Guide To Buying Gifts For Men

So I was talking to JoyceTheFairy, and she was lamenting to me how difficult it is to buy Christmas gifts for men.

Let’s face it, when it comes to exchanging gifts on Christmas, more often that not, the guys always seem to end up on the losing end. Whether it’s for your boyfriend, your boss, your dad or your bro, a lot of girls are just clueless when it comes to buying gifts for men.
Anyone who’s ever been out birthday shopping with girls would know. Girls, they strut into the shopping centre early in the morning with one thing in mind: hunt down that perfect gift for that perfect guy. Five hours later, they walk out of the shopping centre with 3 pairs of heels, 4 handbags, 2 skirts, 5 tops, two of which have same design but different colour, and NO birthday present for that poor birthday dude.

For far too long, men have endured having to receive crappy presents from girls, only to forcefully put up a weak smile when we unwrap the presents and discover – what a surprise – the FIFTH pair of GODDAMN SOCKS AND BOXERS YOU GAVE US EVERY YEAR FOR 5 YEARS STRAIGHT.
But in the name of maintaining civil harmony, we pretend to be excited just to make you happy. We may not like your presents, but we sure would still like to walk away on our own two feet without medical assistance.

That is why I’m representing the male population of this world to say this: enough is enough. This Christmas, I’ve decided to put together this nifty guide for the girls on how to buy gifts for men.

WHAT TO BUY FOR MEN: Gadgets
You can never go wrong with gadgets.
Guys love gadgets. If your guy doesn’t like gadgets, please check if your guy is actually, y’know, a “guy”.

The Best Gadgets This Season:

  • Panasonic Lumix FX9 (~ RM1,600): Compared to Canon’s Ixus, Casio’s Exlim, Nikon’s S series, this is in my opinion the best of the small cameras.
  • Apple iPod Nano (~ RM1,000): Nothing but the iPod. Not Creative. Not iRiver. iPod. You don’t go for Bata when you can get Manolos for a few dollar extra.
  • O2 XDA Atom (RM2,899): The sexiest new PDA phone is as expensive as a notebook, but if my girl buys me this, I’ll be her slave for 5 days 4 nights (inclusive of 5% govt tax and 10% service charge, minibar not included).


It’s pricey, but any man who doesn’t want those as presents is obviously a liar. Besides, you can always share among a few people and split the costs.

WHAT TO BUY FOR MEN: Ties
If gadgets is out of your budget, get them some quality silk ties.

If most guys are like me, but I find it bloody difficult choosing a proper, corporate-ready tie for work. To me, they all look the same. I tried buying ties on my own. I wore them once or twice, disgusted by my own taste and then went back to wearing the same old ties all over again.
Most girls, I notice, have no problems picking out the hit from the shit.
Where to get good ties:


As a rule of thumb, stay clear from loud or cartoon ties, make sure they are not filmsy and soft to touch, and choose a tone and pattern that best complements his work attire.
Besides, they make great handcuffs in bed.

WHAT TO BUY FOR MEN: PC Games
Ok so you probably cannot afford thousand dollar gadgets, or maybe the guy you’re buying for is in Standard 6 so he probably won’t be wearing any neckties for the time being.

How the heck am I supposed to play with this thing?!

Under NO circumstances should you get him a pair of I-Love-You-You-Love-Me soft toy bears! It may look sweet, but trust me, we honestly don’t like it as much as girls do. Because we can’t play with it! There’s nothing fun with playing with a soft toy bear!
Instead, get him one of this season’s best PC games. Make sure you get original ones ‘cos the pirated OEM versions don’t allow you to play online.


Be careful though, these games are super addictive. You really have to be mentally and physically prepared for him spending less ‘quality time’ with you and more ‘quality time’ with his computer.
Don’t be too surprised if he emerged from his room 3 days later looking like The Undead from World of Warcraft.

Your boyfriend ah?

“But it’s soooooo expensiveeeee!” I hear you say.
Bullshit.
Bring you go cinema watch movie, you think the tickets pirated one ah? Drive you here and there, you think petrol free one ah? Take you eat at fancy restaurants, you think our mother cook there ah?
What’s a few thousand dollars compared to all these money love we showered on you this past one year? I rest my case.
Guys, you can thank me later with a nice cold jug of beer.


