I actually posted this as a part of my response to someone else queston on the same issue:

Making things for GUYS:

Ok- im going to visit a friend and potential love interest. He own a construction company and he can fix and make anything. Which is why his house is so cool - ive seen pictures from some of the jobs. Anyways- I have to get him a house warming gift.

Is this Idea stupid? :

Making homemade items bath soap/body cleanser shampoo aftershave mouth wash and toothpaste

(Assuming these were made very well)

(if anyone has any more ideas/recipes for more let me know..)

Packaging idea would be- a small tool box

- overboard add on would be a small throw or blanket i can make to wrap it up in or just ad in

whatever is this stupid in general?

-- Layla Sarvinaz (Laelah52@aol.com), January 04, 2002

Answers

Sounds like a great idea Layla. Another route you could take is making up a goodie basket of homemade mixes. (ie. muffin, soup, bread mixes that only need the wet ingredients added.) I have a book called the Perfect Mix. It is chocked full of these types of recipes. Also has beverage mixes for things such as cappucino, and hot chocolate. Some (and I stress some) men don't know how or like to cook, so having easy mixes for goodies is a good thing. And I don't know too many men who don't like to eat. :-D If you would be interested in some recipes email me and they are on their way. Good luck, Kim :-D

-- Kim in Indiana (kwcountrygirl@aol.com), January 04, 2002.

Go with something home baked. Or home made. Maybe home baked bread, muffins, cookies.

-- Buddy (Buddybud@csranet.com), January 04, 2002.

I agree with Buddy. While your idea is great, it implies that you feel he is worth the trouble of making a complicated gift and a personal one at that. (A bit of woman-thinking here) Later on, after he shows an interest in you, your idea would be a great Valentines Day gift. Homemade muffins shows him that you are polite and that you know what an oven is for.

-- Ardie /WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), January 04, 2002.

i agree with ardie you could bowl him over with over kill and he could bolt.

-- js (schlicker54@aol.com), January 04, 2002.

When my husband and I were datting I gave him as gifts a quilt, hombaked goodies, a couple of wooden boxes I painted country pic's on, oh and home made gift certificuts(?), Like one free home made meal, one free back rub, one free laundry day, one free picnic basket and me to your location. I told my son's girlfriend to do that when she was broke one year and they ended up in the middle of the football field on a cold day LOL I put some candles in the basket for them to. She said they were cold but it did not seem so bad with a dancing flame around them. I thought those tickets were fun because then he did not expect me to come over and just pick up after him LOL. If he used up his tickets then he had to wait on me!! Anyway you don't have to spend alot of money, gifts from the heart and the thought put into it will be more welcome than just about anything you could buy. My husband still shows off those painted boxes after 14 years :) Oh P.S. my son's girlfriend is now my daughter in law!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is a sweetie.

-- Teresa (c3ranch@socket.net), January 04, 2002.

Being a single guy myself, I would suggest staying away from the personal hygiene stuff and crafty items. Food is good, me like food! Sorry. If you are hooked on personal hygiene, then I'd get him some of my favorite cologne...WD-40. Maybe a case of the stuff, can never have too much. It's good for other stuff besides aftershave, dontchaknow. If you wanna give him soap, some Lava or Goop would be nice. As always, a few rolls of duct tape are handy and much appreciated. The el primo gift though would be some fishing tackle or a new fishing rod. Yep, that would be the cats pajamas! Nothing better than new fishing gear to say "I love you." --Happy trails, CF

-- Cabin Fever (cabinfever_mn@yahoo.com), January 04, 2002.

Oh CF, you are so funny! Thanks for making me laugh!

Seriously, this man is a POTENTIAL male love interest, not a boyfriend yet. Layla, you want to appear interested, but not OVER interested, so keep it impersonal. Food is good...I have yet to see a man refuse homemade bakery.

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), January 04, 2002.

I would say definately a loaf of homemade bread taken directly out of the oven so it is still warm. Perhaps take some homemade butter with it if you can. Men are suckers for homemade bakery and milk-related products - reminds them of Mom.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), January 04, 2002.

I agree that you should not do the soap and stuff; he might think you're hinting about his personal hygiene. And wouldn't THAT kill a potential romance! Food is probably the ticket.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), January 04, 2002.

Food for sure. Women like all that crafty stuff, men like things that are practical.

