Man of the House: Gift Giving for Dad

"He's just so hard to buy for."

If you had a dollar for every time you heard a woman say that (or said it yourself, ladies) about a husband, boyfriend or father around the holidays, you'd be rich, right? Well, you're making it much harder than it has to be, plain and simple. Dad's not hard to buy for come Christmas. You just need to know what he wants, and it's a given that he's not going to tell you.

"I don't care. Whatever you want to get."

We know. Frustrating answer. So here are plenty of gift ideas that are sure to please. Don't even ask him this year. Just surprise him.

BBQ sets - You can't go wrong with a grill or grill accessories. It goes back to the primitive "caveman" in all men. You know, cooking slain meat over an open fire. Women may not get it, but men do. They love to grill. They love to talk about grilling. Heck, some of them grill in the dead of winter with snow piled on the ground! It's in their blood. The good news is: even if you can't afford an expensive grill, great grilling sets complete with utensils and aprons are inexpensive and easy to come by!

Magazine subscriptions - Men love sports. It's a given. You can't go wrong with a subscription to Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, etc. It's a gift that keeps on giving the entire year, and one the man of your house will appreciate.

Men love mugs - A personalized beer mug, complete with a nameplate, is never a bad thing for the typical American male.

Tools - Even those who can't screw in a light bulb consider themselves to be a regular Mr. Fix-It. Don't dispel the myth! Let them believe by getting them a tool set. Whether you want to spend a ton on top-notch gadgets or buy a simple ratchet set, tools are the toys for "old boys."

Desk globe - If your man needs an office accessory, a desktop globe is the way to go. Maybe it's an innate yearning to hold the world in his hands, or a Napoleonic desire to conquer the business world, but men love globes.

Poker set - Poker has never been hotter! If that Friday night game in the basement with his cronies is something your husband looks forward to all week long, this is the gift for him. Complete with chips and cards, this gift will erase his poker face and earn you a smile when he unwraps it.

Game day - What's dad's favorite sport? Hockey? Basketball? Whatever the sport, there's no substitute for seeing a live event. Get him tickets to an upcoming game and watch his smile light up like the Christmas tree.