past gifts i've given one of my best friends:
-the America: The Book jon stewart tear-off daily calendar
-a book called Invasion of the Party-Snatchers about "where the right went wrong" because he's conservative but not religious
-two huge bags of musketeer bars come with all of his gifts because they're his favorite (and for some reason he's always surprised that i remembered)
-digital photography magazine
also i've in the past instructed his girlfriend what to get him..i think i suggested an REI gift certificate since he loves camping and hiking