Buying gifts is already a challenge, but when you add men to the equation, it can be a full-blown nightmare. You have to be careful about what you buy and how you present it because the present says a lot about how much you value the man in your life. Although gift-giving is not easy to navigate, these rules will help you the next time you go gift shopping.

4 rules for buying a gift for your man

1. Stick to one item

Human beings like to acquire and own more things, but when you have fifty special items, it’s hard to pick one and say why it’s more special than the others. The days where people kept one favorite piece and wore it day after day are long gone, making it even hard to have special items for special occasions. Generally, you will grow attached to a few items, and that’s why you need to pick one special gift for your man. If you buy too many at the same time, he will be confused as to which to value more and why, as opposed to giving him one gift he can focus on.

2. Make the gift useful or sentimental

Generally, there are easy options you can always go for, such as a wallet, belt, cologne, and clothing items. If you must get one of these options, let it have context, so it doesn’t fall into the category of ‘just another tie.’ For instance, ties in ascot mat are perfect when you know he has a big dinner gala or formal event he needs to dress up for and impress. Instead of going with a regular tie or bow tie, an ascot tie will give him that extra oomph he needs to stand out. Besides being a perfect formal attire, he can pair the ascot with a blazer or denim jacket for smart casual and still look amazing.

3. Don’t associate the price tag with the value

It doesn’t matter how you look at it. The bottom line is how much money you spend on a gift does not decide its value. Instead of worrying about how much an item will cost, spend that time researching what he needs, an item he valued and lost, or something he plans to buy in the future that’s within a reasonable price range. Such a gift will be more valuable to him than something expensive that he won’t value.

4. When in doubt, don’t buy anything

This is not the conventional advice you are looking for but hear us out. It’s one thing to buy a man a gift because you want to show him he is valued and appreciated, and another thing to buy him something just because you feel you should. If you are uncertain, buy him something simple like a birthday card or make him a scrapbook. Most times, the thought counts more than the gift itself.

Buying a gift for a man will not be easy, but these rules will help you avoid mistakes most women make when shopping for their men.