22 Gifts for Men When You Have No Clue What To Get Them
They're difficult to shop for, but this list makes it easy.
Whether it’s the holiday season or their birthday, shopping for men always feels like a mission impossible. If I ask my dad what he wants, his answers are practical - things he needs, like pants or a step ladder, and rarely ever something he wants, like tickets to a show or new headphones. When I ask my husband what he wants he says, without fail, “Nothing, just you and Aria (our 9-year-old Tabby cat).” Sweet? Yes. Helpful? Not one bit.
If the most wonderful time of the year is not so wonderful when you’re shopping for difficult (but oh-so loveable) men, rest assured you’re not alone. (I received a lot of requests for a gift guide for men if you need proof.)
But panic not, friends! I’ve heard your pleas, and I have some ideas.
Let me know in the comments below which of these items you loved most, and if there are any additional presents for men the Beyond My Byline community should know about for holiday 2023! And, if you don’t see an item on this list that would match your guy’s personality or tastes, shoot me an email. I’ll offer some personalized recs based on your specifications.
(**Please note, prices are subject to change as sales start!**)
A Friendly Disclaimer: Beyond My Byline is reader-supported! When you buy through Amazon links in this post, I may earn an affiliate commission.
The Ultimate Cozy-Lined Puffer
Photo courtesy of Hollister
$140, hollister.com
Hollister generously gifted Mark this coat for the winter and guys, it is warm. If you log on to Hollister’s website and search coats, you can actually filter them by the amount of warmth they offer the wearer, and this puffer is under the warmest category.
It’s a best-seller for a reason, friends!!
It comes in five colors, sizes XS to XXL, and highlighted features include faux fur lining, wind- and water-resistant fabric, front zipper pockets, plus a pocket for his phone. Ten out of ten, I highly recommend as we head into the cold weather months.
Vintage Retro Freeze Superior ‘47 Lacer Hoodie
Photo courtesy of ‘47
$150, 47brand.com
I have a thing for vintage-style jerseys and sweatshirts lately, and this retro lacer hoodie from ‘47 caught my eye. I’ve linked the general page, so you can browse the teams they offer. There are some NFL options, but I really dig the style for NHL teams, specifically.
NFL Long Sleeve T-Shirt & Cuffed Knit Hat Combo Pack
Photo courtesy of NFL Shop
from $49.99, nflshop.com
Sticking with the sports theme, if the man on your list is a football fanatic, shift your attention to this two-for-one deal from the NFL shop. The long-sleeved shirt can be worn alone with jeans or as a base layer if they’re heading to a game, and they get a beanie to add some extra oomph to their look, plus it’ll keep their ears warm.
The Harley Davidson Experience
Photo courtesy of Harley Davidson
from $99, harley-davidson.com
For the man who makes comments like “I want one” every time they see a motorcycle, gift them the Harley Davidson experience. Beginners can learn to ride and intermediates/pro drives can learn… well.. other stuff. It’s a unique gift idea that gets them out of the house, on the road, and maybe their fixation with motorcycles out of their system.
Textured Faux Fur Throw
Photo courtesy of Quince
$99.90, quince.com
I don’t know about your husband, but mine loves a blanket. Quince products are high quality and heavenly comfortable, so I guarantee they’ll want to cuddle under this textured throw all winter.
Classic Flannel Cologne
Photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works
$44.95, bathandbodyworks.com
Flannel is one of my favorite seasonal Bath and Body Works scents, and I squealed when I found out it now comes in a cologne. It’s already on Mark’s side of the dresser, and if you want your man to smell like a lumberjack, you’ll add it to their collection, too.
The Pursuit Backpack
Photo courtesy of Gymshark
$74, gymshark.com
Gym rats… err sharks… that lug a change of clothes or extra equipment with them to their workout need a backpack to do said lugging. I’ve been a loyal fan and customer of Gymshark for years and can attest to the quality of their products. The brand sells a selection of gym bags, but I like this one best because it’s for more than just workout accessories and clothes. There’s a compartment for your laptop, and plenty of room for pretty much anything you need to pack for your day (or weekend), so you get more bang for your buck, in my opinion.
100 Movies Scratch Off Bucket List Book
Photo courtesy of Uncommon Goods
$30, uncommongoods.com
You would think my brother worked for Rotten Tomatoes the way he critiques movies. Every time I see a product like this one, I think of him. For any other movie buffs out there, each page of this journal is dedicated to a film. It lists facts about each film, such as its genre and director, and has prompts to fill out. They can color in their star rating, jot down their favorite character, and review. It’s a fun activity for them, and gives you an excuse some watch some new flicks together.
The Beard Hedger Pro Kit
Photo courtesy of Amazon
$119, amazon.com
Mascaped takes shaving to the next level, and this set proves it. The Beard Hedger set will give the man on your list one of the most luxurious shaves he’ll ever have. The buzzer features a whopping 20 length options for optimal customization, and the kit includes beard shampoo, conditioner, oil, plus a comb so haircare, skincare, and styling are covered.
Father Christmas Sheet Mask
Photo courtesy of LUSH
$9, lush.com
Honestly, this just made me LOL, and who couldn’t use an extra dose of jolly this holiday season? But besides a laugh, Lush’s Santa-inspired mask is infused with soothing Carrageen extract, hydrating honey, and calming Calamine powder, so it’s great for the skin. What’s more, the mask is multi-use - it just needs to be refrigerated after opening and tossed after 7 days.
