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This very well may be the most important post on this site; past or future. While many sites out there, including this one, strive to give creative and constructive gift ideas, it all really boils down to the individual’s taste. Knowing that I can not be everything to everyone, I put together an advice piece to assist every person that is having trouble finding a gift for a hard-to-buy-for man. Therefore, I’m pleased to present to you The Men’s Gift Guide Golden Rules.

What this is and what it is not

This is not a specific list. In fact, not one product is mentioned. However, this is meant to be a general list of guidelines to assist in the men’s gift-giving world. It gives insight to the man’s psyche and should help you determine if what you are thinking about giving him will be a good fit.

Bottom line: if you are considering a specific gift for him, but aren’t sure, check these rules. If you can apply any one rule, it may be a good choice. More than one; you have a good chance of that being a great gift.

Rule 1: Don’t Believe Him

Absolutely first and foremost; never ever believe him when he says that he doesn’t want anything, has everything he needs, or he doesn’t care. Men look forward to the excitement and anticipation of getting gifts just as much as anyone else. The true answer to the question, “what do you want for…” is more likely, “I don’t know, I can’t think of anything, or it’s silly and I don’t want to tell you.” Men are supposed to be providers of the family and sometimes have a hard time saying “buy this for me.” All this means that it’s going to take a little more detective work for you. But, that’s what the rest of this article is about. One last note, don’t nag him about it. Constant pressure to tell you what he wants will only make his brain shut down further.

Rule 2: Something to Play With

Deep down, men are just big kids. They like to fix, tinker, assemble, and figure out. Some of the most miserable holidays I can remember have been when I just got clothes. I always need something to play with that day. There are numerous companies out there that have made it big just by selling “big boy’s toys.” What else could explain the continued popularity of high end video game systems and high stakes poker? While some women enjoy these things also, any marketer will tell you that men continue to be the driving force behind many gadget, gaming, and “stuff to play with” industries. Chances are he works hard, day in and day out. So give him something to play with. It just may be the perfect gift.

Rule 3: Appeal to His Past

Have you ever heard him say, “I used to have one of these when I was a kid?” Does he play with the kids toys more than the kids do? My guess is yes to both. Remember, he’s just a big kid at heart (see Rule 2). Men love to remember the carefree days when they had less responsibility and could just do what they wanted. So get on an auction site and find that vintage lunch box or action hero that he used to play with. Let him share with his kids something he played with when he was a kid.

Rule 4: Make him say wow and give him something to show off.

Originally, these were going to be two separate rules. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that making him say “wow” or “neat” is the same as making his friends say “wow” or “neat.” Gifts don’t always have to be practical or needed. Men simply like “cool stuff.” Then they like to show other men their “cool stuff”. Why do you think that new cars and lawn mowers are like man magnets? Let him be the envy of his friends by “wow-ing” them all with your super cool gift.

Rule 5: Give him stuff for his space

Every man needs a space in the house that is his, be it an office, garage, game room, basement, wherever. This is a room where he can decorate any way he wants, keep anything he wants in it. I have stuff from my favorite sports team, a fish tank, gumball machine, and an antique cash register in mine. So, if your man doesn’t have a space like this, GIVE HIM ONE. Then give him stuff he likes to go in the room. Remember you can still have control over the whole rest of the house.

Rule 6: Challenge Him

Men love a challenge. We have an inherent need to prove we are the biggest, the strongest, the smartest, the fastest, and the best darn Barbie house put-together-er on the block. So give us something to test our brains and our skills. Give us something to assemble, or solve. Then, ooh and aah when we come and show you our accomplishment.

Rule 7: Take Him Somewhere

This needs to be somewhere that’s just for him; his favorite restaurant, sporting event, or monster-truck rally. Take him on that trip that he’s always wanted, but never found the time for. He’ll know that it isn’t somewhere you really wanted to go and he’ll appreciate what you’ve done for him.

Rule 8: Give Manly Things

Deep inside, we’re all still men. And eons of history can’t really change who we are at our core. Give him something that reminds him of being a man. Words like wood, leather, rustic, and vintage come to mind. Perhaps classic, gallant, or daring. What images come to mind when you read these words? Now associate it with your man, and get crackin’.

Rule 9: Consider doing, rather than giving

Not all gifts are material things. And, yes, maybe he really doesn’t need anything. Well a gesture just for him might be the ticket. I once read an article about a guy who was just head-over-heels for his girlfriend because she got him a carwash and detail for his birthday. He never would have gotten it for himself, but loved that she did it for him. I also knew a lady who invited all his friends over for a poker game, and she served food, beer, and cigars all night. Easy, simple things that’ll show him more than you’ll ever know.

