Gifts for guys: Electronics, edibles, sporting and adventurous gifts for the men in your life

By Deborah Carroll

Feature Writer / Photographer

When it comes to purchasing the perfect holiday gift, some men are easy to buy for. Take my father, for example: Weber grills and accessories, muscle cars and Under Armor shirts are “a few of his favorite things.”

The tricky part with Dad is that, like most men, when he wants something he goes out and buys it. Fortunately, he doesn’t mind having a closet full of great shirts – what man doesn’t need one in every color – and he seems amused by the crazy grill gadgets his family finds for him.

It is not so easy to shop for some men, however. My efforts to discover the perfect guy gift led me ask my friends on social media: What would a woman give to a special man in her life such as a mother to an adult son; a sister to a brother; or a girl to her best guy friend? Here’s what my friends replied:

My mom, the first and most prolific respondent, suggested a gift certificate to his favorite restaurant or a new grill because men love to eat. Friend Martha agreed, adding, “A gift certificate for a trip to somewhere special.”

Kathy suggested fishing gear, adding “I wouldn’t mind having some myself.” Mary mentioned a gift certificate to an outdoor clothier and sporting goods outfit like L.L. Bean or Cabela’s.

Marc, an avid outdoorsman and the first guy to chime in, said: “A good woman … from Cabela’s.”

According to Faye, the impact driver she got her husband was one of his favorite gifts, and Jim agreed: “Tools, boots and toys, [including, more specifically] a new ice fishing auger five inch if manually powered and six if motored, the ‘blue’ Mora brand better than the scoop kind.” And Joe wants “anything from the Filson catalog, new prescription sunglasses, a bottle of Baker’s Bourbon and a day of fishing with a woman who baits all the hooks.”

Mom’s other suggestions included a day of whitewater rafting, or skydiving, for an adventurous man; a gift certificate to a classy men’s shop; or a day at a spa with manicures and pedicures. All good suggestions, but somehow I don’t see my Dad and his buddies enjoying a pedicure and a few minutes of gossip over a glass of sparkling water after a day at the shooting range. My mom has a good sense of humor.

Ultimately, this social media conversation led me to Dag’s Bait & Tackle and Agren Appliance, both here in Auburn, and The Great Outdoors, a lodging and recreation facility on Pleasant Pond in Turner.

According to Dylan Larose, manager at Dag’s, “From now until April, the big thing is ice fishing.” Dag’s can set you up with everything you can think of, and some you probably never knew existed, for whatever type of fishing your guy likes to do.

Larose recommended purchasing a well-built but inexpensive item that your guy will use for the rest of his life, like a hand auger or a good chisel. Dag’s also has 18 different kinds of sleds for dragging your guy’s gear out onto the ice, all kinds of cool chairs, and other fishing essentials. Larose also suggested a flasher [which is] a fish finder for jigging. “You don’t need it to catch fish,” he said, “you just need it to catch lots of fish.”

Larose also informed me that lures are like a fisherman’s jewelry. Finally, something I can really relate to. Are you at a loss as to what fishing paraphernalia he might need? Dag’s – or maybe friends like Jim and Joe – can help.

If you ask a man what he really needs, a new grill is often at the top of his list, and at Agren Appliance they sell a lot of them.

The Big Green Egg is a charcoal grill that’s also great for smoking things. The grill is made of the same ceramic used to make the tiles on the space shuttle, explained Jason Agren. The Green Egg can maintain a steady temperature creating a near perfect cooking condition, and it comes with a lot of accessories.

You can use charcoal and wood in the Big Green Egg, making it versatile. It also comes in various sizes, which means you can feed your family or a big group. According to Agren, “It’s very nice, and well put together.” In other words, guys who like to grill will love the Big Green Egg.

“Televisions are also big,” said Agren, and the store has lots of them to choose from. With football playoffs coming up, he suggested a new recliner for the man who wants to watch the game(s) in comfort.

If you’re thinking of a weekend away, plan one at The Great Outdoors lodging facilities located on the 192-acre Pleasant Pond in Turner. Each of the classic Maine cottages has its own unique amenities, as well as the rustic and tiny “Hummingbird Hut tucked into the trees on the back side of the property,” according to Mary Seamen. Hummingbird Hut is private and perfect for the solo visitor, two very close friends, and lovers.

Seaman’s most private offering, and Seamen’s personal favorite, is the Wilderness Cabin. Located on the shore side and away from it all, the Wilderness Cabin can best be described as luxury tent camping at its best.

Although these cottages are not winterized, “The Great Outdoors also has a yurt that is fully furnished and available for year-round use,” said Seaman.

With the new Androscoggin Riverlands State Park and its multi-use trail system on the banks of the Androscoggin River and the International Trail System for snowmobiling and 4-wheeling close by, there are plenty of adventures to give to the man in your life. You will find opportunities to fish for bass, trout, pickerel and perch from the docks or from one of The Great Outdoors’ canoes or kayaks. 

From electronic to edible, adventurous to sporting, finding a gift that he will enjoy this holiday season is as easy as pie – and I bet he would like one of those, too!

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