It’s here. The holidays. You’re probably stuck halfway between a pile of work, mind numbing office parties and a list of gifts for people you hardly care about so long you’re AmEx is about to call in sick. What about you… numero uno?

The staff here at Gear Patrol empathizes. This year peruse the goodies our editors have come up with. We’ve broken it down into simple categories depending on what kind of guy you call yourself. The next weeks will be chock full of goodies so keep checking back here each day and get out the pen & paper. Your holiday wish list is about to be begin.

We’ll bring you gifts for everything from the Style Maven to the Impossibly Rugged, from the Golf Guru to the Couch Potato, and plenty in between. Say hello to the 1st Annual Gear Patrol Holiday Gift Guide.

What this means to you: Copy that link in your browser and send it to your significant other, sugar mama, mommy & daddy, or rich cousin. Hey, you never know…

Man vs. Wild. Survivor. Survivorman. We all have aspirations of being rough and rugged and granted some of us come close, but then there are so many who’s poseur acts lend no credibility in the ‘tough’ category. That doesn’t mean we still can’t find an excuse to get geared up for our next excursion, be it treking it thru Patagonia or just going to a KOA campground and making smores. Whether you’re a Rough & Rugged Guy or just know one who you secretly envy this gear is for you.

Mt. Everest Mountaineering Permit

Cost: $50,000 @ Nepal Mt. Everest

You are truly one badass moth&^##*& to have the prowess or audacity to climb Mt. Everest. If you do so, someone you know should gladly pony up the 50 large the Nepalese ministry of tourism requires you pay to climb the stratospheric mountain. If not, come talk to us - perhaps we can work something out.

Just make sure you’ve got the following:
1. Training, a lot of it
2. A team of 7 including yourself
3. Gear and equipment
4. Balls of steel

If you do find yourself able to purchase or receive the permit, then click on over to the Nepal Mountaineering website for more information.

Nepal Everest

Gränsfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet

Cost: $80 @ Various Outfitters

The Swedes know about safe cars and they know a thing or two about modular furniture, but one thing they really know is axes. The Wildlife Hatchet is a small light axe that can be easily carried inside your pack or on your belt making it perfect for your next excursion. It cuts branches and saplings with ease for your camp fire or shelter. 3″ face blade and 13.5″ hickory handle. Comes with grain-leather sheath.

Tim Gunn of Project Runway (not that you or I watch the show) would tell you that he’s a style maven. We might agree with that, but a sense of style is appropriate for any man - not just ones who run fashion empires. Taking an extra minute to make sure your shirt is pressed, your shoes match and you’re not wearing something that smells like hot garbage. It goes a million miles with the ladies.

Whether you’re the guy that gets those around you looking just a touch sharper out the door or if you’re the fellow that needs the extra hand these gifts should provide you just the right offering this holiday season. Go on… get styled.

Tumi Townhouse Suitcase Collection

Cost: $150-$2895 @ Tumi

Tumi’s already luxe line of luggage and travel gear has upped the ante with their new Townhouse Collection. Built with sophistication in mind there’s enough style here to delight even the most discerning style mavens. Tumi has used classic designs, old world craftsmanship using new technologies, and top notch materials.

Pieces shown here:

Back Right - Langham Wheeled Duffel | $895
Back Left - Bond Trunk | $2595
Front Left - Esmond Small Leather Satchel | $650
Front Right - Nottingham Carry On | $695
Fore - Knightsbridge Large Kit $250

Paul Smith Willoughby 2-Piece Suit

Cost: $850 @ Paul Smith

People talk about style essentials and having at least one well fitted suit of a dark hue is always at the top of that list. We’d go so far as saying it’s probably more along the lines of a style commandment. Nonetheless, suits are an expensive endeavor and not many guys can swing a custom tailored suit. We ask you turn your attention to this suit from Paul Smith.

The ‘Willoughby’ is a two piece London Line mid-fit 2 button suit with centre back vent and quarter pocket trousers. The suit is made of black, fine woven wool and a navy lining with ‘map of London’ woven design. Internally there are two jetted pockets and one concealed button vented pocket. The trousers have one vented, buttoned back pocket and are a mid-fit with belt loops.

Grooming Lounge Light Horn Shaving Set

Cost: $290 @ Grooming Lounge

Be rid of those ugly disposable razors lying around the sink and upgrade yourself to a badger brush and quality razor. They’re an eye-sore and honestly they’re pretty much the equivalent of women’s tampon packages lying around the bathroom.

Handcrafted in the U.K. exclusively for the Grooming Lounge, this three-piece shaving set features a hand picked and cut “super” badger hair shaving brush and a sturdy, deluxe razor in a polished chrome stand. Accepts Mach III blades.

