Chicago - December 03, 2008

Oh, Beautiful for Gracious Guys

2008 Holiday Gift Guide for Guys

Ah, the politics of gift giving. Regift or refuse? Spend or preserve? This year, set a new precedent: Elect to get him gifts that’ll make his cabinet runneth over. You’ll undoubtedly win his popular vote.

Choose Your Vice
Next time he tries to open his Newcastle on your kitchen pipe, hand him this sleek pressurized bottle cap remover. If your boo’s into bourbon, throw these Teroforma soapstone whisky stones into his glass. They chill a drink without watering it down, so he’ll be crunk instead of cranky.

Shoe-In
He’s got happy feet. Make them happier with custom-designed kicks from SuccezZ Labs, an in-house service at the eponymous South Loop boutique (1329 South Michigan Avenue, between 13th and 14th Streets; 312-431-1900).

Budget Plan
Warning: You may need a personal bailout after these splurges. Keep him on schedule with an EPMartin Sahara watch and cozy in a C.P. Company cable-knit sweater. Get both at Guise Chic (2128 North Halsted Street, between Webster and Dickens Avenues; 773-929-6101).

Air Force One
He’s always wanted to be a rock star. Now he can take his skills on the road with the Guitar Hero carabiner game. It has three levels of play, a whammy bar, and an LCD screen and is teeny enough to tote. Bom-chicka-bom.

Wheelin’ and Dealin’
Any Lupe Fiasco fan knows the drill: kick, push, coast. Show your boy how to roll with a graphic skateboard from Chicagoan Anthony Muñoz’s Cheeta Fight project. Muñoz sources talents from all over to design boards. If your dude thinks boarding’s boring, buy him a wheel-free version to mount on a wall.

Plead the Fifth
iPod speakers are a dime a dozen these days. For times when he wants to be alone with his tunes, treat him to a sexy, limited-edition (there are only 200) Phonofone. It uses no power (sound comes from passive amplification) and boosts audio to 55 decibels. Not loud enough for a party but perfect for solo time.

Lay Down (the Law)
His lazy ass deserves a rest. What better way to recline than in a repurposed seat belt hammock? It comes in chocolate and red and will fit swimmingly on your balcony. Buckle up, baby.

Ready for change? Check out our other Holiday Gift Guides for Guys.