This is the time of year when men fret over buying gifts for women and women fret over buying gifts for men. While buying the “perfect” gift for a woman is next to impossible, but gifts for men is a piece of cake, literally if not always figuratively, but cake will often work.  Fret not, just follow these simple rules.

When in doubt – buy cordless power tools. Cordless drills, cordless saws.  If he has a complete set of cordless power tools, you can always buy him an extra battery pack.

If cordless power tools are too much for your budget, just buy anything with the word ratchet or socket in it. Men love saying those two words. If he has all the ratchet and sockets that he needs, there is always a socket extender that will widen the world where he can use all those sockets and ratchets that he already has.

If you are really, really cheap (or broke) broke, buy him anything for his car. You should be able to find a gallon of windshield fluid for under $2.50.  Wrap it up, it is bug, heavy and useful.  He will appreciate it.

Another very safe guy gift is a remote control to replace the ones they have worn out or broken or lost. You could go all out and get a universal remote, but beware you may not see him for a few days as he programs everything in the neighborhood to work with this power wielding instrument. As an added bonus give him an extra pack of batteries for the remote.

Label makers. Almost as good as cordless power tools. Within a couple of weeks there will be labels absolutely everywhere.

Many men do not cook, but they will barbecue. So buy him the largest grill you can find with the largest propane tank that is legal. He will be offering you burnt sacrifices in no time.

Baseball, Football, Hockey Tickets are always a smart gift. However, he may not appreciate tickets to “Mama Mia” of “Riverdance.”

Every man needs a really good wheelbarrow and an aluminum extension ladder. Never buy a real man a stepladder. It must be an extension ladder, at least 12 feet in height.

Men love rope. Whether it be a hundred feet of 3/8” manila rope or a nice bar of “soap on a rope” the message that you really care will be received.