Advice from three of EM & LO‘s guy friends. This week a straight woman asks, “What’s a good holiday present for 1) a guy you’ve just started dating (sleeping with), 2) a guy you’ve been exclusive with for a year or so, 3) a husband?”
Ask the Wise Guys
Your Own Question!
Straight Single Guy (Tyler Barnett): OK, you are married, you may or may not have kids and you want to get your hubby a gift that he will appreciate. I am going to give you two options, and I HIGHLY suggest doing them both. First, get him what he really wants. You already know what it is ladies and if you say you don’t you are lying to yourself. An X-Box, a power tool, a motorcycle, a brew your own beer kit, whatever that thing is that you know he wants but you don’t want him to have, just get it for him, ok? He isn’t going to spend more time with it than you and he is going to be thrilled. Secondly, buy some sexy lingerie, wrap yourself in a bow, make a nice meal and treat him like a king for the night. You already are the perfect gift, after all, he married you, so remind him that by being a little bit naughty!
Straight Married Guy (James Glazebrook): Men are really easy to buy for. The hard part is listening to them long enough to find out what they’d like. We’re relatively simple creatures with a limited number of interests, more than likely just one. So peer with us down our tunnel of enthusiasms and then select related gifts at an appropriate level of expense and thoughtfulness. As a music fan, I’d be pleased with a CD from the girl I’m dating, gig tickets from my girlfriend, and a subscription to a music streaming service or record label from my wife. Once the woman in my life has devoted enough time and brain space to absorbing my favourite bands, genres, sub-genres, frequency of bass, etc., then picking out a present is the least of her concerns!
Gay Single Guy (Michael): No matter who the guy, it should be something that show’s you’re paying attention, that you know the real him. That’s why you should be doing your Xmas/birthday shopping all year ’round, at least in you head — when he mentions something he loves, make a note of it. Pricing doesn’t matter as long as it’s thoughtful, but you can use a formula that’s something like [time spent together] x [financial situation] = amount you should spend (and I use the word should lightly). So, if you’ve only known each other for a few weeks but make bank like Oprah, then you should be willing to dish; if you’ve been married for years and are going through a rough patch financially, then a homemade gift that costs less than 20 bucks to make is fine.
Straight Married Non-Guys (Em & Lo): You know what’s an awesome gift for your man, no matter how long you’ve been together? That’s right! 150 SHADES OF PLAY: A Beginner’s Guide to Kink!
MORE FROM EMandLO.com:
- Wise Guys: What’s the Best Relationship Advice You Ever Got?
- Wise Guys: What Do Men Think About Sexting?
- Is Long-Distance, Virtual Love Real?
Our “wise guys” are a rotating group of contributors, some of whom wish to remain anonymous and some of whom like the attention. This week’s Straight Married Guy is James Glazebrook, a British writer/illustrator working in Berlin with his photographer wife on their cool blog, Überlin; our Gay Guy is Daniel, a one-time stripper and sex columnist; and our Single Straight Guy is a friend of ours from NY who wishes to remain anonymous. To ask the guys your own question, click here.
