Buying for men becomes considerably easier once you stop asking what they need. The better question is what they would enjoy, use often, or never quite justify buying for themselves.
The best gifts tend to fall into three categories: something he’ll use, something he’ll keep, or something he’ll remember.
I. EXPERIENCES
Give Him Something to Remember
When another object feels unnecessary, give him a story instead. The best experiences begin with what he already loves, then take it somewhere he wouldn’t ordinarily take himself.
A Day Behind the Wheel
For the man who loves cars, few gifts compete with the opportunity to properly drive one. Book an exotic-car experience, a day at the track, or time at a dedicated driving facility. The car eventually goes back. The story doesn't.
WHERE TO BOOK
Porsche Experience Center, Atlanta →
The Motor Enclave, Tampa →
Something With an Engine
For the man happiest with a throttle in his hand. Rent a jet ski, put a boat in his name for the afternoon, or book an ATV trail ride somewhere worth getting dirty. Half the gift is the experience. The other half is having already made the plans.
WHERE TO BOOK
Polaris Adventures → for ATV/side-by-side experiences
Get My Boat → for jet skis and boat rentals
Tickets Worth Having
The safest experience gift is often the one built around something he already follows. Tickets to his favorite team, an artist he has always wanted to see, or an event he would never quite get around to booking himself.
WHERE TO BOOK
Ticketmaster Gift Cards → if the buyer doesn't know the exact event
Ticketmaster → for concerts/sports
An Afternoon Outdoors
For the man who would rather spend the day outside. Book a guided fly-fishing trip, a hunt, an afternoon at the sporting-clays course, or time at the range. Better still when it gives him an excuse to bring someone along.
WHERE TO BOOK
Orvis Adventures & Shooting Schools → for fly fishing, wingshooting and sporting clays
Orvis Fly-Fishing Trips →
A Day on the Water
A deep-sea fishing charter for the angler. A sailing charter for the man who would prefer the cooler stay closed until the sails are up. Either way, give him the day rather than another thing to put somewhere.
WHERE TO BOOK
FishingBooker → for fishing charters
Boat Setter → for sailing and private boat charters
For the Adventurous
Some gifts are better with a waiver attached. A helicopter tour, snorkeling excursion, white-water rafting trip, or, for the particularly willing, skydiving. Choose according to his appetite for danger, not yours.
WHERE TO BOOK
OARS → for proper white-water rafting
Viator Helicopter Tours → for helicopter experiences
The Membership He'll Actually Use
For the golfer who is always looking for another reason to play, a membership to a quality golf simulator turns an occasional outing into something he can use all year.
WHERE TO BOOK
Five Iron Golf Membership →
The Subscription that Disappears
The rare subscription that creates no clutter. A recurring delivery of properly good steaks or butcher-selected cuts gives him something to look forward to and, conveniently, something you may get invited over to enjoy.