The Clever Pup's Christmas 2012 Gift Guide to Meaningful Presents for Men, part 1

To find  meaningful gifts for men that don't involve beer, hockey or golf, some thought is involved. Find a happy synthesis combining their interests. Buy a DVD of his favourite film from when he was 13. Here are the Pup's 2012 suggestions for the gentlemen in your life.

Clocks that Rock

Inspired by the clocks in London tube stations

made from reproduction license plates

I found these at The Home Decorators Collection.








Books that fuse your dude's interests together are fun and may actually be read. Here are just some suggestions

Is he more right-brain than left-brain? Is he starting to develop an interest in art despite his oh-so- logical expositions to the contrary? Art~Science. Hmm. The Science of Art: Optical Themes in Western Art from Brunelleschi to Seurat by art historian Martin Kemp might fit the bill. 

Steampunk Gear, Gadgets and Gizmos: A Maker's Guide to Creating Modern Artifacts, by the very funky Thomas Willeford. He has an education in physics, Victorian history and art. Luckily for him, there's this movement afoot called Steampunk, where he can meld all three of his avocations. In this 5-star rated book. Willeford attempts to blur the line between art and engineering. 


Italy for the Gourmet Traveler by Fred Plotkin. and Gourmet Bistros and Restaurants of Paris, by Pierre Rival and Christian Sarramon may help those men with wandering tummies. Both look great. 

And if your guy is into beer and hockey or if he actually gets up and goes out of the house and plays on an old-timer team or on  a beer-league, here's a cool book called Midnight Hockey: All About Beer, the Boys, and the Real Canadian Game by by Gaston.

Did you know that ex-Stone Bill Wyman was a master with the metal detector as well as the bass? It's true. He lives a kinder, gentler life now. Here's a link to what he's up to  Maybe your guy could channel his inner-treasure-hunter, or his inner-Rolling Stone with a metal detector. 

Here's one from Science City.  You may find more beer caps than silver and gold but it's really fun. Leave no Stone unturned.

Here's an idea from Cafepress.com (which is turning into my go-to store). If your man likes a work of art and you don't feel you want to dedicate valuable wall space to it, pick his favourite image and have it printed on a t-shirt. 

 Or even his favourite poet.

One for the both of you. Cafe Press will put just about anything on a shower curtain. As witnessed in this vintage-y Union Jack shower curtain. I can't vouch for the quality but it sure is cool.

More ideas to come.