Finding that perfect age-appropriate gift for men who have it all is a challenge. As soon as you feel like you’ve marked the gift-giving for your kids, they go away and grow old, leaving you in the dark once again.

In this article, I will offer unique gift ideas for guys ranging in age from 10 to 60.

So, let’s dive in. I’ll be sure to separate this article clearly so that you can navigate directly to the ages that are relevant to the men in your life.

1. Modern 10 year old kids. Shopping for kids 10 and older used to be a breeze. Give them a Lego set or starter toolkit and you’re good to go. Unfortunately, children seem to age faster and faster as time goes on. My four year old nephew can navigate his father’s PC more efficiently than I can! What do you get for a 10-year-old who grew up in this age of technology and has been exposed to cell phones, laptops, iPads, and web-connected video games his entire life? (Without breaking the bank, of course.) For this pre-teen age group, I recommend the EyeClops kit. The EyeClops line gives kids the tools to explore and learn about the great outdoors while still looking “cool” in the eyes of their peers (what kid wouldn’t love to show off their night vision binoculars?). EyeClops creates a number of different devices, ranging from bionic eyes to projectors and night vision goggles. Ignite your child’s imagination and encourage him to go out and explore the world around him.
2. Teens Who Know Everything Worth Knowing. Shopping for your teenager or younger sibling can be the biggest challenge. Keeping up with pre-teen and teen pop culture is next to impossible (and it’s no fun, let’s be honest). Finding a gift that looks great for a teenager while trying to maintain his innocence is a real challenge. For this challenging age group, I have selected either a day trip or a weekend trip. No matter the geographic location or group of friends, every young person will have at least one thing that they are passionate about. If you are an athlete, buy tickets to the sporting event you love and gift your tickets wrapped in a t-shirt to wear at the event. If you like music, do the same for tickets to a show that you would appreciate. There are events for almost any interest, so providing him with a surprise concert / game / show is sure to impress him and his friends. Cousin: You will have the opportunity to take advantage of the event (attend and bond with your child) or provide you with an extra ticket to gift to a friend. Doing the latter is sure to earn you extra “cool” points.
3. Twenty-something … walking away. This can be a very difficult age to deal with as a parent. Your children have officially grown up and their priorities are beginning to change. Who they were and who they are becoming can change dramatically throughout this era, so it’s best to opt for a personalized yet universal (oxymoron?) Gift. Narrowing this down to just one item to recommend was difficult. Clearly, each twentysomething’s journey will be different. However, one thing is almost guaranteed; they will be undergoing changes, which is why I have decided to recommend a digital camera for this age group. Prices have dropped dramatically and there are various cameras on the market to suit different interests. Give you a camera that delivers quality shots and great color contrast. An active boy? Gift him a water and shock proof that you can take him almost anywhere with him. The list goes on …
4. Mid to late 20s It’s official; these men are adults. From now on, my recommendations will be less specific to “parents” or “guardians” and will be open to siblings, boyfriends, friends; virtually any relationship across the board. Now that your man has reached the point of independence and self-actualization, highly personalized gifts are likely to be the most appropriate. By this I mean gifts specific to your interests or place in your life, not necessarily engraved or embroidered items. Now this suggestion is going to seem very random, but please bear with me. Guys at this point in their lives are faced with many important decisions and are likely to take on much more responsibility than they are used to. Give them a break from their crazy day to day and gift them an advanced RC toy of some kind. My guys recommend a remote controlled helicopter, plane or rock hauler truck. Some RC toys are even equipped with lasers and have a “battle mode”. I don’t think I know any man in his 20s to 30s who wouldn’t love to receive something so seemingly ridiculous …
5. Late 30’s to 40’s … Crisis before middle age. Boys who fall into this category are more likely to be established, have a family, and a daily routine that doesn’t vary much. It is this day-to-day that will begin to realize them and prepare them for the great collapse of the midlife crisis. Help ease the pain of your daily routine by planning an escape specific to your interests. I recommend planning him around something active or seemingly youthful to remind him that he’s not too old to move around, have a good time, and still feel like a kid. If you are thinking “how do you expect me to pay for a trip?” Or “there’s no way I can get that much time off from work,” fear not. I don’t mean an extensive week-long trip. Even just claiming it for a weekend will refresh your spirit. For example: my fiancé has just returned from a two-month business trip to Amsterdam. I didn’t tell him where we were going, booked a room at a bed and breakfast in Friday Harbor, and promptly took him Saturday morning for two days of exploring the San Juan Islands, swimming in the (icy!) Ocean. and watch NCAA basketball at a small local bar in the evening. He loved the ride, I earned points for giving him such a big surprise and it definitely broke his work-work-work MF routine.
6. 50 years … Looking back; What have I made of myself? This age can seem like a big step in the lives of many men. Questions like “what have I made of myself?” Sneak into their minds. However, this age can mean great news for those who gift these kids; Thoughtful or meaningful gifts for men evolve as men age. If you gave a photo album to a 22-year-old man, he would like it, but it is unlikely that he will show it to his friends or display it in a prominent place in his living space. Now that your boy has reached a more mature age, he is likely to appreciate his family, friends, and love him much more. I recommend creating a scrapbook (not feminine and full of text). Documenting his life, how much his family loves him and cares about him, or keeping photos of all his great adventures will touch his heart and remind him that he has achieved a lot in his fifty years of life.
7. 60 and counting … I’m still young and hip right? Reaching 60 feels like a momentous occasion for any man. You are likely comfortable with who you are, what you like, and what you have decided to do with your life. Working a little and learning about a man’s childhood at this age will communicate to him that you really care and want this gift to be special. I recommend framing a photograph of this proud father / grandfather alongside a photograph of his children / grandchildren of the same age.