We live in an age of unprecedented consumer choice, when almost anything goes, and there are few things left on earth that you could buy for a man that would raise an eyebrow, this makes choosing a gift much, much harder. I would liken buying gifts for men to a restaurant with too much choice; you'll always regret what you didn't order. Of course, if you know the guy you're buying for well, then it's much easier, but still not easy. Here we look at some simple but pleasant choices that will make good gifts for almost any man.
Grooming kit:
Looking good never goes out of style. Beware, however, that progress is not always improvement. In 2011 it is possible to buy a razor with 6 blades on a cartridge. Cast aside these gaudy fads! Get a man an old-school safety razor, with a brush and shaving soap. It's a closer shave, cheaper in the long run and adds a time-honoured ritual to a man's morning routine. I recommend the Parker Knightsbridge safety razor. Some progress has been for the better - moisturizers, exfoliants and various other pastes and creams are now no longer indicators of shameful effeminacy and are even de rigeur amongst modern men. If you are looking to lighten your wallet more significantly, spa days are now no longer just for girls either!
Amazon Gift Certificate:
It's entirely possible that anything you can afford to buy your friend, he's already got. He knows it, and you know it. Why take the risk? Amazon is great, because it sells everything in the entire universe. Music, clothes, gadgets, you name it, even books, so I hear! It's a modern way of shopping. It's useful. He will end up using it. It's a no-nonsense approach to gift buying and your guy friend won't think you care less about him because you didn't get him a physical thing.
Spotify Subscription:
For those who've been nodding enthusiastically whenever Spotify is mentioned, without actually knowing what it is: Spotify is like your own radio station. The free version is a little restricted, but the premium version (musicians have to eat too, you know) is fabulous. The small fee gives access to almost any song you can think of. You can share play lists with other users, discover new music and it's all legal, which makes for a refreshing change for media on the internet. This could be the music delivery system set to replace physical music collections for some people, so why not introduce it to a friend?
A Track Day:
Oil is running out. This is a fact. Therefore, time to drive petrol-powered feats of precision engineering (aka boys toys) is also running out! You may have to get all your buddies to pitch in for this one - or, what's even more fun, look into party-packs for the whole gang. A day burning rubber in Ferraris is not something you'll forget in a hurry, although it'll be over in a flash!
Your Company:
It's the cheapest thing on this list, and the most important. We're surrounded by pseudo-socialising in the form of Facebook, Twitter et al. We all use these things, and they're great, but they're no substitute for real-life bro time.
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