Don Reynolds of Alvaton checks out the climbing gear at Nats Outdoor Sports on Wednesday afternoon. Its toys for the big boys, Reynolds said about Nats merchandise. Photo by Miranda Pederson

Think men are all about power tools and gadgets when it comes to Christmas gifts?Think again. Some Bowling Green retailers say that while some people still are buying the men in their lives items that require batteries and electrical outlets, others are finding that clothes make the man. Linda McCawley, assistant store manager at Casual Male Big and Tall, said that in the past, women would buy small items like boxers and knickknacks for men. Weve even got tool kits, but theyre not buying the odds and ends kind of thing, she said of the stores customers. This year people taking the gift-giving a little further, McCawley said. Theyre buying dress clothes. Theyre buying whole suits, shirts, ties, jackets and sweaters, she said. These are things they normally wouldnt buy for Christmas. At Dillards, assistant mens manager Dawn Dodd has seen a similar trend, but gadgets such as electric razors and anything with the Harley Davidson logo are still hot. Electronic items such as golf scopes, which show the distance to the golf pin, the Telezapper, which blocks calls from telemarketers, and palm pilots are also flying off the shelves at Radio Shack, said the stores manager Anthony Barfield. Weve got a lot of nice gadgets for men, he said. Customers arent buying as much of anything this season, though, Dodd said, possibly because of the United States shaky economy. People seem to be scared to spend money this year, she said. The unusually warm weather may also be a deterrent to some customers, who usually buy certain items during this time of year, said Will Hobbs of Nats Outdoor Sports. Cold weather gear usually does well, he said. This year its not. But mens casual wear including shirts, pants and shoes and pocketknives are still popular gifts, Hobbs said. We carry such a wide range of stuff, he said. It depends on the man what you buy.