Momfessions‘ ‘Tis the Season holiday carnival runs all this week.  The purpose is “a holiday gift idea exchange,” and today’s focus is gifts “for him.”

For most of us women, guys/men/boys are the hardest to buy for.  I’m not totally sure why.  Do they have fewer hobbies?  I don’t think so.  So maybe we’re just not usually very familiar with their hobbies, so we don’t know what items go with them?  Men do have a tendency to have expensive tastes – electronics and such – so if you’re on a budget, that can get tricky, but, really, budget-level concerns aside, why do we find them so hard to buy for?  I suspect the real crux of the problem is that since most men don’t talk as much as we do, we find it harder to get to know them and what they like.  Because, really, the people who are hardest to find gifts for are the people we know the least.

Here are a few ideas that have worked for us.

Toys. Why is it that grown men are so much better at playing than grown women?  (And given that trend, why is it that women still usually outlive men?  Imagine how long we would live if we learned to play!)  Whatever the reason, it helps with gift-giving.  Most of the men we know will appreciate toys of some kind – especially if they shoot or move.  Marshmallow guns have been popular in the past.  Radio-controlled cars (airplanes, helicopters, motorcycles) go over well.  And little “gadget-y” toys – the kinds of things you find in novelty shops or science museum stores.

Electronics. Okay, so I already mentioned this, but it’s such a given that it bears repeating.  I have never met a man who doesn’t enjoy electronics.  (I think this has something to do with the last category, actually.  Electronics are just more sophisticated toys. 😉 )  Yes, this can be an expensive category, but there are options here, as well.  Keep an eye out for rebates, shop through MyPoints, Mr. Rebates, or Cashbaq, etc.  Or purchase an accessory.  Buy a case for his iPhone, a speaker or an iTunes gift card for his mp3 player, a game (or add-on pack) for his computer or video game console.

Practical Things. Buying something practical for a man is not the gift-giving faux pas it is for most women.  🙂  Men typically appreciate getting something they need, because then they don’t have to spend their hard-earned dollars to buy it!  Socks, undershirts, and jeans are standard fare around here.  (Please avoid underwear unless it’s for your husband or young son. Your husband might appreciate some underwear for you, too. 😉 )

Junk Food. Especially coming from those of us who force our men to eat healthier than they might otherwise eat, by the sheer lack of offering anything else, junk food can be a particular treat.  🙂  My hubby isn’t a big candy-eater, but he likes cookies.  Most men have some treat they enjoy – a certain flavor of soda (or pop, depending on where you live 🙂 ), candy, chips.  Or maybe your guy likes something healthier?  Cheese?  Peanuts?  Fruit?

Tools. I know it’s cliché, but it’s also true.  The majority of men like tools.  One of the best parts of a new home-improvement project is the excuse – er, opportunity – to buy a new tool.  (“But if I’m going to install tiles, I’ll need a….And for the plumbing…”)  Oh, was I supposed to be talking about the men?  Oops.  (I love tools.  lol)  All kidding aside, though, this is the case for the DIY’ers close to me: they like getting new tools.  Bonus points if it’s a power tool, but hand tools count.  (Added bonus: If you get him a tool, he might put it to use for you!)

And, of course, you can always get something that’s matched to his hobbies or interests.  But if you knew what those things were, you wouldn’t be looking for ideas, right?  (Hobby magazines can be another option.  Even men who “don’t read” often read magazines, because they don’t take large chunks of time.)  For more ideas, visit the carnival.