The Manly Man
The guy’s guy—the real one, who dyes the whites pink when he runs laundry and naps in the arm chair. He’s gonna love these cool, fun gifts, so let’s not give him another set of wrenches instead, okay?
Levi’s Jeans and Men’s Tee Combo
ALTAR'D STATE 11437 Parkside Dr., 966-8998
Young, old, or somewhere in between, give the man of the house something he’ll want and wear all the time (skip that tie this year). The combo includes a pair of Levi’s and a tee from Atonement, Kerusso, Know Him, or Garden Fire ($50). The idea is new from locally-owned Altar’d State, a recently opened alternative to the traditional Christian retailer that features designer denim and Christian apparel and also has free Wi-Fi, music, and a coffee bar—a great hangout!
Gift Certificate to Ray’s ESG
RAY'S ESG 7355 Kingston Pike, 330-0159, raysesg.com
The letters stand for “Entertainment, Sports, and Grille,” and hey, the guy really shouldn’t spend every night on the couch watching reruns except when The Deadliest Catch is on. There’s always something here he’ll love: mass numbers of big and bad televisions broadcasting big games, a large outdoor (year-round) patio, two full-service bars, live music most nights and extra activities that could be anything from a pool tournament, to karaoke, to an Ice Bears radio broadcast... Choose your evening carefully, and, if there’s a woman in his life, spring for her to come, too: There’s this very effective and unusual combination of a separate wine bar within the mayhem at Ray’s, and it’s quite the classy.
Music That Will Outlast Your Hard Drive
DISC EXCHANGE 2615 Chapman Hwy., 573-5710, discexchange.com
Knoxville’s own independently owned and operated record store has been a staple since 1987 and continues to lead the quest to enlighten Knoxville’s musical tastes on a daily basis. Sure, you can purchase a gift certificate, but isn’t half the fun of receiving a new album exploring the unknown? Take the advice of the music connoisseurs at the Disc Exchange and give your ordinary guy one of these all-good selections, each one a recent staff favorite: Dave Rawlings Machine, A Friend of a Friend; Blakroc, Blakroc; Them Crooked Vultures, Them Crooked Vultures. $11.99- $16.98.
Baby Doll Lingerie
Intimate Treasures 5710 Kingston Pike, 584-3199
Let’s be honest. While technically designed for the womanly form, a little number like this tuxedo baby doll piece worn by his sweetie offers far greater benefit to the man in your life ($47). Intimate Treasures offers lingerie in a variety of styles, ranging in price from about $20 to $60. The even more intimate treasures can be found in the back room (18 and up only, please).
A Guts and Glory Book to Read
CARPE LIBRUM BOOKSELLERS 5113A Kingston Pike, 588-8080, carpelibrum.booksense.com
If his heroes have always been soldiers, The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert M. Edsel is a sweet pick for his bookshelf. The plot in a nutshell: Unsung heroes risk it all to save the treasures stolen by Hitler and the Nazis.
