Socks, Vests, Underwear… No, No, No!

Socks, vests, underwear… no, no, no. Somewhere along the way, a dangerous myth was sold to women: that men are incapable of buying their own underwear. Is it because we wear the same ones repeatedly? Or because a few of them have seen better days, complete with tiny holes that somehow refuse to grow bigger? Trust us, it is not neglect. We simply have favourites.

This Valentine’s Day, however, the tired excuse that men are “too hard to gift” or “too expensive” will not cut it. Men are not walking enigmas fueled solely by football, meat, and silence. We are layered beings with interests, hobbies, curiosities, and soft spots, even if we pretend otherwise. And while we appreciate the effort behind any gift, that appreciation drops significantly when the gift is underwear wrapped in red paper and false confidence.

So the real question is this: what are you getting the men in your life this Valentine’s Day?

Contrary to popular belief, men actually enjoy thoughtful gestures just as much as grand ones. Some of us love experiences over objects. A planned date, a surprise outing, or an activity tied to something we already enjoy can mean far more than a generic purchase. Whether it is a movie night with intention, a road trip, a concert ticket, or even a quiet evening designed around his idea of rest, effort speaks louder than price tags.

Then there are the men who appreciate tools of their passions. That could be something connected to fitness, music, cars, tech, gaming, fashion, books, or even cooking. Yes, men cook too, and some of us enjoy it a lot. The key is paying attention. Men may not always articulate what they want, but they consistently show what they care about.

And let us be honest: some of the things women love, men love too. Good food. Aesthetics. Self-care. Quality time. Thoughtful conversation. Feeling seen and understood. Romance does not lose value just because the recipient is male. If anything, it becomes rarer, and therefore more powerful.

At the end of the day, Valentine’s Day is not about perfection. It is about intention. The thought really does count, as long as that thought does not end with “he will manage, it’s just underwear.” This year, do better. Choose curiosity over assumptions. Choose effort over convenience.

And please, for the love of men everywhere, retire the underwear.