Gift ideas for guys, holiday gift ideas for men, holiday gifts for dad, best shavers, James Bond cologne
Holiday Gift Guide

Stuff to Buy Channel / Bullz-Eye Home

Guys are pretty easy to shop for. Most of the time you can just buy stuff you'd buy for yourself. Yet sometimes when you're shopping for your dad, brother or any other guy on your shopping list you have to cast a wider net as tastes obviously vary. But at least you can pick up some stuff for yourself as you're browsing.

GEAR
If you're looking for an upscale gift for the professional on your list, check out this beautiful bag from Saddleback Leather Co. The origins of Saddleback Leather Co. can be traced back to a single bag, designed by adventure-seeker and chief jefe Dave Munson when he was volunteering in Mexico. He scoured local markets for a bag to hold lesson plans, but tough enough to endure the rough-and tumble of Juarez. Failing to find what he needed, he sketched his perfect bag and commissioned a local leather craftsman to build the piece. Today, Saddleback makes leather bags and small accessories that are built like tanks. The company likes to say that people will fight over your Saddleback when you're dead because it will last a very long time. These are classically designed, heirloom-level pieces produced with the highest quality leather that will age richly to reflect the owners personal trials and travels. This is the kind of gift people will never forget.
The new dual-ended Styleshaver from Philips Norelco offers a handy gadget that can handle a wide variety of tasks. You can get a clean shave with one side and trim your beard, goatee or stubble with the other end. With facial hair making a comeback, the Styleshaver helps you express any style you choose with a flexible beard groomer. The beard trimmer is adjustable with 12 length settings from 0.5mm to 10mm so you can easily trim a beard of any length or a three-day stubble. With the clean shaver on the other end, now you can handle all of your facial needs with one gadget. Any guy who is interested in a look other than the clean shaven look, even if you just go with the stubble look from time to time, will love the flexibility of this product. Guys who regularly sport facial hair will love it. It makes for a great gift as well for guys of all ages, and definitely keep it in mind for college kids who will appreciate all the features. Click here for information on how you can save up to $20 on a range of Norelco Shavers and Groomers.
We tried out the new Philips Norelco SensoTouch 3D electric razor and right away we noticed some improvements. First, the numeric LED display on the front of the razor comes up as soon as you turn it on, and right away you know how many more minutes of charge you have left up to 60 minutes. It also alerts you about cleaning and replacement heads. They also added suction cups at the bottom of the charging unit so that it stays put on the counter. More importantly, however, is that the unit still sports the GyroFlex design which makes for a very comfortable shave. The round heads flex, pivot and tilt to make it easy to move the razor around your face and easily hit each spot. This design coupled with the EasyGrip sets this electric razor apart and we think most guys will love it.
There are a lot of electric razors on the market, and we're sure that most people would be happy with many of the ones available, but Braun's Series 7 Shaver is the granddaddy of them all. This thing is packed with more technology and features than you'd probably know what to do with, but once you've experienced the Series 7, it's hard to imagine ever going back. Not only is it the world's first shaver to oscillates at more than 10,000 micro-vibrations per minute, but it also boasts OptiFoil ergonomically designed holes that provide a super-close shave, a more sensitive flexing head for maximum comfort, and three personalization modes so you can create an individual shaving experience. The 790cc and 760cc models also come with a Clean & Renew System dock that automatically cleans, charges, lubricates and dries the shaver at the touch of a button, making clean up much easier than it used to be. After all, it shouldn't feel like a chore just to keep yourself looking good.
When it comes to buying running gear, most people tend to stick to tried and trusted brands like Nike and Adidas, but if you're really serious about running – whether participating in marathons or just to stay fit – Brooks Running offers an entire catalog of products designed specifically with runners in mind. Footwear options range from the PureConnect, for those who want as little as possible between them and the road, to the PureGrit, which provides more protection for your soles, and every style comes in an assortment of bold colors guaranteed to help keep you safe from oncoming traffic. The same applies to all the apparel as well, like the popular L.S.D. Lite Jacket, a feather-light windbreaker that's water-resistant, has 360 degrees of retroreflectivity, and folds into its own pocket when not in use; a wide array of moisture-wicking t-shirts, shorts and tights; and the Pulse Lite Glove, which is perfect for the spring marathon season. It's pretty evident from the samples provided that Brooks Running knows exactly what its demo wants, and when you factor in the high quality of those products, it's one brand that every runner should add to the top of their wish lists.
We've had several laptop messenger bags in the past, but they've typically been either too small to fit much more than my 15" Macbook Pro, or too big to really be convenient. The ECBC Spear Laptop Tote fits comfortably in between those two extremes by providing reliable protection for my laptop along with a ton of space for other accessories and necessities without being too bulky or cumbersome. The padded, fleece-lined computer compartment fits most 17" laptops but with its removable modular inserts, my 15" Macbook also fits snugly. The Spear also boasts a tablet and accessories compartment, which features no fewer than 10 different pockets for supplies, power cords, chargers, snacks and whatever else you may need to bring with you, along with room for your iPad, Kindle Fire or other tablet of choice. Made of high-quality ballistic nylon with a water-repellent coating and heavy-duty YKK zippers, this tough but lightweight messenger bag also features a luggage trolley handle pass-through so you can strap it to your suitcase while traveling, making it the perfect laptop tote for those looking for both convenience and comfort.
