We have covered several different guidelines for shopping for "the guy who has everything". Today's idea incorporates a couple of those rules, and introduces a new one.

1. Gift him something he wouldn't buy himself.
   
2. Gift for his hobbies or passions.
   

And a new suggestion is: Gift him the impractical version of the practical something he already owns. 

The Desktop Lighter is an excellent example of this principle in practice. The serious cigar smoker already owns a cutter, a cigar case, a humidor, and a lighter. Each dutifully executes its objective. The Desktop Lighter, on the other hand, is all about symbolism. It is a brilliant gift idea precisely because of its impracticality. 

First of all, few men (or women for that matter) work in an office that allows cigar smoking (ironically, the nation's lawmakers are still allowed to smoke cigars in Capitol offices although that has gotten some of them in trouble). Those that "work from home" may also be prohibited from smoking cigars in the house by their SO's. So what purpose does it fulfill? Well, it signals to anyone around his desk that he enjoys fine cigars (and all of the connotations - positive & negative - that come with it). And, it's so Old School to reach across a desk with a substantial lighter in your hand to light someone else's smoke.

The only real risk to giving a Desktop Lighter is that a crazy salesperson uses it to demonstrate his brake pads: 

We have weighed the risks...it's worth taking.

Other gift ideas that follow this theme include Champagne Sabres, gold-plated tape dispensers, Sterling Silver razor sets, 100% cashmere socks, and tumbled crocodile gym bags, to name a few. Sure there are less expensive, more practical alternatives but what's the fun in that?