Christmas Present Help Please!

[fraggle551]

Hi Everyone

I have NO idea what to get my boyfriend for Christmas. I know he's going all out for me and getting me some really nice things, and I would love to find the perfect thing to surprise him with.

We've been together for almost a year and it's our first Christmas together. He's 21 & i'm 23. Background on him:

He's a mechanic (and has an INSANE amount of tools at home & at work. I wouldn't even know what to buy him for tools. He wants snap-on gift cards, but I feel funny just getting him a gift card)

He is a 'man's man'. His garage at his house is his 'domain', so possibly something for there? He collects funny signs, and has a bunch of those.

He is not into electronics - he has an old cell phone and loves it, doesn't really ever use his iPod, hates being inside and watching TV, and doesn't watch any movies.

He does NOT want clothes. He keeps saying that over & over.

He has a big red Chevy pick up truck, and a 25 foot cabin cruiser boat that we spend all summer on.

So far i'm getting him...
a poop calendar (long inside joke)
the new Eminem cd
some mechanics soap he wants
and a framed picture of us.

I'm trying to get him a board game based on the show Lost too - we started watching it over the summer and he loves it, plus board games. This is the only surprise thing so far, he knows about most of the other stuff.

If anyone has any suggestions, I would be very very thankful!!

 

[Squirlz]

Here is a good site for garage stuff:

www.carguygarage.com

Lots of cool clocks and signs.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

My husband LOVES tools and has a workshop full of them. Fortunately he is satisfied with Craftsman tools, and only owns one large Snap On tool box (expensive). He mostly buys Craftsman tools because they're less expensive, yet have a lifetime warranty on them.

Some of the gifts I've bought him for his workshop are:
coveralls -- keeps his clothes clean when he's working on his Jeep
Craftsman stackable tool boxes - about 8, because he has so many tools
magnetic trays that keep the tools from rolling around in the toolboxes
rubber liners for inside the toolboxes
socket holders
A creeper
a rolling stool with tool carrier under the seat - has flames on the seat,
swivel chair - also has flames on the plastic seat (matches the above stool)
Safety glasses
bendable light for hard to reach places
assorted work lights
telescopic magnet
a code reader
shop towels
a leather cover that he leans against while working on his truck, keeps his belt/jeans from scratching the paint
metal utility shelves to hold all of his junk in his shop
a work bench
Personalized shop sign
Man Cave sign
auto jacks
clamps
battery chargers
air compressor
paint guns and accessories (he likes to paint motorcycles, too)
shop broom
pegboard and pegs to hang tools on the walls

The great thing about buying gifts for a man who loves tools is you will never run out of gifts to buy him. The list is endless. And since I'm a neat freak, I like to buy him stuff to organize his tools and shop.

 

[fraggle551]

Here is a good site for garage stuff:

www.carguygarage.com

Lots of cool clocks and signs.

Thank you! That site is great. He will absolutely love 2 of the personalized signs I found on there.

My husband LOVES tools and has a workshop full of them. Fortunately he is satisfied with Craftsman tools, and only owns one large Snap On tool box (expensive). He mostly buys Craftsman tools because they're less expensive, yet have a lifetime warranty on them.

Some of the gifts I've bought him for his workshop are:
coveralls -- keeps his clothes clean when he's working on his Jeep
Craftsman stackable tool boxes - about 8, because he has so many tools
magnetic trays that keep the tools from rolling around in the toolboxes
rubber liners for inside the toolboxes
socket holders
A creeper
a rolling stool with tool carrier under the seat - has flames on the seat,
swivel chair - also has flames on the plastic seat (matches the above stool)
Safety glasses
bendable light for hard to reach places
assorted work lights
telescopic magnet
a code reader
shop towels
a leather cover that he leans against while working on his truck, keeps his belt/jeans from scratching the paint
metal utility shelves to hold all of his junk in his shop
a work bench
Personalized shop sign
Man Cave sign
auto jacks
clamps
battery chargers
air compressor
paint guns and accessories (he likes to paint motorcycles, too)
shop broom
pegboard and pegs to hang tools on the walls

The great thing about buying gifts for a man who loves tools is you will never run out of gifts to buy him. The list is endless. And since I'm a neat freak, I like to buy him stuff to organize his tools and shop.

Wow!! Your husband has one very nice wife. Would you believe my boyfriend has almost everything that you listed?! However I did find some great signs from the link above - maybe you could find some too! I love the leather cover and the bendable light. I'm positive he doesn't have the cover, i'll have to do some snooping and see if he has the light.

That would definitely come in handy because he always is making me crawl around and contort myself into weird spaces with a flashlight since i'm small! I really wish he liked Craftsmen, but he seems to be a Snap-On freak. Luckily, my Dad at least loves Craftsman.


Thank you both. At least I have some more things for him now.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

How about a weekend away to someplace romantic? There is something so special about taking time off, just the two of you. It doesn't have to be far away. In fact, if you live in a tourist type area, just get a room a nice hotel and act like tourists for a day! Or maybe a nice dinner out? Sounds to me like you have already picked out some very nice, personal gifts.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

Here is a tool gift idea I just saw on another thread.

Originally Posted by The Mystery Machine
Get him the new Dogbone Wrench. Very popular with the guys. We are boaters as well and my dh said that would be GREAT for the boat. It is a hot item this yr.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00914277000P


I just ordered one for my DH's stocking.

