What Men Want (but don't know they want) — by Guest Dad Ryan Wright
Father's Day is approaching. And women everywhere are asking themselves "what does he really want?" My wife, Erin, thinks I'm very difficult to buy for. One, because she thinks I've already purchased anything I want for myself. And two, because I'm extremely picky - her words. But I think the truth is that most men simply don't know what they want. And if they do, it's a boat or a small island somewhere — not suitable for a Father's Day gift. So here are my Top gift ideas for men this year:
1. Clip wallet ($45):
I hate thick wallets that I'm forced to stuff in my back pocket and sit on all day. Since most men carry (and some sleep with) a blackberry (or some form of PDA), wallets no longer need to carry information - just a few credit cards, ID and some cash. I use a thin, durable Tumi wallet that has 3 pockets for cards on one side and a money clip on the other for bills. It disappears easily into my front pocket.
2. Moleskin Notebooks:
"MOLESKINE is the legendary notebook, used by artists and thinkers for the past two centuries, from Van Gogh to Picasso, from Ernest Hemingway to Bruce Chatwin. A family of notebooks for different functions, Moleskines have become a symbol of contemporary nomadism. Professionals and creative types alike enjoy the high standard of quality and durability of the Moleskine Notebooks." I have one of every size. I use them for notes at work, lyrics at the piano, and ideas/thoughts when I travel. They have every configuration of size, lining & pockets. They are durable, simple, masculine & sophisticated all at once.
3. NikeID - Design His Shoes Now you can design your man's shoes exactly how he likes them. NikeID allows you to personalize shoes by choosing from dozens of shape, color, texture, logo and design options.
4. Books - If your man likes to read (and if he doesn't, give him these and he will!) my recommendation for guys are: Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, Exodus by Leon Uris, and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon.
5. Clean Him Up - Men generally don't know how to clean themselves (and yet we take VERY long showers). The best body-care products for men, in my humble opinion, are:
* Shaving: It's all about The Art of Shaving. They have a 4 step process that makes shaving actually enjoyable. They have the best brushes, lathering cream and pre-shaving oil I've ever used.
* Deodorant: First, whatever Deordorant he wears MUST be fragrance-free. Men should never smell like their deodorant. If anything, they should smell like their cologne. The smoothest, best-acting deordorant I've found is Anthony's Logistics for Men ($12).
* For soaps (shampoo, face cleasners, body wash, etc.), I use everything Khiels. One of my favorites in the morning is Facial Fuel. Designed specifically for men, it's the perfect wake-up your face energizer.
6. Bose Headphones ($299):
These headphones make even the longest flights enjoyable. The noise cancellation works great to turn off the world around you. Perfect for the Soundtrack of Your Life.
7. Cologne - It's time to move your man away from his favorite high school smell. My all time favorite smell for men is Vetiver Oriental by Serge Lutens - striking. Masculine without smelling like aftershave. Sophisticated but uncomplicated. Delicious. It's difficult to find in the US though (aedes, apothia, lacremebeauty, or at Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman & selected Neiman Marcus stores. In Canada, try theperfumeshoppe.) I also like Burberry "Touch", Hermes "Terre" and Comme Des Garcon.
8. Vintage Rolex
OK, I realize this is more than you expected to spend for Father's Day, but for those of you looking for something super duper special, a defining lifetime signature piece for the greatest man in your life (no, that's NOT your father), here it is. C'mon, he deserves it! Mine is from 1973, the year I was born. The green face has become one of my trademarks. When I see another one, I know I've met an immediate friend. They're not easy to find - some antique watch dealers carry them. I found mine at Bergdoff Goodman in NYC. They carry a line of re-furbished originals with re-painted faces in a variety of unique bold colors.
9. Cool Tools - Check out Kevin Kelly's blog for other gift ideas. I love this site...it's addicting.
1. Clip wallet ($45):
I hate thick wallets that I'm forced to stuff in my back pocket and sit on all day. Since most men carry (and some sleep with) a blackberry (or some form of PDA), wallets no longer need to carry information - just a few credit cards, ID and some cash. I use a thin, durable Tumi wallet that has 3 pockets for cards on one side and a money clip on the other for bills. It disappears easily into my front pocket.
2. Moleskin Notebooks:
"MOLESKINE is the legendary notebook, used by artists and thinkers for the past two centuries, from Van Gogh to Picasso, from Ernest Hemingway to Bruce Chatwin. A family of notebooks for different functions, Moleskines have become a symbol of contemporary nomadism. Professionals and creative types alike enjoy the high standard of quality and durability of the Moleskine Notebooks." I have one of every size. I use them for notes at work, lyrics at the piano, and ideas/thoughts when I travel. They have every configuration of size, lining & pockets. They are durable, simple, masculine & sophisticated all at once.
3. NikeID - Design His Shoes Now you can design your man's shoes exactly how he likes them. NikeID allows you to personalize shoes by choosing from dozens of shape, color, texture, logo and design options.
4. Books - If your man likes to read (and if he doesn't, give him these and he will!) my recommendation for guys are: Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, Exodus by Leon Uris, and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon.
5. Clean Him Up - Men generally don't know how to clean themselves (and yet we take VERY long showers). The best body-care products for men, in my humble opinion, are:
* Shaving: It's all about The Art of Shaving. They have a 4 step process that makes shaving actually enjoyable. They have the best brushes, lathering cream and pre-shaving oil I've ever used.
* Deodorant: First, whatever Deordorant he wears MUST be fragrance-free. Men should never smell like their deodorant. If anything, they should smell like their cologne. The smoothest, best-acting deordorant I've found is Anthony's Logistics for Men ($12).
