Your Holiday Survival Guide To Really Cool Gifts For Guys
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We’ve shopped for a lot of hard-to-gift individuals in our lives — our picky sister, the colleague you only see on Zoom, the “I don’t need any gifts” mother-in-law — but the greatest head-scratcher of them all has got to be The Guy. Whether it’s your S.O., fantasy football buddy, or just your impossible-to-buy-for father, he is, without a doubt, the “cool dude” in your life, the one who seems to be on top of the next thing before everyone else is.
No matter who this cool guy is, his mile-high standards and sixth sense for the latest gear make him impossible to shop for. But don’t worry — if you’re determined to defy the odds and knock it out of the park this holiday season, you’ve come to the right place. We observed some of the coolest guys in our own lives for inspiration for all the best Christmas gifts for men. With items that range from a deep Sopranos reference to a pair of luxury loafers, everything on this list should pass muster with your hard-to-please fellow.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
These performance pants from Lululemon sure look like regular trousers, but they're breathable with a hint of stretch. What guy wouldn't love this comfort?
Lululemon Commission Slim-Fit Pant 37" Warpstreme Online Only, $, available at Lululemon
Union Corduroy Shirt Jacket
This gem from Nordstrom Rack is wildly affordable, utilitarian, and is offered in an array of colors.
Union Corduroy Shirt Jacket, $, available at Nordstrom Rack
Bellroy Tech Case
Get this for the guy who travels a lot or is constantly commuting to the office. This tech case organizes all the essentials like cords, a wireless mouse, chargers, earbuds, and more.
Send him on a global culinary adventure without ever leaving his kitchen with this sampler box of Southeast and East Asian starter sauces — each one offering quality, hard-to-get ingredients and complex flavors that are normally pretty tricky to conquer unless you travel to a ton of specialty stores. All are vegan and gluten-free.
It's a cashmere beanie from the cashmere queen herself Jenni Kayne, so you know it's bound to be super-warm.
Jenni Kayne Men's Cashmere Beanie, $, available at Jenni Kayne
Chrome Bullet Space Pen
This pen writes upside down and in zero gravity. It also writes underwater and in both below-freezing and hellscape temperatures. Not sure why anyone would need to be writing a memo in those aforementioned conditions, but if you've got a wordsmith on your list, this pen will surely stay with them till the end of time.
Space Pen CHROME BULLET SPACE PEN, $, available at Space Pen
Momofuku Chili Crunch Variety Pack
If his meals need to be kicked up a notch (or three), this Momofuku variety pack is a great place to start.
Momofuku CHILI CRUNCH VARIETY PACK, $, available at Momofuku
Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Tonic For Men
Tell him to splash this on his face before his moisturizer for a next-level morning routine.
Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Tonic For Men, $, available at Sephora
Birkenstock Boston Genuine Shearling Lined Clog
Behold: the perfect winter house slipper. It's easy to slip on for the indoors, substantially soled for quick outdoor errands, and completely lined with shearling for toe-wiggling coziness.
Birkenstock Boston Shearling, $, available at Zappos
Los Angeles Apparel Polar Fleece Half Zip Pullover
This can't-go-wrong pullover also happens to be one of those "steal at any moment from his closet" pieces.
Los Angeles Apparel POLAR FLEECE HALF ZIP PULLOVER, $, available at Los Angeles Apparel
Fantastic Walls Tony Soprano & Pie-Oh-My Wall Art Canvas
Oh! So this is a deep-cut Sopranos reference — but, IYKYK, it's a really good one.
Fantastic Walls Tony Soprano & Pie-Oh-My Wall Art Canvas, $, available at Etsy
Merrell Men's Hydro Runner
Maybe it's time to upgrade your guy's Crocs to something more interesting.
Merrell Men's Hydro Runner, $, available at Merrell
STMNT Upgrade Your Shower Kit
If your guy's shower game is a bit rough, show him the ways of self-care with this kit that includes a hair & body cleansing bar, shampoo, and grooming spray.
STMNT Upgrade Your Shower Kit, $, available at Nordstrom
J.W. Anderson Pigeon Jacquard Zip Fleece
A statement fleece for the fashion guy who aims to stand out.
JW Anderson Pigeon-Pattern Zip-Fastening Hoodie, $, available at Farfetch
Caraway Non-Stick Ceramic-Coated, Mini Fry Pan & Sauce Pan Duo
A great set for the guy who's just getting into cooking and needs reasonably sized wares.
