2012 Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for the men in your life

I love men and think that as much consideration in your gift should be given as what is given to women.  Here are some new and possibly creative gift ideas for the man in your life.  There are even a few at such a great price, your groomsmen will appreciate them too.

Guys hate fingerprints just as much as girls do and Swipe Ties know this.  These silk ties have a microfiber lining attached in the back so your guy can look great and shine up his phone or tablet at the same time.  Who said chic men can’t multitask?

If your guy travels, this mini Shave Tech Travel razor is a great gift.  The same size as a small cell phone, it not only fits in your shaving kit, you can stash it in your car or your desk.  Best yet, it comes with a USB attachment for those brilliant moments that have to be saved.

I love a good pair of cuff links and keeping them all together can be like finding socks.  That’s why a beautiful monogrammed box by Graphic Image for them is a perfect gift.

If you’re just looking for a single pair of cufflinks in a great French-styled presentation, then Watson Kennedy is your company.

A gift all the guys will surely love is this “Suds Connoisseur set” by Riedel This set makes sure that each beer is in it’s proper glass assuring you experience that “from the bar” down to the last drop.

If your guy has a drawer filled with mix-matched socks…maybe it’s time he gets some new ones – fun ones.  Mack Weldon is the answer to jazz up any outfit from the knees down.   SharpMen  also has cotton dress socks that you can wear at the office while keeping it fun with Crazy & unique patterns on the lower part of your socks. The patterns are only visible when you take your shoes making them work-friendly. Find a design you love and feel free to rock these amazing socks anywhere, anytime.

Fall Fashion: Fratelli Rossetti presents Colour that fits like a glove

It’s going to be a winter all about color at Fratelli Rossetti, which is presenting the All Over, a range of shoes painted by craftsmen, from the uppers to the sole, in one single nuance. Myrtle, ottanium, bottle green and burgundy are just some of the shades for the man who won’t go without refined style and craftsmanship, but who at the same time manages to avoid taking himself too seriously.

Fratelli Rossetti lavishes care on every detail, even those that are well hidden. From the cutting and sewing process, using traditional methods, to the master artisans hand-painting the welt using a brush and the same color as the uppers. Even the profile (sole edge) is painted and wax buffed by hand to emphasize the color. Really how much more “Made by Hand” can it get?

What every well dressed man loves about Fratelli Rossetti is their care and lavish care on every detail. It will be the same well dressed man, wearing these on your wedding day which shows that you know just how special the day is.

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Clean Shaven by Molton Brown for men

For the man who has everything (good looks, career, the heart of every New York woman c. 1950 – present day), Sally Draper knew the one thing she could give her “Mad Men” daddy was a great shave. This Father’s Day, take a cue from Don Draper’s daughter and give Dad the latest in luxury skincare from the iconic British brand, Molton Brown.

Molton Brown’s new, expertly crafted, shaving accessories give optimal shaving results, helping to prevent or minimize common shaving discomforts including razor burn, ingrown hairs and nicks and cuts. 

The Shaving Brush

Made from pure, top quality silvertip badger bristles from Germany, complete with a sleek chrome-plated handle. A “flared” bristle load allows the brush its ability to hold a large amount of water. Due to its water retention capacity, a silvertip brush can create well-formed shaving lather quickly and easily.

The Razor

A weighted chrome-plated handle and disposable Gillette Fusion razor head (five regular blades plus one on the back for precision jobs).

The Stand

Chrome-plated

Men’s Grooming Collection – Full Set shaving brush, razor with stand, $295.00 is available at all Molton Brown emporia and at www.moltonbrown.com.  While not inexpensive, this might be a great gift for the father of the bride/groom or your best man. Hey, aren’t they worth it?

Does your guy want an engagement ring? The Knot and Men’s Health seem to think yes

Recently TheKnot.com and Men’s Health co-branded proposal and engagement survey of 1,400 engaged couples. They discussed everything from picking the ring, to who is now wearing engagement rings to social media.

In the midst of prime proposal season when more than half a million men plan to “pop the question,” this one-of-a-kind survey, featured exclusively on MensHealth.com and TheKnot.com, asked more than 1,400 men and women engagement questions that reveal everything from how brides feel about the ring to how much their sex life has changed (or not!) since becoming engaged.

