Men are truly so hard to buy for.
When I typed "what to buy your boyfriend" into Google, I received over 408 million search results. Not particularly surprising—buying presents for guys is kind of difficult!—or helpful. If your S.O. isn't particularly materialistic or vocal about his wish list, you have nothing to go on. The best thing to do in this case is make a list of things he might like. We brainstormed 28 gift ideas, from the surprisingly affordable to the super luxe, to help get you started. Whether it's the holidays, his birthday, or your anniversary, we promise you won't be stuck wrapping up a tie.
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Uncommon Goods beer cap states, $35
SHOP IT
Beer might not be your drink of choice, but if it’s his, gift him this display board so he can properly showcase his love of brew. Instead of throwing the caps into the junk drawer (every home has one) the holes in this Baltic birch plywood turn them into a work of art for his kitchen wall.
Adidas bb sweatpants, $70
If he won't wear anything other than sweats, at least get him into a stylish pair. These olive bottoms will speak to his athelsiure soul and add a little color to his wardrobe other than black or gray. Wear with a hoodie and sneakers.
Apple AirPods, $145
According to my boyfriend, the best gift I’ve given him are AirPods—Apple's game-changing wireless headphones—so I’m here to spread the word. Buy them. One of my favorite features is the high-tech case, which starts charging your earbuds as soon as you slide them in.
Zeal mirrored goggles, $50
He hasn't stopped talking about that ski trip with his boys since he booked it, so just wait until he unwraps this baby. He will be ecstatic. These mirrored goggles comes in four intensely bold prints and will ensure he stays safe and comfortable on the mountain. Grab yourself a pair while you're at it.
H&M pajamas, $35
Your S.O. might spend most nights sleeping in his boxers, but he'll change his mind when he feels these comfy pajamas. The plain long-sleeve gray top and navy plaid pants will fly with even the pickiest dressers.
Burton mountain blanket, $60
Snuggling by the fireplace or on your couch just got even cozier with this Burton blanket. The dark hues are gender-neutral and just, well, neutral, which means you won't be arguing over whether or not this goes with the "marble coffee table." It does.
Crosley bluetooth turntable, $40
When the '40s meets 2018, you get this Crosley turntable. While it doesn't actually play records, he can sync his phone to the turntable via bluetooth to listen to his latest Spotify playlist. Its portable size makes perfect for city dwellers in small apartments with an old-school soul.
Frescobol Carioca beach bat set, $310
While you read and tan, he'll have a blast playing with his new paddleball set with the guys. These bats are individually handcrafted in Brazil and covered with a strong resin coating, to make them sea and sand-resistant. Each set comes with two bats, two balls, and a water-resistant drawstring pouch.
Goodfellow & Co scarf, $20
If he's always complaining about the temperature, he just needs to give in and wear a scarf already. He won't have to worry about the wind climbing down his sweater or dress shirts anymore when he wraps this warm tartan scarf around his neck. The colors are easy on the eyes and the fringe makes the accessory a little more interesting.
Koio capri avio sneakers, $248
For a pair of sneakers he can wear on the weekends and to the office, gift him these navy suede kicks. The color is as versatile as black, meaning he can match this to everything in his wardrobe, from a full suit to a button-down shirt. Come Monday, he'll walk into that meeting armed with brilliant ideas and style.
Reigning Champ t-shirt pack, $84
Does he only ever wear T-shirts? If the answer is yes, he’ll be grateful for this two-pack set of Reigning Champ crewneck tees. The shirts come in four wearable colors (black, gray, white, and navy) for easy pairing with pants and button-downs. You may even find yourself sneaking a white tee out of his drawer when he’s not looking. Whoops.
Super Mario Party, $60
A warning before you choose this: be prepared to stay up past your bedtime playing Super Mario Party. The cartridge includes 80 new mini-games (my favorite’s pedaling the tricycles), which means if you're competitive, there's definitely a challenge you can dominate. Up the stakes and make it a double date by inviting your BFF and her main squeeze to join in on the fun. Staying in on a Friday night has never sounded better.
Fitbit Charge 3, $150
Fitbit's latest watch, the Charge 3, is here to help everyone maintain a healthy lifestyle. The new design and features (the watch can be worn while swimming, and its battery can last up to seven days) will appeal to both old and new users. This fun but functional gadget will help him achieve his fitness goals in no time.
