
http://theresaslavenderbox.blogspot.com/ |
| Nin |
Posted - Oct 16 2007 : 3:32:36 PM
I just thought of this from reading another post in the crafty section....KNITTED SOCKS!!!!!
www.peachyhollow.com |
| Nin |
Posted - Oct 16 2007 : 3:26:38 PM
DH is a HUGE Michigan football fan, so I thought about making him a lap quilt in Michigan colours. We live in California and have no heating, but there's the occasional evening when it gets pretty cool in front of the TV.
www.peachyhollow.com |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Sep 18 2007 : 1:14:13 PM
one year .. i gave all the MEN and BOYS .. BOOKS .. i know what each of their 'interests' are .. checked with their wives and moms to make sure i wasn't 'duplicating' .. and gifted a BOOK to each male .. they all appreciated them .. i started early in the year .. and put them aside until Christmas .. so the expense was not awful!
you could do 'magazine subscriptions' too .. a little higher in cost if you are buying for lots of men though.
if they are jus' token gifts .. look for fun and personal coffee mugs. again .. if you shop all year .. it is easy and inexpensive.
i've also gotten for the men who like to bar-b-q .. some great 'chili products' and put them all in a festive looking box.
males are much more difficult to buy for than females .. for me anyhoo! girls are sooooooooooo EASY! we like so much!!!
True Friends, Frannie
FREEDOM VALLEY FARM
KENTUCKY
http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com/
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| Bluewrenn |
Posted - Sep 18 2007 : 1:00:36 PM
I made up a basket of BBQ sauces which I sent to my stepdad in Memphis - we have a running contest about who makes the best BBQ sauce and I try to pick up bottles of local sauces whenever I go travelling. I also pick up local sauces here and then make him up a box of new ones to try... The trick is to get kinds that he can't find in his grocery stores. Sometimes I pair the sauces up with a big pot holder or apron which I have made. OR something grilling related like a binder full of recipes I download off the internet.
Another thing we did was to find someone who made inexpensive chess sets - there's a guy on ebay that imports russian sets and he has some inexpensive ones. I sent a different colored set to each of my nephews the year they were all on the chess team. If you're handy with tools, or with plaster casting, this could be a cool project. I also made some homemade board games one year for my nephews and took a canvas board like art students use and painted it to be the game board, then sprayed it with a protective coat. Add some dice, some small wooden playing pieces and print out some cards or rule books...
This year I'll be sending photography books, framed photos of cool places around the world or of their favorite wild animals... that sort of thing.
My dad is a gardener, so I sent him seeds and seedlings. He's in Florida and can grow some of those tropical plants so I sent him a "breakfast" package - banana tree, coffee plants, papaya seeds, mango etc... from Banana-tree.com. It was surprisingly inexpensive. One year I sent him a tangerine tree and he sends me fruit from it every year now.
I also made up some kits for letterboxing for my brother-in-laws. They are active guys and like hiking, so I made up a small box with some rubber stamps, stamp pads and some blank books. Do a search online for "letterboxing" if you are interested. It's a lot like geocaching and it makes an awesomely cool gift for a teenager active adult.
My Homesteading Journal http://toomyvara.livejournal.com
My craft journal http://bluewrenn.livejournal.com
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| Alee |
Posted - Sep 17 2007 : 11:58:52 AM
I am going to make Doug a Denver Bronco's throw blanket for his birthday if I can find fabric for it and then I am going to make some food mixes as well. The kind where you just have to add a egg or something to make brownies. I also might make a coupon kit like "Use this Coupon today to get out of chores" etc. You can do fun ones or even racey ones- depending on what sort of guy you are giving it to!! ;)
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora!
http://home.test-afl.tulix.com/aleeandnora/ |
| Hideaway Farmgirl |
Posted - Sep 17 2007 : 11:51:30 AM
Rebecca,
That's an awesome idea to make a quilt for your Dad...and so special, since his parents started the collection of scarves, and you are going to present him with the finished product!
I hope he enjoys it!
Jo
"Wish I had time to work with herbs all day!" |
| sgrbear724 |
Posted - Sep 15 2007 : 05:31:45 AM
Every single year my grandparents would by my dad the same thin wool scarves. My dad HATES scarves and never wears them-and so it became a running joke. HERE COMES THE SCARF!
Before I left home when I got married, I swiped all those scarves-and have worked to supplement the rest as I was able to find them at rummage sales and such.
Soon, I am going to stitch them all together into a wool scarf quilt-and Dad will surely appreciate all those scarves then! :-)
http:www.zeahrenaissance.blogspot.com |
| myfairlady636 |
Posted - Sep 14 2007 : 2:53:30 PM
My guys liked those rice filled heat pads that you put in the microwave. It's a easy/quick sewing project- They like the longer ones best so they could put them on their necks. They are super nice for guys that work outside and get cold.. But also great for tension.
My Fair Lady |
| Tammy Claxton |
Posted - Sep 11 2007 : 04:57:50 AM
I have noticed that in my family, the men love those long body pillows. I am thinking of making one formy hubby since he talks about wanting one. Shouldn't be too hard to make. Also, some men like jewelry boxes and the craft store has some nice wooden boxes that can be painted or stained and then decorated in a them that each man would like such as fishing, hunting, cars, etc...
What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger! |
| Hideaway Farmgirl |
Posted - Sep 10 2007 : 11:52:05 AM
Sarah, I love that T-shirt quilt idea! That is something even I think I could do! I wonder how long before my DH would miss 13 of his Harley Davidson tee-shirts??? The old shirts usually end up as rags, but I also like the Goodwill idea. What a neat way to personalize the quilts for each person!
Jo
"Wish I had time to work with herbs all day!" |
| BlueApple |
Posted - Sep 09 2007 : 08:22:11 AM
There are lots of recipes for spiced nuts - watch for nuts on sale or buy in bulk and then roast with the various seasonings. I also love the above idea of homemade mustards and bread. You could also do homemade bbq sauce, add a spatula and homemade hot pad - tie together with raffia or rope (more manly) and you have a fun gift!
Julia
BlueApple Farm
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/BlueAppleFarm/ |
| windypines |
Posted - Sep 09 2007 : 05:38:02 AM
My sister decorated desk top picture frames for guy gifts. Using pinecones, and pieces of greenery. I did made a barb wire basket and filled with pinecone fire starters for my brother. They use their fire place alot.
Michele |
| Corinnelouise |
Posted - Sep 08 2007 : 9:56:01 PM
When we left Canada, we got the much moving gift possible. A couple of friends has framed a picture of our favorite view of the lake, one we could see out of our windows. That was their farewell gift and we have hung it in our living room in all the countries we have been living in, since. So the last past years, I've made pictures of outdoor spots the men in my life like, some shots with them doing their favorite activity (fishing, car remodelling, boating, roasting marsmallow on a pit), and framed them. These gifts were a hit.
Corinne |
| SheilaC |
Posted - Sep 08 2007 : 9:21:35 PM
If you have a woodstove, how about a log carrier? I made a couple last year from some old upholstery fabric and denim. . .do you know what I'm talking about? When you lay it out flat, the shape is sort of opposite of an hourglass and you put handles on the thinner ends; when you bring in the firewood, you just put it on the wider middle and grab the handles. It's easier to carry more wood that way and you don't get bark all over your shirtsleeves! |
| LauraH |
Posted - Sep 08 2007 : 6:02:03 PM
I have made home made spicy mustards & breads for them. anything to do with the tummy is usually good!
Laura |
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