 

[Juliegirl1]

"Experience" gifts are always great too - I've given a gift of driving lessons in a NASCAR, tickets to a show or concert, weekend trip away, Disney trip, guided fishing trip or anything that you can do together is usually a hit.

 

[Disney Doll]

I got my hubby a sign that said "The Man cave" to put over the entrance to "his" den. I think it was in the What on Earth catalog.....or maybe the "Wireless" catalog.

 

[DisneyScraps]

Does he drink?

My DBF likes scotch ad my Wow gift last year was a bottle of Macallan 25 which was his ultimate scotch.

He was blown away.

Lisa

 

[minniecarousel]

DH & I weren't going to really exchange gifts, but we've been talking about going to a Sharks game, so I bought a pair for us to give to him. Would a pair of tickets to a sporting event work?

 

[Squirlz]

Here is a tool gift idea I just saw on another thread.

Originally Posted by The Mystery Machine
Get him the new Dogbone Wrench. Very popular with the guys. We are boaters as well and my dh said that would be GREAT for the boat. It is a hot item this yr.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00914277000P


I just ordered one for my DH's stocking.

Someone who owns Snap-On tools is not going to be interested in "Christmas Tools".

 

[fraggle551]

How about a weekend away to someplace romantic? There is something so special about taking time off, just the two of you. It doesn't have to be far away. In fact, if you live in a tourist type area, just get a room a nice hotel and act like tourists for a day! Or maybe a nice dinner out? Sounds to me like you have already picked out some very nice, personal gifts.

This is a wonderful idea! Unfortunately i'm starting a nursing class right before Christmas, so we won't be able to get away for awhile. I think when I finish we will go somewhere as a college graduation/my birthday/anniversary trip!

Here is a tool gift idea I just saw on another thread.

Originally Posted by The Mystery Machine
Get him the new Dogbone Wrench. Very popular with the guys. We are boaters as well and my dh said that would be GREAT for the boat. It is a hot item this yr.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00914277000P


I just ordered one for my DH's stocking.

Someone who owns Snap-On tools is not going to be interested in "Christmas Tools".

Unfortunately, Squirlz is right. I'm sure he probably has the Snap-On version anyway - the truck comes to his job every Friday and he always is getting the latest and greatest tools. But I appreciate the suggestion! Thank you.

"Experience" gifts are always great too - I've given a gift of driving lessons in a NASCAR, tickets to a show or concert, weekend trip away, Disney trip, guided fishing trip or anything that you can do together is usually a hit.

These are great too. I'll have to check and see whats around here.

I got my hubby a sign that said "The Man cave" to put over the entrance to "his" den. I think it was in the What on Earth catalog.....or maybe the "Wireless" catalog.

From the link above I got him 2 personalized signs! He'll love them. There were some great ones up there if you're looking for more.

Does he drink?

My DBF likes scotch ad my Wow gift last year was a bottle of Macallan 25 which was his ultimate scotch.

He was blown away.

Lisa

He has a love affair with Captain Morgan! Maybe I could get him a big bottle and some cool glasses that he could use on the boat this summer. Thanks!

DH & I weren't going to really exchange gifts, but we've been talking about going to a Sharks game, so I bought a pair for us to give to him. Would a pair of tickets to a sporting event work?

Unfortunately, no . He hates sports! I never would have thought a guy who has permanently greasy hands could hate sports, but there ya go.



You guys are great! I never would have thought of half this stuff, and usually i'm awesome at finding great presents. I love finding the perfect gift to make someone so happy. I guess I have Christmas present block this year or something.

 

[malibuconlee]

Mechanix gloves I think that's how you spell that name brand. Craftsman at Sears will have them as well. It's something that wears out. Gee, I guess I didn't get any for DH's stocking this year, darn.

 

[malibuconlee]

Just read the Captain Morgan thing and had to write back and tell about the drink fountain!

I go to Vegas a couple of times a year with a big group of friends. In March hubby goes, in Sept/Oct I go and stay with the girls. My friend was celebrating her birthday this year and her gift from some of the crew was a drink fountain with Captain Morgan in it. It was a joke as someone had posted a pic online of the type of fountain and she had proclaimed she waned one of those ...filled with Captain of course.

 

[Squirlz]

Admiral Nelson is almost as good as Captain for about 75% the price!

 

[fraggle551]

I just had to update this since you guys gave me such good ideas.

I ordered him 2 personalized garage signs from that link in the first couple posts. And then I was going to get him glasses to use on the boat this summer with a bottle of captain in a little basket. Then I found personalized glasses!! So I got him 2 pint glasses and 2 shot glasses engraved with the name of the boay.

They have a TON of different glasses and things in case anyone is looking for stuff. All sorts of beer & wine glasses, and decenetly priced too. Hopefully this can help out someone else!

 

[vicb]

"Experience" gifts are always great too - I've given a gift of driving lessons in a NASCAR, tickets to a show or concert, weekend trip away, Disney trip, guided fishing trip or anything that you can do together is usually a hit.

I was just going to add to this and suggest tickets to a sporting event or concert.

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

Does he drink?

My DBF likes scotch ad my Wow gift last year was a bottle of Macallan 25 which was his ultimate scotch.

He was blown away.

Lisa

A friend gave me a bottle of really nice absinthe once and I was amazed. If someone is a snob for a certain type of food or drink, that's an awesome gift.

Also, experience gifts like tickets etc. are great. For his wedding gift, instead of buying DH a watch or some othersuch "sentimental keepsake", I took him to the Bruins home opener and we sat club level. He was PSYCHED.