Have you searched through tons of gift guides trying to find gift ideas for the men in your life? Don’t you get tired of having to find a different gift guide for every guy? After all, sometimes you want a gift for the man who has everything. Other times you want a gift for those tech gadget geeks.
So I’m going to cut through the mess. I made the ultimate gift guide for men.
In addition, I did a ton of research. Instead of just saying “get them beef jerky,” I offer multiple specific options that you can check out. This is definitely the Ultimate Gift Guide For Men. Not only that, but I polled a TON of men and got ideas directly from them. So, straight from source….here are the gifts you should buy.
Table of contents
- Gifts for any man
- Gifts for the man who has everything/ Unique gifts
- Thoughtful gifts for men
- Useful gifts for men
- Gifts for the outdoorsman
- Gifts for cooks
- Gifts for travelers
- Tech/Gadgets/Geek gifts for men
- Gifts for gamers
- Gifts for sports fans
- Gifts for men who play sports/exercise
- Funny gifts for men
- DIY/ Homemade
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Gifts for any man
These are generic gifts that should work for almost any man. If you’re looking for a gift for a father, brother, co-worker, boyfriend/husband, etc. If you have absolutely NO idea what to buy when you’re looking for a gift for him, this list is for you. A lot of these are ideas are inexpensive, cheap options. Making it great for stocking stuffers or if you have a ton of people to buy for.
• Beef Jerky. This Man Crates Jerky Tie is fabulous! And funny. You can also try Buffalo Bills 15-Piece Sampler pack. If you’re looking for something cheaper, you can try Buffalo Bob’s Wild Game Jerky.
• Nuts. If the guy in your life loves nuts, you should check out this Holiday Nuts Gift Basket. It has over 1 lb. of various nuts. Jaybee’s Nuts Gift Tray looks a little more elegant, though. If you’re looking for something a bit cheaper, check out BobbySue’s Everything Goes Nuts.
• Popcorn. This is one I do every year for my husband. His favorite is Popcornopolis 3-Variety Tin. If they have a popcorn maker, you can try Urban Accents Popcorn & Seasoning Bundle. If you’re looking for something cheaper or something to stuff in multiple stockings, then check out Popcornopolis 12-Cone Snack Pack.
• Pretzels. A bit on the pricey side, but Hazel & Creme has four different flavors and look fabulous. You might also like these Pretzel Rods. If he doesn’t like chocolate, try Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels.
• Candy. Does anyone NOT like candy? There are a ton of options for this one. I particularly love Tara’s Sea Salt Caramel, Ferrero Rocher Sampler, and Wiley Wallaby Black Licorice. Only get the black licorice if you know they like it. My father-in-law loves it…but most people hate it.
• Cookies. Cookies are a great gift for almost anyone. One particularly fabulous option that is unique is the Oh! Nuts Chocolate Covered Cookie Gift Basket. Barnett’s Chocolate Cookies Favors Gift Box is a bit cheaper, though.
• Chocolate Caramel and Crunch Grand Gift Basket. The best of all the options, this includes a little bit of a variety of great stuff.
Whew! Enough with the food. Let’s go on to drinks. Yep, there are a ton of options here too.
• Hot Cocoa. Hot cocoa is a great drink gift. Even people who don’t drink alcohol or coffee usually love a good cup of cocoa. The one I like best is Thoughtfully Gift Hot Chocolate Gift Set. There is a cheaper option by the same company: Thoughtfully Gifts 4 Unique Flavors.
• Coffee. If you’re going to buy them coffee, make sure you know if they grind their own beans or buy pre-ground. If you’re not sure, go on the safe side and buy pre-ground. Bean Box Gourmet Sampler is a great option. Another, more exotic option is Coffee Masters Around the World.
• Wine. This is a tough one unless you know that they’re fans of a particular brand. Don’t just grab any bottle. As a wine fan myself, I can tell you that a random bottle is NOT a good choice.
• Tea. You can go with loose-leaf or already in a bag. I suggest you go with the ones already in a bag just in case they don’t have an infuser. Unless you’re going to buy one to go with the tea. Tea Forte has a great tea sampler. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, you can try Taylors of Harrogate Classic Variety Box.
