Cool, last-minute + local gifts for HIM

Men are so impossible to shop for during the holidays. We have one week left to find him a cool, manly gift, and we’re over so many boring sweaters and metrosexual grooming products. No offense, but our man is not going to squeal with delight if he opens an expensive jar of shave cream. We don’t even want him to squeal with delight, for that matter. We want him to kind of grunt, in a happy, manly way.

The Neat Sheet is pretty much a girls’ gift guide year round, so we’ve decided to skip the girl’s gifts and focus instead on cool, last-minute local gifts for him. Here are our top ten neat picks for boyfriends, brothers, dads and gramps, so your man gifting won’t be impossible after all.

House Spirits Whiskey – Southeast Portland’s House Spirits Distillery celebrated the launch of its new House Spirits Whiskey just last week, and word on the street is it’s darn good stuff. It’s available at the tasting room in a limited-edition line of small batch bottles, elegant and perfect for giving. House Spirits Distillery, 2025 S.E. Seventh Ave.; 503-235-3174. www.housespirits.com

Vintage leather belts – Stylish streetwear store and hangout space Lizard Lounge has a neat selection of vintage leather belts he’ll love, which is a timeless gift he’ll wear for a long time – and a much cooler way to hold up his pants than something modern and generic. “When you see a vintage belt that has been loved and worn, or has really unique detail, you need to get it before somebody else snatches it up,” said Kelsie Morrow, Lizard Lounge store manager. The lounge also has great men’s streetwear, winter coats from Nau, big leather travel bags from Matt & Nat, watches, hats and wallets. Belts about $90 at Lizard Lounge, 1323 N.W. Irving St.; 503-416-7476. ?www.lizardloungepdx.com

Joey Pal Cotton Fedora – Bonnet Boutique gets plenty of attention for its amazing array of women’s hats, but they also stock hip styles for men. Just about any guy would love this completely affordable Joey Pal cotton fedora, available in Brown, Black, Ivory, and Olive. Bonnet recommends bringing in a hat he already wears to ensure you buy the right size, which is easier than wrapping a tape measure around his head while he sleeps. $39 at Bonnet Boutique, 412 N.W. 11th Ave.; 503-954-2271. www.bonnetboutique.com

Joyas de Panama Cigars – Remember the original Colosso Restaurant & Tapas Bar on Northeast Broadway? We flocked there in its early years for spicy Spanish style tapas and hunkered for hours over big glasses of Tempranillo. Well, now the original Portland owners have moved on to yet another tasteful business venture, producing quality artisan cigars that are grown in Panama from organic Cuban seed tobacco grown. Joyas de Panama Cigars are sold statewide, including at Woodstock Liquor, 4324 S.E. Woodstock Blvd.; 503-777-3058. joyasdepanamacigars.com

“Tattoo Machine,” by Jeff Johnson – Whether or not he’s tattooed (and in Portland he probably is!), Johnson’s new memoir, “Tattoo Machine: Tall Tales, True Stories and My Life in Ink” is a perfect pick for Portlanders and historians alike. The local master tattoo artist recounts tales of drama from behind the scenes of  his legendary Portland tattoo shop, Sea Tramp Tattoo Company, which your man probably will read immediately while lounging Christmas day. $25 at Powell’s Books, 1005 W. Burnside; 503-228-4651. www.powells.com

Ellington leather perforated wallet – Stylish local leather heroes Ellington are known for crafting beautiful handbags, and they also happen to make very cool wallets and accessories for men. Any tasteful chap would love to shove his bills inside this chocolate brown leather perforated wallet. $30 at Ellington, 1533 N.W. 24th Ave.; 503-542-3149. www.ellingtonhandbags.com

Sneak ‘Em In Disposable Flasks – Restoration Hardware’s sleek, pocket-sized disposable 7.5 oz foil flasks are so cool they’re almost sold out – hurry! What’s especially neat about these flasks is they’re reusable, but also disposable in case you need to dispose of the evidence in a hurry. Not that we would ever endorse sneaking in liquor anywhere. Ever. Absolutely not! Set of three for $15 at  Restoration Hardware, 315 N.W. 23rd Ave.; 503-228-6226. www.restorationhardware.com

Vintage Portland signage art – Meaningful art always is such a personal gift, and these nostalgic prints are cool times two. Give nostalgic prints or paintings by local artist Marla Shroeder-Swade, featuring iconic old Portland signs, including Nick’s Coney Island, The Palms Hotel, the Bagdad Theatre, Made in Oregon and more. To purchase for $19.95 and up (and have delivered in the Portland area!), contact artbymarla@hotmail.com or call 503-777-1583. www.artbymarla.com

Tivoli Model One Table Radio – This gift idea from Canoe sounds amazing, literally! What man wouldn’t love an ol-school classic tabletop radio with new-school sound, designed by legendary audio designer Henry Kloss? This beauty is a great value, packaging fine audio and simplicity of design at an affordable price. Plus, there’s an auxiliary option for ipods and CD players. $150 at Canoe, 1136 S.W. Alder St.; 503-889-8545. www.canoeonline.net

Jack Spade Tarpaulin Dry Bike Messenger Bag – Office PDX, our go-to source for modern office supplies and generally cool stuff, has a neat selection of manly briefcases, laptop and bike bags. We pick this grey, waterproof Dry Bike Messenger Bag from Jack Spade, which would suit a man of any age biking his way to work or school in wet Portland weather. $245 at The OfficePDX + Egg Press Holiday Pop-Up Shop, 625 S.W. Fourth Ave., 503-282-7200; www.officepdx.com.

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