STYLE
If you're looking for a luxury gift for someone who has a sense of style and an appreciation for iconic sports cars, then these 250 GTO inspired cufflinks from Archibald J. McNeil might be the perfect gift. 50 years ago the iconic Ferrari 250 GTO introduced the open shift gate and these anti-tarnish Sterling Silver cufflinks were created as an homage to that automotive legend. The gate has been recreated precisely on a smaller scale. The inside of the gates and around each screw head has been antiqued to accentuate the unique design. Check out their entire selection as cuff links are a great gift for men who have a sense of style.
We love ICON products which are great for hard-core motorcycle riders but also for anyone looking for unique and innovative styles. Any guy can dress up his wardrobe with the jackets and other gear from ICON. With the ICON 1000 Hoodlux Softshell Jacket we have a riding jacket that also has the look and functionality of a hoody, though it's much more stylish. Just by looking at it you can see that most guys would like this item. The Hoodlux features a wind-resistant construction and a modified raglan fit, neatly assembled with stretch-woven 330-gram soft shell fabric. The fabric is bonded to a fleece interior for added warmth and protection from the elements. The jacket's elbows are reinforced with a washable synthetic overlay. So it's a great riding jacket but also cool jacket you can wear for everyday use or when you're heading out.
Check out the Burnetie web site for an excellent selection of shoes for men and women. You'll find classic looks along with trendier options as well, the prices are very affordable and you should find some great gift ideas for the holidays. We tried out the Ox Light casual shoes pictured here and we were impressed by the quality and comfort. These low tops with a canvas body with rubber sole sports a classic design that has been updated to make the shoe lighter and more comfortable. The white stitching also adds to the styling. Canvas shoes with white runner soles have become very popular and the Ox Light model would be a great option for spring or summer or for a warm weather vacation.
We're big fans of the casual shoes and sneakers from Lugz and we recently tried out the Allerton high-top sneakers in grey pictured above. Like all of the shoes from Lugz they're very comfortable and look very stylish. The Allertons feature a canvas upper, cotton drill lining, cushioned insole and rubber outsole. The muted dark grey color with the white outsoles make the Allerton sneakers a great option with jeans or other casual slacks and they work for most weather settings. Check them out for yourself along with all of the other selections available at the Lugz online store. If you have a guy on your gift list who can use some casual shoes or sneakers then you'll find tons of great gift ideas there as well.
James Bond is one of pop culture's most famous icons; men want to be like him and women want to sleep with him. Though it won't make you feel any more like a secret agent, the new 007 fragrance (released in conjunction with the 50th anniversary festivities) will help you attract the opposite sex like one. A classic and unmistakably masculine scent with a sophisticated twist, the cologne perfectly embodies the legendary British spy. Designed with hints of Haitian vetiver, crisp apple and sandalwood, this aromatic fougere is a great gift for diehard Bond fans or those who just want to make an impression. Even the packaging itself is deserving of the Bond name, with a dark blue bottle that supposedly draws inspiration from the magnum meshing texture of his many automobiles (though it also resembles the grip of a gun), and in a clever nod to 007's state-of-the-art gadgets, there's a silver twist cap that reveals the hidden nozzle when opened. Cologne doesn't get much cooler than that.
It's difficult to make much of a fashion statement wearing a pair of boots, so it's refreshing to see a company like Native Shoes come along and produce something with a little more flair. The Fitzsimmons is certainly one of the cooler and cleaner boots that we've seen in quite some time, constructed from an EVA rubber that's extremely light and flexible. Some people may not like the feel of the shoe, but the material is practically maintenance-free – it's water resistant, odor resistant and completely washable – so they can be worn just about any time of the year without having to worry about weather conditions destroying them. The separate neoprene liner that you put your foot into takes a little getting used to, but it provides a snug and comfortable fit, while the lightly padded footbed cushions your foot and helps wick away moisture. Best of all, there are tons of colors to choose from, so you can rest assured that there's something for everyone… even those that want to rock a pair of bright yellow boots.
We featured TOMS sunglasses in our Father's Day gift guide earlier this year, so it only seemed fitting that we highlight the company's other product line for the Christmas edition, particularly because it's the kind of present that you could give to just about anyone in your family. Just like the TOMS One for One eyeglass model – which donates a pair of prescription glasses to someone in need for every pair of sunglasses they sell – the company exercises a similar program with their footwear, giving a needy child a pair of shoes for every pair sold. That in itself makes a pretty great gift, but it certainly helps that TOMS shoes are so comfortable and fashionable as well. There's also a really large selection to choose from for men, women and even children, with just about every style, color, pattern and fabric imaginable. And if the shoes weren't unique enough, TOMS also carries special colorways for college sports fans and limited edition styles like the awesome embroidered mustache version launched in conjunction with Movember.
BOOZE

