I admit I have a slight problem not reading all of the time and when my children were younger I “modeled” good reading behavior – books everywhere and I read whenever I could – not exactly a hardship for me…grin.
It is a little more challenging to find time to read now, there is more email to check, Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin to update, plus writing and all the other usual stuff that fills the day. I have always had a car book on hand (something to read when I am early for picking someone up – not while I am driving, please!) and I find it really easy to throw my Kobo e-reader into by bag and then I can read whatever I want. I do like to have a few books going at once (even if Goodreads does show that I am still reading the same books – sometimes I forget to list all the books I read – Sorry, Goodreads!). I do love all media, tech and toys (am still vying for an iPad…Valentine’s Day maybe? Subtle – I am nothing if not subtle) and aside from old movies (my fave), I also have certain favorite (my own must see tv) television shows; The Big Bang Theory, Glee and The Office.
The Kobo e-reader was featured in The Office (The Ultimatum episode) – How cool, right? Darryl buys a Kobo to help fulfill his New Year’s resolution to read more and hid it from his co-workers because he thought his company may not love it if he had an e-reader but he was sold on it’s lightness (like a croissant) and that it held 10,000 books.
Do you e-read at work? I do, but I work at home and don’t have to hide it. There is a contest on the Kobo Facebook Page – you could win one of four Kobo ereaders or 10 free ebooks just by liking the page – or tell a story about your office or post a photo in the Photo Contest and see what other people are writing about for a chance to win – free ebooks or an ereader – good deal (mine gets appropriated by other family members all the time – having two would guarantee that I have a chance at one).
Personally, I think men are really hard to buy for and I thank Pragmatic Mom for making me challenge myself in this way. My default gifts – scarves, gloves, or a nice sweater – just don’t work if your recipient lives in Florida most of the year. So I have to get creative. Luckily I had a brainstorm session with Pragmatic Mom!
For instance, my dad is a gadget guy and my husband’s dad is not, but both would love a digital photo frame(especially one pre-loaded with images of adorable grandchildren). If you want to make it even nicer, have your siblings send photos, (to tech-y grandpa) CDs of pictures, jpegs or even a flash drive. He can set it up, no problem. Or pre-load it with pics for someone who doesn’t care for that activity, then re-package the frame an you are good to go.
Pics? Art? Is he into boats? baseball? architecture? Check out this photographer’s site for a cool photo stretched on canvas – Sharon Schindler Photography.
Detail of Hermes silk tie
There is always a tie – really? Did I just write that? Yes, not just any ties but a Hermes tie or aErmenegildo Zegna tie. If you need to make a very nice impression then this is the way to go. Big bucks – $180 for Hermes and about $175 for Zegna (although I am a bargain shopper and have seen the Zegna’s for less).
Here is a link to the NY Times non-fiction hardcover best seller’s list (Spoiler alert: It is top heavy with Republican politicians Bush and Palin) http://nyti.ms/i0rHTh. If he loves fiction – the NY Times fiction best seller list is full of ‘guy’ books, Patterson, Baldacci, King and Grisham dominate it athttp://nyti.ms/3O8Ry. If he is a gadget guy and a reader (especially one who travels frequently) get him an e-reader – they are light, with adjustable font size like the Kobo e-reader (which I have and love) from Borders.
For a sports enthusiasts – especially of one particular team – it is easy – there are tons of shirts, hats, and paraphernalia – go to the team website or your local sporting goods store (especially nice if you don’t support the same team, you look gracious and maybe a little heroic). For the sporty guys, just go for nicer stuff than he would buy for himself. For a golfer – go to Titleist and order personalized golf balls (with their name or nickname). For your tennis player, get tennis balls, some court time (with you?) at a place they don’t usually play. Runners are a cinch – new UnderArmour long sleeve shirt – about $50-60.
Architect or Engineer types? Don’t overlook building kits like this from Frank Lloyd Wright and Lego – not cheap – about $100 at Target.
Don’t forget the experience gift – a pair of tickets to a game or event – whether it is theatre, sports or music. Maybe you will even get invited to go along. Now, this brings us to the Mothers and Mothers-in-law, be sure to make the gifts of equal value! Obviously, you know them best – but here are some thoughts that Pragmatic Mom – ever the diplomat – put together.
The 12 Days of Shopping
I will be posting The 12 Days of Shopping jointly with Pragmatic Mom. Each day, please visit her blog to see the other half of each post. Thanks!
ding all of the time and when my children were younger I “modeled” good reading behavior – books everywhere and I read whenever I could – not exactly a hardship for me…grin.
