Christmas Gift Ideas - San Antonio,TX

Hi A.,
My husband is hard to shop for but cologne or maybe a nice watch is always a good idea. I guess it really depends on how he likes to spend his free time or how he wishes he did. Sorry, wish i had more ideas but i hope this helps.

A gym membership that can be used by either him or the whole family. He would be able to swim, etc. and relax when he needs it but also take everyone when possible.

A.,

My first thought is that, because you are a pastry chef and have been in the restaurant business for 6 years, you should make your boyfriend and his girls "edible treats." What about making a wide assortment of special foods that freeze well that he and his girls would enjoy. You could make complete dinners (what single father would not love that?) Perhaps some of the items could even have their names written on the food (like frosted cookies with their names spelled out). Maybe even make couple dozen "shaped" pancakes (with images like the Little Mermaid, Barbie, etc.) for the little girls to enjoy for breakfast. Anything that is unique and personal - and for single dads, FUN - when it makes mealtime enjoyable and easy, should be a winner.

You could also make the family a big, attractive basket with a family-friendly selection of DVDs for him to watch with the girls and storybooks from which to read to them. Add in a comfy, cozy afghan/spread for them to cuddle in along with some healthy snacks (popcorn, dried fruits, juice boxes, yogurt covered nuts, sunflower seeds, etc.) to munch while watching the movies. This will be a good gift for you and your son to enjoy along with your boyfriend and his girls. I would add some Bible stories for children in both DVD and book form. The earlier children develop a love for Jesus and start to understand the events of Scripture, the better they will fare throughout their lives. God bless you all!

With love,
K.

James 1:17 - "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."

Hi A.,
This may seem too obvious but how about making him a coupon book filled with coupons for "dinner for 2", "family dinner" "cake", "cookies", "bread", "soup", etc. since it is something he could use and you enjoy doing.

They could be made ahead and frozen or reserved for a certain day.

You could make a recipe book for each of his children that would be age, skill appropriate that they could make for their family. For the non readers take a picture of the item so they would know what they are working on. Remember the Raggedy Ann salad made with a peach half, raisin eyes, celery stick arms/legs, shredded cheese for hair? Or a candle salad which is a pinapple ring with a piece of banana standing up, a blob of yogurt and a cherry on top. I have other child friendly recipes which do not require cooking and turn out even if they aren't perfect.

HTH, C.

Camera would be great.

Well, i don't know what his interests are, but my husabnd always loves a gift certificate to his favorite store-Fry's. But I'm sure any electronics or, maybe, hardware store (depending on his interests) will make him happy.

I am an Independent Consultant and have wonderful gifts for men. Fabulous smelling colognes an also skincare. So men don't think of skincare. BUT....I have shaving foam, after shave, and cleansing bar that will make his face feel so soft and smooth and smell great. These are things that he can use everyday! I feel that everyone should pamper themselves with quality products for their face and body. My website is www.marykay.com/annmarierosa
I can offer you a 25% discount on all your purchases before taxes and then add the tax after the discount. I offer free shipping or delivery (if you are close by) SInce you are a pastry chef and are constantly working with your hands I would suggest the Satin Hands Set. It will make your hands feel like satin every time you use it. I hope this helps.
Happy Holidays to you and your family.
God Bless,
A.

A family weekend somewhere, reserve the hotel and go as a family will be a nice bonding experience for everyone. You plan it and he opens a card that has the time, date and destination on the card. I know his work has an unpredictable schedule so ask him when he could take the weekend off in advance and book the hotel, somewhere to drive to as a family, Fredricksburg, Conroe cabins are nice in East Texas, like camping, horseback riding and cabin getaway. look into a place that has a lot of museums,shopping in one town, Lubbock gets snow maybe a B&B in January up there. Hope this helps, I'm sure he'll love any gift given by you.

A.,

I have a friend who has excellent idea,
her name is Trish Beach (her husband is also a police officer)
Trish Beach, cell ###-###-####

her husband has beautiful handmade pens, they can custom make them for you,
I hope this helps,
Just tell her O. (Oly) recommended her to you.

http://www.yourlocalcity.com/directory/Gabbys-Crafts-Focu... this is her website,
I know she can guide you.

thanks and good luck,
Oly

A.-

During the first Christmas with my now husband I had no idea what to get him. I didn't want to put across too many messages but I didn't want to be too impersonal. For me it was a really large stack of the kind of tee shirts he liked to wear. (His personal style was pretty bland and he always wore beige, the same color as the walls in his house. If he stood in front of the walls he would blend in) Tee's might sound impersonal but it was perfect for him. He wanted to be more colorful but just didn't know what to do. I know tee's probably aren't the answer for you but the reason I'm telling you this is because now, 5 years later, he still looks back at those tee's and loves them. Sadly, for me, he's still wearing some of them. When I suggest getting some new ones and retiring them he says no because I bought them for him. Hmm, maybe I'll get him more for this Christmas...

