What better gift can be given for Christmas than nostalgia?  I doubt there’s a gift that could be more fitting to give to any man at Christmas than a hamper of retro sweets.

Gone are the days of the classic sweet shops, anybody born in the 90s and earlier will surely have fond memories of spending all their pocket money on penny mixes and quarters of their favourite sweets.  Allow them to relive these days with bags, jars and hampers full to the brim of delicious sweets that they’ll struggle to keep their hands off on Christmas morning.

Personal favourites include Giant Cola Bottles, Drumsticks, Refreshers Chews, Rhubarb & Custard’s and Gourmet Jelly Beans.

Listing over 500 different sweet varieties, there will be something to cater for everybody’s sweet tooth.  And if one type of sweet isn’t enough, then there are a variety of retro sweet hampers available.

Retro Sweets is a post from: Gifts 4 Men

I’ve owned remote controlled helicopters before, but the Lightspeed i-Helicopter is different.

Helicopters that I’ve used in the past relied on a bulky controller in order to maneuver the vehicle, however this one utilises one of a variety of mobile devices.  You can download a simple, intuitive app that will interface with the helicopter and give you hours of fun!  The i-Helicopter comes in a stealthy black with a variety of LED lights that can be turned on/off via the phone-based controller.

The mobile devices supported are:  iPhone / iPad / iPod Touch and supported Android phones including: HTC – Desire S, HTC – Desire HD, HTC – Incredible S, Samsung – 9100, Samsung – i9000, Moto – MB525, LG – P350, HTC – Hero, HTC – Sensation. 

Please be aware that these helicopters are light-weight and only built to be used indoors.  I got a little aggressive with the ‘TURBO‘ button on mine and managed to break the tail motor so forward and backward flight was no longer functional.  This helicopter does come with an array of spares, just in case so you should be able to easily repair most damage sustained.  Other than that, I can highly recommend these as a gift.  If you are looking for alternatives, check out Paramount Zone’s Christmas Gift Guide.

Paramount Zone were kind enough to send us one of these in exchange for an honest review.  Thanks to FuelMyBlog for setting this up.

Lightspeed i-Helicopter is a post from: Gifts 4 Men

Aside from women, the average male has two loves in his life: alcohol and guns. Most men like nothing more than to chug back a bottle of liqueur while shooting leng in Liberty City or answering the Call of Duty. If the average man were allowed ten possessions to take to a desert island, you can bet that alcohol and a handgun would be on that list. Smart men,however, would request the Alcohol Shot Gun, a neat way of killing two birds with one stone, leaving one space free on that all-important desert island wish list. An opportunity to add a rowing boat to the list perhaps? No, far too practical – make it another bottle of whisky.

The Alcohol Shot Gun, as its name would suggest, is a shot gun that you can fill with…yep, you guessed it – alcohol. You don’t have to of course – you could elect to fill it with cranberry juice instead, but where would be the fun in that? A bunch of grown men running around shooting antioxidant-stuffed fruit juice in each other’s mouths would just look weird. Vodka on the other hand? Why, it makes perfect sense. This has to be one of the best gifts for men ever conceived. As government anti-gun campaigns are oft to remind us, you don’t take a piece to a party. Unless it’s the Alcohol Shot Gun, in which case, tool up and mosey on in there. It’s the perfect recipe to the perfect party.

Alcohol Shot Gun is a post from: Gifts 4 Men

The Sussex 6 bottle rotary spirit stand is a must-have device for any respectable man cave. It features six adjustable dispensers that can be taken out and cleaned as necessary. This little doozy takes a step away from you and the bottle and eliminates spillage, all you need to do is press your glass to the dispenser and out comes a perfectly measured shot.

Although it is somewhat of a novelty, this bottle shot dispenser is extremely useful and causes severe jealousy among your poker buddies. There is something about having 6 types of your favorite liquor easily dispensable at your finger tips that really brings a smile to our faces. The dispenser rings in at £60.93 on Amazon.co.uk, but who can put a price on something this amazing?

About the Author: Lisa is an avid yoga enthusiast and self proclaimed professional soccer fan who enjoys writing in her spare time for Usdirect.com – home of US Direct.