Flagpole swim trunks, $185
SHOP ITSome men like their swim trunks plain and simple; enter: Flagpole. This brand offers a quick dry trunk featuring a slightly shorter inseam (to add the illusion of height) and pockets—perfect for your pragmatic man. Make sure this is the first thing he packs when you guys prepare for your tropical vacay in January.
Rails lennox shirt, $148
SHOP ITRails makes the softest flannels ever, so really this gift to him is also a gift to yourself...because you’ll be borrowing it 24/7. When he asks your for styling opinion, tell him a pair of dark blue jeans and sneakers works.
Lacoste tennis vest, $165
This quilted vest will keep him warm and cozy when he heads out on his early morning runs. Practical details include a hood, zip pockets, and water-resistant taffeta. The small crocodile logo on the front is just enough to confirm its a Lacoste piece without feeling overly flashy.
Givenchy leather pouch, $770
This luxe Givenchy portfolio holder is perfect for the guy who loves understated designer pieces (he knows they'll help him look sharp in the boardroom). The accessory has a minimalist, high-end feel thanks to the crinkled black leather and tiny 4G emblem. You won't be surprised when he ditches his oversize backpack for this sleek, compact pouch.
Mother mankind socks, $24
SHOP ITFor the guy that doesn’t take himself too seriously, give him these socks emblazoned with “Mother Fucker.” If he’s feeling a little badass, he can even wear them to work. Just make sure his pant legs hide the cheeky phrase while he’s sitting at his desk, so HR doesn't get peeved.
Uncommon Goods coasters, $18
If he’s listening to music from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to sleep, he’ll definitely love these upcycled record coasters. Made from actual reclaimed records, the coasters will add a vintage touch to your coffee table. And make for excellent conversation starters when guests drop by.
AllSaints bodell coat, $565
Spend a little more this year on the one piece he'll wear the most: a nice jacket. This AllSaints coat is one of the brand's best-sellers due to the classic tailoring and minimalist finish. When he slips it on, he'll feel put together and cool—who doesn't want that?
Harry's travel set, $65
This Harry’s travel set contains all the necessities (a razor, blades, shaving cream, and a post-shave balm) in a clean canvas pouch. Basically, he has no excuse anymore for tossing his razor into a wrinkled Ziploc bag. The organized kit will help him stay neat (his body and the hotel countertop) when he travels for work.
7 For All Mankind sweater, $179
Help him embrace #sweaterweather with this cozy and cool pullover made from black-and-white micro jacquard knit. The wrist and waistband have a small contrasting stripe detail for that sporty modern touch. Go one step further and buy him a tee or button-down he can layer underneath. You think of everything.
Rahua hair wax, $32
A 10-step beauty routine might not appeal to him, but this unassuming hair wax might be up his alley. Made of plant-based ingredients from the Amazon rainforest (a plus if he’s environmentally conscious!), the hair cream offers low-key shine and a pliable hold. The non-greasy formula will fight frizz while adding height, texture, and definition to his hair. Drop this in his Christmas stocking.
Material the iconics, $245
So he spends all his time in the kitchen? Then he will definitely appreciate this cooking set containing all the essentials: a serrated knife, an air whisk, a slotted spatula, and more. Help him test drive the kitchen gadgets by offering to cook a meal together or let him take the reins and make you dinner.
Tom Ford’s ombré leather fragrance, $125
A little spritz goes a long way with Tom Ford’s ombré leather scent (trust me). The key notes in this fragrance are jasmine sambac, black leather, and white moss—giving the perfume a woody spice scent that’s perfect for fall/winter wear. He’ll radiate a warm and spicy scent at every holiday party. If you find you're in love with the fragrance, too, good news, it’s unisex, so dab some on.
Gravity Products weighted blanket, $249
His tossing and turning days are over thanks to this weighted blanket. This 15-pound cover uses deep touch pressure stimulation to help improve mood and promote sleep and relaxation. Best of all, when he sleeps soundly through the night, you will too.
Mavi Jeans sherpa jacket, $158
Give his denim jacket an upgrade with this sherpa version from Mavi Jeans. It's both warm and on trend for fall/winter. You'll probably be tempted to steal this jacket from time to time too given its unisex style. If he complains, tell him sharing is caring.
Nike Roshe G sneakers, $80
You might not know anything about golf, but you do know these shoes will look super stylish on the course. Don’t expect him to return home anytime soon: The mesh offer offers supreme breathability and the soft and flexible foam midsoles will comfortably cushion his every step throughout all 18 holes.