Friday 16 December 2011

Christmas Gifts: For Him

Christmas Gifts: For Him



Christmas is almost here & today more gift ideas-- today, 'For Him'. . .  

1. Espresso machine-- for most, the only way to wake up each morning is with a strong, smooth coffee... A new coffee machine will make this job easier & the final product so much more delicious...

2. A jacket-- an often needed, but not often found item of clothing is a good jacket. Perfect for autumn days & cooler summer nights, a neutral & versatile fabric will find this piece being used again & again...

3. A day trip in a vintage car-- for many men, their boyhood dream of sitting behind the wheel of a beastly, powerful car still remains. Why not make a day of it & take a romantic trip up the coast? Another option for this gift is 'Hot Laps'-- they may not be driving the car, but will certainly be feeling the power as they sit in the passenger seat of a race car...

4. Cufflinks-- for the man who has everything, cufflinks may well be the answer...

5. A bicycle-- one of the most enjoyable & environmentally friendly modes of transport, a bicycle can be used for the daily commute to work or just for leisurely weekend rides...

6. Dress shirts-- a beautiful dress shirt is luxurious to the touch & if well cared for (* please see below for care instructions), will last season after season... Nautical hues are timeless as will as classic stripes...

7. Boat shoes-- timeless & the most comfortable of footwear... Nautical, sturdy, long lasting & ever-stylish, these shoes can be worn all year round & with shorts or slacks...

8. A newspaper subscription-- in the new age of computers & hand held devices, a newspaper is very seldom seen... Bring back this time honored tradition of reading the morning newspaper over a freshly brewed coffee before work...

9. Personalised calling cards-- another tradition that has faded away is the art of hand written notes. A set of personalised note cards with matching, lined envelopes will give your beau the opportunity to write short letters, thank you notes & the occasional love letter too...

* Dress Shirt Care Instructions
Ironing

• Begin to iron your dress shirt by beginning with the underside of the collar. Smooth away from the collar points towards the back of the neck. Continue by ironing the front of the collar.
• Next, iron the yoke area from the neck outwards, and then iron the pleats in the same direction of the fold.
• Iron the cuffs of your shirt inside out as well. Put the sleeves down flat and iron upwards toward the shoulders.
• Don’t forget to iron the other side of the shirt sleeve before moving on to the next sleeve.
• Iron the body of your shirt by starting at the top and moving downwards towards the hem.

Tips to Extend the Life of Your Dress Shirts

• Ironing your shirt: Check for stains before you begin to press your shirt. It must be clean, or you will set the stain into the fabric. To remove stains such as ink, you can purchase an over-the-counter ink stain remover or use a home remedy such as rubbing alcohol. Remove red wine stains by pouring white wine over the mark and laundering again.
• If you don’t have good quality steam iron, you should try to iron your shirt when the fabric is damp. You can press it far more easily to remove all wrinkles, and it’s less likely that you will damage your shirt in any way.
• Spray your cologne on your body instead of on your shirts. Wait for it to dry before dressing, as cologne can stain your shirt permanently over time.
• Check dress shirts occasionally for damage or needed repairs. Keep your eyes open for loose threads and buttons.

Storing

• Hang your dress shirt on a supportive hanger such as a wooden one or a thicker plastic one. If the hanger has firm shoulders, it will prevent unsightly bumps. Wire hangers are not recommended for your shirts.
• If you store your shirts from season to season, be sure to have them washed before packing them away. Store them in a plastic case to prevent insects and odors from reaching your dress shirts during storage.


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