From #mybloggers:
[19:48] <foxtrotecho> row row row your boat
[19:53] <Hermy> gently down the stream
[20:03] <foxtrotecho> merrily merrily merrily merrily
[20:18] <KennySia> life is but a dream
[20:19] <Hermy> that was some long song
[20:20] <Hermy> took half an hour to complete that chorus

131 Replies to “Guide To Buying Gifts For Men”

  1. Hi Kenny,
    I take it that you’re not much of a gamer.
    WoW = MMORPG. _NOT_ RTS.
    Civ4 = TURN-BASED Strategy. Lol, _NOT_ “fake time strategy” This really takes the cake.
    BF2 = I think you got this game mistaken for its predecessor, Battlefield 1942, where it was a WW2 themed.

  2. Wahahahaha… how true… although I’m not really into gadgets, I’ll be perfectly happy with an iPod or even a subscription to WoW… =D
    Of course, another mistake that can’t go wrong is for the girlfriend to surprise the guy in his room wearing skimpy lingerie or some schoolgirl/nurse/policewoman uniform… heh heh heh…

  3. *oops, made a typo in my first comment*
    Wahahahaha… how true… although I’m not really into gadgets, I’ll be perfectly happy with an iPod or even a subscription to WoW… =D
    Of course, another present that can’t go wrong is for the girlfriend to surprise the guy in his room wearing skimpy lingerie or some schoolgirl/nurse/policewoman uniform… heh heh heh…

  4. Best entry I’ve read so far! Gadgets are nice. Some guys may not be into electronic (read: expensive) items but maybe with the “handyman” kind of tools. But they’re gadgets just the same. Yah, thanx Kenny.

  5. One Bacardi Limon coming your way Kenny! You deserve more than a cold beer.
    Maybe you should splash your site pink so more ladies would come in to read…
    come on.. jk…

  6. haha.. amazing.. wouldnt the guys like that? so from me being a sucker at buying crap for guys, i can actually de-sucker-nise myself.. surely the guys would bow to me.. :p

  7. actually the things you listed are the only things i can think of giving my hubby for our anniversary/his birthday.. (with exception – the ties – he’s not required to wear ties to work)
    just bought him a portable dvd player for his b’day..(which he wants of course)
    but he’s gonna buy me o2 xda atom for … err… fun.. 🙂

  8. hehe.
    good list kenny.
    I’m not that keen on giving teddy bears and stuff unless it’s for anniversary or graduation or something. Christmas and Bdays are a very different story.
    I was going to get my beloved Civ 4, plus a few games for his Nintendo DS.
    But found something much better. The Logitech gaming keyboard with a backlight under the keys so he can game in the dark! PLUS new cd from a singer who I know he love-LOVES!
    I know. I want to marry myself as well

  9. DAMN RIGHT MAN!!! A GIRLFRIEND COSTS $$$$!!!!!
    What to get for your girlfriend for Christmas
    i) Gadgets – PSP, O2 – the idea is to get her something that she will never be able to learn how to use, or will not enjoy using. Then you can borrow it from her! 😛
    ii) Sexy lingerie – if you’re going to spend money on a cake, better make sure that you’re able to eat it as well. And what better than to get he to strut her stuff and shake her booty in your face while wearing that sexy lacy piece….
    iii) If you’re deperate and want to make her really happy, get her some jewellery. You can either pick up something cheap at a place like Perlini’s Silver, or if you want something more up market, check our Tiffany’s or Cartier (KLCC)! This will definitely get her to dress up in that sexy santarina costume 😉

  10. DAMN RIGHT MAN!!! A GIRLFRIEND COSTS $$$$!!!!!
    What to get for your girlfriend for Christmas
    i) Gadgets – PSP, O2 – the idea is to get her something that she will never be able to learn how to use, or will not enjoy using. Then you can borrow it from her! 😛
    ii) Sexy lingerie – if you’re going to spend money on a cake, better make sure that you’re able to eat it as well. And what better than to get he to strut her stuff and shake her booty in your face while wearing that sexy lacy piece….
    iii) If you’re deperate and want to make her really happy, get her some jewellery. You can either pick up something cheap at a place like Perlini’s Silver, or if you want something more up market, check our Tiffany’s or Cartier (KLCC)! This will definitely get her to dress up in that sexy santarina costume 😉

  11. Ohh…yes…the O2 Atom…Yup, definitely want that.
    Ties ah? err…I guess if they are on a budget.
    I agree with you, GFs DO COST $$$…all the little things spent on them in the end just ends up into one big 4-5 digit number. Let’s not forget that BFs r buying GFs nice presents too.

