Probably the biggest conundrum of all, Boss  though, is finding meaningful, delightful gifts for the people who matter most. It’s a fresh moment of clarity when you do, and the man of today should seek it out. With that in mind, the following handy list of holiday-shopping tips comes with input from a guy knows a thing or two about success: Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, a designated Man of Today for the new HUGO BOSS Bottled Tonic (a fragrance we love for the Holidays). Here’s the rundown.

Do Your Detective Work

When the person in question is a loved one you know well, the gift-related expectations are often higher—but so is the potential payoff. It makes sense, then, to approach the process like an investigation. Recognize that it might require months of questions and note taking and require some sneaking around. This is especially the case if the gift in question is, like fragrance, highly personal. “A fragrance smells different on different skins,” Hemsworth notes. “I stalk my wife through the fragrance section and watch what she sprays on her and see what she likes, listen to what she likes. Do some detective work, and then cash in on it!” Interviewing secondary sources (friends, co-workers, family) can yield important information too—just make sure to swear them to secrecy.

Redefine the Object

The first instinct for holiday shopping is often to browse around. You imagine that passively scrolling or strolling through enough retailers will result in the perfect object simply popping up. But if you truly want success here, refocus. Take feelings and experiences, not retail items, as your starting point. Make a list of places you’ve been with your intended recipient, and of the things that have made him or her happy. Think it over, refining your perspective, until you can link certain potential gifts to the moments of joy or pleasure that have come to mind. Then start your shopping.

Hone in on the Hobby

Some people find all kinds of joy and validation in their work, and it’s a beautiful thing when they do. But for just as many, if not more, their true passion is fulfilled outside of office hours. Laser in on this meaningful pursuit, and think hard about the gift that will enhance it even more: the piece of sound gear that your aspiring-DJ pal has overlooked, or the ski accessory your slopes-loving girlfriend won’t give herself permission to buy— and if your gift is a significant upgrade from what he or she has had before, then so much the better. "I remember getting my first brand new surfboard when I was 15,” Hemsworth recalls. “Prior to that it was all hand-me-downs that someone was throwing away. That was all we could afford. My parents saved up with a lot of money and bought me this surfboard. And I knew how much it cost—that was a really special thing. I remember not wanting to even put wax on it or take it surfing because I didn’t want to wreck it and spoil it.“ If your gift is remembered with this much affection years later, you’ve definitely done it right.

Do (Part of) It Yourself

We’re not necessarily saying go knit a sweater. But a self-made flourish puts a welcome spin on any gift—whether you’re embellishing a modest stocking-stuffer or the biggest, flashiest splurge you could manage. It could be an ornament, a note, or a photo cutout or goofy collage. Your thoughtful little add-on can communicate anything from undying loyalty to a raunchy in-joke. Gift giving is an opportunity to connect even more, to double-down on meaningful gestures—and a little creative foray like this could well be one of them.

The Presentation

Scored the perfect gift? Don’t go congratulating yourself just yet. The details of how you offer it matter, too. Spend a little extra on premium giftwrap, or have an in-store professional do the final packaging, ribbon-bow and all. (Note: One common DIY effort that is generally not all that charming is ham-fisted wrapping.) The moment of giving can also come with a plot twist. Maybe you hand over a decoy, inside of which are details of where to find the real gift. (If you bought someone fragrance, maybe a sample-spritzed note provides a hint.) Maybe a hammer, key, or screwdriver is required to get to it. The holidays give you an excuse to show your favorite people how you feel—drawing it out, having fun with it, adding elements of surprise or delight generally go over well. Yeah, the whole process can be a maze. But if all goes well, there’s a moment of clarity waiting at the end of it.

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