I'm a guy and I am a husband but I have been a boy friend. That makes me qualified to explain to all women what it is guys would like to have for their birthday. You want to get your boy friend a nice birthday present? Then stick with me;

First let's cover a few no-no's. These will be all the normal, run of the mill, advertised doo dads and gadgets that boy friends always end up with.

5) NECKTIE: Come on. Even if your boy friend wears a tie he doesn't want his girl friend getting him one. Once he unwraps it the birthday is over. There is nothing left to do. What's he going to do, model his brand new neck tie. Forget it, we don't want a tie.

4) TRENDY: Oh pullease! If your boyfriend is wearing trendy things or if he ties his sweater around his shoulders or salmon is one of his favorite colors maybe he has a boyfriend of his own, OK? Nothing from the Gap, Old Navy, or any of those stores. I'm talking guy here, you know, Tractor Supply, Home Depot, Sears - maybe!

3) SUNGLASSES: OK, I'll give you this one. The right pair of sunglasses could be a pretty nice gift. If he has just lost his or they broke that is. Anybody can almost always use sunglasses it's just that they are so impersonal yet specific to the person wearing them. I think you should play it safe and stay away from the sunglasses.

2) WATCH: What time is it? It's goofy time. We don't want a watch. We might wear one but usually its one of those $20 specials from the big box store. Maybe if you gave him a really cool train pocket watch. Still, any sort of time piece is too run of the mill. This is your boy friend, you want to make an impression.

And the number one thing NOT to buy your boy friend for his birthday.

1) COLOGNE: What's the matter does he stink? You don't think we know when to buy and use Cologne? How much thought went into that one. Don't give him anything that smells better than you.

OK, now some of the stuff you could think of giving your boy friend.

5) PELLET PISTOL: A pellet pistol will make a boy feel like a man. Don't get him the real thing, that's too dangerous. But with a pellet pistol he can still drive out into the country and shoot at things that move. Get him a holster to go with it and you've made a cowboy out of your "Trendy" boy friend.

4) NIGHTIE FOR YOU: A really alluring one; something flaming hot. Wear your coat all buttoned up and slowly open it up to reveal the playboy special. If he isn't interested you might want to reconsider your choice.

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Birthday presents for a boyfriend?
We want to hear your view. Write now!