PREPARED FOR SARA
Bryan, who says he wants nothing.
Sara, Bryan says he wants nothing. But I think he really means he doesn't want more stuff he doesn't need. So I've found five thoughtful gifts inspired by the little things that make him, well, Bryan.DANIELLE
- Who
- Bryan, 68. Retired high school chemistry teacher. Your father-in-law.
- Loves
- The crossword, in pen. Stovetop coffee at 5am. His tomatoes. His late brother's jazz records.
- Can't stand
- Clutter. Anything with an app. Ties. Anything that says "World's Best Grandpa."
- Occasion
- The holidays
- Budget
- $60 to $150 per gift.
THE ONE THAT'S ALL ABOUT HIM
A crossword written about Bryan
About $125ILLUSTRATIVE PRICE
A man who does the crossword in pen doesn't need help. He needs a worthy opponent.
An independent puzzle maker builds a custom grid from the stories you send me. 14-Across is his first classroom. 9-Down is the tomato he won't stop talking about. The answer running through the middle is the year he met his wife. It's printed on heavy paper and built to be solved in ink.
It takes up no shelf space, and nobody else on earth has one.
How it landsHe'll solve it at 5am with his coffee, then make everyone at dinner try the hardest clue.
PLAN AHEADPersonalized crosswords take time to create, so order this one early.
The one that settles it
A tomato sweetness tester
About $95Illustrative price
For thirty-odd years, Bryan taught teenagers to measure before they argue. Then he retired and started arguing about tomatoes.
This is a handheld refractometer, the instrument growers use to measure the sugar in fruit. One drop of juice on the prism, hold it up to the light, and he reads sweetness in degrees Brix. No batteries, no app, nothing to plug in. It lives in a drawer until July.
RIGHT ON BUDGETComfortably inside your $60 to $150 per-gift range, with room left over for very good tomatoes.
Five thoughtful gift ideas. Here's a peek at two.
03 to 05
03Something for 5am.
RESERVED FOR THE FULL GUIDE04A record he's been looking for since 1974.
RESERVED FOR THE FULL GUIDE05An outing he'll pretend to hate, then talk about for months.
RESERVED FOR THE FULL GUIDEThis sample guide features a fictional recipient and illustrative images inspired by real gift ideas. Your personalized guide will include five researched gift recommendations with product details, current prices, and direct shopping links. You choose what to purchase and when.
