TOP GIFTS MEN CAN GIVE THEMSELVES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

There’s nothing quite like getting a good gift. Sometimes you just don’t want to wait around for Christmas or a birthday to get something special. There is nothing wrong with practicing a little self-care and getting yourself a present as a reward for achieving a goal or getting through a tough task. Who’s a better person to buy you a gift than you? 

What would be a good thing for a man to buy himself? As it turns out, there could be more than a few ideas. Here are 3 ideas that I'm sure most guys would be geeked to get as a gift from someone or maybe pick up for themselves.

Foosball Cooler 

What’s more relaxing than some foosball and a few cold beers? You’d typically expect to go somewhere specific for this. Why not bring it into your home or on a camping trip? A foosball cooler could be everything you need to get the party started. 

There are more of these available through retailers than you might expect. They’ll come in various styles and sizes, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding one that you’ll like. You shouldn’t have a problem relaxing with a few friends once you pick up one of these. 

A New Watch 

Watches have a classic appeal. There’s something attractive about them that many people can’t quite explain. That’s only when you get a nice watch, however. Spending some time looking around and comparing options will help you find the perfect option for one. Once you do, it could take your style game to the next level. 

Traditional watch vs smartwatch will be a debate that you might want to have. Both will have their pros and cons, so you might want to spend some time considering them. If you want a timeless appeal, then a traditional watch may be the recommended option. On the other hand, a smartwatch offers multiple features. Both could be attractive options. Once you know what kind you want, however, you shouldn’t have a problem finding the right one for you. 

Adventure Survival Guide 

If you’re an outdoors fan, then there mightn’t be anything as thrilling as going camping for a few days. You’ll need to make sure that you’re prepared for this. You’ll likely already have most of the things needed for this. As a result, you mightn’t be able to think of anything else that would help. 

An adventure survival guide can be more than recommended. Not only can this be a great way to get ready for a camping trip, but it’ll also make sure that you’re safe when you’re there. That’s also the case if you’re getting into camping and the outdoors lifestyle for the first time. It could be an affordable and effective way to get prepared for it and know what you’re doing. 

Gifts Men Can Get Themselves: Wrapping Up 

Practicing some self-love and getting yourself a present can be an appealing option. It’ll boost your mood and make you feel happier. With each of the above, you’ll get yourself a gift that keeps on giving. They should also be relatively affordable. What’s stopping you from showing yourself some love?!

TRENDHIM

Trendhim provided ageekdaddy.com with the featured product for free to review

The weather is starting to get cold. Time to start bundling up. Wow the temperatures went from warm to frigid really quick. I guess though it is November now though after all.

I went to grab some gloves on my way out the door the other day to find out our dog had chewed holes in the finger tips. Doah! Time to get get replacements but that is easier said than done because I have some small sized hands. Thank goodness for trendhim.com!

I wanted some gloves that were both functional and stylish. While scrolling through the Trendhim website the Harper Dark Brown Sheep Leather Gloves caught my eye from the online retailer. Trendim specializes in clothing and grooming accessories for men. I've found them to have some great products at affordable prices. Belts, hats, neckties, razors, watches, wallets and more! Trendhim focuses on the accessories that make your wardrobe stand out in a crowd and assist with being more comfortable to wear. Like these Harper leather gloves!

These gloves look incredible with an outer covering made from 100% sheep leather. They are also very warm and comfortable with an inner fleece lining. Plus they are very functional in today's tech reliant society as the fingers are touch screen capable. I don't have to take off the gloves to use my phone! Yeah!

The Harper Dark Brown Sheep Leather Gloves I received from Trendhim are perfect for my looking for something to wear to work. They look sharp making me feel like I have a sophisticated look when having them on. They also get the job done keeping my hands cozy warm when out and about when it is cold outside. While they look nice to wear when dressing up for work, I appreciate they also are casual enough to wear for less formal occasions as well. 

Plus these gloves fit perfectly which is amazing because I am often stuck with buying ones that are too big for my hands because that is all that is available at local brick and mortar stores. I'm so pleased that trendhim.com has a variety of sizes from big to small so there is something for you no matter what your size is. Delivery is lickety-split too with my order arriving within just a few days of my ordering it. I was very impressed with the speed of delivery.