Rule 10: If you truly don’t know what you’re doing, then don’t

As mentioned in Rule 1, men may very well have a specific thing in mind, but are just too embarrassed or shy to tell you what it is. Going out and getting something totally wrong may disappoint both of you, as men tend to be very specific about what they want (“this is what I wanted; I just wanted the other model”). While it is the thought that counts, it may be even better to say “I know you wanted that video game, but I wasn’t sure which one. Let’s go and buy it together.” This is also the perfect time to use the ace up your sleeve, the store gift card. However, make sure it is to a specific store. That way he’s got to use it for his gift, and it can’t be squandered away for groceries and gasoline.

What else?

What did I miss? What can you add? Which rule is the most important? Be sure to post your thoughts so we can continue to improve this list.

Welcome to our 2007 version of Father’s Day Gift Ideas. Below are my top five choices for Dad, the king of hard-to-buy-for. Please, I beg of you, don’t believe him when he says that anything will be fine, or that he’ll like whatever you get him. It’s not true.

Dads love to be WOW-ed. When buying for him, always be looking for something that’ll make him say, “cool” or “neat”. Appeal to his inner child and give him something to play with, put together, or show off to his friends.

1. Share of Stock. So, he’s bought so many different golf clubs, putters, balls, and shoes that he ought to own the company. Well this is the year that you’ll give it to him! Oneshare.com is one if the most interesting companies I’ve come across in years. You choose a company, recipient, and personalized message, and they send you a framed, actual stock certificate. Choose from many of his favorite companies such as: Harley Davidson, Callaway Golf, Playboy, World Wrestling Entertainment, and more. Choose one of their suggested sayings (Harleys don’t leak oil, they mark their territory) or write your own. Pick a frame, and you’re done. One very personalized, very unique gift. Click here for more information.

2. Skill Stop Slot Machine. We’ve talked about these a few times, but they continue to get hotter and hotter. Men love games; that’s why poker is so popular. These slot machines are the next big thing in gaming. These are real slot machines that were actually used in international casinos. When they are retired (which is anywhere from 1 month to 2 years of use) they are refurbished in the US and sold for home use. A brand new one of these sells for over $3,000, but surprisingly enough, you can get one starting at a couple hundred dollars. There are so many titles available, you’re sure to find one that piques his interest. Click here for available titles.

3. The Drink Tender. This is the perfect gift for a guy that likes to entertain. Whether it’s inviting the guys over for a game of cards, a BBQ, or to watch the big game, he’s always having to get up and get someone a fresh beer. Well not anymore. Now everyone can be their own bartender. Enter The Drink Tender. This bad boy holds 80 oz. of his favorite brew. The center column is actually a removable ice chamber that keeps everything cold. Now, if we can only get someone to invent the pizza tender. Click here for ordering information.

4. Personalized Humidor. These guys have been an absolute hit since their introduction. These personalized humidors match our popular lines of pub signs, coasters, and beer steins. Even if he is just an occasional smoker, he’ll love having a place to keep his stash of smokes. These well-crafted humidors are illustrated with your choice of 24 stunning designs. There is something here for anyone’s interests, from poker and billiards, to the biker or beach bum. There are even some for true cigar aficionados. One of these personalized humidors will be an excellent addition to his study or office. Click here to see all 24 designs.

5. Titanium Rings. Titanium is the new definition of cool when it comes to men’s jewelry. Titanium is strong, durable, and light-weight. Plus it looks great. There are lots of designs to choose from. Now you’d think that jewelry made from an aerospace metal would be way too much for your budget, but these are actually surprisingly inexpensive. For instance, the ring shown is only $109. My favorite places to get these are JustMetal and Titanium Concepts.

When buying for dad, remember, his just a big kid at heart. Any of these gifts are sure to be a big hit.

Need more ideas? Check out our resources page for all my favorite places to guy unique gifts for men.

My good friend Jacob wrote the following piece about cheap poker chips. Poker chips are like anything else; you get what you pay for. I think his points hold true for most things you purchase. Getting good, quality products is what most men will appreciate. If you can only do it half way, maybe you shouldn’t at all, or at least wait until you can get the good stuff.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive set of poker chips, I’ve got a suggestion. Use pennies. Not penny poker, rather just use pennies as markers, or chips. They can represent quarters or dollars or five-dollar bills, depending on your stakes. That’s what we did when we were in high school. They’ve got a lot going for them. They’re cost effective. Unlike quarters, they’re accessible as there is usually an old jar full of them just lying around. And, they’re durable – just try to break one. The only downside is the vulnerability to the occasional unscrupulous buddy sneaking a few into a game, but those types tend to stick out and they usually aren’t invited back.

