2020 Holiday Gift Guide for the Man in Your Life
Whether it's for a romantic partner, your best friend or your boss, shopping for men can be a nearly impossible task. Truth be told, I'm sure they feel the same way about us women.
While I love the art of gift giving, that doesn't mean I haven't struggled over the years purchasing gifts for the men in my life. Considering a common response when asked what they'd like for Christmas is "I don't need anything," us women are usually starting with a blank slate and scrambling frantically to purchase something meaningful that they will use.
My biggest struggle personally, is purchasing things that I WANT my partner to use/wear/like, etc. For example - clothes! I love men's clothes and influencing men's style is so fun but if the man whose style you're trying to influence isn't quite so open to dressing outside his comfort zone - fail. Or, if your partner doesn't wear a watch, sunglasses, sneakers, whatever it may be, ladies I'm going to let you in on a little secret - DON'T BUY IT FOR HIM. True, some men can be shaped and molded to our liking but for the most part, men are very simple creatures (hear me out). If they like something, they'll wear it as often as possible and buy it in every color. If they don't like something and/or don't wear it, you're not likely to change their ways or if you do, it's going to take a LOTTTTT of coaxing and patience. And I mean a LOT.
That being said, the below gift guide is filled with ideas for the man in your life. Obviously, all men are quite different with different tastes and likes so take the below for what it is - suggestions. If you find something for your man this holiday season or some spark of inspiration then I've done my job.
Without further ado - here's the 2020 Holiday Gift Guide for the Man in Your Life.
I will be the first to admit I was a little apprehensive toward AirPods before I got them. While I still can only wear one at a time - yay for my inner ear piercing - they're such a worthy investment (if you don't already have them). AirPods make taking calls, listening to podcasts and music and overall working from home so much more efficient and pleasant.
Custom Engraved Leather AirPods Case
I saw this idea online and absolutely loved it! If the man in your life already has AirPods, surprise him with a customized AirPods case to store them. It's personal, simple and a classic leather case like this will never go out of style.
Custom AirPods Case on Etsy Starting at $26
Art of Shaving - A Professional Shave
This is a personal favorite gift to give and has become a yearly tradition actually in my household. As a woman, I would LOVE to be gifted with a facial and honestly, gifting a man with a professional shave is practically the same thing. The Art of Shaving offers professional shaves in addition to great products to ensure your man keeps treating his clean-shaven skin even at home.
(Check your local Art of Shaving for updated guidelines regarding in-person shaves. If not available due to COVID-19 restrictions, The Art of Shaving has incredible gift sets!)
Backpack or Briefcase
Depending on your man's style preference, a new backpack or briefcase for work is always a thoughtful gift. It's one of those things that he's probably less inclined to spend his own money on but would love if someone gifted it to him. There are lots of options for both out there so just be sure to take his style and profession into consideration when selecting.
Coach Houston Backpack With Varsity Stripe, now $165 (70% off)
Ted Baker London, Nylon Document Bag, $75.60 (60% off)
A cordless beard trimmer is the perfect gift for the man on the go! Set him up for success for that quick - but precise - beard trim or shave and keep your man looking and feeling his best.
PT45 Beard and Hair Trimmer, $65
Candles
I know what you're thinking, this is such a girly gift, but trust me when I say men appreciate a good smelling home just as much as women do. Bath and Body Works have some incredible, masculine scents that are guaranteed to please both the man in your life and you!
Mahogany Teakwood, now $14.50 (originally $24.50)
Mahogany Balsam, now $14.50 (originally $24.50)
Eucalyptus Spearmint Aromatherapy Candle, now $14.50 (originally $24.50)
If your man's a coffee drinker, give him something that he can enjoy this Holiday Season and beyond - his favorite coffee. If you're looking for a recommendation and haven't tried La Colombe, I would highly recommend. As an iced coffee drinker I am a huge fan and know that their hot brewed coffee is just as beloved.
La Colombe Coffee Roasters, Greatest Hits Gift Box, $40
Cologne
This is one of those "give only if your man wears cologne" type of situations. Most likely, your guy has his favorite scent and the Holiday Season is the perfect time to make sure he's stocked up on it! If the man in your life doesn't have his signature scent, maybe that's something you can discover together?! Consider checking out ScentBird, Bath & Body Works or asking an expert at your local Macy's Perfume Counter.
Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme, Giorgio Armani, $88
I am all for a non-traditional gift (don't worry, that gift guide will be coming soon!) and a membership to the Craft Beer Club is the perfect non-traditional gift for the man in your life. Craft Beer Club "searches out exceptional craft beers from around the country and then delivers the monthly beer club selections direct-to-you or your gift recipient's door." With multiple membership options, this gift is sure to please the beer enthusiast in your life.
Beer of the Month Club Shipment, Order Now for $44 (12 beers per month)
Dollar Shave Club Gift Set and/or Gift Card
Talk about a gift you KNOW they'll use. Dollar Shave Club has some awesome gift sets available to purchase or just keep it simple and give your man a gift card to be redeemed on whatever he needs most in his bathroom cabinet.
