6 Items For Your Nightstand

Every man should have a night stand, hopefully you don't just have a stack of things sitting next to your bed. We start the list with six, what do you keep in yours?

We all have it: a small dresser or night stand next to our beds. It usually houses our (dreaded) alarm-clocks, a personal photo, a lamp, our current book or magazine and other items. But what do you really need in and on your night stand? If you want to be 21st Century Man and showcase how sophisticated you are, here are a few items you must have.

Notepad and Pen

I am an idea guy but they always come to me at the worst times. I am either sleeping or in the shower. In order to fix that problem, I have added a small notebook (and pen!) to my night stand. Now, when I have an idea or when I remember I need to do something while I’m laying in bed half awake, all I have to do is pull out the notebook, jot it down, and save it for morning. It keeps you from waking up completely and ruining a good night sleep.

Flashlight

If you live anywhere where a power outage is even a possibility, keeping a flashlight handy can be pretty…well, handy. It beats having to get out of bed, stub your toe and walk into a wall while your significant other laughs uncontrollably – of course – still under the covers. It's inexpensive and easy to store for when you need it.

Candle/Small Lamp

While I and many others don't read in bed or watch television, many of you might. So, while I'm not a doctor, I would still recommend keeping some form of light next to your bed. It can be nice to have while you're waking up or just getting ready for bed and want that “mid-level” lighting effect. It can also help set the mood for when the bed isn't being slept in.

Tie-Tac

It can be a tie-tac or a simple tie-clip, but something for your ties is needed. You don’t always need it, but there are times where fashion calls for it. It’s just like a pocket square … it adds a little spice to your class. Plus they are relatively inexpensive for the basic designs.

Cuff-Links

Just like tie-tacs, these may not always be needed. Personally, I only have one shirt that uses cuff-links, but I love having them. My pair is from my grandpa and sometimes I think it’s cheesy that I wear them because they are so long, but they mean something to me. They are bronze 7-Up cuff-links. Yes, 7-Up the soda. But they are personal and a great conversation piece.

Water Glass

This can be an actual glass or a Nalgene bottle like I use. Especially now that it is winter, it gets dry. So your mouth gets dry. Thus, you need water. Plus, most people don’t drink enough water as it is, so I keep the water at easy reach and anytime I roll over, I grab a quick swig and fall right back asleep. Not only do I not wake myself up, but I go back to sleep refreshed with the simple sip of H20.

Chap-Stick

Much like the water, to me, there is nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night, or just getting to bed and realizing that your lips are dry. Or maybe you just had a make-out session and you need it … but leaving the bed is tacky! Keep the ChapStick close and you’ll be ready for anything.

Something Personal to You

This item is very broad, and I thought long and hard about even including it but I absolutely believe it is imperative to keep your life personal and full of love. Of the few items I keep on top of my nightstand, one of them is my grandfather’s music box. It holds my lapel pins that I wear for various functions. (It also holds my Chap-Stick.)

I like to keep the area where I sleep clear of clutter and random items, so I’ll end this list here. I’m about to move to New York … so I’m open to new suggestions!

Keep the list going: what essentials do you keep in your night stand?

Richard Dedor

Richard Dedor is a writer, speaker and personal coach dedicated to helping each person achieve their dreams. He ran for political office at age 18 and recently published his first book, Anything is Possible. You can find him at his blog Believe in Possible and on Twitter @RichardDedor.