Gifts for guys who have everything – men of all ages

Finding that perfect, age-appropriate gift for men who has everything is quite a challenge. As soon as he feels that he has given marked gifts to his children, they go and grow old, leaving him in the dark once more.

In this article, I will offer unique gift ideas for men ranging from age 10 to 60.

So let’s dive right in. I’ll make sure to clearly separate this article so you can navigate directly to the ages that are relevant to the men in your life.

1. Modern children of 10 years. Shopping for 10-year-olds (and a little older) used to be a piece of cake. Give them a set of Legos or a starter tool kit and you’re ready to go. Unfortunately, children seem to be aging faster and faster as time goes on. My four year old nephew can surf on his dad’s PC more efficiently than I can! What would you get a 10-year-old who grew up in this age of technology and has been exposed to cell phones, laptops, iPads, and web-connected video games his entire life? (Without breaking the bank, of course.) For this tween age group, I recommend the EyeClops kit. The EyeClops line gives kids the tools to explore and learn about the great outdoors while still looking “cool” in the eyes of their peers (what kid wouldn’t love to show off their night vision binoculars?). EyeClops creates a number of different devices, ranging from bionic eyes to night vision goggles and projectors. Spark your child’s imagination and encourage them to get outside and explore the world around them.
2. Teenagers who know everything worth knowing. Shopping for your teenager or younger sibling can be the biggest challenge. Keeping up with tween and teen pop culture is nearly impossible (and no fun, let’s be honest). Finding a gift that looks cool for a teen while trying to maintain her innocence is a real challenge. For this super challenging age group, I have selected a day trip or a weekend trip. No matter the geographic location or group of friends, every young person will have at least one thing that they are passionate about. If he likes sports, buy tickets to the sporting event he loves and give him the tickets wrapped in a shirt to wear to the event. If it’s a type of music, do the same with tickets to a show he’d appreciate. There are events for just about every interest, so throwing him a surprise concert/game/show is sure to impress him and his friends. Bonuses: you’ll have the opportunity to take advantage of the event (attend and bond with your guy) or provide him with an extra ticket to gift to a friend. Doing the latter is sure to earn you extra “cool” points.
3. Twenty-something… adrift. This can be a really difficult age to face as a parent. Your children have officially grown up and their priorities begin to change. Who they were and who they are becoming can change dramatically throughout this era, so it’s best to go with a gift that’s personalized yet universal (oxymoron?). Narrowing this down to a single item to recommend was difficult. Clearly, every 20-something’s journey is going to be different. However, one thing is almost guaranteed; will be experiencing changes, which is why I have decided to recommend a digital camera for this age group. Prices have dropped drastically, and there are a number of cameras on the market suitable for different interests. Do you have a thoughtful and artistic child? Give him a camera that delivers quality shots and great color contrast. An active boy? Give him a waterproof and shockproof that can go almost anywhere with him. The list goes on…
4. mid to late 20’s It’s official; these men are adults. From now on, my recommendations will be less specific to “parents” or “guardians”, and will be open to siblings, boyfriends, friends; just about any relationship across the board. Now that your man has reached the point of independence and self-fulfillment, highly personalized gifts are likely to be the most appropriate. By this I mean gifts specific to his interests or where he is in life, not necessarily engraved or embroidered items. Now this suggestion will seem very random, but bear with me. Kids at this time in their lives are faced with many important decisions and are likely to take on many more responsibilities than they are used to. Give them a break from their crazy day to day life and treat them to an advanced RC toy of some sort. My Guys recommends a remote-controlled helicopter, airplane, or crawler truck. Some RC toys are even equipped with lasers and have a “battle mode”. I don’t think I know any man in his 20s or 30s who wouldn’t love to receive something so seemingly ridiculous…
5. Late 30’s to 40’s… Pre-mid-life crisis. Kids in this category are more likely to be established, have a family and a daily routine that doesn’t vary much. It is this day-to-day that will begin to affect them and set them up for the great mid-life crisis. Help ease the pain of your daily routine by planning an escape specific to your interests. I recommend planning it around something active or youthful-seeming to remind him that he’s not too old to move, have a good time, and still feel like a kid. If you are thinking “how do you expect me to be able to pay for a trip?” or “there’s no way he can get that much time off work”, don’t be afraid. I’m not talking about an extensive week-long trip. Even claiming it for a weekend will refresh your spirits. For example: My fiance just got back from a two-month work trip to Amsterdam. I didn’t tell him where we were going, I booked a room at a bed and breakfast in Friday Harbor and took him out Saturday morning for two days exploring the San Juan Islands, swimming in the (freezing!) ocean. , and watch NCAA basketball at a small local bar at night. He loved the ride, I earned points for giving him a big surprise and it definitely broke his MF work-work-work routine.
6. 50 years… Remembering; What have I made of myself? This age can seem like a big step in the life of many men. Questions such as “what have I made of myself?” are likely to arise in their minds. However, this age can mean great news for those who give these boys as gifts; Thoughtful or meaningful gifts for men evolve as men age. If you were to give a 22-year-old man a photo album, he’d like it, but you’re unlikely to show it to his friends or display it prominently in his living space. Now that your guy has reached a more mature age, he is likely to appreciate his family, friends, and love much more. I recommend creating a scrapbook (non-girly and full of text). Documenting his life, how much his family loves and cares about him, or keeping pictures of all his great adventures will touch his heart and remind him that he has accomplished a lot in his fifty years of life.
7. 60 and counting… I’m still young and hip, right? Turning 60 feels like a momentous occasion for any man. He is likely to be comfortable with who he is, what he likes, and what he has decided to do with his life. Doing some work and learning about a man’s childhood at this age will communicate that you really care and wanted this gift to be special. I recommend framing a photograph of this proud father/grandfather next to a photograph of his children/grandchildren at the same age.