How to Choose the Perfect Gift for Your Man

Mummy’s Boy: Usually reared by a domineering or over-protective mother, he is gentle, understanding, compliant and eager to please – although he is capable of the occasional tantrum.

 Not usually competitive yet he often reaches the top in his career if he has a mentor in the workplace to take the place of Mother. He is attracted to strong, beautiful women and she will shoulder all responsibilities in the relationship. Although he would never be a strict disciplinarian he is a warm, loving father who enjoys baby-sitting and his children adore him.

 He will appreciate socks, a tie or underpants – gifts his mother would have bought. It is not actually the gift but the thought of receiving a present from you that excites him. A book on his favourite hobby would also be acceptable or something indulgent like chocolates, a liqueur or port. He is no good at keeping surprises: if you give it to him early, he won’t be able to resist opening it; and on his special day he will have forgotten that he has already opened your present.

 Dad’s Boy: Influenced by a strong father, he is recognisable by his manliness. He is competitive and ambitious and usually successful. He feels a strong sense of responsibility towards his family which may be taken for chauvinism as he likes to be in control. He is attracted to a beautiful woman who will enhance his status. He will spoil his daughters and expect his sons to be little men from an early age.

 If he is a sports fanatic, anything to do with his favourite sport will be a popular gift. Being so manly, he will appreciate a special jar of his favourite hot mustard, a strong cheese like Stilton, a jar of ginger, his favourite red wine or port or, to satisfy the ‘little boy’ within him, perhaps a childish gift like a yo-yo that he will play with on the day until it gets thrown out with the wrappings.

 The Favoured Chid: He was the baby of the family or the favoured child and is always youthful and cute no matter what age. He has a high self-image, believing everyone loves him as they did as a child. He is great fun and with his sense of adventure there is never a dull moment. Because his family taught him to master the mechanics of his toys, he has a penchant for gadgets. In his career he is daring, innovative and successful. He wants to have the best looking wife, children, motor vehicle and house in the street and he usually does. He is a generous father and husband and in return demands to be the centre of attention.

 The Favoured Child will love the latest popular gadget like a blackberry phone; he will have it working immediately. It would be a great hit on the day, especially if it means he can spend the day showing it off to all and sundry. If you give him a practical gift like socks or underpants he will probably forget to thank you in his hurry to show you the gadget someone else gave him – or whatever he has bought himself.

 The Brother: Not dominated by either parent, he sets his own standards. The Brother is direct, open and honest – what you see is what you get. Not ambitious for material gains, his motivation is altruistic rather than self-directed. The Brother treats all people as equals, including women. He admires women with strong principles, even a feminist, and is unimpressed with attention-seeking women who want to be rescued. Although she must attempt to change a tyre, read road maps and share responsibilities, he will be loyal, supportive and protective. As a father he will take a keen interest in everything his children do.

 He would appreciate (because he is usually a handyman) any small addition to his workshop or, being a great father, a game that he can enjoy with his sons. Something for the whole family is very acceptable. One Brother I know asked his brother, ‘Did you get anything decent for Christmas besides socks and underpants?’ If the gift is not to his liking, he is just as likely to ask will you mind if he exchanges it.

 The Bachelor: Mostly he is a loner – he escapes within to find security. He is rarely influenced by his peer group; his parents were probably similar. Set in his ways, exact and introverted, he is usually known for his reliability, loyalty and steadiness. Although conscientious at work, he always comes first. Can live without women, but enjoys their company to provide the excitement and enthusiasm he lacks. The Bachelor usually marries late, accepts his duties as a husband as conscientiously as he does his job, and is a warm, loving and dutiful father.

 Being rather self-indulgent, he is inclined to over-indulge himself on whatever he enjoys most, whether it is reading, music, sport, hobbies, eating or drinking. Discover his favourite pastime and give a gift in which he can indulge. Home-made biscuits or sweets would be popular with this man who has everything. If he doesn’t like the gift you give him he will carefully explain why.

 The Diplomat: His father may have had a roving eye or his mother created his awareness of his sex appeal. He has a magnetic attraction that appeals to most women. There is never a problem bringing him home to Mother, he will charm her too. Should he channel his communication skills into his career, the results will be highly successful. No matter how dedicated to his career, he always has time for a woman, even in the workplace. A fun-loving father he never tires of charming his wife and daughters.

Because aesthetics are important to him, any gift that boosts his ego will be most acceptable. A very elegant razor, expensive after-shave, a glamorous item of clothing or an elegant cocktail shaker will delight him. Whatever you give him, he will thank you effusively but, if it is not to his liking, it will be banished to his bottom drawer.

 The Workaholic: A wonderful provider and usually highly successful, but often late or absent because of work pressure. Forever proving himself, he has obsessive, single-minded vision of success and before he achieves current objectives, he is planning the next, more ambitious goal. He is attracted to a woman who will take care of him, to leave more time for work. Should he marry a woman equally ambitious for him, the marriage will be highly successful. Although his children may feel neglected at times, when he is around, he throws as much passion and enthusiasm into his concern for them as he does for his career.

 The Workaholic is such a busy man that he probably won’t have time to appreciate or benefit from your gift, unless it is work-related. A desk set, a diary or a new laptop case, provided they are in keeping with his status, will be used. Just remind him, every now and again, that you gave it to him.

To find our your personality type www.entrenous.com.au/personality.asp 

Books by Rosalind Baker (nee Neville): Dial A Woman, Dial A Man and Dial A Personality http://www.entrenous.com.au/books.asp

Questions: http://www.entrenous.com.au/faq