Buying gifts for guys can be challenging - especially if you aren't truly thinking about them. Though your heart may be in the right place, your guy may not be excited about a fabulous set of picture frames or tickets to the ballet.
Remember: you're shopping for something he would like. Think about gifts he'll both appreciate and get use out of, not just toss into the depths of the closet. Follow these tips for last-minute purchases for your dad, husband, brother, son or best guy pal, and you're sure to see big smiles this holiday season.
Consider his hobbies
Start by creating a list of what he does in his spare time, and go from there. This will help narrow down the options, making the shopping less overwhelming for you. Has he always wanted to learn to fish? Does he get out and mountain bike on the weekends? Has he shared his dream of camping in Glacier National Park? Choose a hobby that he spends time on now or has expressed an interest in pursuing more. Then you can start shopping for apparel or gear in those areas.
"Getting gifts with thought behind them is special," says Mike Donabauer, vice president of global marketing, Wolverine Footwear Group. "What guy wouldn't love something he can work into his favorite activity? Appealing to his interests is a great way to show you care."
Men who like spending time outdoors can always use new apparel and outerwear. For cold-weather gifts, check out Wolverine's selection of high-performance gloves, hats and socks.
Take it a step further and offer to participate in his favorite outdoor activity with him. If he enjoys a day of hiking, research trails in your area and find a route that will accommodate both of your skill levels. Purchase comfortable and stylish hiking boots for him and for you, and plan a day trip.
The gift of the outdoors
Whether he lives in a warm place year-round or will be buried in snow for the next few months, it's great to help him look forward to spring days that are just around the corner. Outfit your guy for the outdoor season with functional apparel and footwear. Perhaps dad needs more comfortable and durable clothing for intensive DIY projects at home. Or maybe your husband is gearing up for his next hunt and is lacking appropriate layering pieces for the changing weather.
Look for stylish shirts and shorts in water-repellant fabric to keep him dry on damp days. Choose durable fabrics that have stain-protection capabilities and require minimum care. For the outer layer, it's all about details such as a wind-resistant layer and comfort stretch design.
High-tech footwear
If technology is his thing, you don't need to visit an electronics store to find fantastic gifts. Apparel and footwear manufacturers are taking a technological approach with more and more items this year, making clothing and shoes more functional and comfortable than ever. Wolverine carries a wide variety of men's footwear with its incredibly lightweight Wolverine DuraShocks comfort technology or stealth Wolverine CarbonMax safety-toe technology.