The term ‘Couch Potato’ was derived in California back in 1976 by some fellow named Tom Iacino who was shirking the fads of exercise and healthy diet. Instead his diet would consist of vegging out in front of the television and eating junk food. It actually came from the term “boob tubers” which as you know are those that watch the television, a lot. Iacino then brilliantly decided to replace the word “tubers” with “potato” and deciding that a “potato” watches the television from the comforts of his or her own couch thereby coining the brilliant phrase we know as Couch Potato. (source: answers.com)

Well Mr. Iacino, this gift guide is a tribute to you and all of our couch potato friends who’s idea of an ideal day is food delivered to their laps positioned perfectly in front of a television.

Human Touch HT-140 Massage Chair

Cost: $2800 @ Human Touch

Want to make a couch potato your best friend in 2.5 seconds? Get them a Human Touch massage chair. Though don’t say we didn’t warn you when they decide to literally never come out from their homes again.

This fully customizable relaxation machine will coddle, push, prod and massage you or your couch potato buddy to euphoria. Using methods that replicate those of a trained professional’s hands it will massage your back, leg, and even feet.

• Quad roller/three motor robot
• Full-body stretching
• 3 back massage programs (upper, lower & full)
• Penetrating neck massage
• 3 levels of massage width control
• Power footrest
• 3 shoulder height adjustments
• 170 degree recline
• ‘Deep Well’ calf and foot massager
• Cloth ‘soft window’ for more intense neck massage

Vudu

Cost: $399 for box + movies ($5-$20) @ Vudu

VUDU delivers approximately 5,000 movies ranging from oldies to brand new blockbusters and more movies being added each week. Zero waiting time, no mailing hassles, nothing. It’s a movie buff couch potato’s dream come true.

• Instant access — VUDU is movie freedom. Choose your movie and watch it immediately — no waiting and no buffering.
• Pay as you go — VUDU has no activation fees and no subscription fees. Rentals range from 99¢ to $3.99, purchased movies from $4.99 to $19.99.
• High Quality Video — VUDU’s proprietary encoding, decoding, and up-converting technologies enable HDTVs to display their best capabilities.
• Your Personal Digital Library — The VUDU box holds the movies you rent or buy through the service. You’ll be done with stacks of DVD cases, crowded mega-stores, and scratched disks.
• Future-Ready — VUDU’s hardware is designed to go the distance. It’s HD-ready for high-definition content and has two USB ports for future storage options (available within six months).
• Constantly Evolving — VUDU belongs to a new class of CE devices that live at Internet speed. While the hardware is final, the software is continually updated with new features and new movies. What you buy today is not what you’ll experience six months from now—it’ll only get better and better.

Beer Caddy or Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker

Cost for either: $100 @ Neiman Marcus

In home Beer Dispenser and Soft Serve Ice Cream maker. Seriously, is there anything more we need to say here? Even if you’re not a couch potato we know you’re thinking at this very moment where you can possibly fit this into your kitchen.

Beer Dispenser is stainless steel and keeps 5-liters of beer (or soda for the non-drinkers).

The Soft Serve ice cream make from Cuisinart has three condiment dispensers and an automatic function to mix in sprinkles, chocolate chips, etc.

No man ever grows out of his gaming enthusiasm. He just realizes that there are other things more important, but based on our perspective of the ongoing boom in the video game industry, it’s taken very little to convince guys that a controller in their hand is the natural state of life.

These gifts are sure to bring yourself or your gaming friend a true smile this holiday season. Promptly followed by a signing-out of every other commitment in their life.

Read on for the gifts…

Samsung LN-T5271F 52″ LCD Television

Cost: $3000 @ J&R

A 52″ LCD 1080p high definition television with a sexy black bezel, retina burning color and brightness. Exactly what the game doctor ordered.

Expect blissful gaming when you plug your PS3, Xbox 360 or Wii unti this fifty-two inch beaty.

HP Blackbird 002

Cost: $2500-$6000 @ HP

When HP snatched up Voodoo PC a while back everyone expected there to be a lackluster gaming product as the gaming pc manufacturer was merged into the corporate conglomerate. Well, to our relief, the machine has retained it’s pedigree status as a true gaming machine.

Coming with 2 GB of RAM, 480 GB hard drive, ATi Radeon HD 2900 XT Crossfire video cards, dual-layer DVD+/-RW, killer looks and a price tag approximately close to that of some engagement rings. But that doesn’t matter because you won’t want a wife if you’ve got this plugged in at home.

Elmanco Four-In-One Game Table

Cost: $600 @ Hammacher Schlemmer

Not every guy can do video games 24/7 (Why???). For those of you who prefer a little live-action feel then this four-in-one game table from Elmanco should service your needs. It makes for a kick ass present (read: present to self) with hockey, foosball, biliards or dice football on one convenient turnstile based table. Comes with all accessories, including cue sticks, rack, chalk, dice, balls, and markers for all four games.

GameFly Subscription

Cost: $9 per month @ Gamefly
At $9 a month, you’re gamer friend will thank you with sleepless nights and eye-breaking hours of gaming. This will be the greatest entertainment hour to cost ratio you’ll ever achieve from a gift.