Trendhim has earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval because of the extraordinary experience I've had with them. From finding just what I was looking for in size and style to quick and convenient delivery, trendhim.com exceeded my expectations. I'm really geeked about this experience. Check them out for yourself!  

Armitron ADVENTURE Collection

** A Geek Daddy received the featured products for free to review **

Since 1956, ARMITRON has been equipping men with dependable watches that combine style with function at an affordable price.  They've just introduced a new collection of watches meant to empower guys to be adventurous.  Whether you are hiking through a rustic forest, climbing a steep peak, kayaking white water rapids or simply walking to work, Armitron ADVENTURE watches are designed to keep your day on track.

The Armitron ADVENTURE collection offers several designs that provide different features to meet wearers different needs and demands.  Need to monitor the environment around you during an outdoor trek?  Adventure Tracker watches include altimeter, barometer, temperature and weather station gauges.  Spending time under the darkness of the night sky?  Visible247glow in the dark technology absorb energy from daylight to illuminate the faces of these watches when it's dark. Other watches in the Armitron ADVENTURE collection offer a variety of different analog and digital functions for people to choose from.

I had the opportunity to personally try out two different styles of these new Armitron ADVENTURE watches.  Appreciating analog watches with their classic dial look, I selected two to review that would be useful in different circumstances.  They both were stylish and sturdy leaving me very pleased with my experience using them.  Even after wrapping up this review, I'm sure to continue regularly using these.  Based upon their affordability (most of the watches in the collection are under $100), quality of craftsmanship designed to stand up to rugged outdoor activities, useful features and stylish appearances, Armitron ADVENTURE watches get A Geek Daddy nod of approval.

Solar Powered Analog Watch with Green Nylon Slip Thru-Strap

You won't have to worry about winding or changing a battery to keep this watch ticking.  It is powered by light with one full charge allowing the watch to work continuously for up to 4 months.  Of course if you are actively wearing it around this watch will constantly be charging so you can always depend on it when on the go.

While you may lose your way on a trail you can depend on this watch to always keep track of the time.  With its durable stainless steel case and tough nylon wrist strap this watch is meant to be worn when you are active outdoors where it will get banged and scuffed up.  Whether you are mountain biking in the woods or clowning around with your kids on the neighborhood playground this is a great watch to wear while having outdoor fun.

I found it a very comfortable and convenient watch to wear while doing activities like mowing the lawn, playing catch in the backyard with my son and taking a hike on one of the local nature trails.  It is perfect for activities where you wouldn't want to worry about scuffing up or breaking a fancier model of watch.  Yet it is very dependable keeping an accurate time and still has a stylish look with its analog layout featuring a black face, luminous dial, and easy to view arabic numerals.  The solar cell which converts light into electrical energy to power the timepiece also blends in seamlessly with the watch's appearance.

Analog Watch with Dark Brown Leather Strap

This watch is a great accessory for whatever adventure arises out of your day.  I appreciate that it is professional enough to wear at work with a suit; but can also be casually worn while watching my kids soccer games, going out to eat on the patio of a local bistro, or on a shopping trip to my favorite comic book store.  Whether in a court house or a farm house this watch will help keep you on top of your day's schedule.

Powered by a traditional battery, in addition to the normal time this analog watch also has a multifunction dial that shows military (24 hour) time, the day of the week and the month's date providing quickly accessible information in a manner that also enhances the clock's look.  With a stainless steel case and water resistant up to 330 feet it is built not just to be looked at but to live life's adventures with. In my opinion this is a really sharp watch that is a great bargain because you can comfortably wear it at work or at play.

Fathers Day is coming up and an Armitron watch would make a great gift for a dad in your life.  Purchase a watch from the ADVENTURE collection now through Fathers Day (June 18, 2017) at armitron.com using the code DAD25 at checkout to receive 25% off your order plus FREE 2-Day Shipping. That really is a great deal!  Make sure you don't miss out on it!

GRAYTON AUTOMATIC WATCHES

** A Geek Daddy received the featured product for free to review **

Grayton Automatic Watches have earned A Geek Daddy nod of approval

As a wedding present, my wife gave me a kinetic wrist watch because she knew I really was craving a really nice timepiece.  Kinetic energy from the natural body motions of your wrist generates electricity for a self-recharging battery that powers these type of watches.  I wore this watch almost everyday for more than a decade and it worked great -- the date and time were always accurate and never had to change the battery.  Then one day the watch just died.