You may have seen this before:

How To Satisfy A Woman Every Time

Caress, praise, pamper, relish, savor, massage, make plans, fix, empathize, serenade, compliment, support, feed, tantalize, bathe, humor, placate, stimulate, jiffylube, stroke, console, purr, hug, coddle, excite, pacify, protect, phone, correspond, anticipate, nuzzle, smooch, toast, minister to, forgive, sacrifice for, ply, accessorize, leave, return, beseech, sublimate, entertain, charm, lug, drag, crawl, show equality for, spackle, oblige, fascinate, attend, implore, bawl, shower, shave, trust, grovel, ignore, defend, coax, clothe, brag about, acquiesce, aromate, fuse, fizz, rationalize, detoxify, sanctify, help, acknowledge, polish, upgrade, spoil, embrace, accept, butter-up, hear, understand, jitterbug, locomote, beg, plead, borrow, steal, climb, swim, nurse, resuscitate, repair, patch, crazy-glue, respect, entertain, calm, allay, kill for, die for, dream of, promise, deliver, tease, flirt, commit, enlist, pine, cajole, angelicize, murmur, snuggle, snoozle, snurfle, elevate, enervate, alleviate, spotweld, serve, rub, rib, salve, bite, taste, nibble, gratify, take her places, scuttle like a crab on the ocean floor of her existence, diddle, doodle, hokey-pokey, hanky-panky, crystal blue persuade, flip, flop, fly, don't care if I die, swing, slip, slide, slather, mollycoddle, squeeze, moisturize, humidify, lather, tingle, slam-dunk, keep on rockin' in the free world, wet, slicken, undulate, gelatinize, brush, tingle, dribble, drip, dry, knead, puree, fluff, fold, blue-coral wax, ingratiate, indulge, wow, dazzle, amaze, flabbergast, enchant, idolize and worship, and then go back, Jack, and do it again.

How To Satisfy A Man Every Time

Show up naked.

-- chuck in md (woah@mission4me.com), January 04, 2002.

While I am sure he would appreciate anything you give him. Even more so if the Potential love interest is mutual. I would suggest say out of the bathroom for solutions. No soaps, cleaners, aftershare. It will be the wrong kind, wrong smell. If you want to stay in similar venue and maybe peak the Potential love interest part. How about a massage kit for him and a "how to massage book for you"?

Food goes over well. A couple of loafs of flavored breads, no white wheat. Good sourdough, cheese breads, something he would not normally get for himself. Again if you want more "Potential love interest" maybe an ingrediant pack in a jar along with a "DETAILED" instruction on making the bread for himself, then offer to help or show him how to make the bread.

Stay away from tools and tool boxes. He either has enough, doesnt want to be reminded of work at home or you will get the wrong thing.

If his contruction company spends a lot of time outside then a "custom" made hat and or socks would be welcome. Nothing to fancy, just warm and functional.

Thats a guys view of the issue. Functional, practial and when all else fails. FOOD!!!!

-- Gary (gws@columbus.rr.com), January 04, 2002.

Oh Chuck....! I can't wait to show your post to DH. He will enjoy it and probably agree!

As we can see, men and women approach a question in different ways!

BTW, if I would have offered DH a massage kit when we weren't even dating (but staring at each other a lot), he would have gotten the completely wrong idea!

-- Ardie /WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), January 04, 2002.

I would say to go with food too. I wouldn't worry about special packaging...guys don't care about packaging! At all. I gave my husband a pan of homemade cinnamon rolls (small pan...leaves them wanting more..haha) with cream cheese icing when we first started dating. Worked up to a picnic lunch, etc. Warm leather gloves for after you are dating maybe. They know what to do with food..never met a guy who didn't like bread products!! Let him keep the pan. That would be a good housewarming gift...no wrap required!

-- Jenny (auntjenny6@aol.com), January 04, 2002.

Hmmm...I finally landed myself a man about 3 yrs ago! Men always like food. When we were dating I used to make my hubby cookies, homemade, candy, etc. He loved it! Crafty stuff is often not high on the list. A massage kit would be a good idea if you were already intimate, but I think most men would have idea's of buxom blonde half naked massage girls dancing in their heads!

-- ellie (elnorams@aol.com), January 04, 2002.

Layla, get him a nice ham, and then later ask him, Do you know how to cook this? If the door is going to open it will open then.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), January 04, 2002.

I think Chuck has the right idea but that may be a bit more than you're willing to do right now ; ). Seriously please do not give the guy a toothbrush, mouthwash, or soap. Even if they're homemade he could easily think you're suggesting his hygiene isn't too hot.

I'd go with some homemade food. Cookies, bread, etc. Hard to go wrong or lead to misinterpretations there. If he likes wine, a nice bottle of wine to go with it.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), January 04, 2002.

Nothing says Love like a cold 12 pack of Beer!

-- Mark in N.C. Fla. (deadgoatman@webtv.net), January 04, 2002.

The only trouble with anything cosmetic is that many guys are sensitive to some of the overfragranced stuff that most women are used to. I know guys who can't even walk past say a Bath and Body Works or the Body Shop without their noses shutting down.