Man Cave Must Have: 6 Bottle Shot Dispenser is a post from: Gifts 4 Men

Fads come and go all the time, but Apple is very successful at creating highly-desirable gadgets. The most recent creation is the iPad (and now iPad 2), which is currently the most user-friendly of all the tablet devices available to buy. The iPad also highly desirable by everyone, not just blokes. I already have an iPad, but if my missus bought me an iPad before I got one, she’d have won some serious brownie points!

What makes the iPad so desirable is that the applications you can install are so varied. Some chaps love playing games, some like puzzles, some want to use business applications, then there’s Twitter, Facebook, browsing the web, email, video messaging, graphic design, and so much more.

Making it a bit more special with a Gift Voucher for the App Store

So iPads alone are an ideal gift for men. Since an iPad usually comes with just the most basic of applications, it’d be worth buying a gift voucher (say only £10 or $10), but just enough so that your recipient can experiment with their new toy and buy a few apps to enjoy.

Avoid buying an iPad case

There are literally hundreds of iPad cases. You have novelty cases, sleeve cases, hard-shell cases, cases that are also stands, cases that are also portfolios, and loads more. Cases for iPads are pretty much a personal taste, so unless you know exactly what to get, it’s worth avoiding buying a case with the iPad. Let them choose one once they’ve used it for a little while.

Keeping it practical

When you start using an iPad a lot, you’ll find that the screen is very vulnerable, even if you have a case for it. So I strongly recommend you buy a screen protector for the iPad. It’s very easy for the iPad to get dropped or scratched, so having a screen protector will massively prolong the life of the iPad.

If you buy a screen protector from a high-street store, or from the place you buy the iPad, you will pay well over the odds. You can pay £15 for an iPad screen protector at a high street store, but pay around £7 for a 3-pack of screen protectors on eBay.

Although the protectors on eBay are marginally lower quality, it’s so minor that you’d never notice. Those plastic films are also awkward to fit, so getting a multi-pack means that it’s OK if the first film doesn’t go on correctly, as you get a 2nd chance.

A final thought…

iPads are not exactly cheap, but they are great fun. Just a warning though… if you haven’t played with an iPad before, once you have, you’ll probably be tempted to get one yourself!

Apple iPads – An ideal gift for men is a post from: Gifts 4 Men

With the Rocky Balboa Bathrobe (or dressing gown depending on where you’re from), no longer will your early morning sleep induced warblings and nonsensical mumblings raise eyebrows or create confusion.  Once draped in this fantastic replica robe, what you will have is an impression of the iconic boxer himself and who doesn’t love the underdog hero!?

The Rocky movies* are loved by all – they boost the testosterone in men and I don’t know many ladies who don’t enjoy the ripped physiques on show!  So why not treat yourself, or your man, to a fun yet stylish bath robe in honour of the boxers ringside garb.  Officially licensed from the creators of the Rocky Franchise, this authentic replica boasts the Italian Stallion’s trademark logo and black and yellow colour scheme.  Spun from pure polysatin, this robe guarantees comfort, but does come with one small caveat: over use may cause terrible incoherence, slurring and shouts for a strangely named female “Adrien”.

Other than that it’s a stylish, comfortable and fun product available from MenKind.

*Even the poor 5th one!

Rocky Balboa Bathrobe is a post from: Gifts 4 Men

Looking for a stylish way to save the stylish man in your life a few dollars? How about getting him a retro-cool liquor flask? Flasks came about in the 18th century as a way to discreetly carry spirits around. The curved shape was meant to rest snugly against the contours of a man’s (or naughty woman’s!) body.

Flasks really took off during the prohibition, however, when booze was outlawed in the United States. Their design hasn’t changed much, thank God, since. They may have fallen out of favor of late but with the emergence of retro-type shows like Mad Men, flasks are hot again.

There are a few basic varieties of flasks you’ll want to familiarize yourself with before you choose the right one for your man. The high polish stainless steel flask is a classic. You can engrave a long message in front, perfect for an occasion like Valentine’s day. Be careful though, you don’t want to engrave something too mushy, his mates may be reading it too!

Leather Flasks are another way to go. They are a little more high-maintenance but many people consider them to be a little more stylish too. Your man will need to be careful when filling and cleaning them not to get the leather exterior wet. He can choose from different color leathers to accessorize with different outfits. Wearing a black leather jacket? Go with the black leather flask! Wearing an argyle sweater? Opt for the argyle and brown leather flask!

