After being in the gift business for over thirty years and as the main gift buyer for our household for close to the same amount of time (admit it ladies, we buy the majority of everything), I've decided that there's four main reasons why guys are hard to buy gifts for him.

#1 They don't like the fuss and bother. This seems to have a direct correlation to age. After a certain age, we all don't want more as we look to simplify our lives and downsize. Whether it's downsizing after a kid goes to college or after you retire, some guys want and need less. It isn't that they don't like the fuss, they don't like the bother.

#2 If they want it badly enough, they'll just buy their "gift" for themselves right then and there, regardless of whether they have a birthday next week or Christmas is next month. Part of his behavior is that he doesn't know what he wants until he sees it. Part of his behavior is that since he's not the major shopper in the family, he may not know to wait for a sale or see if it fits into the budget first. Also impulse buyers fit in this category. And part of his behavior is the "I deserve it" buyer.

#3 They're so particular about the thing they want, that they don't trust you to buy it for them. This group includes those who love the "chase" of researching, spending hours on-line looking for information, or driving all over the countryside checking out craigslist.org listings (you know who these guys are!) finding the right tool or thing more than the purchase itself. And this group also includes those who want to buy the best but don't know what the best is, yet.

#4 The only gift your guy wants is waaaaay out of your budget – like my husband lusted after a Ferrari for years, even though buying it and driving it doesn't fit his personality or lifestyle. He just wanted it.

So after you figure out which one your hard to buy for guy emulates, what do you do to buy thoughtful, unusual and unique gifts for him?

First and foremost, listen, listen and listen to follow his hobby, interest or passion. Whether it's Fishing, Hunting, Sports, Computers, Travel, Wine, Beer and Entertaining or another interest, keep a "gift list" in your day timer or "gift book" and jot down anytime he mentions that he'd like something. If you think better online, use an Gift Registry or Gift Reminder service to help. Better yet, get him to use the Gift Registry at his favorite website. Just make sure it's a current interest when you go to purchase.

Second don't forget to fuss and bother with a gift even if he says otherwise "I don't need/want anything". Men always appreciate a useful and practical gift whether it's the improved LED flashlight technology in Maglite Flashlight, updated Swiss Army Tool Set or a Stainless Steel Wallet that wards off identity theft. These guys also appreciate "experience" gifts like trips and spending time with family. And who doesn't appreciate food gifts? Also, now's the opportunity to get him some new Polo Shirts and clothes since you're tired of seeing him wear the same thing!

Thirdly, if he's the type who will buy it when he sees it or drives all over to find it, don't fret. At least he got something that he wants. You can always give him a related T-shirt or accessory to go along with the purchase like a Fishing T-shirt to go with the new rod and reel, Golf Trunk Organizer to go with the new golf clubs, or Stainless Steel BBQ Set to go with the latest bar-b-cue grill. And few guys have the foresight to get themselves something Personalized that lets them know you're especially thinking of them.

Lastly, if your guy lists a red Ferrari as the ONLY gift on his gift list, get creative with a fun and novelty gift – I gave him a Hot Wheels red Ferrari!

Your Guy Gift Guru,

Terry Powers
GuyGifter.com

PS Email me at terryp@guygifter.com to let me know of your guy gifting challenges and how you solved it. If we feature the product or story, we'll give you a $25 GuyGifter.com gift certificate!