Guys: What do you want to keep at my house?

March 10, 2008 10:28 AM

As a present for my boyfriend's birthday, I'm planning to empty out a drawer at my house and fill it with stuff he can use when spending the night at my place. What should I buy to put in the drawer?

He already has a toothbrush and deodorant in the bathroom. I was thinking underwear, socks, and maybe some hair product. I don't know what kind/brand of undies to buy (he wears boxer briefs). Any other suggestions?

posted by jrichards to shopping (33 comments total)

Razor and shaving cream (assuming he's not rocking the Grizzly Adams look).
posted by Nelsormensch at 10:30 AM on March 10

Condoms, porn(to watch together), lube, toys (of the bedroom variety), etc?

You know, to make it less of a gift that a girl would want, and more of one that a guy would want....
posted by Grither at 10:32 AM on March 10 [4 favorites]

If he wears contacts, perhaps an extra case and some solution...
posted by Lucinda at 10:41 AM on March 10

Sorry, upon review that came out a lot snarkier than I intended. The suggestions still stand though, as it could add some humor/excitement to the gift.
posted by Grither at 10:42 AM on March 10

Massage Oils, great for both of you!
posted by ShootTheMoon at 10:42 AM on March 10

I second Grither's suggestion. Birthdays are supposed to fun. Give him *fun* stuff to use when he's spending the night at your place. Stuff you two might use together, you know? He's already got socks and hair product and underwear. He uses them every single day. The convenience of them already being in your drawer isn't much of a gift. So, yeah. Sexy stuff. Stick with that.
posted by katillathehun at 10:42 AM on March 10

In a fantasy world? The video game console of his choice.

More realistically, a nice bathrobe, nice towels, and maybe some shmancy guy toiletries (Kiehl's?). Maybe some of his favorite snacks in the kitchen if you don't have them stocked already. A messenger bag for him to carry his stuff to and from your place. And I really like the sex toys and porn idea.
posted by Metroid Baby at 10:42 AM on March 10

Lounging pants, most definitely. Some form of comfy pants that he can wear when you guys are having a quiet night in.
posted by LunaticFringe at 11:01 AM on March 10 [1 favorite]

Emergency snacks and/or fun food.

Maybe a little dish for change?
posted by amtho at 11:12 AM on March 10

A necktie, in case y'all decide last-minute-like to go someplace fancy.
posted by Greg Nog at 11:12 AM on March 10

Leave it empty and tell him he can fill it with his own stuff.
posted by Class Goat at 11:17 AM on March 10

Pajamas, robe, sleepwear for kicking around. Slippers!
Socks, undies and other daily staples are good. Calvin Klein makes good boxers, but don't forget tshirts.
Cellphone charger
Maybe a valet box for random storage
posted by rhizome at 11:17 AM on March 10

If he wears boxer briefs, buy a couple pairs of these Under Armour briefs. I got some as a gift, with the crazy statement that I wouldn't want to wear any other kind of boxer briefs after that.

And dammit, it was absolutely true. Be prepared to buy more.
posted by shinynewnick at 11:33 AM on March 10 [1 favorite]

Nintendo DS Lite and some good guy games. Advance Wars Dual Strike Days of Ruin came out recently....
posted by Scoo at 11:39 AM on March 10

I think Grither's got the right idea (how would you feel if he gave you socks for your birthday?), but if that's too much for you:

Empty out the drawer and put some sexy underthings for yourself (or for him if he's into that sort of thing, I'm assuming that you are female) in there. Maybe even some thigh high stockings.

Tell him you've emptied out the drawer, for "stuff he can use when spending the night". Make sure he opens the drawer to see what's in it right away.
posted by yohko at 11:44 AM on March 10

I don't mean to poo-poo your idea, since I think I'd be very pleased with the gesture if i was your bf, but some primal, snarky, male instinct in me said "Oh, boy! A drawer full of commitment!" when I read your question.

I definitely think you should swing the contents towards fun rather than functionality, but remember that getting your own space at someone else's domicile is a big part of some relationships; you should be sure your bf is ready for that "step", before you force it on him as part of a gift.
posted by chudmonkey at 11:45 AM on March 10 [8 favorites]

Seconding the Under Armor briefs, I prefer the 4 or 6" , YMMV.
posted by doctor_negative at 12:00 PM on March 10

Yeah let me start off by apologizing b/c this to me is one of those “ummm, wow…no I, love it, really” gifts. Your heart is definitely in the right place but your intention may get overlooked. I’m sure you have other great stuff lined up but again to me, socks, shaving cream, panties – nothing to get excited too about.

He obviously spends lots of time at your place so a drawer is kinda a given. Not really gift material. What you could do is get rid of 1 girly-girly thing in your place that drives him nuts (pink fuzzy toilet seat cover). You can offer it as “hey I really like you being here so I’m getting rid of this to make you happy”. It’s a nice gesture and I don’t think something that would = commitment or potentially scare off.

Or maybe you can put his other presents in the drawer. When he gets done taking them out you can add the drawer is his also. Just a thought.

Good luck.
posted by doorsfan at 12:10 PM on March 10

I'd like to find irish whisky, a couple of clean glasses and cigarettes. And maybe some pizza, if it wasn't too old.
posted by okbye at 12:12 PM on March 10

2nding chudmonkey, unless you put stuff in the drawer he'd like- at which point it'd be a good gag too- so maybe fill it up with comic books or beer or something. maybe a led zeppelin cd.
posted by Large Marge at 12:32 PM on March 10

a bathrobe for him is a great gift- especially if you have roommates. his bare ass should be for your enjoyment alone.
posted by kidsleepy at 12:39 PM on March 10

Why not buy him whatever you think he'd really like for his birthday that has nothing to do with staying over? (Oh, go ahead and buy the sexy underthings, too, but wear them as you're gifting him.) Then put the wrapped gift in the empty drawer along with a card saying the rest is his space to fill up as he pleases. Ah. Sometimes the smut just writes itself.
posted by rosebuddy at 12:51 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

Wow, you guys are harsh. And have possibly turned me off of AskMe forever. I love how I have been pegged as a frilly-pink-bathroom-loving marriage freak.