I think what ever you get him will be special as long as you find something that is personal to him and maybe something he would need. But don't get something that's going to sit on a shelf somewhere or hide in a drawer. If he can use it he will be happier. As the one lady suggested a pen. Well, if you think a pen is something he would really love and use daily, not just like it and toss in a drawer, then that could be a great route. Coppers are always writing tickets. :-) Does he like to cook or bar-b-cue? (Remember, he doesn't have to be a good cook to LIKE to cook) Get him a great guy type cook book. It's different and can be useful. I'm always watching my husband drool over the tools on the "Cool Tools" show on the DIY channel. He probably wouldn't ever be able to figure out how to plug one of those things in but he still wants it all. But that's not the point, it's a gift and if it hits that "guy" button then thats what matter. Walk into the tool department at Sears and grab a random guy who looks like he is in heaven and ask if he was to be given a gift what would he like. While we women can be creative, giving, loving creatures you will never be able to know what goes on exactly in our men's heads. Ask a man a man for that. I bought my husband a table saw, and while he doesn't use it, he still loves it. He can proudly say "my table saw" and he's always dreaming up things he could do...one day. This might not be something he uses everyday but he thinks about using it all the time. Same difference. Maybe suggest a trip to Home Depot or Sears and walk through their tool section. Find an excuse like you're shopping for a screw driver set for someone. Even if you have to buy it to keep up the act you can take it back later. But here you might get some ideas. Watch for things he picks up and fiddles with. It might sound corny to give tools for Christmas but it's his gift not ours. We want bath spas, he wants saws.

Lastly, another suggestion that I did with my husband is I used my cooking. He LOVED my chocolate pies. Matter of fact, he will swear that's why he married me. One birthday I offered up the gift of pies. I gave him a little note in card shaped like a credit card that said "good for one chocolate pie. Unlimited use for 1 year". He did use it sometimes too. Since you're a cook I'm sure there is something you make that he just can't get enough of. You could always go the two gift route. Give him something smaller, like a small tool, and then a little pass for his favorite dish. It may not be a "Big" gift but it's the thought that counts right?

Good luck! Happy Holidays!!!
Jen
http://www.mommysjoy.com

You are so blessed to have found each other. Maybe a gift certificate for a special outting for he and his girls. Or for a his and her's spa day. Men are so hard to buy for, aren't they?! Does he have any hobbies? Possibly a day of golfing or fishing with a buddy (or you.) Dolphin Docks (for deep sea fishing) in Port Aransas is pretty affordable...depending on the budget.

Hope this helps.
Blessings,
M.

you didn't say if his girls live with him. If he lives alone and you can afford a week-end babysitter for your little boy, a get-away week-end would be nice. Since he's been single less than a year, the changes are that there are several nice items he could use for his apartment.

The first christmas that my (now) husband and I spent together I got him a knife. He loved it. A nice, well made kitchen knife that we still use. I think I got it at Breed and Co.. He also likes g.c.'s to the hardware store, Fry's, and Hollywood Video. He rents video games for the nights when I have to work.

Let me start by saying my husband is a huge kid.

He loves those large remote jeeps and trucks. They sell them at Fry's. We take them out and race them in all types of terrains and different parking lots.
We also have purchased him Kites. He loves the kind that can do stunts.

He loves his Swiss army knife with all of the gadgets and his Swiss army watch.

An all stainless Thermos can come in handy. If he likes good coffee, purchase some different ones from Anderson Coffee on Kerby Lane.

You could also reserve a spot at a fun New years eve party if he has the night off they usually have a fun live band and great food.. If it is at a hotel maybe you two could stay the night.

Last Christmas I bought my husband a beer of the month club. I loved the idea because every month he had a new reminded of how much I love and appreciate him. He really looked forward to getting that box and was like a little kid when it got here. I know you said your husband doesn't drink, but the month club has lots of other ideas, like fudge of the month, or pie of the month, even pasta or ties! I will be doing the fudge of the month club for his present this year, or maybe cookies. good luck!

I actually just wrote an article about this. I always have the toughest time shopping for my husband and my brother in law. So, I started looking around for unique gift ideas. I figured my research might be able to help somebody else, so I put it together into an article for a writing site I use. (I missed writing from when I had no kids and free time, so I just found this and signed up a few weeks ago.) I don't think you have to be signed up to read, so you should be able to check it out. Let me know if not, and I'll copy and paste the info here... just figured it would be easier to link it. Hope it helps!

http://hubpages.com/hub/Holiday-Gifts-for-the-Guy-Christm...

Hmmm... I can't seem to get this to work. I'm kind of new here. Maybe we're not allowed to post links? Well, you can cut and paste it into the browser if you want. I know its a really long name.

Weird. Now I can't even see the whole address. PM me if you would like it, and I'll send it to you that way.

Hi A.,

It depends a lot on the man, but I always think that buying my guy clothes is kind of romantic -- warm clothes for winter are a gesture of caring, and buying something that highlights his eyes or looks nice with his soft brown hair is definitely something that I can give my parter and that he appreciates but wouldn't have thought to get for himself. Not everyone like clothes for a gift, especially those who only got clothes as kids, but I know that this has been a good choice for my honey.

Good luck!
M.