I’ve Bought My Partner Hundreds of Gifts — and I Know Exactly What to Get Yours

Buying gifts for men can be the worst, even when you’re shopping for the best man in the universe — your partner. In my experience, men either have no idea what they want, they’ve already bought what they want for themselves, or they want something so specific or exclusive that it’s impossible to get your hands on or outrageously expensive (or both). Sometimes they have all three problems at the same time. What’s a person looking for the perfect men’s gift to do?

I certainly don’t consider myself an expert in men, but I have been with my partner for over 16 years now. That’s nearly two decades of birthday, anniversary, holiday, and just-because gifts that I’ve given this man — a generous and luxury-loving Leo, no less, so you know the bar is high.

After buying all those gifts over all those years, I’ve managed to develop a pretty solid arsenal of gift ideas for men. And while I shop with my husband’s character, interests, and needs in mind, my shopping list still offers up plenty of inspiration for people who are looking for unique gifts for the men in their lives and want to move beyond the clichéd whisky rocks and wallets. Here’s what’s on my husband-approved list (save for one gift, which I can’t post publicly lest I spoil the surprise).