Treat your man (and your home) with these cool gift ideas
Every year, people struggle with gifts for guys. You hear statements like: Men are not interested in home decor. Some stores even have “husband-waiting areas” while wives put the house together. Most women are striving for a home that is beautifully appointed with everything just right. Many men, on the other hand, really want a house that works well and makes life comfortable for them. Of course that is not true of every man or woman but if you have a man on your gift list, who you want to help love the house just a little more, here are some great gift suggestions.
1 THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Music in the house is one of those things that makes for a happier home. By changing the music for the evening, you can go from a party vibe to something very romantic. Can you imagine giving your guy the gift of music throughout the house? With the Sonos system you simply need to have an Internet connection, and an electrical plug. The Internet is a vast source for music for every taste in your house. You can also select different music in each room or play the same music everywhere. Start with a few speakers and build on to the system year after year. If you have a man who wouldn’t really notice if the whole main floor was painted, this is a great gift because he will love the way the home “feels” when it’s filled with music.
2 GET SMART
Automated blinds in the bedroom, living room or media room seem like a luxury, but you don’t have to pay a fortune for them any longer. Some of the systems are battery-operated, and while you may have to change the battery every couple of years, they are reasonably durable and worth having. Men generally get used to automation, which means he gets to push a button and enjoy being in a home that serves him. If you’re interested in automating the whole house, the Lutron system can take you from beginner to voice recognition for lights, sound, blinds, entertainment and more. If we’re being honest, the automation is as much a home gift for you as it is for him; but he gets to control the remote (obviously)!
3 ECO- & WALLET-FRIENDLY
Being energy-conscious is good for everyone and helps to save some money at the same time. The Nest system allows you to control the temperature in the house, even if you are not home. If your guy is a bit of a geek, he will love the emails that your thermostat sends to you to let you know about your energy savings. There is no need to program this little thing, it will learn your habits and adjust to make sure your efficiency is maximized. It notices when you get up and go to sleep, and how that differs on weekends and holidays. No more trying to guess the weather and remembering to adjust the temperature when you are away. Nest will do it for you or you can make that adjustment from your phone. It’s what I like to call, “a good gadget” for the whole family.
4 PROJECTING THE FUTURE
The television is always an issue in home decor. How wonderful would it be if you could carry the TV like a cell phone? That big, black square on the wall steals focus when it’s on, and it’s a black hole when it’s off. Problem solved. Sony’s Wi-Fi projector is about the size of a hardcover book and works on any surface in the house. It costs about the same as an iPhone, but is likely cheaper than the combined cost of the TVs in the bedrooms, basements, kitchen, bathroom, great room, etc. The decor of the house can be clean and uncluttered and the television can be anywhere you want. He will think it’s the best gadget ever while you get to replace the black box with your favourite artist.
5 MUSIC ON THE MOVE
If you need to be a little more cost-conscious, the UE Roll Bluetooth speaker is a great “guy” gift. It has a bunch of things going for it, including a cool factor with the shape and oversized plus and minus volume controls, and excellent sound quality. If your guy is any type of a sportsman, then this is ideal. It straps onto bikes, boats and backpacks, with the built-in “bungee” cord but most importantly, it’s waterproof. With most bluetooth speakers, you have to make sure you’re taking special care of it when you’re out and about. Take this to the beach, the cottage, the backyard or the shed, and never worry. This might be a good choice for the teenagers in the house as well, because it can take a beating.