I was really just looking for advice on stuff that boys like - like what kind of underwear, etc. (thanks shineynewnick and doctor_negative). I'm trying to give him some room at my place and some "starter" stuff he could use next time he doesn't feel like going home to shower. It's nice! Jeez.

Oh, and Yohko, good answer.
posted by jrichards at 12:52 PM on March 10

Wow, you guys are harsh. And have possibly turned me off of AskMe forever. I love how I have been pegged as a frilly-pink-bathroom-loving marriage freak.

Hmm. I didn't see harsh in any of this, but that's just me. And no one's saying you're a frilly-pink-bathroom-loving marriage freak but that some men (maybe not yours, but some) could interpret filling a drawer with their things like that, so it might not be a good idea to do something so domestic. We're trying to help, here.
posted by katillathehun at 12:56 PM on March 10

Defiantly a pair of lounge pants. Also, once upon a time I got my boyfriend these boxers because they are super silky and I love him in them, its like having him in a sexy piece of lingerie ;)

Before we started living together the major things he needed at my apartment were contact solution and socks (sport and black work socks). Don't fill it up, put a couple things in it and let him do the rest and I wholeheartedly agree that you should put something fun (condoms, lube, dice, etc) No porn unless you guys already enjoy that stuff together.

I don't think you are a frilly marriage freak, but if you see a worried expression creeping on his face, give him a seductive smile and tell him something like "This means we can have sex more."
posted by silkygreenbelly at 1:17 PM on March 10

I second the bathrobe. My lady got me a nice one and I love it. (As well as Grither's responses because its more why not than why.)
posted by thetenthstory at 1:20 PM on March 10

Yeah, this is the trouble with AskMe. Often you get answers to the questions you didn't ask. You did ask for what to put in the drawer. You did not ask if your boyfriend would enjoy such a gift.

The thing is, like katillathehun says, people try to be helpful here. All the time people ask questions about things that are bad ideas and members of AskMe often step up to play the role of the good friend saying "um, are you sure about that"? Such an answer may not be what you asked for but it may actually be more helpful.

Or it may not. You may be perfectly certain that what you propose is a good idea, in which case you are free to ignore the suggestions and even cut off that line of discussion the way you just did. Try not to take it personally, though - people are only trying to help.
posted by PercussivePaul at 1:30 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

One pair of handcuffs. Nothing else.
posted by Ironmouth at 1:55 PM on March 10

A pad of post-it notes with "IOU one post-sex sandwich" written on every one. Not trying to be a huge chauvinist here (although the irony is part of the appeal) but I'm always either ravenous or exhausted after sex.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 1:59 PM on March 10

OP, you have definitely discovered the downside of askme. People definitely read into questions way too much, and fill in blanks that aren't there!

That aside, I think your gift is a very nice idea. Clearly he's been staying at your place enough to have a toothbrush, and I think he will be pleased to have a place for his stuff. If you haven't already, I'd also clear out a little space or dish for the stuff he invariably dumps out of his pockets when he comes over (cell phone, keys, wallet, gum...how do guys fit so much in there?).

I think a pair of PJ's or lounge pants is the best idea. My boyfriend always changes into comfy clothes when he comes over. I do think that maybe adding a few naughty things as mentioned above would be a good compliment as well.
posted by radioamy at 2:17 PM on March 10

Wow, you guys are harsh. And have possibly turned me off of AskMe forever.

Wow, drama queen much?

You got some good suggestions in this thread plus a few warnings that this might be taken to mean something that maybe, just maybe, you hadn't considered yourself.

When I spend time at a girlfriend's place I like it because I get to spend time with a person I really like without having to dress up and all the other not always positive aspects of going out. Think hyggelig. So along those lines: A boxed set of his favourite tv show on dvd with a promise that you'll watch it all with him. A board game that you can play just the two of you. A book of short stories that you can read aloud for each other.
posted by sveskemus at 2:46 PM on March 10

I think this is a cool idea, but agree with the no-socks and underwear crowd (though I'd be stoked to receive a nice bathrobe). While Irish whiskey is a fantastic idea, I like the nice glasses notion even better (a solid rocks glass is critical if he's to be drinking it at your house). A really unique or personalized mug would be nice too, so he can have his own coffee cup at your place.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 7:28 PM on March 10

i'd stick to the stuff that is related to staying over and waking up in the morning... this means NO to the stuff about porn, video games, dvds, whisky, etc. That's pointless.. if you want to give him that stuff b/c he likes it, cool, but there's no point in using this (very nice I think) drawer "gesture" to do that. So, depending on budget, I would fill it with:

- comfy lounging pants & t-shirt
- whatever deodrant/toothpaste he normally uses at his own place (men can be picky about this)
- his regular shaving cream and razor combo (also picky)
- shower gel
- new toothbrush
- expensive (?) face wash / mens moisturizer (as a treat, even if he's not normally into that)
- small face towel
- your favourite cologne, maybe one he doesn't own
- small box of hershey's kisses

Delete/add as appropriate to budget and his tastes. If he's staying over on a regular basis and your relationship is healthy, there's no reason that this nice gesture of yours should freak him out. I say this as a late 20s straight male.
posted by modernnomad at 5:33 AM on March 11