Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

12 Days of Dappered #7 – Detailing

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It’ll be here before you know it. Our annual 12 days of Dappered gift guide covers one item/idea each week-day for the next dozen days. All will be reasonably affordable, and at the same time they should (hopefully) appeal to someone who might drop on by this corner of the internet. So if you’re looking for ideas on what to give a decently dressed (yet budget conscious) fellow, or, if you’ve got friends/family struggling for ideas on what to get someone (you) who’s hard to buy for, check back in as this year’s 12 Days churns on. You’ll also find the growing archive here.

Some guys actually like doing the work it takes to keep one of their favorite things in tip top shape. Some don’t necessarily love those chores. Now, both types can really appreciate how good something can look once a pro has gone to town on it. So consider giving the gift of restoring a favorite thing to good-as-new condition. This gift-idea might be applicable to:

  • Cars. Obvious. If he really likes his car, then getting it detailed can be a great gift.
  • Shoes. If you’ve got a cobbler in town, see if you can pick up a gift certificate to get his shoes worked on. They can do wonders.
  • Bikes. Mountain or road. Most cyclists really do like working on their own bike, but a tune up by a pro can be well appreciated.
  • Skis. See bikes.
  • Something inherited. This is a better-to-ask-first type of situation. Last thing you want to do is take a family heirloom, and reduce it’s value (sentimental or otherwise) by getting it restored without permission.

And with all of these, do some research on who will be doing the job. Not all detailers, cobblers, bike shops, etc… do the same job. And if he’s EXTRA anal about his favorite thing? Probably best to skip this one all together.

shoe detailing

Comments

  1. Funny enough I have been struggling with what to do for my fathers present and detailing his car has been the front runner. Glad to see that I’m not crazy in my thoughts.

  3. I had the thought that my wife and I would both get our vehicles detailed as Christmas presents to each other (or ourselves). Then she got a new car.

  4. Speaking as someone who details his own car, I agree with Joe: If he’s particularly anal about that thing, just skip this one. And deeeeeeefinitely don’t try to do it for him (unless you know what you’re doing).

  6. An ex took my favorite boots I’d worn through to a cobbler she knew. I don’t know if I could have loved her more. On the other hand, she was probably just disgusted at my boots. Win-win.