Caraway Non-Stick Ceramic-Coated, Mini Fry Pan & Sauce Pan Duo, Non-Toxic, $, available at Caraway
Saatva Weighted Silk Eye Mask
Designed to rest those tired eyes, this weighted eye mask will have him sleeping peacefully in no time.
Saatva Weighted Silk Eye Mask, $, available at Saatva
Perry Co. Unisex Sunglasses
These square frames are just unique enough to feel fresh but classic enough to transcend the trend cycle.
Perry Co. Unisex Sunglasses, $, available at Perry Co.
Twelve South AirFly Pro Wireless Transmitter
This nifty gadget allows your dude to keep using his wireless headphones even while on the plane. Plug the dongle into the jack, connect it to the earpiece via Bluetooth, and it's good to go for (air) miles.
Twelve South AirFly Pro Wireless Transmitter, $, available at Amazon
Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700
If he doesn't already have a pair of premium headphones, this one is certainly worth the splurge.
Bose Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, $, available at Bose
The Iconics: Your Kitchen's Must-Haves
If you've been keeping up with our kitchen recs, you know that we're all about the easy-to-use pots and pans. But, so often, chefs can't get by on stovetop wares alone — they also need the proper tools. Enter: the ultimate 10-piece utensil set from Material!
If your stylish guy is in need of everyday bling, this chain is a golden choice.
Mejuri Flat Curb Chain Necklace, $, available at Mejuri
Tod's City Gommino Leather Penny Loafers
A pair of beautifully designed men's loafers for the refined guy in your life.
Tod's City Gommino Leather Penny Loafers, $, available at Mr. Porter
Warby Parker Winston Glasses
When it comes to specs, classic tortoiseshell is always a solid choice. Consider a new pair of glasses for the guy whose eyewear could use some fine-tuning.
Warby Parker Winston Tortoise Collage I, $, available at Warby Parker
Salomon Trail Running Shoes
Take our word for it — Salomon shoes are set to gain some traction this holiday season.
Salomon X Ultra Pioneer Aero, $, available at Zappos
Away F.A.R Duffle 55L
Luggage brand Away has stepped into a new category of travel bags — and it includes soft duffles made for outdoor travel.
If he's even more serious about his classic drip, invest in the Rolls Royce of brewers that also comes in 18(!) colors.
Moccamaster, Techniv Moccamaster 53942 KBGV 10-Cup Coffee Maker, $, available at Amazon
Rap Capital: An Atlanta Story by Joe Coscarelli
This book is for the music fanatics on your list. It's written by Joe Coscarelli, the music critic for the New York Times.
Simon & Schuster Rap Capital: An Atlanta Story, $, available at Bookshop
Therabody Theragun Mini
Now smaller and more lightweight than ever! This Theragun Mini is the ideal travel gadget for the guy who needs a handheld massager wherever he goes.
Therabody Theragun mini, $, available at Therabody
Furbo Dog Camera
If he's a dog dad that's back to work IRL, help him keep track of his fur baby with this rotating dog camera that will allow him to virtually hear, speak, and toss treats to his pup.
Furbo Furbo 360° Dog Camera, $, available at Amazon
Hot Ones Truth or Dab The Game
Behold: a "gag" gift for the guy who can actually handle the heat.
HOT ONES Truth or Dab The Game, $, available at Amazon
Thorne Curcumin Phytosome 500 mg
It's never a bad idea to give the gift of good health! These supplements from Thorne can help keep those joints happy and healthy.
Thorne Curcumin Phytosome 500 mg, $, available at Amazon
Ben Medansky Dune Coasters
This set of four terracotta coasters are great for individual hot beverages or arranged together to create a trivet for dinner.
Ben Medansky Dune Coasters, $, available at Areaware
Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Weights and Dumbbells
It's like having easy access to a whole set of weights but in one contraption.
Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Weights and Dumbbells, $, available at Amazon
Golde Make Your Matcha Kit
This well-packaged kit is everything your guy needs for a frothy cuppa matcha.
Can you think of a better way to while away the cold months than hunkering down on this 1,326-piece kit that assembles into the Seinfeld TV set? We thought not.
LEGO Ideas Seinfeld 21328 Building Kit, $, available at Amazon
Gerber Lockdown Drive Pocket Knife
A sleek and compact pocket knife is always a useful gizmo to gift — and this one is equipped with eight handy tools, including a bottle opener!
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