Conference quark::mennotes-v1

         Hmm, depends on how much/how intimate the relationship is.
    I agree with -1. How about if the guy(s) in your life are into
    audio and have a cd player, maybe a coupla cd's and/or cd storage
    cabinet/rack. Are any of them into taped music and don't have a
    Walkman? There are plenty of not too expensive personal fm/tape
    players around. If he's into video, a movie he may want, but
    does not have....favorite cologne.......shirts/etc in the style
    he seems to wear. I dunno, not much different than buying for
    a woman, just keep an eye/ear out for what he/they seem to show
    interest in. There are subtle ways of interrogating men or
    women as to likes and what they don't have/would not buy for
    themselves.
    
    Ray

	After all, all men are different!
	
	I'd go along with .2, the Christmas list I'm submitting to my
	family is mainly filled with CD's. Recordings (of the
	appropriate format and style), or concert tickets are always
	appreciated by music fans. Sports fans would appreciate
	tickets to see their favorite teams play (it works with my
	father!). Musicians may appreciate a set of strings or reeds,
	or sheet music. A subscription to an appropriate magazine is
	nice too. It all depends on what someone's interests are...
	
	And just about anyone would appreciate some special attention,
	dinner at their favorite restaurant for example, or a special
	home-cooked meal (use your Digital turkey!).
	
	Mike

    
    
    	Tools from Sears.
    	Clothes. (!!!)
    	Cologne. (Only Halston)
    	Framed pictures. (latest Porsche, etc.. :-))
    	Audio stuff. (CD, albums, etc.. Blank tapes are a gift I'm
			  suggesting my brother gets me..)
    	A swiss army knife. (with duct tape so he thinks he's MacGyver)
    	
    
    	Ok, now you know what I want Nancy.. :-)
    
    							mike

    Re: Clothes...
    
    Speaking for myself, DON'T buy him clothes that are out of his 
    particular "style" unless you're sure he'll accept it. Buy him
    the type of clothes *he* enjoys, not what you like or think he'd
    look good in. 
    
    My gut feeling is that many men(/women) dress in a certain fashion
    because they feel comfortable and don't want to dress another way.
    Especially vulnerable is "trendy" type fashions, like after "Urban
    Cowboy" was released and C/W clothing was all over the streets of
    Metropolis. I had all I could do to make sure that I *didn't* get
    a beaucoup-bucks cowboy hat from a lady-friend who thought they
    were the greatest thing since sliced bread.
    
    Edd

    Don't women get frustrated when men say they want "tools from Sears",
    etc.?  (I've been guilty of that exact action.)  My theory, based
    on what I like to get, is that if you ASK me, you'll get a pretty
    boring answer (CDs, etc.).  But what will really thrill me is if
    you find something that shows your own imagination, your own
    whimsy, your own affection, and surprise me with it.  A cute
    wind-up robot I can put on my terminal where I can look at it
    each day, a poster or print of something you know I'm fond of,
    even a hardcover book by one of my favorite authors.
    
    As for clothes, a luxurious turkish towel bathrobe is always
    appreciated, but only you know if you're close enough to give something
    like that!  Forget wallets, ties, and anything monogrammed (unless
    he already has a bunch.)  If he wears ties, though, an elegant
    tie tack or clip may be appreciated, and maybe even matching
    cuff links (plus a French Cuff shirt to go with it).
    
    Basically I'd stay away from mass-produced stuff - go for something
    that shows a bit of YOU - because then he'll think of you each time
    he sees it.
    					Steve

    I actually don't want tools from Sears.  I have lots of tools, but
    I'm pretty particular about what I want.  Much of the stuff Sears
    has is barely just adequate (or if it's something they do make that's
    decent, I probably already have it).
    
    Seriously, the methods I use when buying for men on my list
    (and women for that matter) are:
    
    1.  Something he uses every day but is getting worn out.  I bought
    my dad a new briefcase last year.
    
    2.  A really good quality version of something ordinary (e.g. stainless
    steel non-breakable thermos, Oxford English Dictionary, etc).
    
    3.  Something completely off the wall, but fun.  Examples: 
    
    	hand carved walking stick
    	kaleidescope (sp?)
    	leather steering wheel cover
    	driving gloves
    	top hat (silk of course) and cane
    	gift certificate for a massage
    	red suspenders
    	silk underwear
    	plastic pink flamingos
    	case of Jolt soft drink (all the sugar and twice the caffeine)
    	duck phone (looks like a duck decoy, quacks when it rings)
	bottle of texas wine ("It's not how well the bear dances, but
    	    the fact that the bear dances at all.")
    	case of off the wall beer (e.g. Old Froth'n Slosh, the only
	    beer with the suds on the bottom)
    
    4.  A really good book about something he's into and won't buy for
    himself, particularly if it's not yet out in paperback (e.g. for an SF
    fan, the new coffee table book on Industrial Light and Magic (Lucasfilm
    special effects house) [$50 at Rizzoli in Copley square]). 
    
