Gifts for the Gentleman
- Ties. Initially, I was going to write something to the effect of "don't buy him ties!" The purchase of ties should be an intimate and personal thing, based on knowledge of the gentleman's closet and personality. Then I remembered that some of the best presents I ever got were ties. Case closed. You may want to read my other articles on ties to get some ideas.
- Cuff links. Every gentleman should have at least one French-cut shirt. For every French-cut shirt, you need at least one set of cuff links. And it's always good to have choices. Don't try to find crazy or kitschy things, but if you do decide to go for kitsch factor, make sure that the kitsch you're aiming at is one he appreciates. I myself am looking for a set of John Paul II cuff links. Keep your eyes open.
- Monogrammed Things. Anything monogrammed may seem a little cheesy, but whenever I picture the Great Gentlemen of History™, they've always got something monogrammed on or near them: bathrobes, smoking jackets, handkerchiefs, etc. And for the record, monogrammed pint glasses count.
- Great Books and Literature. This one can be tricky, since you might not be as intimate with the gentleman's bookshelf as necessary to make the best possible purchase here. Here are some good guidelines to picking an appropriate book he likely doesn't have:
- Avoid authors he's mentioned. If he's a big fan of that author, the chances that he already has the book you're looking for greatly increase. Take note of those authors, though (see below).
- Find foreign-language authors similar to the ones you're avoiding (see above). I discovered Kobo Abe this way; someone found out that I liked Camus (not hard to find out) and since Abe and Camus are often compared, she bought me "the Women in the Dunes." If it's a translated author, you have a greater chance of the book not already showing up on his bookshelf.
- Pay attention to anything he calls "neat." "Neat" is the new old-fashioned slang for something that captures one's interest and he'd really like to know more about, but really needs to invest the time in. You can get him started. If something's still neat to him, chances are he hasn't read too many books about it yet. I discovered this strategy when thinking about gifts for my own father, whose fascination with the neat-ness of steam engines has inspired his gift this year (family members reading this, stay quiet!).
- Flasks. Sure, not every gentleman's a drinker, but your gift may just be the thing to change that. Again, one of the coolest gifts I ever received was a monogrammed flask. Good stuff.
- Spirits or Wine. Again, this may be a gift area where you could be getting yourself in over your head, particularly for the gentleman with a truly rarefied palette, but, at very least, the gentleman should be gracious enough to offer to share the bottle with you. Some choices that you can't really go wrong with include:
- Presecco. This Italian sparkling wine is still rare enough in the US that, if you can find it, you're finding quality. Noticeably sweeter than champagne, this wine doesn't need a special occasion for drinking.
- Rye vodkas. Again, still relatively rare in the US, so you're usually guaranteed a degree of quality. Most rye vodkas are of Polish origin, and even a cheap one has a distinctive taste and aroma. On the cheap, check out Wyborowa.
- If you can get it, Absinthe will impress any gentleman when given as a gift. Illegal in the US, you might need to make a special trip to Canada for this one (although many internet retailers will courier absinthe to the US). If the gentleman knows what to do with the absinthe, you're in for a treat. If not, the research will benefit you both. Trust me.
- Foods. This may sound strange, but most gentlemen I know are suckers for good food, whether it's fruits, fish, meats, cheeses, chocolates, whatever. If you want some specific ideas in the Ann Arbor/Ypsi area, spend five minutes at Zingerman's, then go somewhere else you can afford.
- Plants. Believe it or not, most gentlemen would be honored to receive a plant as a gift. Just make sure it isn't a seasonal one that is going to die soon.
- Other things he needs to be prepared in any of those social situations he may find himself. He might need a lighter to light ladies' cigarettes. He might need some sort of traveling kit (staying out all night is no excuse for bad hygiene). He might need a lot of things; giving attention to his preparedness can definitely show that you're looking out.
As I've been writing this, I talked to a friend who suggested I might just be writing this article as wish list for myself. Nope. That's not it at all. Not one whit.
Just a convenient by-product of a fun-to-write article.
