We assume "the guy who has everything" doesn't "need" anything. He may not even "want" anything because he thinks he already has everything (although that is never the case -- the gentleman that appreciates the finer things in life knows all of the things he wants). So one strategy in choosing a gift for him is to: 

Gift him something he doesn't even know he needs, but once he gets it, he will wonder how he ever lived without it.

One of my favorite gift ideas goes by many names: change Base, valet, catch-all. Customers in our store that see one before it's been molded into shape often assume it's a leather frisbee (although it would be one heavy frisbee) or a mouse pad. In reality, it's the one place you can safely and consistently toss your keys and change. My own change base on my desk is currently holding my keys, pocket watch, business cards, ball mark, a set of collar stays, and a spare set of cufflinks.

Prior to owning a change base, I would put the contents of my pockets in a different spot every time I came home. On the console table, the kitchen counter, the top of the dresser, or the coffee table. A hurried morning would be exacerbated by a mad scramble to find the keys. But that was back in 2003, also known as 1 BCB (Before Change Base).

Today, in the year 4 ACB, you can enjoy the modern luxury of perusing our selection of valets, catch-alls, and change bases in over 15 colors plus the over-the-top alligator versions here.

Today's gift for "the guy who has everything" doesn't recommend any single, specific gift but rather a "platform" for future gifts. If a journey of 1,000 miles starts with a single step, then the path to matching luggage starts with a small duffel.

While most men do bare-minimum accessorization (watch, belt, cell phone), 30% of men take the time to make sure their belt is in the same color family as their shoes, and only 3.5% of all men insist that their belt match their shoes match their briefcase*. I'll be the first to say I'm not typical of most men, but I have, on more than one occasion left the house in frigid temperatures with no gloves because I was wearing brown shoes, but only have black gloves (ed. note: I had some, but left them in a NYC cab last winter).

There are a number of categories and brands that promise platform potential:

• Leather goods are a no-brainer place to start. Martin Dingman's new Lexington Collection is a good example. Gifts include wallets, a portfolio, shaving kit, eyeglass case, pen case, and matching belts in a luxurious equestrian saddle leather in three colors. Mulholland Brothers has a number of lines (Boardroom, Deerskin, Alligator, M-Series) that promise similar results.
  
• Desk Accessories from a brand like El Casco. Just the price-point of their desk accessories make outfitting a desk in a single purchase as difficult as it used to be to buy a home. All the more reason to take it one piece at a time. Consider starting with one of their signature pieces like the Pencil Sharpener or Staplers, and then add your Tape Dispenser, Paper Clip Pot, Business Card Holder, and more.
  
• Cigar Accessories from a brand like Atoll. They make 18 different products in over a dozen different leathers. Maybe you start with a much-needed cigar cutter, then the lighter, a case, the flask, and then end it with the ultra-impractical-but-awesome-gift-idea known as the Desktop Lighter.
• And of course, there's always matching luggage. A core, safe piece to start with might be a duffel bag, a carry-on trolley, or a professional case. From there, you can gift matching pieces like other complementary bags (if you do a rolling piece first, go wheel-less on #2 and vice-versa), a passport wallet.
  

The key to pulling off a platform gift is to make sure you will be able to get the matching pieces in the future. For many "fashion" brands, a new style or color may only be around for a season or a year and then it's gone. Because most of the brands we carry feature timeless classics, the core pieces have already been around for a decade or more, and will likely be continued for decades to come. Start a platform for him today, and you'll have gift ideas all set for Valentine's Day, his birthday, anniversary, Father's Day, Summer Solstice, and any other days of giving...

* There is no factual basis for these statistics, but they do sound about right, no? [see Truthiness]

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?

Do a Google search for "gifts for the guy who has everything" and one of our sponsored ads will show up [please don't click on our ad as that will cost us money!]. We pride ourselves on having some great gift ideas for the impossible-to-shop-for gentleman. Some of our favorites include things like the Laguiole Champagne Saber, Pantherella cashmere socks, any El Casco desk accessory, Atoll's Stingray Cigar Case, and much, much more. 

We've enjoyed helping Americans find the perfect gift for almost 5 years now, but we also have a healthy international business. Unfortunately, we have not yet penetrated the lucrative demographic of Blingshevkis - billionaire Russian oligarchs - or the higher echelons of the Kremlin. Specifically, former President and current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin turned 56 a couple days ago, and an unnamed gift-giver gave him a rare Ussuri tiger cub as a gift. The cub, a 2-month old female, is yet unnamed but he's considering Malishka or Mashenka.

The reality is, even the guy that has everything, doesn't really have everything. You can always get him a new Truefitt & Hill Edwardian Horn Shave Set or some Jan Leslie 18K gold cufflinks. If you absolutely have your heart set on a tiger cub for the holidays, we can't help. But you can read the full story about Vlad's new gift here.