    I generally try to avoid mass produced items.  You can often get
    something just as good, and a bit more one-of-a-kind at galleries,
    craft stores, etc. 
                                             
    Steveg

    
    
    	1) Cash. Cold, hard cash. And plenty of it...
    
    	2) Power. To the point of corruptability.
    
    	3) Fame. His name on everyones' lips.
    
    However, in lieu of the above, you could just get him underwear
    or sox which keep wearing out on him. Such is life!
    
    
    C.
    
    
    

     Two dozen golf balls (Titleist DT, 90 compression, Surlyn cover)
     
     --Mr Topaz

         I talked  with  Don's pro - he advised him to start out with
        an old ball, but Don only ever has new ones..
        
        I like something  I  wouldn't  buy for myself too - something
        individual that makes me think of the giver whenever I see or
        use  the  gift,  and I  try  to  choose  gifts  on  the  same
        principle.
        
        Andy..
        

    a ribbon around the waist of certain ladies

    re-1....you can have the ribbon.....I'll take the LADY!!!!
    
    Tony....

     re .14:
     
     Easy for you to say; your people get a single golf ball at the age of
     7, then they don't buy another one for thirty years.
     
     --Mr Topaz 

        Re: .17

        All you  have  to  do  is  play a round there every couple of
        years Don -  we're  still  playing  with  your  last  lot  of
        mis-hits..why buy 'em?
        
        Andy..

    dd;

>=25 year old single malt whiskey
>=15 years cognac
Any good wine

Hics,
Dave

Thanks for reminding me Dave, 


Used plane ticket ;-)
silk tie
silk scarf
cuff links
givenchy
50 year old Armagnac



Jerry

    On the other end of the spectrum....
    
    What do you get a guy that has everything he wants, and doesn't
    like gifts, or if he gets them it has to be practical as ever, and
    something he needs (which is nothing, because when he needs it,
    he goes and gets it for himself).  I thought of making him an afghan
    even bought all the yarn, and told him I was making it for my dad,
    and he said good - cuz he had plenty of blankets (he does!!)...
    
    so... now I have the gift giving season upon me, and the girls (and
    myself) who want to get him something, but am at a TOTAL loss...
    
    What would you do in this case????

    
    GLK

    Give him something non-material.  Perhaps dinner at a fancy
    restaurant, a private weekend at a luxury hotel (I see the Hyatt
    Regency is running ads for this lately), or something along that
    line.
    
    Really, though, the "man who has everything" and makes sure you
    know it is not doing you any favors, though he thinks he is.  If
    all else fails, get him something unique and "personally from you",
    and if he doesn't express appreciation, then don't waste your time
    (or money) on him in the future.
    					Steve

    Re: .0
    
    	My Xmas list includes a wet suit, leather sheets, and a trapeze.
    	If money is a problem, i could always use another electric fork.
    
    	Jake

    I like gifts but there really is not too much I want that we
    can afford that I don't have. My tastes are pretty plain. My
    wife gave me a gift certificate for my favorite book store for
    my birthday. I hope she gives me another for Christmas. I never
    run out of books that I don't have.
    
    My wife also manages to think of things I like that I would never
    thing about asking for. [One of the advantages of marrying a woman
    with more brains that ones own!] In the past this has meant pictures,
    posters and nick knacks of a sailing motif. It has also meant
    some really fun little toys and gadgets. Most men seem to like new
    gadgets.
    
    		Alfred

re .0

A set of Peugeot shop manuals for a 1981 Turbo Deisel, American version

A Prince 125 Magnesium Tennis Racket (need all the help i can get)

bike touring shorts with chamois inserts, with color coordinated shirts,
carbonite 360 Safety sun glasses, Cateye Solar Bike Computer

a new fedora, or maybe a panama, or both

a 10 foot, soft wool/silk blend scarf

driving gloves, (thin leather, unlined, tight fitting w/o being too small)

(no clothes please, i'd much rather get them myself)

-rfl

    Many of the replies have been very helpful, especially .10.
    (Thanks Steve G.!)
    
    
    
    
    ;^)
    
    -nancy

I dunno.  Surprise me.
 <_Jym_>

   re: .0 thats easy!
    
    o A Sheridan PMI II .68 calibre paintgun with battle grips & silencer!
    o A decent cleaning kit for above
    o Some new tramping boots
    o Some new camouflage fatigues
    
    failing that a ticket in the local lottery never goes amis...;^)
    
    Phil_the_semi_serious_paintball_player