Let's face it, everyone is getting older, and for some folks that is a real trauma. Women, in their nurturing roles in the family, are more aware of time marching on as the children grow into adulthood. Women, going through menopause, can know what to expect. You had probably observed some of your female family members go through it in the past, so there were not a lot of surprises. Ultimately, it is in many ways easier for a woman to make a profound transition and adjust to her new life; somebody has to make dinner!

Your man, though, as amazing as it can be to the females of the species, really can let time pass him by with little notice. It usually takes a big life event, a wedding or a death, for men acknowledge that the world is growing older, and so are they.

Especially, as your man enters the years of male menopause, he can get a little depressed, or let's face it, downright testy. The last thing he really wants to acknowledge is that he or any other family member is getting older or changing. This can make it quite tricky at Christmas or his birthday!

At Christmas time you can keep him so busy he won't think about becoming upset. If that doesn't work you can try the old "Look at your children having fun, you don't want to spoil it for them?" If THAT doesn't work you can threaten him with taking down the mistletoe, if you get my meaning. Anyhow, with all the busy-ness and family stuff and so much good food to eat, you should be able to jolly him through the season.

Birthdays are another matter. The trick will be to buy him things that say, "Won't this be fun!" instead of "Look how old I am!"

Time for a good real-life example. This writer's spouse walked by and happened to glance at the title of this piece. He said, and I quote: "Are there going to be baseball cards and shiny guitars on the list?"

These are the things that make my hubby extra happy. He is a fine guitarist and has collected baseball cards since childhood. If I need to gift my man with something extra special that makes him feel good, I've got it covered. What is it that makes your guy happy? If he's gotten all gruff and grumbly in his middle age, what used to make him happy? Sometimes, harkening him back to a younger, happier time is all it takes to lift his mood. If what made him happy was a '57 Chevy, for example, the prospect of buying him one can be a little bit impossible. Perhaps you could find him a reproduction, or maybe a model kit might make him surprised enough to attempt to put it together. Maybe an all-new happy hobby could be the result of your thoughtfulness.

Sometimes, the fact that you care so much can be a present in and of itself. Why not try it and see?