Introduction
Whether it’s the holidays or a birthday, if you’re looking for men’s gift ideas, it isn’t always easy. Women are easy. Kids are the easiest. But let’s focus on the difference between men and women for now. Why is it so much harder to buy a gift for a man?
The Stuff Gap
The first and biggest reason is also the least helpful when trying to solve our problem. “It’s society, man.” Giving a gift to a woman is relatively simple when we live in a culture where women love to (or feel like they need to) accessorize. Go to any department store. The vast majority of the stuff will be aimed at women. Vast arrays of clothing in different shapes, sizes and colours, not to mention the jewelry, purses, scarves, hats, shoes, etc.
Gifts for men? If you’re lucky, they will be cloistered off into a dark corner where a paltry variety of the same shirts, the same belts, the same underwear, all with different brand names placed on them to give the illusion of choice. Okay, that’s not totally fair. But it can feel that way. It’s the place where men go in, get what they need, and leave in peace. Good luck finding a gift for men under $50 that isn’t something lame like a wallet or a tie.
Man Toys Are Pricey AF
We know men love stuff just as much as women. The thing is, the stuff they like, they’ll typically buy themselves, or it will be too expensive for most gift givers to give. Oh, he likes golf does he? Have you seen how much a new driver costs? And maybe it’s not the right one for his style of play. How about a watch? Great gift idea. But do you want to lay down that kind of coin for something that might not be his taste? And then there are the higher end toys. He likes gadgets? He likes ATVs? He likes sailing? C’mon, man!
All this brings most people to give the men in their lives the good ol’ impersonal gift cards, booze, or ultimate male “I have no idea what to get this guy” gift, a gift card for booze!
The Best Gift
What kind of gift actually changes you for the better? Research shows that people who spend their money on experiences - rather than on accumulating stuff - are more happy. Some stuff is an experience. Women have been the beneficiaries of these gift items for decades. Think of the typical mother’s day gift fare: Bath salts gives you the experience of a relaxing bath. Scented candles gives you the experience of a warm aroma that fills your space. Even simple moisturizer gives you the experience of literally being comfortable in your own skin (although it won’t do much for you figuratively).
Men have historically be shunted out of that gift experience, we believe unfairly. And the worst part is men think this is as it should be. There’s this idea that men ought to be “independent” but that get interpreted as being “wantlessness” or worse “needlessness!” We all need and want things. Men are no different.
Think about the best gift you’ve ever received. The best gifts are the ones you didn’t even know you wanted. That means that the person who gave it to you actually knew you better than you knew yourself.
Science has proven that giving really is better than receiving. So if you want to feel real good, give a gift that speaks to the man you’re giving to.
Our Recommendations
Here is a short list of things we can prove that are tailored to men of specific attributes, especially if he’s got a good sense of humour.
Does he work with his hands?
Does he have a beard?
Does he - or maybe desperately needs to - manscape?
Does he use product in his hair?
Does he - on occasion - sometimes need to wash?
Does he have a pair of lips? (still works if he just has one lip)
If you’re reading this, chances are, you already know what we do. You know we live to make natural style skin and hair products. And we believe that most men love to use them, they just don’t know it yet. We believe that men prefer high-quality, hand-crafted, naturally sourced ingredients are preferable to the petrochemical goops you get at the grocery store. We believe the man in your life will love the experience of taking care of himself differently. Surprise him with something he didn’t know he wanted.
