How to Choose Valentine's Day Gifts for Men

Carla J. Swick is a freelance writer who resides in NW Pennsylvania. She has discovered solace in hiking the woods behind her property.

He Wants to Know You Are Thinking of Him

I recently asked some guy-friends of mine about what I should get for my boyfriend for Valentine's day. The car broke out in laughter, but I was serious. "Isn’t Valentine’s Day for women?” one of them asked. We all sat and contemplated it for a moment, and somehow it didn’t seem fair.

After all, one of the legends of St. Valentine claims that Emperor Claudius II put Valentine to death for secretly marrying lovers. It appears that Claudius thought men with wives and families did not make ideal soldiers, thus he outlawed marriage for young men. Perhaps, Valentine was a hopeless romantic, and... it got him killed.

But in reality, isn’t love and the celebration of love for both men and women alike?

Dr. Nancy Kalish, in a Psychology Today article, had this to say: “On occasions where romance is expected (such as Valentine's Day, birthdays, or anniversaries), we should all remember to separate emotions from behaviors. Men may not make scrapbooks or mementos of their love experiences, but they are every bit as loving, loyal, and yes, romantic, as women—and sometimes more so!"

It’s pretty simple. Every guy wants to know he’s thought of fondly.

What Do Men Want?

The men in my car that day tossed ideas back and forth. They decided on one thing. “A card is not a gift.” And I clarified one thing—I did not want it to be just any gift, I wanted him to like it.

One man suggested that, since my partner treated me most of the time when we went out to eat, I should treat him to dinner. After all, isn’t that one way to a man’s heart? Another suggested buying a nice bottle of wine. I laughed: “So you’re suggesting I buy him wine so he can get me drunk?” Laughter aside, we discussed typical gifts that women receive like chocolate, flowers, and music. Nothing was striking a chord, and this was a car full of men! Shouldn't men know what men like?

A Great Gift Should Be Personal

When it comes to gift giving, it is very personal. A true gift should be given to a person according to that person’s likes and tastes. This takes some thought. I wanted to tailor-make this gift to my guy’s personality.

I narrowed down a list:

• A DVD set he had been wanting
• His favorite cologne
• A piece of jewelry
• A massage—not from me, from a pro

All of these ideas held challenges for me. I am ashamed to say I did not know his ring size or what cologne he wore that he considered his favorite. The DVD set was nice but seemed somewhat impersonal. I guess I needed to know my guy better and... time was running out.

He Wants You to Keep It Light-Hearted

In the end, I tossed all my guy friends' ideas aside along with my list and bought him something romantic and funny—a pair of personalized boxers. I think he will get a laugh out of them. After all, romance rule #3 from a Match article by Steve Friedman on “What Men Consider Romantic” is: “…a humorous twist.” Friedman says, “Men generally don’t go for sappy love notes, but if they’ve got a sense of humor or something else going for them, recognizing that can be very effective.”

Men use humor to defuse situations that might be a little too touchy-feely. I’ll save the emotional stuff for the card, which we have already learned is not a gift in itself, and give him a gift that makes him smile and probably laugh.

So, whatever you decide to do for Valentine’s Day—do something for him, make it personal, and keep it light-hearted. After all, we don’t want to let St. Valentine down. The man, yes, a man, gave his life all in the name of love.

References

• Friedman, Steve. "Ladies, prepare to sweep him off his feet | Happen Magazine." Match.com® | The Leading Online Dating Site for Singles & Personals. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. <http://www.match.com/magazine/article/5875/What-Men-Consider-Romantic/>.
• Kalish, Nancy. "Sticky Bonds." www.psychologytoday.com. N.p., 1 June 2009. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. <www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sticky-bonds/200906/are-men-romantic>.
• "The Legend of St Valentine." www.history.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. <www.history.com/topics/valentines-day>.

Comments

Dianna Mendez on February 22, 2013:

Wonderful advice! Men do need attention on this day as well.

Carla J Swick (author) from NW PA on February 16, 2013:

It make him laugh - so worth it!

anglnwu on February 16, 2013:

Great ideas. Your choice is the best---I bet your partner must be happy. Thanks for sharing

Carla J Swick (author) from NW PA on February 14, 2013:

We sometimes forget - guys have feelings too! : )

Carla J Swick (author) from NW PA on February 14, 2013:

Thanks so much for sharing - I agree... I think it should be about appreciation - not overspending.

Gypsy Rose Lee from Daytona Beach, Florida on February 14, 2013:

Voted up and interesting. Men should be considered as much as women on Valentine's Day. Thanks for the reminder and suggestions.

Tirralan Watkins from Los Angeles, CA on February 13, 2013:

This was a very enjoyable read carlajbehr. I like the point about keeping it lighthearted and that's what my hubby and I try to do on Valentine's Day. With all the pressure and expensive buying expectations, this day can be so stressful, especially for men. Vote up!

Carla J Swick (author) from NW PA on February 13, 2013:

KT, That's wonderful!!! It can really be quite simple. Thanks you for the props! cjbehr

KT Banks from Texas on February 13, 2013:

My husband says his favorite Valentine gift was when I wrote him a poem. I know that may sound weird, but I don't usually write any kind of poetry, so for him to know I did it just for him, he said he was touched. And while the poem was loving, it was also a bit funny.

Over 26 Valentines's days together, I've run the gambit of colognes, music, clothes and just about everything else. But it's still the poem that he remembers.

I hope a lot of people read this hub. I agree with you, that this day shouldn't just be for women. Great job. Voted Up and more!