* T C N Y * – Inspiring The Jaded

Since we are currently in the midst of the holiday shopping season, I thought it be great to address a concern which many of us (especially guys) struggle with. The question itself is asked millions of times throughout the world each year at the same time — “What do you want for Christmas?”

Now, if you’re like me, this is a very tough question as I’ve always had difficulties handling these situations. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is an incredibly kind gesture for someone to offer to purchase a gift, however, I’ve always felt a bit awkward. For instance, what if you give a person an idea and it is too expensive for what they had planned? That would be a weird moment. Or, perhaps you’re asked by a loved one who has no clue how to find the things which interest you — “Sorry Grandma, I thought you be able to find me Air Yeezy’s” — it’s simply not going to happen.

Aside from all of that, there is the fact that growing up poor has taught me that exchanging gifts is not all the holidays have to offer. This special time of the year should also be about spending time with those who have been by your side — even when times were grime. It wasn’t until I began making my own money that I truly got into the spirit of giving tangible gifts to others and I must admit, the feeling I have when my well-thought gift brings a smile to the recipients face is incomparable. And that central idea is what sparked the concept for this, TCNY’s Official 2009 Holiday Shopping Guide For Men. Just because some of us feel uncomfortable communicating our desires doesn’t mean we shouldn’t love the gifts we’re given, right? Below is a list of items which are cherished, owned and/or desired by the friends and family of TCNY and we’re sure the men in your life would truly enjoy each and every one. Happy shopping y’all!

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— Palladium Boots

Palladium opened it’s doors nearly 100 years ago and got their start making tires for the aviation industry during the WWII era. It wasn’t until 1947 that they launched into the footwear business with the idea of making a boot that was as durable as a tire. Fast forward to present day and they have become world renowned for their modern manufacturing techniques, use of premium materials as well as cutting edge style. Oh, and in case that wasn’t enough, these are the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn — true story.

Check out all their styles over at **Palladium Boots**

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— Nike Air Max Lebron VII White

Ok, so we are by no way Bron Bron fans here, but I have to be honest… this is one of my favorite functional basketball shoes ever! They fit incredibly well and provide cushioning that is unparalleled in this category. I seriously suggest this clean colorway as well, but you know there will be many more coming available in the near future.

Head on over to the **Nike Store** for more info and availability.

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— Proper Cloth Custom Dress Shirts

Enough with the footwear, let’s get to the threads! Proper Cloth is a New York based company which began in 2008. All of the fabrics used are brought over from Europe and/or Japan and each shirt is hand sewn right here in the US to your exact specifications. These guys started with an idea and ended up with a fantastic business model and an even better product. Even easier, if you’re concerned about the fit or if you don’t happen to know your guy’s measurements, this is certainly a spot which would be an excellent candidate for a gift card…

But don’t believe me, hit their site and experience it yourself — **Proper Cloth**

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— The Economist (Magazine Subscription)

As I have grown into a business professional I have found this magazine to be extremely helpful. The Economist doesn’t just specialize in topics of finance, but rather explores the business and political avenues which traditionally transpire behind the scenes and are unseen by the masses. One of the most intriguing things about the magazine is it’s anonymity. You will never see an author stake his or her claim to any article they publish. According to the company’s website, the purpose of this is to convey the idea of speaking with a collective voice. In addition, anonymity also allows the magazine to employ multiple authors on one article which inherently prevents the possibility of potential bias. However, the greater reason for the cloak is to emphasize the integrity of the work and ensure that the language on the page is more important the who may have written it.

All in all, this publication is essential to any business professional who wants to excel at what they do. Need I say more?

Amazon offers a fantastic price on a one year subscription, **click here** to view.

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— Men’s Clinique 3-Step Skin Care

I’m sure we’re going to receive some feedback on this one, but truth be told, good hygiene is extremely important and a person’s face is the first thing seen each day we leave our homes. That should be reason enough to make sure you take care of it and Clinique has the right products to help. Their 3-Step program is simple and easy to follow, as it should be with men’s skin care! The package consists of just a cleanser, exfoliater and moisturizer. I swear by this stuff and for those of you who know a special gent with oily skin, trust me, he’s gonna appreciate this gift.

Create the perfect gift package over at **Clinique.com**

Well, that’s all we’ve got for now, but stay tuned for new additions as well as the Ladies’ Edition coming soon.