How To Buy A Cigar Humidor As A Christmas Gift

Maybe your significant other is a cigar lover.

Or maybe you want to give your dad or grandfather something special for Christmas.

Whatever the case may be, a cigar humidor can make for a great gift.

The problem is that humidors come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, and they aren't all created equal.

It has been often been said that it's not the gift so much as the thought that goes into it. But if you're looking for more than just a nice platitude, and you want to be a little more considerate in how you choose a gift, you've come to the right place.

Here are some thoughts on how to buy a cigar humidor as a Christmas gift.

Why Buy A Cigar Humidor?

Humidors help keep cigars fresh by regulating temperature and humidity.

They are indispensible tools for cigar lovers, because it gives them the ability to hold onto more stogies for longer and not lose any of their freshness or flavor. The bigger the collection they have, the greater the need they have for a humidor (or many humidors).

Plus, it's just a really nice gift. You don't have to go over-the-top with your budget, but any enthusiast will appreciate your efforts to help them enjoy their favorite cigars for longer.

How To Choose A Cigar Humidor

This part can be a little more complex.

The right humidor depends on who you're buying for, and budgetary considerations would certainly be relevant if you only have a set amount to spend.

Here are the main factors to keep in mind, and why they're important:

• Size. Humidors come in different shapes and sizes to accommodate different types of cigars. Size also factors into how many stogies can be stored for later use. Room or cabinet humidors can be great for distributors or those with large collections, but a desktop humidor is probably most accessible in terms of a gift. Your giftee's preference in cigars might also inform your purchasing decision, but only if you know what they like already. It's a good idea to find out how many cigars they like to store at any given time, and buy a humidor that accommodates just a few more (but only a few more).
• Portability. A tabletop humidor is a great gift, but if your friend or family member likes to take cigars wherever they go, then a portable model could be a nice present as well (though storing them in Ziplock bags can work too). As you can probably guess, portable humidors are lighter, smaller, and easier to carry around. So if your giftee likes to travel a lot, then you might want to get them a humidor they can bring with them wherever they go.
• Construction material. Humidors are made out of a variety of different materials. Spanish cedar is considered one of the best types of woods for preserving humidity (which is an important consideration as you might recall), but humidors can also be made of oak, mahogany, cedar, cheery wood, and so on. If you have budgetary constraints, then a Spanish cedar humidor might be a little out of reach. Mahogany is a decent secondary option.
• Accessories. Cigar enthusiasts will greatly appreciate a humidor that has a built in hygrometer (for measuring humidity levels) and thermometer. This helps them keep an eye on the health of their sticks. But again, if you aren't working with a big budget, then you might have to forego the extras.
• Tight seal. A humidor without a tight seal - even one made out of Spanish cedar - isn't going to do your giftee much good. The whole point of a humidor is to help keep the cigars fresh, and that's simply not going to happen if the lid doesn't close properly.
• Appearance. The appearance of the humidor can be important to the recipient, though it really depends on their overall taste and attention to detail. A humidor that matches their furniture is obviously going to look nicer, and may even get more usage than one that doesn't look good in its environment. Having a nice blend means it looks natural in its living place versus appearing out of place and unsightly.
• Warranty. Quality products often come with warranties. If the manufacturer places confidence in their products, they're not going to hesitate in offering support. Although a warranty is not a must-have, it could prove useful should anything go wrong in shipping or transport.
• Budget. It has been brought up many times already, but your budget really is an important consideration when it comes to buying a gift. Maybe you can't buy the best humidor in the world, but you still have the opportunity to impress your loved one with your thoughtfulness if you purchase a gift that allows them to preserve the flavor of their favorite cigars.

Although the preceding list is not comprehensive by any means, it should offer a roadmap that you can follow when it comes time to buying a humidor as a gift.

When and where possible, it make sense to buy a humidor that exhibits quality in every regard. But that could be subject to taste, portability, and of course how much money you have to spend.

Final Thoughts

If you're still not sure what humidor to buy, don't worry. Even cigar aficionados sometimes have trouble picking out the right one for their needs.

The good news is that there is plenty of information available. If you don't mind doing a bit of research, you should be able to find many tips and thoughts on what humidors make for good gifts.

You may also find it beneficial to speak with an experienced salesperson. They'll know what questions to ask, and even if you don't have all the answers, at least you'll get a better sense of what you need to know to make a great buying decision.

Again, any cigar lover will likely show appreciation in receiving a humidor as a gift. While you may not be able to make the absolute perfect choice, it certainly shouldn't ruin anyone's Christmas.