This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Gift Guide for Men Appeals to All Types

From pens to plaid, there's no shortage of ideas for men this holiday season.

If you're shopping for the man in your life this holiday season, there are a slew of local stores that can accommodate. They carry everything from clothes to gadgets to luxury items.

If clothes are on their holiday wish list, "the most important thing is to check for sizes" ahead of time, said Miguel Rodriguez, manager of Joseph A. Bank in Westfield.

Rodriguez said being prepared helps both the store and the customer, and prevents post-holiday exchanges and long lines. "What I always ask is 'what does the person like? What do they wear? If they like khakis and sports shirts, don't give them a shirt and tie."

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

And if you're looking for something a bit more extravagant and less expendable than a sweater, you can treat your husband to some of life's finest luxuries.

At Florez Tobacconist in Summit, there's a "Members Lounge" complete with wireless connection, humidified private lockers to store fine whiskeys and cognacs and full-access to every sport available. "They don't want to leave," said co-owner Abel Florez. But there is a price for your husband's happiness ...about $750 for the year.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

For a happy, more economical medium, there are plenty of options around Union County.

At Presidential Pen in Westfield, you can find everything from pens to briefcases to business card holders ...all in many price ranges. "We try to bring I things that are different, that you can't find just anywhere," said owner Roz  Schwam.  

"We have one knife set in particular .. a shape of a man with knives sticking in him," she said. "It's our number one seller. People usually stop and take pictures of it."

FYI ...That knife set is called "The Ex."

As for pen-shopping, "the first thing I ask them is 'how much they're looking to spend,'" said Schwam. "Pens start at $8 for a little purse pen and then I have something that's hand-painted limited edition that's $2700." Not to worry, Schwam said there are lots of styles in-between.

At Periwinkle's Fine Gifts in Cranford, owner Elaine Moffett has no shortage of unique gifts. "The store looks like a winter wonderland," she said. "My things are so unusual," she added, referring to glass blown ornaments, and a variety of brands like Byers' Choice.

And as for good old-fashioned tools, Walter Swiech, employee of Kryston's Hardware Ltd. in Summit says he gets many requests this time of year for a "small tool boxes."

"Sometimes a parent will come in and they're looking for a started gift for their kid for college," he said.

So if you're ready to start your shopping for any of the men in your life, here's some help to get you started.

Wardrobe Boosters ...

 Merino Sweaters: Warm, comfy and classic, solids and argyles are both popular this season. They're a "top seller" at Banana. $59.50 to $69.50, Banana Republic, Westfield

 More Merino Sweaters: A big seller at Joseph A. Bank too $49.99, Joseph A Bank, Westfield

 Cashmere Scarves: "A big gift item," according to store-manager Rodriguez. $59.99

 Traveler Cashmere Sweaters: Price varies depending on the current promotion. They've been listed for as low as $99 and as high as $295 (buy one get on free), Joseph A Bank, Westfield.

 Silk-Cashmere V-Neck Sweaters: something to dress up the wardrobe, without going overboard $69.50 to $79.50 Banana Republic, Westfield

 Plaid Shirts: Plaid is rad for men and women this year. $39.50 to $49.50, The Gap, Westfield

 Half Zip Sweater: for the more casual side of his closet...  $49.50, Banana Republic, Westfield

 Under Armour Cold Gear: Seasonal and popular, it's perfect for the temperature drops $49 and up, Summit.

 Winter Jackets: Warm his heart with a snug, cozy coat. Holloway, Adidas and Stormtech  are three of the big brands. Range is $65 to $149.  

 The Finer Things ...

 "Drink This: Wine Made Simple": It's like the cliff notes for wine guides. It covers everything from food pairings to cost and need. Turn your husband into a wine expert overnight. $26, Barnes & Noble, Springfield.

Xikar cigar lighters & cutters: If your husbands a cigar smoker, he'll know the brand. A great gift for a man who likes to light up occasionally. Prices range from $29-$200, depending on the item. Florez Tobacconist, Summit.

Wine Wand by Philip Stein: If he appreciates wine, he'll enjoy this unusual but expensive gift. It is a "wand" meant to "accelerate the aerating process of wine by replicating the natural frequencies of air and oxygen," according to the Philip Stein website, www.philipstein.com. After about three minutes the wine is good to go.  $325 Adlers Jewelers, Westfield

Mont Blanc, Visconti, Delta Pens: These high-end pens start in the mid $100 range. $145 for Delta, $185 for Visconti and $350 for Mont Blanc, Presidential Pen, Westfield.

 Bosca Leather Briefcases: $500 range, Presidential Pen, Westfield.

 Gadgets Gurus ...

 The Yogen universal charger: If your husband loves his gadgets but hates to charge them, this gift will be his best friend. It's an emergency charger that is powered by a cord that you pull repetitively. He'll get a workout at the same time! $39.99 www.yogenstore.com 

 Canon PowerShot A480: CNET rates it as one of the "best cameras you're going to find for the money." It's "easy to operate" and takes AA batteries. $109.99 Best Buy, Union.

Palm Pre: Labeled "one of the hottest smart phones of the year," according to CNET, it has the "best multitasking capabilities" ... "and also features a multitouch screen, great information management, and a 3-megapixel camera." Sold for $149.99 at Sprint stores with a 2-year contract, 2565 Route 22 West, Union.

Speaker Phone Wireless Blue Tooth 2.0  by Motorola (MOTOROKR T505): Think safety first for your spouse this holiday season. This palm-size device allows him to talk on the phone hands free and plays music through speakers or his car stereo. $99.99, Best Buy.

 Coffee Lovers ....

 Nespresso CitiZ espresso machine: For the ultimate coffee lover, this machine is sleek and space-saving, $279.95, William Sonoma, Westfield.

 Keurig-Single Cup Coffee Maker: Coffee is hotter than ever with this simple, self-sufficient machine. You'll never have to count scoops again because the machine does it all for you ...just slip in the packet, and out comes the coffee. You'll find no shortage of flavors. The white hot chocolate is delicious too! Prices range from $89.95 for the Mini personal brewer to $249.95 for the Breville. www.keurig.com or Williams Sonoma, Westfield.

Some Other Gift Ideas ...

 Retro 51 or Fisher Space Pens: Low-end pens that have an up-scale appearance, $25, Presidential Pen, Westfield.

 Business Card Holders: Leather or hard-cased, they're a great gift-alternative. $30 for hard cases, $50 for leather (add $10 to emboss), Presidential Pen, Westfield.

Black & Decker Power Drill: battery operated and portable $28, Kryston's Hardware Ltd., Summit.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?