Pennies are great for kids. In fact, we believe they’ve got a lot more style than cheap poker chips. When you show up for a game and you find out they are using pennies as markers for dollars, you get the sense this is a no-nonsense game. There’s no pretension going on here. This is an understated, honest crowd. In this game, it’s all about the cards. Idiots are tolerated, so long as they bring cash, lose it quickly, and move on.

Poker games with cheap poker chips are often times a whole different story. When you show up for a game and the host brings out a 1970s-style carousel of plastic chips, cardboard-like chips, or knockoff clay chips, you immediately get the sense you’re in for a long night. If you look around, there are good odds you’ll see wood paneling on the walls. Saving a few bucks is one thing, but please pick your battles. Just use pennies. Cheap poker chips are a lot like a cheap suit. Either get a nice suit, or go casual. Everybody can respect the fact that casual is casual. You’re not pretending to be something you’re not. You can’t say the same for a cheap suit. Cheap poker chips are no different.

Poker is a classic game with hundreds of years of rich history behind it. Those who know and appreciated the game know it’s about tradition. They know it’s about camaraderie. They know it’s about excitement. And they know it’s about excellence. It can be a competitive battle of wits among formidable opponents. It can be an intoxicating mix of good friends, good drinks, and fine cigars. Real poker players know the money game is just a scoring system that keeps everybody honest. Real players know it doesn’t matter whether you play for dimes and nickels or for twenty-dollar bills. It’s all about the action.

Poker is most definitely not about a bunch of hacks that barely know the rules, sitting around a wood paneled room playing with imitation plastic chips. It’s not about 2s, 3s, and 9s being wild. It’s not about getting comfortable with the idea that it’s ok to lose your money time and time again, and that you’re just paying for the entertainment value. And it’s not about showing up in your cheap suit.

As far as the chips are concerned, they can either add to the tradition and excellence of the game, or detract from it. If you want to save some coin, use pennies. If you want to add a little style to your game, invest in a set of nice chips. Whichever path you choose, get comfortable with it because poker chips last a lifetime, even the cheap ones.

Click here to see some good quality chips you can be proud of.

OK, catchy title for what we saw as the top 5 gifts for men of the 2006 holiday season. We make it no secret that we are closely affiliated with The Round Table - Unique Gifts For The Hard-To-Buy-For Man, so these top gifts come from sales from that store.

1. Deluxe Sudoku Puzzle Board
Sudoku hit us all by storm and it has proved to be an addicting game to rival the crossword puzzle. I personally have always wanted to be smart enough to do a crossword, but I am not afraid to admit, that I have never even come close to completing one, and not for lack of trying. Sudoku is the game that anyone can play, just line up the numbers in the correct block. Takes time and practice, but is a really good puzzle to keep him busy. Lots of guys will now be able to work their puzzle in real time, on the table and not have to worry about erasing mistakes. The Deluxe Sudoku Puzzle Board was our most popular single item this holiday season.

2. Pocket Watches and Cuff Links
There seems to be a revival brewing of the modern gentleman. For the past several years, it has finally become cool again for him to be decorated and refined. This year’s sales of pocket watches and cuff links shows this trend is getting ever stronger. Admittedly, we have a small selection of these items, so I can only imagine what more heavy sellers of these items must have experienced. Our most popular item was the Gametime Team Pocket Watch, available in about any team or college you can imagine. While we have an even more limited selection of cuff links, many of you gentlemen will have a nice set under the tree as well.

3. Skill Stop Slot Machine
With the popularity gaming and gambling still on the rise, we’ve been looking for the next big thing. Frankly, I would’ve thought the poker thing would have died down by now, but what do I know. These Skill Stop Slot Machines are authentic machines that are used in international casinos. I guess to deter cheating, they have to be switched out all the time. So these machines could have been used for as little as one month, to as most 2 years. So they are practically brand new. You use tokens and manually stop each reel by pushing the corresponding button. We literally couldn’t get enough of the Welcome To Las Vegas Skill Stop Machine, shown. We had to turn down orders.

4. Oxford Round Leather Flask with Shot
Personalized gifts are always popular. There is something to be said for giving someone a gift in the first place. It’s always the thought that counts, but when you go the extra mile to give a gift with their initials, name, or some other personalization, it really shows. In my humble opinion, this is one of the nicest new flask designs I’ve seen in quite some time. Personalized with a single initial, the center section pops out to be used as a shot glass. Holds 6 oz of his “favorite beverage”. We expect the Oxford Round Leather Flask to be a hot item again once wedding season comes.

5. NFL Emblem Money Clip
Pro football continues to be hugely popular in almost everything we sell. The hottest this year was the NFL Emblem Money Clip. Every team is available, and you can personalize (see above) with two lines of text. Use his name and the date, or get creative. “Hail to the Redskins”, “Pittsburgh Steelers - Superbowl Champs”, etc.