While I don't believe every article I read, I believed that one if for no other reason than the men in my life seem to have a suspicious number of unworn sweaters piling up in their closets, presumably from the other women in their lives. I don't buy sweaters. Not for anyone besides me, anyway. I guess I figure a sweater is too personal an item to be buying for someone else. Honestly, there's no one I'd buy a sweater for besides Bill Cosby.
Books are another matter.
I'm of the school of thought that you can't ever have enough books. One size fits all and you don't have to worry about getting the right color. It can be amazing and warming to search and search for just the right book for that devout non-reader on your list, and then to know you've succeeded when you see his eyes warm over when he opens it. Books are that kind of gift. Maybe we can help you find it.