* For soaps (shampoo, face cleasners, body wash, etc.), I use everything Khiels. One of my favorites in the morning is Facial Fuel. Designed specifically for men, it's the perfect wake-up your face energizer.6. Bose Headphones ($299):
These headphones make even the longest flights enjoyable. The noise cancellation works great to turn off the world around you. Perfect for the Soundtrack of Your Life.
7. Cologne - It's time to move your man away from his favorite high school smell. My all time favorite smell for men is Vetiver Oriental by Serge Lutens - striking. Masculine without smelling like aftershave. Sophisticated but uncomplicated. Delicious. It's difficult to find in the US though (aedes, apothia, lacremebeauty, or at Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman & selected Neiman Marcus stores. In Canada, try theperfumeshoppe.) I also like Burberry "Touch", Hermes "Terre" and Comme Des Garcon.
8. Vintage Rolex
OK, I realize this is more than you expected to spend for Father's Day, but for those of you looking for something super duper special, a defining lifetime signature piece for the greatest man in your life (no, that's NOT your father), here it is. C'mon, he deserves it! Mine is from 1973, the year I was born. The green face has become one of my trademarks. When I see another one, I know I've met an immediate friend. They're not easy to find - some antique watch dealers carry them. I found mine at Bergdoff Goodman in NYC. They carry a line of re-furbished originals with re-painted faces in a variety of unique bold colors.9. Cool Tools - Check out Kevin Kelly's blog for other gift ideas. I love this site...it's addicting.
Labels: guest dad
posted by Gabrielle of Design Mom at Tuesday, June 12, 2007
21 Comments:
Og my gosh- Ryan! You're a little too good at this...my husband uses a very similar wallet- not the big & clinky ones of old.
Good ideas,all- I'm going for the cologne. He'll appreciate something decent this year- no more bad ties.......
for Christmas, I got my boyfriend the FXT Wallet from Tumi with the removable card case. he loved the removable card thing, and barely carries the regular wallet! he's big on less accessories, so the wallet was perfect.
great list.
SO GREAT to get a man's point of view on gifts, instead of dismissive grunts and an "I dunno." (Although my hubby did admit he wanted an island.)
Oh Goody! I needed this list for Father's Day. I love the Notebooks. My husband is using 3x5 cards and it isn't pretty. Thanks.
That wallet would definitely fit the bill for hubby; he's been sitting on his current one for way too long now! And the Bose headphones would make us BOTH happy - hubby's a drummer and likes his music LOUD! Thanks for the tips & links!
I was sorry that I already had most of Father's Day wrapped up. But I will use some of your suggestions for my anniversary this summer. However, my husband actually ask for something, which is amazing, he can never usually think of anything and that was some personalized business stationery. I was wondering if you have any suggestions.
The question is, "Which choice will you give your father?" My vote is the island, OK...the wallet is perfect.
I love these gift ideas, as I have been at a loss on what to buy my husband! Thanks for the great info and tips.
excellent suggestions, ryan. the only thing i would add is maybe some cedar shoe trees... the gift that keeps on giving.
everyone at the park today was discussing how much they're enjoying the first ever guest dad. maybe designdad.com is in your future?
About those shoe trees... Sara's comment was referring to one of the original gift ideas I had for my "What Men Want" Father's Day gift post, which I did not include because Erin thought it was too pretentious and frivolous to expound on my shoe trees. So let me use this commenting soap box section here (thanks to my dear friend Sara, mother of S and double C's) to say that guys will drop $100 on a good pair of dress shoes that will last at most 18 months but loath to spend anything on solid shoe trees that last a lifetime and greatly extend the life and look of a shoe. Get them for your man! Especially if he travels. Stuffing socks insdie his shoes is just not good enough. And get good ones. Those plywood pine trees at Nordstrom are a waste. Invest in a pair of solid, full body trees with springs in both the width and length. My favorites are Bottega Venetta ($128). They make even my old dress shoes look good. There, I've said it. Forgive me for my pretention and frivolity. Another gift I left out as well is an electric toothbrush (go to www.parentconfessions.com). Most guys have one already but if he or you don't, convert NOW.
Brilliant list. Thank you.
What wonderful ideas. Thank you!
Seriously. A man's perspective is refreshing. You ARE a little too good at this!! Love the ideas! I was wanting and I found. Thank you.
Had no idea about the vintage Rolex faces and colors. Yay!
"guys will drop $100 on a good pair of dress shoes that will last at most 18 months"
Good grief, if the man in your life is doing this, he needs more than fancy shoe trees. He needs to learn how to buy good shoes and take care of them. $100 dollar shoes last 18 months, but $300 dollar shoes will last 10 years with proper care. See allenedmonds.com or aldenshoes.com for examples. If you really want to spoil him, see johnlobb.com.
Anonymous - you are me. You're right about men's shoes. Two French friends of mine said the greatest fashion shock they had in America was men's shoes. Have you seen the John Lobb Hermes collection? It's the best shoemaker together with the ultimate designer. I've only seen them in Paris though. If you're a John Lobb fan you must go to their store in London where you can see them cut and mold the leather, each shoe individually. It's hardcore.
I'd love to see the John Lobb factory, or better yet, actually buy a pair. They're still a bit beyond me.
I'm not surprised by the comment from your French friends. Most of my co-workers (lawyers, mainly) wear hideous square-toed, rubber-soled Kenneth Cole type shoes. Utter garbage.
thanks so much for the book reccomendations! he LOVES The Killer Angels (3 days later, he's about done reading it!)
This comment has been removed by the author.
Here are two shoes he should not do without- a casual Tod's pennyloafer and a lace-up Bontoni. Spoil him a little!
great fathers day choices! This will definitely help my holiday shopping list. I know Burberry Touch is definitely on there already.
Post a Comment
<< Home