Choosing a gift for a man can be a headache-inducing thing. Men have a notorious reputation for being difficult to shop for gifts, but gift-giving doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, shopping for gifts for men can be a thoughtful, wonderful opportunity to connect with their interests.
When shopping for a gift, think about what his hobbies are—whether he’s into sports, food, photography, travel, or tech. Maybe his interests are even more specific, like mastering the sous vide or hitting up all outdoor bouldering spots.
If you want to choose the perfect gift for your friend, boyfriend, significant other, brother, dad, or grandpa, bracelets make for a perfect gift. Why bracelets? Bracelets are sleek, versatile, and highly customizable to each individual.
How do I choose a men’s bracelet?
There are five things to keep in mind when shopping for a men’s bracelet: your budget, the purpose of your gift, his style, the meaning of the bracelet, and whether or not you’ll want to see it in person before purchasing.
- Know Your Budget
Great gifts don’t need to be expensive, and expensive gifts aren’t necessarily great. These days, you can find luxurious, high-quality gifts online without breaking the bank. When shopping for a bracelet, first identify your budget. There are so many bracelets to choose from based on materials, colors, and functionality alone that it’s important to narrow this search down by establishing a budget. It’s also important to remember that a well-thought-out gift makes for a much more meaningful gift than a pricey one that doesn’t suit your giftee. Identify how much you’re willing to or able to pay and move right on to the next step.
- Know the Purpose of Your Gift
It’s important to feel excited about the gift you’re giving so that the man in your life can be equally thrilled about receiving it. After figuring out your budget, you’ll want to determine what this gift is for. Is it for his birthday, an upcoming holiday, an anniversary, Father’s Day, or another special occasion?
Once you’ve decided the purpose, do some digging into the memories you’ve shared together or by talking with someone close to him. Find out if there are any particular moments, colors, or materials that are particularly significant to him. For example, a classic leather bracelet may remind him of a hand-me-down from his grandparents or memorabilia from his childhood. Maybe blues or reds mean something significant to him, or they’re simply his favorite colors. Keep your purpose in mind when choosing a gift.
- Know Your Recipient’s Style
Fashion is ever-evolving and styles fade in and out of fashion. However, each man has his own individual style and tastes. He may be a man on the go who leads an active lifestyle or someone who sports a more casual style with his jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers. He may even be someone who’s more often found in business formal suits than not.
Once you identify his style, you’ll be able to choose a bracelet that complements his personality and outfit. The cool thing about bracelets is that, like luxury cufflinks, a well-paired tie, or a fashionable belt, a bracelet can complete an outfit. Think of a bracelet as the finishing touch to someone’s look.
- Know the Meaning of the Bracelet
Did you know that bracelets can carry a lot of symbolic meaning depending on the material and design? If you’re looking to purchase a red string bracelet, evil eye bracelet, or leather bracelet, you’ll want to know what they mean.
Red String Bracelet
All throughout history and across cultures, red string bracelets have been worn for protection and guidance, giving the wearing luck and strength in their journey. The color also symbolizes love, security, and connection. The red bracelet, traditionally fashioned with wool string, was worn on the left wrist as a talisman to ward off misfortune. This is associated with Kabbalah, a school of thought in Jewish mysticism. In ancient Chinese traditions, a red string bracelet symbolizes fate or a bond between those destined to be together.
Evil Eye Bracelet
An ancient symbol of protection, the evil eye is often worn on bracelets as a talisman to protect from evil spirits. The idea is that an evil eye will bring bad luck to the person it is directed at. As a result, evil eye bracelets were fashioned to provide protection and power to the wearer.
Leather Bracelet
While leather bracelets can be statement pieces that seamlessly complete your outfit, leather bracelets also symbolize power and strength. In history, leather bracelets have been worn with gold or silver embellishments to denote status. Some native tribes also wore leather bracelets as a way of connecting more deeply with their spirit guides or totem animals. Leather also offers a subtle sense of the ruggedness you may find in someone well-connected with nature or who understands hard work.
- Decide Whether You Want to Shop Online or In-Store
These days, with the many options online and in-store, the difficulty in shopping for a gift isn’t the lack of options but rather having too many options. Sometimes, going to a physical store can help remedy this. Not only can store associates be incredibly helpful, seeing an item in person can help you understand what the product truly looks like. Often, there are textures, colors, weights, and materials that are difficult to perceive through a computer screen.
On the other hand, depending on where you live, accessing a physical store with the options and price points you want can be difficult. This is where online shopping comes in handy. Shopping online allows you to access many unique stores and designs not available near you. Shopping online is also more convenient than going out of your way to a physical store. Online, especially if shopping from smaller brands or family-run stores, you’ll also find items that you wouldn’t find in big-box stores.
