10 Gifts Guys Secretly Want for Father's Day (Written by Alex)

"Most men's gift guides are written by women, which can be great, but then again sometimes guys just want a football. So, Joanna asked me to reveal the 10 things I'd secretly love for Father's Day. Hope this helps!" -- Alex
Filson backpack. There's nothing dorkier than a backpack, except when it's Filson. I swear by these. I use mine for biking, picnics and weekend trips.
Gitman Bros Vintage, $165. Made in U.S.A. REALLY nicely cut. A perfect blend of downtown cool and Mad-Men classic. They'll become his go-to shirts. They're the first shirts I reach for in the morning.
Beer sausage, $28.99 for three pounds. The two best flavors combined.
Football, $32. No one thinks to own a football after college, but a football is a really fun thing to have. Break one out at a picnic and guys turn into teenagers. The youth-size football is important because every guy secretly believes that a real football is a little too big. This is slightly smaller than a regular football -- you can't tell by looking at it -- but you can really huck it around. Made in Ohio, like a football should be.
Beer bottle labels with his photo. Would be even better on a Belgian Trappist ale, made by monks. (Sidenote: This photo is of Joanna and her dad.)
Giant ice-cube tray for impressive-looking cocktails, $16. They're also practical: Big cubes melt more slowly than small cubes, and there's nothing worse than a watery cocktail.
30 awesome card tricks to perform for your kid, $22. As a dad, it's important to be impressive.
Mancala, the best old-school game to play on a porch on lazy summer evenings, $10.
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined, $24. Despite what you might think, man is becoming less violent. It actually gives you faith in the human race. The best book I've read in 10,000 years. (Also, weirdly hilarious.)
An evening spent putting your baby to bed and then hanging out together. Since that's all he really wants anyway.

Thank you so much, Alex!!

P.S. More gifts for guys...

10 Valentine's Day gifts for men

The Sisters Brothers. All my guy friends are obsessed with this page-turning thriller, which is described as a Coen Brothers film in novel form. Spooky. $16.
A John Derian tray for his desk, for keys, change and reminding him how lucky he is, $66.
In this 9-minute film, Rendezvous, a man gets into a sports car and drives at terrifying speeds around Paris. He actually runs red lights, dodges pedestrians and screeches around corners, then finally stops the car and meets a beautiful woman. The 1970s film is taken from the driver's viewpoint and was shot illegally early one morning; the director Claude Lelouch was rumored to have been arrested when it first aired. Trust me, you will be the coolest girlfriend ever if you give him this gift. $29.95.
If he's a foodie, get him something crazy obscure and awesome from Gilt Taste, like beer sausages, basil-fed snails or scotch and stout truffles.
A stinky cheese class for you to take together. New York or San Francisco, $75/person.
Artwork for your bedroom, to make him laugh, or smile. $20 to $60.
I Could Eat a Horse pasta measuring tool, plus a homemade pasta feast. $15.
Silver frame with a photo of when you first started dating, so you'll both remember falling in love and getting butterflies. (You can upload a photo and get the frame here.)
Temporary tattoos to wear on your shoulder when you go out to dinner that evening. $5/each.
A sweet love note and a kiss.

P.S. 10 Valentine's Day gifts for women, and many more gifts for guys.

(Car in Paris photo via Yanidel)

Gift Guide Part #7: Your Handsome Husband Who Looks Dashing in a Beard and Suit and Puts His Hand on the Small of Your Back at Parties.

A photographic print of one of his icons. $75 to $259.
Back-to-the-Future trilogy, since he's never seen it and it's awesome, $33.99...
...and a vest inspired by Marty McFly, here for $70; here for $175.
Monster socks, because he can't keep wearing those white ones with holes. $12 for three.
Tabletop foosball table, for rip-roaring games every night before dinner. $79.
Guts and Glory photography book, a slam-dunk gift for football lovers. $25.
Chambray tie, made in Brooklyn, $83.
Round ice-ball maker for impressive cocktails, $9.99.
SPF face cream that will make him "smell like a man." Kind of random, but AMAZINGLY sexy. Alex wears it everyday, and I l-o-v-e it. $7.19.
Sharon Montrose's fantastic new animal photography book for your coffee table, $16.99.
Copenhagen bell. A little piece of modern art for your bike (that rings beautifully). $65.
Twelve-hour hand warmer, $13, to keep his hands warm on long winter bike rides, ice-skating and romantic walks around the neighborhood.
Illuminated dog leash, $25. (Plus a dog.)
A book you know he'd find fascinating. $18.
A bright shiny Corvette rental car for a day (plus rental insurance).
A kiss and a promise to love him forever, since that's all he really wants anyway.

P.S. More gifts for husbands, and the complete 2011 gift guide.

(Zippo photo from Cool Material. Orange vest via GQ)

Father's Day gift guide

My darlings, I'd love to share a Father's Day gift guide in honor of all the amazing dads out there. First up: The exact sunglasses that worked for Steve McQueen, $310.
Duluth backpack, $135.
Dog collar bottle opener, $20. Now he can teach the dog to fetch a beer!
Wooden tie (for real), $34.
Two lobsters delivered to his door, $35.
Kiehl's Facial Fuel with sunscreen, $35, because you feel protective of him, too.
A sticker to make his iPhone look like a Leica camera, $9.
Artwork for his house, $20-$50. (P.S. I love the description of this boxing print.)
Lego Falling Water, $99.99, to make him feel like a kid again.
BBQ Fish basket, $18, for grilling perfectly crispy fish on the deck.
Desk blotter with twelve of his all-time favorite family photos, $29.99.
Chocolate sardines, $9.95, straight from France.
Striped camera strap, $138.
Bike glow safety light, $19, for midnight rides.
Luggage tag to inspire wanderlust.
A note telling him how much you love him, $4.50, since that's what he really wants anyway.

What are you going to get your dad? xo

P.S. More gift ideas for guys...

(Wooden tie via Honestly WTF; chocolates via Refinery 29)