I don’t pretend to understand men.
But I do know this: They like toys, and they like to solve problems. Toys that solve problems? Even better.
This occurred to me while I was trying to come up, once again, with Father’s Day gifts for my husband and my dad that wouldn’t wind up languishing under the bed in their pile of other useless gifts.
Like most men, my two aren’t easy to shop for. They’re happy wearing the same clothes again and again, and they already have a television and a Swiss Army knife.
What a great invention that is — an all-in-one man gadget that fits in a pocket, opens beer and wine bottles, guts fish, does nails, and carves initials on outhouses.
If a man has a Swiss Army knife, what else could he possibly need?
Then I got an idea. Better than a man toy that solves problems, how about a man toy that solves one of my problems? Eureka!
Syndicated columnist Marni Jameson is the author of “The House Always Wins” (Da Capo). Contact her through .
Go, go, gadget gift!
On behalf of all women who, like me, have problems, and men who are tough to shop for, I found Father’s Day gadgets under $60 that might encourage men to tackle our honey-do lists, or at least master their grill skills. Then I asked my husband, Dan, to test them. Here are some of the problem-solving guy toys that made our short list.
Woman’s problem: You have better things to do than hold a flashlight.
Man-toy solution: Hug Light. This hands-free beacon is bendable, smaller and much cooler- looking than a regular flashlight. Two beams of LED light emit from the ends of a flexible cord. Dad can hang it around his neck or from a rafter, bend it and aim it where he wants light. So next time your guy hollers, “Honey! Will you hold this flashlight for me?” while he’s got his head in a dark, spider-filled cabinet and you’re busy drying your nails, hand him this.
$14.95 at
Woman’s problem: Your husband grills dinner, which is great, except you need a hacksaw to cut your chicken.
Man-toy solution: Grill Right Wireless Talking BBQ/Oven Thermometer. Your chef sticks a sensor in the meat, fish or chicken and attaches a pager to his belt. From up to a football field away, the gizmo verbally alerts the chef when he has 2 minutes until the meat is done, and again when it’s ready. No more filets the texture of tennis shoes. This also keeps men from cutting into the meat to check it, and draining all the juice until the fare is drier than Death Valley in August. (Dan’s favorite.)
$59.99 at
Woman’s problem: Your man needs a nudge to clean the yard or garage because the chore is so boring.
Man-toy solution: iHome Portable Alarm (iH16) — This entertaining device will help him whistle while he works. The new-generation iHome is a small but mighty base for his iPod or MP3 player. It looks slick, operates on batteries or with a cord and has impressive volume projection that doesn’t distort. He can hear his favorite tunes while washing the car, and you can set the alarm to remind him when it’s time to come in and clean up for your dinner guests.
$59.99 at
Woman’s problem: You’d like some wine, but, whoops, someone forgot to chill it.
Man-toy solution: Ravi Wine Cooler. Stick this prechilled cylinder into the top of your wine bottle, pour the wine through, and presto! It comes out chilled. Just remember to store the gizmo in the freezer.
$39.95 at Beverages & More stores and wine specialty shops
Woman’s problem: Your husband sets the grill tongs that he uses to turn your burger right next to the barbecue, where birds and heaven knows what else do their business. You don’t want to discourage him from cooking,but this is gross.
Man-toy solution: BBQ Salver Tray. This all-in-in-one tray comes with a removable cutting board, three sauce compartments and a place to park the tongs. So it cuts the risk of bird flu and Hantavirus. Well-made and well-designed, it will make him feel like a grill master. $59.99 at
Woman’s problem: You want it your way.
Man-toy solution: Grill charms. Like wine charms, these dime-sized solid stainless steel charms have different emblems to help guests and chefs track which piece of meat is whose. Stick them in before grilling to distinguish grill items that have different sauces or are cooked to different degrees of doneness. $19.95 at
Woman’s problem: You’d like to make your man feel like a boy again — only useful.
Man-toy solution: Condiment Gun. Load the chamber (each pistol comes with two) and fire. Out squirts mustard, ketchup or the other gooey condiment of your choice. Guys will have a shootout over this one (just, you hope, not in your living room).
$24 at
And hey, dads — have a fun Father’s Day.