“This survey goes inside the minds of men and women to show exactly what they’re thinking and expecting during one of life’s most crucial and thrilling moments,” says Carley Roney, editor in chief of TheKnot.com. “We found that sex lives for engaged couples are increasing, men are open to wearing an engagement ring themselves, and women really want to show off their bling to everyone in their social network.”

Sex Lives Have Increased Since Becoming Engaged. Love is in the air for many couples…and in between the sheets! 20% of men surveyed on MensHealth.com and 18% of brides surveyed on TheKnot.com said their sex lives have increased since becoming engaged. Surprisingly, however, almost half of brides (48%) and 43% of men said they did NOT celebrate with sex on the night of their engagement.

Men Want to Sport Some Bling Too! Ladies, don’t be surprised if your man asks for a ring: 17% of men surveyed said women shouldn’t be the only ones to wear a ring before marriage and that they’d rock a “man-gagement” ring. What woman wouldn’t want other ladies to know her man was off the market?

Carat Size AND Quality Matter to Brides. Guys, take note but I’m sure you know this already. Quality of the ring is important, but don’t forget about the size of the bling! When asked how much carat size really matters, more than half (59%) of brides said both size and quality matter to them. When asked if they thought carat size matters to her, a whopping 76% of the men surveyed said, “No, she doesn’t care that much—quality over quantity!” Really guys?!

Brides Care What Friends and Family Think of Their Ring. Nearly one in four (22%) brides surveyed admitted that it matters what their friends and family think about the ring. Maybe the 44% of guys who chose the ring themselves should have enlisted some extra help from her side.

Not All Brides Love Their Ring. When asked if they thought their fiancée loved the ring, nearly all (98%) men said “yes,” yet 9% of brides actually didn’t love the ring. While 4% let their fiancé know how they felt, the other 5% didn’t have the heart to tell their fiancés!  Recently, a girl told her diamond dealer future husband that her engagement ring wasn’t big enough after she saw someone else’s ring…like did she think she wouldn’t get another diamond ever? I though that was a bit tacky, but that’s me. Oh yea…he changed it – but then again he could.

Tradition Reigns for Men. A massive 76% of men said it is essential to propose on bended knee, while only 48% of women agreed. Yet when it came to asking the parents for their daughter’s hand in marriage, men and women were pretty much on the same page, with 21% and 28%, respectively, saying it’s a do. For this writer…that is a must.

Brides Love to Post Their Rock on Facebook. Who’s more excited to show off the ring? Brides, with 57% saying “yes” to sharing their happy news on Facebook by posting a picture of their ring. Yet when asked what they thought, 22% of men said it’s tacky for their fiancée to post a pic of the ring. That might change when they start rockin’ theirs

Surprisingly, 12% of brides admitted that they posted a pic of the ring or changed their relationship status to “engaged” on Facebook before emailing and texting friends.

Is this a true trend, perhaps not. There will always be a few guys who may want to wear a ring but more importantly, I think it’s social media that takes center stage. The change of status OR even adding your future spouse on your facebook page is something that means a lot. To not add your partner on your page, when you have other members in that ‘family section’ will lead to trouble and feeling of  “you’re hiding something”. Trust me on this on.

Vera Wang Shows Men Love

Vera Wang will soon have her hands in another sector of the wedding market – the men’s market. Honestly I’m wondering what took her so long?!  It was by announced by WWD, that Vera Wang has just about inked a deal especially for men’s tuxedo arena in a partnership with The Men’s Wearhouse.  So now you can have your Vera and your groom can too!

Ms. Wang created her bridal line in the late 1990’s, in 2000, created a ready-to-wear collection that by 2005 had her known as “Womenswear Designer of the Year.”  In 2007, she created a contemporary women’s line for Kohl’s called Simply Vera and most recently, the White Label for David’s Bridal, which has the Vera feel, but at a fraction of the price.  Of course you know she designed Kim Kardashian’s dresses and those dresses are now for sale at David’s Bridal.

There is perfume, stationery, publishing, bedding, wedding rings and china.  It seems that there is no wedding-stone left for her to turn over.  Then again…there are still a few days left of 2011.  You never know what else Vera Wang has up her sleeves.

It should also be known that David’s Bridal and Men’s Wearhouse are apart of the same company so this seems to make perfect sense. Yes, they are absolutely keeping it all in the family.