Ember Temperature Control Coffee Mug
I'm quite late to the game on this trend as it seemed to be under ALL my coworkers trees LAST Christmas but alas, here we are, it's still a great gift even a year later. Ember has both travel mugs and regular mugs, both of which make a great gift for your man this holiday season. If you're like me and have a man who likes to enjoy his coffee all day long - this is the perfect gift! Ember coffee mugs are temperature controlled meaning you can enjoy your coffee at the perfect temperature well beyond your first morning sip.
For the man in your life who's really into coffee and is perhaps using "quarantine" to perfect his coffee making skills, enter - The French Press. There's something about having a French Press that just highlights the true art of coffee making. Not only that but it reminds us of the importance of having a slow, leisurely, cup of coffee in the morning.
Bodum Chambord 8 Cup French Press, World Market, $39.99
Grill
While it may seem silly to gift a grill knowing that we're approaching the Winter months and Summer is no where near the horizon, what better time to get some practice using the grill than during Holiday gatherings and be a full-fledged pro by the time Summer BBQs roll around. Depending on your living situation and the yard you are/are not afforded, you can either purchase an outdoor grill or a fun George Foreman to use inside.
George Foreman Digital Family Size Smokeless Grill, $110.49.
Weber Spirit II E-310 3 burners Natural Gas Grill Black, $479
Whether the man in your life is back in office or not, a laptop sleeve is a gift that he's guaranteed to use. Whether for travel or even just to protect his laptop when he closes up shop at night, a laptop sleeve is sure to be appreciated.
Pots and Pans
Put this on the list of "things I need but don't want to spend money on." If you're blessed with a man who enjoys cooking, consider wrapping a brand new set of pots and pans this Holiday Season to put under the tree for him.
Cuisinart® Stainless Steel 17-Piece Cookware Set, $199.99
Slippers
I don't know that I ever properly appreciated slippers until this year. Now, I wear them every day! Whether you're still working from home or just like to relax after a long day at the office, during the colder months slippers are a like a warm hug for your feet. Please don't pick up some cheap slippers from Kohl's but spend some time finding ones that offer the right support and match his style.
Boston Shearling, Suede Leather Birkenstock, $165
Men's Leather Shearling Moccasin Slippers, on sale for $48.97 (originally $99.95)
Theragun
Help the man in your life recover from his workouts feeling stronger and better than ever with the Theragun Mini. (Of course you can always spring for the big one but I like the portability the mini offers). "Compact but powerful, Theragun Mini is the most agile massage device that goes wherever you do," sounds like a must-have to me!
Watch
Even though I can never personally gift a watch being that my better half doesn't wear one, I still think they make a great gift. I would highly recommend checking out Fossil as they offer some incredible watches (both men's and women's actually) at extremely reasonable prices. With a wide selection of quality time pieces at affordable prices, how could you go wrong?
Dean Chronograph Stainless Steel Watch, Fossil, $169
Neutra Chronograph Brown Leather Watch, Fossil, on sale for $104.30 (originally $149)
Does your man have a favorite weekend getaway destination? This Holiday Season, if he truly "doesn't need anything," consider gifting him with a weekend getaway. While travel restrictions are varied across the country, you're sure to be able to find a little Airbnb within driving distance to give you a cozy little winter retreat away from the city life.
Okay, yes, I already listed AirPods on the Gift Guide but hear me out, because this is different - trust me, your man thinks so too! Traditional wireless headphones can even be preferred by some over AirPods believe it or not. I, myself have both AirPods AND Beats Wireless Headphones and they both serve different purposes. While AirPods are my go to for work calls, listening to podcasts, etc., wireless headphones are great if I'm on an airplane watching a show on my tablet or sharing a space with someone who's working on something while I'm working on something else and we don't want to disturb each other. I'm telling you, different headphones, different purposes.
Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones, $279.99
Whisky Gift Set
Perhaps the man in your life whom you're shopping for is more of a hard-alcohol kind of guy. If so, consider gifting him with a beautiful whisky (or whatever his preferred alcohol of choice may be) gift set. I love this one from Amazon that comes with just about everything your whisky lover needs in his collection. Don't forget to include his favorite bottle!
Workout/Running Shoes
Has he become more active over quarantine? Or perhaps he wants to be? Consider gifting the man in your life with a brand new pair of workout or running shoes (depending on what type of movement he does). If he falls in the latter class and wants to get up and moving more, sometimes all it takes is the motivation that comes from a brand new pair of shoes.
Nike Free Metcon 3, Men's Training Shoe, $120
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37, Men's Running Shoe, $120
Yeti
Speaking of encouraging him to do "healthier things," how about encouraging him to stay on top of his water intake with a durable Yeti water bottle. Perfect for travel, hiking or just plain drinking water at home, Yeti water bottles are a game changer.
RAMBLER 26 OZ BOTTLE WITH CHUG CAP, $39.99.
Help him keep all of his electronics charged up and ready to go with this 3 in 1 charging station. How cool is that!? And so convenient! No more endless piles of cords and chargers everywhere you go.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this year's Holiday Gift Guide for the Man in Your Life and maybe even got some great ideas to purchase for your man this Holiday Season. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or ideas either by messaging me directly on Instagram (@almostfabme) or by emailing me directly at caseyk@almostfabulousme.com.