  12. Spot on dude. And I have to say that yes… BF2 (which is post WW2) is addictive. My wife is pretty jealous of the game. Says it’s my other “love interest” hahah!
    Merry Christmas to ya dude!

  13. Of course it’s nice to buy things for the one u love . Anyway, bears are most probably a no no. Gadgets, like what Kenny said are usually a yes yes. 🙂

  14. well in that case… this is all ur getting for christmas – m e R r Y c H r i S t m A S – that’ll teach u not to complain again. And I know where you shot ur second pic…. hmphhhhh

  15. See kenny, thats why is so hard to get things for guys… its true about the socks things…lol that the only cheap things…i know guys like gadgets…but it sooo expensive.
    Thanks for the enlightenment though…now i have clearer picture of best present to buy games and ties…lol at least this too are below $50
    Maybe you should write more on other guy stuff we girls dont know..well at least we get to understand the marstian better…eh write your version of Man are from MARS and Woman are from Venus.
    Btw i have always like all your entry..you are a funny guy.Thks for always cheering up my day!:)
    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays…

  16. Couldn’t agree more.. but what about guys giving us yeah soft cuddly things, or when he bothers to splash on something slightly nicer like a bottle of er.. Davidoff, he just hands it to us in the Metrojaya plastic bag he got it in! Little gestures speaks volume too innit? No card fine, no wrapping paper?!?!?!

  17. I’ll like to suggests that instead of buying ties, buy hand-cuffs instead so you can cuff him to the bed and do naughty things to him…. 😉

  18. This is my first comment. Absolutely LOVE your site.
    Thanks for doing us guys a favour. If only my wife reads your blog…

  19. Just wondering…Does your gf reads your blog? Wun she get jeolous when you always take pictures with pretty babes? so close somemore…face stick face leh

  20. I find guys dun mind receiving perfume and facial sets either. *heh* it’s the metro in them. Food is another, all guys appreciate a good meal.
    Good idea I read: Make a stack of coupons with things like “Good for 1 home cooked meal” “Good for 1 hr massage” “Free 1 *special nite* ”
    As for langerie, i dun recommend much giving it to girlfriends, least the guy wants to get stuffed in the medula oblanga with it. Unless, it’s already an understanding…

  21. As proven in one of Kenny’s previous blog entries, MEN LOVES COCONUTS.
    Make it a special Christmas this yearh for that special someone with KENNYSIA’S COCONUTS. Each sold seperately.

  22. im buying GAMES for my boyfriend too… LOL
    but the shipment haven’t arrive. And Civilization 4 was one of my choices. Sadly, its out of stock as well.
    DAMN. but thanks for the tips. I’d keep in mind when getting presents for men in future. =)

  23. Wah so mahal wei xD and i thought girls were gold diggers hehe.
    might as well add a PS3 on the list =P or a PSP with 5 games included nyeheheheheheh.
    but this post helped! 😀 thanks, kenny!!

  24. Yup… those stuff mentioned would be nice.
    as for me (a guy), i would say this:
    1) Not just those gadgets, anything hardware is fine with me. A good thumbdrive is nice. A DVD burner is good too, throw in a couple of blank DVD is better. A new and better phone than the one I have right now, I like that too, thank you. See? Those stuff are not in 4-digit figures…
    2) Yup, ties are good too. I’ve pretty much the same problem with you Kenny… and yes, forget bout those ‘funny’ ties. They are useless. I have two and they are taking up space in my closet. Clothes, other than socks and underwear are fine with me, even if they are in colours that I don’t particular fond of. But know this, I’ve pink and baby blue T-shirt, I have purple shirt as well. I’ll wear anything, as long as I look good in them ;P
    3) I’m not tat much into computer games though, but I’ll take softwares. I’ll take a good computer-related book, be it on programming stuff or software stuff…
    4) This is the best, and perhaps most siao, but I like it: Give me cash! To make the gift looks nicer, put a card to go along with it! Write me a good long message, and I’ll be touched.
    Things I don’t really wanna get as a gift:
    1) underwear
    2) cup and mugs
    3) a teddy bear
    4) belt buckle and wallet set
    5) or anything to be put on the table to gather dust like a bottle of folded stars (please don’t go through this kinda trouble… I’ll wept for your effort…)
    Merry Christmas.