I vote for the food. Guys are impressed by anything food, unless they themselves are gourmet chefs, which your guy doesn't sound like. Spiced coctail nuts (always use the best nuts you can afford), other munchie- type foods, etc. Good Luck!

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), January 04, 2002.

Scratch one up for Jenny! The same idea worked on my husband when we were dating. Pumpkin pies, cookies, bread, anything that I knew he wouldn't make for himself. He had a hard enough time with dinner! And give it to him in a nice pan that, when you ARE formally dating {!!},maybe while you're visiting, you can whip up another pan of those yummy cinnamon buns!! ~Yes, I know you might be otherwise occupied, but it's a thought! Plus, it's not too 'serious' of a gift, but he knows that you put forth some effort into baking it. Plus, guys love anything that smells good like that, implies something fattening and sinful!. And it shows him you're not afraid to 'spoil' him, or worried that he'll spoil his 'girlish' figure :) I agree on staying away from the homemade soap/craft item route. You and I might appreciate something like that, but not the guys. And don't stop the goodies coming after you've gotten him, {if it works out},keep on making the goodies. Dontcha know? The way to a man's heart IS through his stomach~LOL! I've proven my theory on this~ my husband and I have been together for 10yrs now. Course, he's about 12lbs heavier............! Good luck!

-- Nancy (heartsathome45@hotmail.com), January 04, 2002.

fresh buckwheat pancake mix that he can fry next morning - yeah that'll work.

-- Elizabeth Quintana (rockshelter@webtv.com), January 04, 2002.

Every house needs a nice shotgun or two, or maybe a brand new 4x4 truck or a new boat in the garage.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), January 04, 2002.

I got something recently from someone who probably viewed me in much the same way as you view this guy. She baked me some homemade bread, gave me a tin of homemade cookies and a CD she burned of music I didn't have by someone she knew I liked.

I was very pleasantly surprised and happy with it on more than one level. Of course, food is food and I'm a guy so that works. More than that, the gifts showed me she cared enough to take her time to make something instead of just buying something and putting a ribbon on it. The CD showed me she was interested enough to remember the music I liked from when we talked.

No guarantees for you, but we've gone out a few times since and are seeing one another this weekend. ;o)

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), January 04, 2002.

Hey Stan you reading this im roflmao.i wonder how much of that junk ive pitched out. Bob se,ks.

-- Bobco (bobco@kans.com), January 05, 2002.

Bread, butter and jam, or a pie are fine. But also create and laminate your own menu. At the bottom, let him know that he can call and arrange for you to come over and cook any of the items.

-- paul (primrose@centex.net), January 05, 2002.

I would go with the home baked goodies or how about making him dinner...at home...alone ?? How about a little back massage therapy after a hard days work ??? About the packaging of the baked goods..if you deliver them yourself that should be packaging enough. Good Luck and let us know how things go !!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), January 05, 2002.

Bobco, if your post is going to help Layla at all at least you could let her know what you pitched out. If it was homemade bread or other food goodies, we (and YOUR potential love interests) know something must be wrong with you!

-- Debbie in Mo (risingwind@socket.net), January 05, 2002.

Gift certificate to sears (think Craftsman tools)/ Tickets to paintball session/ Free oil change/ Cookies and m and ms/ FORGET the back rub thing- come on think POTENTIAL not sucking onto like a leech in love/ Gloves- leather ones with liners are always good to have and are always in need/ Tire plug kit/ a pie? better find out what kind he likes- pies are subject to alot of "I dont like pumpkin" blues/ Just thougght Id put a few out on the table, though X mas is long over.

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), January 06, 2002.

Some premade{homemade} cookie in a jars mixes {or cake} .Maybe a baking pan , potholder, dish towels, spices,.Think of a theme {maybe something he likes}. Say sword fish , get all the ingredients for a great meal package nicely and then add a note to give a call when he is ready for you to make it for him .You could include nice linens,spices, side dishes , a bottle of wine and candles.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), January 06, 2002.

lol Kevin. I don't know... potential or not I think I'd take the backrub over a tireplug kit any day.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), January 06, 2002.

Don't come on too heavy, and don't make a doormat of yourself. If he's decent but commitment shy he'll run miles. If he's indecent then by definition he's commitment shy, but he'll make whatever use he can of you. If he's not commitment shy then he's gay. Some of the above suggestions, involving low cost, not too personal, a little bit of time, and some thought about what he'd like, are good.

Just don't imply anything more than being a thoughtful female friend at this stage - give things a little time to develop. Unless, that is, you want him to jump you and hump you, then discard you like a used tissue.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), January 07, 2002.

Gee Don, you really summed it up in a few words! ROFLMAOPIMP!!!!

-- Ardie /WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), January 07, 2002.