Alexis on the Sexes: Boy toys

Q: I have a Christmas shopping dilemma: My boyfriend of almost two years is the guy who has everything, and I am one of those girls who hate shopping.

Last year I went the Best Buy gift card route, thinking he can just spend my money instead of his, but it felt impersonal and we're closer to each other now than we were last Christmas. Any ideas? When I say he has everything, I mean gadget-wise.

A: The toughest guys to shop for aren't just the ones who have everything, but the ones who drop no hints as to what else they might like to add to their geeky collection. I'm pretty clueless in the electronics department, so here are a handful of suggestions for gifts he might not think about buying for himself.

Smartphone gloves

Most guys have a hard enough time coming to terms with the death of their favorite jeans, much less the raggedy gloves they've been wearing since the end of the Clinton administration. Every man needs a stylish pair of smartphone gloves (unless, of course, his phone was manufactured during the Clinton administration). Nordstrom, Von Maur and the North Face are just a few stores where you can find a great selection.

A book for live music lovers

The Ticket Stub Diary by Eric Epstein is probably what you think it is: a journal with lots of clear sleeves for storing stubs from all the best shows, plus lined margins for notes on what made each one so awesome. Find it at Barnes & Noble, in stores and online.

Sleeker than those plastic, water-filled cubes, they're the perfect accessory for your boyfriend's home bar. Freezer to cocktail glass, rinse and repeat. Available at Brookstone, in stores and online.

Sexy toys

Your man gets lonely when you're not around, and for that there are sex toys. Right now EdenFantasies.com is offering a free gift with purchase of dozens of their best sellers, such as the iEgg bullet vibe or a lovely, lifelike mold of Belladonna's backside. If you can't decide, head over to JimmyJane.com. The Holiday Gift Wizard chooses the perfect gift for you, based on what you want to spend and how naughty you want to be. Try the Double Trouble package: A Tenga masturbation sleeve, Njoy stainless steel butt plug and tube of Good Clean Love organic lube.

Sexy gaming

The Twin Cities has so far been skipped over for an Agent Provocateur boutique, but thankfully we can still order online from this unmatched leader of vintage-style, sexy clothing and accessories. Keep it classy with AP's own charades game, with more than 100 different suggestions for two consenting adults. While you're at it, get a little something for yourself in red. (www.agentprovocateur.com)

As an alleged expert on dating, I'm frequently asked for ideas on what would be the ultimate date. Though I've never tried it, my answer is always "skydiving." I think you'd learn an awful lot about a person watching them jump from 12,000 feet, particularly as you try and keep your shit together at the same time. Skydiving centers are closed for the season, but Skydive Minnesota is currently running a holiday special for future jumps. (www.skydiveminnesota.org)

Fly an em-effing plane

If skydiving isn't technically challenging enough for your man, send him to flight school. No prerequisite courses are necessary for him to begin training for a private pilot's license, just a clean bill of health. E-mail Twin Cities Aviation to find out more about giving their services as a gift. (info@tcaviation.com)