  25. :-/ Its not hard to buy a present for a guy if the girl is sensitive and alert on signals the guy is giving out.
    “Bullshit.
    Bring you go cinema watch movie, you think the tickets pirated one ah? Drive you here and there, you think petrol free one ah? Take you eat at fancy restaurants, you think our mother cook there ah? ”
    Throughout my relationship with my ex last time, we ALWAYS go dutch ok =_____= Not all girls are fortunate enough to have their bfs treat them all the time.

  26. Gadgets – Of course you can go wrong with gadgets – haven’t you seen the ATARI crap their revamping. Old Atari 2600 games which they are advertising saying cap like ‘Why pay $100 for one game, when you can pay $100 for a games console and over 100 games’
    Also, Salespeople like to chuck the OLD gadgets or UNPOPULAR gadgets at unknowing people. Nothing worse than being given something OLD … like an old Black and White Games boy that you can’t buy games for.
    TIES – Don’t like them, I have about 100 and never wear them (Except one or two). Even have old retro THIN TIES! Waaah! Thin acid wash one.
    PC Games – I own so many, I even accidentally bought ones I already owned before!!!! Check first.
    I usually write a six page list of ‘games’, CD’s, DVD’s, gadgets etc for my family to chose from … a six page list allows room for them to find soemthing they like, something they can afford, something I don’t have, something that will still surprise me … and NO NASTY SURPRISES like, ‘Oh, but the guy said the PSOne was going to make a comeback!’

  27. I am sick of ties but a new gadget would be lovely – a new phone or digital camera or a lap top. Yes! You naile dit right, we guys love gadgets.

  28. three cheers for kennysia! brilliant entry you have there 🙂 Now I’m more sure of what to get for my boyfriend. thanks kenny!

  29. world of warcraft is a massive multiplayer online role playing game aka MMORPG (not real time strategy)^_^;; warcraft 3 is real time strategy aka RTS

  30. i gave my husband a PSP for last christmas,and make him have no time to talk with me for many days
    and this year anniversary for PS2 online game,and till now he still have sleepless night with that crazy game
    for this year christmas,i will buy a nintendo DX,so that when i am out with friends for end year travel,i feel safe as he will have no interested in pretty girl

  31. LOL, Kenny… I would’ve thanked you with a jug of beer if my girlfriend didn’t dump me before Christmas…
    Cheers to you, man. Keep up the good blogging.
    Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas, Kenny.

  32. Kenny, you got it sui sui lah.. My wife always give me wallet, shirt lah, belt…not that i don’t appreciate that but something like another 1Gb of DDR400 RAM (those performance type) would be nice or maybe a new 250Gb harddisk for me to store all those..*ahem*..movies..
    honeydew…is that why he became your EX??

  33. *Snort* How apt. Was just about to pop out to buy my man a PSP unit for X’mas when i decided to read today’s kennysia entry.
    Makes me start to want to calculate how much I’ve spent on him so far.
    Dude – you just spoiled his X’mas….

  34. Not that I don’t agree with the “no-giving of thoughtless gifts” sentiment, but your list only has mega-expensive items. Even the ties you listed were over RM 200. Some people don’t work yet or can’t afford these stuff y’know? And.. hahah, girls, if your bf isn’t working yet, don’t make him go do the whole list Kenny wrote down like mega-expensive dinners and stuff. There’s nothing wrong with going dutch, and most decent guys will treat you when they have money/working anyway… otherwise.. well, you got a stingy bastard. Hahaha…

  35. Funny funny funny.. haha…
    Incidentally, was it just me or was there a problem with this page loading? Like had to try 4 times…
    I’m guessing yes judging by the number of duplicate comment posts…

  36. The way it works with me my missus and me is I buy my toy and then I tell her this is what I want for my ___ (fill in the blank) present. Thank you very much.

  37. blowjobs. plenty of them. in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the iiving room, in the car. heck. blowjobs under the christmas tree!
    *cough*
    sigh.

  38. In Woolsworth i think…
    they are marketing a Belly Button Brush as a Xmas gift for guys who have everthing. Basically a brush, to clean your belly button. Guaranteed nobody owns one. Bet not many people have even seen such a thing. Novelty stuff. =)

  39. lol.. this is funny! i m reading here in the comp lab and the guy sitting besides me must be thinking i m siao lang… early mornig laughing to monitor… ahaha…

  40. Guys guys…..
    What makes you think the girls aren’t putting up a “suprised and excited” face as well when we get our presents from our bfs? ;D
    Sometimes, even though the guys spent hell a lot of $$$ on a gift, we can still tell that it was a desperate buy on the 11th hour thingy, without much thought as well.
    Also, expensive gifts do not necessarily equate tasteful gifts, plus the “taste” depends on the “thoughtfulness” guys put in as well when buying it… Don’t assume all girls are dumb blondes ;P

  41. What we really need is a gadget that will tell you what people want for Christmas, but until someone comes up with that, I think gift vouchers are the best. It’s not as lazy as giving cash, and the recipient has a chance to pick something that they will not re-wrap and give away at the next Christmas gift exchange.
    I hope Santa reads Kennysia.com.