Shave Towels
Photo courtesy of Weezie
$40 for the pair, weezietowels.com
These designated shave towels are made from 100% organic cotton. They’ll be gentle on his face, and lighten your linens laundry load.
Daily Ritual Set
Photo courtesy of The Good Patch
$40, thegoodpatch.com
Patches have become one of my favorite wellness products, and The Good Patch patches are frequently used around these parts. Some patches are infused with CBD, others are not, so check the labels and see what you’re comfortable with. Obviously, different ingredients affect people differently, but Mark and I have both noticed a difference when using Be Calm and Dream. Plus, the patches don’t hurt to peel off, which was a huge selling point for me.
A Year of Calm
Photo courtesy of Calm
$69.99, calm.com
Speaking of being calm, I’m an advocate for guided meditations, and Calm has some of the best across the category. You can’t put a price on mental health, but, in my opinion, $69.99 for a year’s worth of hundreds of meditations and stories to lull them to sleep is worth it if they improve their overall well-being.
The New York Times Custom Sports Team Book
Photo courtesy of Uncommon Goods
from $80, uncommongoods.com
I mentioned this sportsbook in last year’s gifts for men, and I still love this gift idea from the Uncommon Goods website. In fact, I gifted one to my father for his 65th birthday. Choose either his favorite NFL or MLB team, and a curated collection of newspaper coverage by The New York Times will be bound and ready for their perusing. It’s a great collectible for fans of these sports.
Essential Oil Shower Steamers
Photo courtesy of Amazon
$35.99, amazon.com
For the record, I was recommending people try shower steamers way before the “everything shower” became a trend. My favorite brand is The Herbal Zen, and the brand’s variety pack is the bomb. It includes two steamers per scent, and each scent aims to help aid specific ailments. There’s Cold Kicker for stuffy noses, Stress Fighter to help them chill TF out, and Sleepytime to make bedtime that much better.
Home Team Baseball Game
Photo courtesy of Uncommon Goods
$75, uncommongoods.com
Here’s a pick for the baseball fan on your list. If they have more than enough jerseys and hats to show their support for their team, save some space in their wardrobe and opt for this board game instead. Just be prepared, he might want you to play, too.
5 1/2" Cotton-Blend Boxer Briefs 5 Pack
Photo courtesy of Express
$48, express.com
I mean, it’s this or socks, right? And this bundle has a pair with snowflakes…
Gamer Storage Station
Photo courtesy of Uncommon Goods
$48, uncommongoods.com
My guy buys video games before I have the chance to even think about gifting him them, so I thought this controller station was a genius and unique alternative. Plus, now they’ll have a designated place to store them, and there won’t be a zillion controllers cluttering your (or their) home.
Safety Razor
Photo courtesy of Dr. Squatch
$70, drsquatch.com
Is anyone else’s husband obsessed with their shaving routine? Even if they aren’t fascinated with their hair removal process, if they shave, they likely need a razor, and this collab from Dr. Squatch and Henson is pretty cool. Do I know anything about shaving? No, but you can trust Mark’s judgment, because he has tested many a safety razor in the last six months, and ranks this option in his top three. Plus, it’s green, which is a lot more fun than black or silver.
Kyle Boot
Photo courtesy of Bearpaw
$99.99, bearpaw.com
Bearpaw boots are comparable to UGGs, in that they’re just as comfortable, but not as expensive. The brand sent me a pair earlier this year, and I wear them every day. I call them my “productive shoes,” because they keep me warm in my freezing home office, and because I’m not distracted by the cold, I’m able to actually focus on my work. But while I wear mine exclusively indoors, they can also be worn outdoors as normal boots. I like this pair for men because they feel like a slipper but look like nice shoes he could wear for date nights, family parties, or work in an office.
Custom BBQ Branding Iron
Photo courtesy of Etsy
from $47.00, etsy.com
If grilling brings him great joy, this neat gadget will, too.
National Geographic Subscription
Photo courtesy of National Geographic
My mom bought this for my dad (either for his birthday, Father’s day, or the holidays - I can’t remember) and I thought it was such a great idea for men or anyone who is into nature. Plus, not only does a subscription get them physical copies of National Geographic delivered to their home, but they also get digital access, so they can read articles that interest them anywhere, anytime.
Santa Farts Candle
Photo courtesy of Codys Candle Making
$15.99, codyscandlemaking.com
Do I have any Big Brother readers? Cody Nickson (married to Jessica Graf) from season 19 has a side gig making candles, and his names for said candles are fantastic. I especially love Santa Farts and think the guy on your list will get a cackle out of it, too. But beyond its hilarious name, the candle description actually sounds delightful: “a combination of creamy, sweet chocolate top notes and nutty top notes, together with a base of rich vanilla and cotton candy bottom notes.” Jessica said it best in her Instagram story, “Santa has the holliest, jolliest farts around.” If it wasn’t obvious, I’ll be making a purchase.
In case you missed my byline:
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Gamer storage station is 🔥
OMG my sisters and I just bought my dad a Devils jersey and got him tickets to a game for his birthday! I wish I saw that hoodie earlier! Great ideas!! Men are always so tough!!