Walk into any liquor store and you'll see hundreds of options. You can zero in on someone's favorite drink when picking a gift, or you can get creative and choose something they wouldn't buy for themselves. Also, remember that you don't want to come to a party empty handed, so get in the habit of at least bringing some booze.

We're big fans of Canadian Whisky here at Bullz-Eye.com, and with the popularity of "Mad Men" more people are discovering the great whisky brands from up North. Crown Royal is one of the elites, and they've now released Crown Royal XR (as in extra-rare), a new blend that includes select remaining whiskies from the renowned LaSalle Distillery near Montreal. Crown Royal XR is unparalleled in the luxury Canadian whisky experience, possessing a sophisticated blend of dried fruits and honey, balancing the spicy notes of rye. We tried it and it's incredibly smooth. Chances are most dads love Canadian whisky and will be thrilled with a bottle Crown Royal, but the new XR is a special treat. It's priced at $129.99 a bottle so it's the perfect gift for a guy that likes the finer things.

When buying liquor, it's always nice to get something unique. Every year Jose Cuervo gives a Mexican artist a unique opportunity to showcase their individuality and creativity by designing the box for one of the most acclaimed tequilas in the world, Reserva de la Familia.

This year artist Ricardo Pinto has put a distinctive spin on the classic box, merging traditional art with modern technology graphic processing; creating a layered look that is as unique as the distinct taste of Reserva de la Familia itself.

If there's a more manly gift this side of a hunting rifle than bourbon, we haven't heard of it. James Bond of the movies might lean towards martinis but, in Ian Fleming's original novels, the pro-American MI6 man guzzled our nation's most popular native spirit in preference to almost everything else; he's hardly alone. Easily the best known of Jim Beam's justifiably acclaimed small batch premium whiskeys, Knob Creek Bourbon will make a welcome gift for anyone who enjoys fine whiskey in an Old Fashioned, Manhatttan, on the rocks or with a splash of cold water. Just to sweeten the deal of purchasing this sweet but pungent 100 proof liquor, Jim Beam is making a series of personalized labels available free over the 'net. Just head over to the Knob Creek labels site, submit the appropriate information and they'll happily send you a personalized holiday gift label for dad, your bourbon-loving brother or your boozing best buddy. Since it's absolutely free, it's a great alternative to gift wrapping for us lazy cheapskates. If your giftee is a serious booze hound, Knob Creek has a rye whiskey out now, also.
For the first time ever, Guinness is releasing a limited time only holiday ale – Guinness Generous Ale. The beer features a well rounded, full body "winter warmer" with a ruby color and Guinness' distinct roasted barley character. Guinness fans will probably love it. This new beer will be available as part of a new Guinness Winter Selection variety pack,  seasonal mixed pack available nationwide beginning in November 2012 throughout the holiday season including Guinness Black Lager, Guinness Draught and Guinness Foreign Extra Stout.