  42. Tell ur boyfriend, you’re actually a lesbian. U r bringing a sexy gf of urs today so u all can have threesome.
    Guys pass the beer to me!!!

  43. I shop like a Man, being a geek disguised as a bimbo myself, I still find that it is somehow difficult for girls to differentiate between a good gadget and a bad one.
    Take cameras for example, She’d probably end up buying a casio exslim something rather than a Canon ixus 700. She won’t be interested if u can adjust your aperture as long as it’s slim enough for her to carry around in her pockets.
    And hell, I think she’d have better tastes buying wallets for u. At least that’s wad girls in Sg wld do. But of course, I don’t represent the population here.
    Anyway, Merry Xmas Kenny. =)

  44. this girl here is perpectually broke.. but another great gift idea is to get a good greasy breakfast (served at lunch time idelly), with an ice cold beer, served by u in your lingerie.
    hot damn

  45. I’m speaking from a student’s view.Who doesnt have income??Ur lists too expensive to affort,kenny..even girl’s stuffs are not that expensive..unless youre talking about Tiffany & Co.Its always the thoughts that count.As long as ur gf’s heart is with you…whats more important than that?

  46. well…in my opinion..guys always love high-tech machine……
    but if ya bf really is a gamer thn dun buy a pc game for him…coz he can dl it..hehe…

  47. i totally disagree with what u said on erm, how much guys spend on us? restaurant, movies, etc. hello! wat were u thinking? it’s a modernize world where girls out there are starting to pay for their part as well. we do not entirely depend on our bf, especially they haven start working yet. and… i think u shud start giving advice for guys on choosing pressies for girls cos i dun think guys have tastes up to girls standard yet. (uh-huh, not all girls love flowers and teddy bears)

  48. Well said. Thanks. I really dunno what to get for guys. Now I noe what to get. N I still think games are X.
    Cheers Yuhui =)

  49. You should have mentioned Light Sabers as a cheaper alternative.
    I saw a couple in Toys R Us and well, let’s just say I wanted to rip 2 out, pass one to my brother and we would have Jedi Knighted the whole store!
    And to think I’ve passed my mid-twenties as well…

  50. what I want from my girl:
    not gifts, coz these are material,
    not cards, again, material, thus meaningless,
    all I want,
    is to know that she truly loves and appreciates me,
    that’s all I will ever need from my girl.

  51. I think most girls would not hav the necessary budget for most things in ur list of gifts… The $$$ wld probably been spent on makeup, skincare, haircare, clothes, shoes n etc …. y else do u think they want us to pay for the shopping ??

  52. Btw … u interested in making a cheapo list of gifts to get ur bfs without looking like a cheapo ???
    I can help in coming out wif the items on the list … hehehe …

  53. Well, i think you only should buy men a tie when they’re over 40 lar…
    There’s soo many things out there that is more useful…
    ever think of giving then a nice leather portfolio so they look sophisticated at the office? (dunhill at KLIA has one!)
    or a fancy shirts… Raoul and Zara might have great range of selection…
    But please… only give Giordano or Baleno for your 10-year-old-nephew…

  54. headache headache! basically,those gifts ideas are pretty useful,but he already has most of those stuff already…the latest ones esp…any more useful ideas on wad gifts to give a guy?

  55. Hi there, I enjoyed reading your comments on Gift buying for guys or girls.
    I have ended up starting a gift buying service for those guys that dont know what to buy for their gf, and the same for bf, us girls are not that hard to buy for just the thought is the big one, I want to help get those guys back in the good books again, and help couple to regain that spark,..

  56. KENNY YOU’RE WRONG!
    wahahahahahahaha~~~
    what makes u think girls cant get guys GREAT presents? X)
    got my guy a gorgeous watch last year, he was over the moon bout it for like weeks..still really happy bout it till now eh =P see!

  57. Bullshit.
    drive you here and there, eat at fancy restaurent, think they so kind? Just drop to say, nothing is free in d world!

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