Looking for something completely different and unique? Maybe a conversation starter? How about a novelty design like a flask made to look like binoculars or a cell phone flask? There are a whole bunch of unique styles that are designed to keep his drinking discreet. Be warned though, these styles may have the opposite flask, hemay be the life of the party.

Flasks are hot gifts right now for two reasons. First, they are at the height of retro style. They add a classic touch to any outfit and your guy will be the envy of the party when he pulls one out of his jacket pocket. Second, they are a money saver. Don’t believe me? Order a jack and coke at any bar in the city and see how much it sets you back!

Pete Ekizian is the owner of http://www.executivegiftshoppe.com, purveyor of unique gifts for men like personalized flasks, pocket watches and business card holders.

Liquor Flasks – Retro Style is a post from: Gifts 4 Men

The iPad is the latest ridiculously sleek and sexy gadget from Apple, that had people queuing for days and fighting over who was to get the first one in the store.  It may be expensive, but for many people it was a must have!  With all that money and effort exuded in obtaining one of these precious pieces of gadgetry, you’re definitely going to want to protect it! Right?

No – we’re not selling insurance, i’m sure the annoying sales person already badgered you with  that one till the cows came home,  I’m talking about a simple case.  Simple yes, but this Carbon Fibre Style iPad Case offers much more than a means of protection.

The Carbon Fibre Style iPad Case is extremely slim, with a contrasting interior and easy slip in design has left space in all the right places so that all ports remain easily accessible. Even better, the case folds so that it doubles as a stand so you can sit back and enjoy watching your favourite YouTube clips at that perfect angle!

The Carbon Fibre Style iPad Case is available from Firebox.com and at £19.99 with free delivery – yes you read that correctly – it’s an absolute steal! So keep your amazing gadget safe and looking stylish all for under twenty quid.  Bargain.

Carbon Fibre iPad Case is a post from: Gifts 4 Men

The Ipod Nano gets smaller and smaller with each redesign and in it’s current form is a tiny square with a full touchscreen.  Easy to lose I hear you cry!  Not if it’s strapped to your wrist and worn as a smart digital watch.

The Ipod NanoWatch Strap allows you to simply clip your Nano on to a comfortable and smart looking soft rubber strap, instantly creating a wristwatch.  Once activated, the watch function on the nano creates a distinctive watch face which would fool any onlooker.

Forget the huge diamond encrusted bling pieces that weigh a ton – only rappers can really pull them off!  The NanoWatch is sleek, lightweight and with instant access to all your favourite tunes it’s a brilliant bit of kit.

An excellent way to keep your Ipod Nano safe and easily accessibile, without the need to clip it to your clothes and look like a muppet, the NanoWatch Strap is a must have accessory for all Nano owners.

The NanoWatch strap is available from Firebox.com for £16.99 with free delivery in the UK.

iPod Nano Watch Strap is a post from: Gifts 4 Men

When I think of the Swiss, I instantly think of the Army Knives.  Known for their quality, they have become a worldwide favourite in the pocket knife industry.

Another Swiss company, SIGG, have taken the humble water bottle and produced a “rugged water transportation and storage device” that not only looks great but functions perfectly at this very task.

I was recently sent a 1.5L SIGG water bottle from Pure Kit for review.  Having only ever used a standard , disposable, plastic water bottle before; I was quite interested as to how this could differ and wether I would be willing to part with my hard-earned cash to use one of these.

The first thing that struck me is just how good looking this bottle is!  The sleek, light-weight aluminium body oozes style and would look great when used anywhere. Made from a single piece of extruded aluminium the SIGG bottles are extremely durable and advertised as “almost unbreakable*”.

It is on the inside however, where the SIGG water bottle truly exhibits its quality engineering.  The bottles have been hygienically treated with a taste-neutral coating to prevent contamination of contents and this coating is also resistant to fruit acids and isotonic drinks to help prevent decay.

An eco-friendly alternative to disposable plastic bottles, the SIGG water bottles make an ideal gift for anybody into fitness and the bottles start at just £7.64 with free P&P (correct at time of writing).

*I’ve not tested this myself so I cannot vouch for the unbreakable nature of the SIGG water bottles.

SIGG Water Bottles is a post from: Gifts 4 Men