I took it to a jeweler to see what was wrong.  Turns out the life span for the batteries on a kinetic watch aren't indefinite and need to be replaced about every 8 to 10 years.  Oh yeah, and the replacement battery would cost me more than my wife originally bought the watch for.  As I was pondering whether to repair my kinetic watch, Grayton Automatic Watches approached me about trying one of their products instead.  They promised me an excellent watch that I would NEVER have to change a battery to power it ... EVER.

Grayton provided me with a complimentary watch and I can honestly say it has performed impeccably with keeping accurate time.  This is particularly impressive because my new watch isn't powered by a battery but rather through the movement of the gears inside of it.  Just wind up the side switch a few times each morning and you won't lose a tick off the clock's pace.  I occasionally check the time against other electronic clocks during the day and my Grayton Automatic Watch is as accurate as when the date and time were first set on it.

You'd think this type of craftsmanship in today's day and age would cost you thousands of dollars to obtain but these watches for their quality are very affordable priced between $200 - $300 dollars.  Amazingly with all the gears moving about inside these watches are very quiet.  I have to hold mine right up to my ear to hear a subtle tick tock of its clock.  It has a very sturdy casing to it yet is very light to wear.  The watches have a classic vintage look of days gone by to them which I find very appealing.

Because electronics and batteries aren't involved with the inner workings of these watches as long as you take care of and treat them right they can last through a lifetime and possibly even be passed down from generation to generation.  One of these watches could be considered a family heirloom one day.  That makes them an especially great gift idea for an anniversary, birthday, Fathers Day, wedding or other special occasion.  These watches come very nicely packaged which is another advantage to providing one as a gift.  Though I've enjoyed mine so much have to say you may actually want to get one just for yourself.

Grayton Automatic Watches come in Men's, Women's and Unisex sizes.  With my 5' 5" frame I have small wrists and prefer medium-sized wrist watches.  Grayton's Unisex variations are designed for women who want a slightly larger fit and men who want a more moderately sized watch that doesn't look feminine.  The Grayton Unisex watch with a silver case and blue dial is a perfect fit for me!

The one negative I can refer to about my experience is that Grayton has an overabundance of gold colored cases when I was more interested in a silver version.  Of the silver ones they had those tended to come equipped with a fabric wrist strap instead of leather or metal ones.  I find fabric is too casual limiting occasions when you can wear it and inferior quality to leather.  Take a look at my wearing the watch with my suit.  It really doesn't go well for wearing to work or a special occasion where you need to dress up which unfortunately really impacts my opportunities to wear this great watch.  Grayton's website doesn't allow consumers to mix and match a wrist strap with a watch and rather forces you to choose from the pairing they've selected for you which is a shame.  You can purchase an additional strap you like along with your watch but it costs more and you have the pain of switching it out yourself.

All in all though the watches themselves are exceptional and very affordably priced allowing them to be obtainable for the average family.  And while I wasn't particularly happy about the watch I wanted only being available with a fabric strap, I did find the canvas to be more comfortable and durable than ones I've worn in the past.  Plus you never have to buy new batteries for one of these watches from Grayton!  Based upon how much I've enjoy my Grayton Automatic Watch, they've definitely earned A Geek Daddy nod of approval.

For more information or to check out their selection of watches, please visit grayton-watches.com

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Star Wars Fans in your Life

It's an exciting time for the Star Wars franchise with the recent launch of a popular television series, Marvel debuting new comic book series early in 2015 and a new blockbuster feature film hitting movie theaters at the end of next year.  This year would be a great time to tie in to that excitement when purchasing holiday gifts for the Star Wars fans in your life.  Here are a few gift ideas that this Geek Daddy would be glad to give or receive.

Take command of the neighborhood holiday decoration contest by displaying The Dark Lord of the Sith and your own personal Death Star on your front lawn.  You may laugh but you know you want this!

FOR THE DADS

A good ball cap is a staple of most guys casual wardrobe when out and about, doing yard work, or just hanging out around the house.  New Era 39Thirty caps give the option of sporting the Rebel Alliance or Imperial banners on a stylish and comfortable hat.

Women have ear rings, necklaces, bracelets and rings but for most guys the jewelry of choice is a nice wristwatch.  $190 for a Comic Con San Diego exclusive watch where only 150 were made isn't a bad price for this Darth Vader Stainless Steel timepiece that is stylish enough that the mature adult will be comfortable donning it in public.

For those guys looking for a more sophisticated time piece but still want to show off their passion for Star Wars check out the SEIKO Stormtrooper wrist watch.  It's pricey at more than a thousand dollars but it really is incredible.

So it seems a staple of gifts for Dad are socks, ties and under wear.  If you are giving these items to a man in your life how about having fun with a Star Wars theme?

No one but dad will know that he's wearing these Darth Vader or stormtrooper socks under his suit slacks, work khakis or jeans.

Guys can wear these ties with the Rebel Alliance or Imperial logos on them with their suits and only other Star Wars fans will notice the connection on these nice fashionable pieces. 

These fun Star Wars boxers will make any geek dad smile.

If the dad in your life is going to be wearing t-shirts as part of their attire make sure it is a cool one! Can't beat this Chewbacca Photo Bomb shirt to help dad standout as the hip guy at the kids school drop-off or pick-up.

GADGETS & USEFUL STUFF

Here are some items that aren't just fun to have but also can be useful.  

We all need ice cubes!  Choose from a tray featuring some of the most popular vehicles from the Star Wars universe or a set of trays that feature some of the franchise's most memorable images.

These BBQ thongs are impressive, most impressive ... and who doesn't need a light saber flash light?!

Boba Fett is my favorite Star Wars character and I just thought this pillow case was nicely done and unique.

Who wouldn't want R2D2 as their co-pilot.  This USB charger sits in your vehicle's cup holder and charges your electronic gear while you are on the go.  A great feature of this device is it whistles and hoots just like the R2 unit from the movies. 

TOYS

For younger children this R2D2 operation game looks great to play while for older kids this X-wings Minatures Game brings the space battles from the movies to a board game.

My son and I have been collecting Hasbro's 6 inch action figure line as a fun hobby for us to do together and this Boba Fett character has been impossible to find at stores...but it is available at Amazon.com.  This line of toys provides more intricate articulation and sculpture details than the 3 inch Star Wars figures that I collected as a kid.

When I saw this LEGO AT-AT play set on display at the store all I could say was WOW! It was like I was an eight year old again and I wanted it!

My son loves the new animated television series STAR WARS: REBELS and this new Commander series of toys by Hasbro let kids play out the adventures of the show with plastic molded figures similar to the green army men of my youth.  This JEDI DUEL play set features the characters from STAR WARS: REBELS and is a must have for any kid who enjoys the show.

READING MATERIAL

With all the upcoming activity going on involving the Star Wars universe from movies to toys to books to television shows stay informed with a subscription to Star Wars Insider Magazine.

Whether you want to read these for bedtime stories, down time on vacation, or just on a lazy Saturday afternoon A Star Wars Pop-Up Guide to the Universe, Darth Vader and Son, and Vader's Little Princess are great for parents to enjoy with their little ones.

A new book titled TARKIN tells the background of the powerful villain who held Darth Vader's leash in the original Star Wars movie.  For such an important character very little has been known about him til now.  This is a must read for die-hard Star Wars fans!

George Lucas original screenplay for Star Wars was a lot different than the film that was released in movie theaters in 1977.  Dark Horse Comics recently released a graphic novel adaption of Lucas first draft titled THE STAR WARS.  An interesting visual experience to enjoy on a Kindle.

WINTER GEAR

Check out these beanies to wear when the weather is frightful.  You can be Princess Leia or R2D2 when braving Hoth like weather outside.

STOCKING STUFFERS

Encourage your kids to brush with a GUM light saber toothbrush that really glows while it cleans their teeth.  My kids have these and love them!

Build your own miniature metallic Millennium Falcon with this fun model kit from Metal Earth.

PEZ are always a great candy treat and for my kids with food allergies they are peanut and tree nut allergy safe which makes them especially great.

Everyone needs a LEGO Darth Vader flashlight / key chain ... don't they?

  Hot Wheels also has a lineup of Star Wars inspired toy cars that are a perfect fit for a holiday stocking this year.

On a final note as you are waiting for the release of Star Wars Episode VII why not go through and watch all the movies again.  Pick up the Blu-ray complete compilation and enjoy it throughout the time off you have for the holidays.

A Geek Daddy wishes everyone a happy holiday season and don't worry December 18, 2015 will be here before you know it.  Won't that be the best holiday present ever for a Star Wars fan!