• Whiskey/Alcohol. I did a poll of some guys I know and their number one answer was “alcohol”. I don’t know why I was surprised.
• Beer-of-the-month club. If you’re willing to put in an investment and they love craft beers, you can try the beer of the month club.
Okay, we’re done with gift ideas you can consume. Let’s get on to some non edible/drinkable options.
• Magazine Subscriptions. Magazines are a great gift that they get all year long. Make sure you tailor the subscription to their tastes. For example, my husband loves Kiplingers. But unless your guy is interested in finances, that might not be a good choice. A good generic choice is Sports Illustrated.
• Socks. Socks are a great choice for men. If they have a particular preference, make sure you sneak a peek in their sock drawer and find out what they wear.
• Underwear. This is a great gift IF you know what they wear. We seriously buy my Grandpa underwear every year. I don’t think he’s bought his own underwear in over 40 years.
• Cologne. If you know their favorite scent, grab that.
• Lottery Tickets. The guys in my family LOVE this! (And I might be guilty of begging for the Bingo scratch-offs in my stocking. I won’t buy them for myself…but if someone else does?)
• DVD/Blu-Ray. Make sure you know his tastes before you splurge on this. If you have some serious cash to drop and they’re a Game of Throne fans, you can order Game of Thonres: The Complete Series. James Bond is another favorite of most guys.
• Ties. If they work in the business world or dress up on occasion, a good tie is always appreciated.
• Experience gifts, such as concert tickets, festivals, a trip, or classes to something. Get creative! One of my friends suggested blacksmithing, knife making, or glassblowing.
• Mancrates has a variety of options and are great for guys! Bonus: if you sign-up for
E-bates (it’s free), you not only will get a $10 bonus, but (currently) 3.5% cash back when you order from Mancrates.
• Gift card. I know, I know. It’s a bit generic. But if you can’t think of anything else, it works. If they’re really hard to shop for, then this has you covered. An Amazon gift card is a great choice because they have everything and who doesn’t shop at Amazon?
• Beard Care Kit. If they’re rocking a beard, then a kit to take care of it is a great idea. One particularly fabulous option is this Beard Kit– it’s organic so even if they have sensitive skin, it should work for them.
• Games. A good game can provide for years of fun. Some great choices for guys include Cards Against Humanity or Drunk Stoned or Stupid.
• Shot Flask. If they’re a drinker, they might like a shot flask. It’s a flask that includes a shot glass in it.
Gifts for the man who has everything/ Unique gifts
Trying to find a gift for the man who has everything? Looking for a unique gift idea for men? Then this list is for you! My father-in-law is in this category. Husband and I have years of experience in trying to find something for the guy who can buy whatever he wants for himself.
• Money clip. You can go with just the money clip, like this Carbon Fiber Money Clip. Or you can do the ones that also allow them to slip a credit card or two in their pocket, such as this Leather Money Clip Wallet.
• Whiskey glasses. A unique option is Twist Whiskey Glasses.
• Whiskey stones. Whiskey stones cool their drink without watering it down. Check out these Granite Whiskey Rocks or Stainless Steel Whiskey Stones.
• Round ice cube molds (for whiskey). Round ice melts slower allowing them to enjoy their whiskey longer without watering it down.
• Whiskey decanter. This Globe Set Whiskey Decanter is not not only functional but looks great. Or you can go with this Italian Crafted Crystal Decanter.
• Make your own whiskey set. There are a couple of options out there. The first is by ManCrates. If you can believe it, though, WalMart also has a set online> click here. There are also “make your own scotch” and “make your own Kentucky bourbon” sets.
• Make your own beer kit. You can try Mr. Beer 2-Gallon Starter Set. If you have a little money, you should get the Northern Brewer Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit.
• Aroma enhancing spirits glasses.
• Double-walled tumblers to keep drinks cold or hot longer. If you’re buying it so they can keep their beer cold, check out Dragon Glassware Beer Mugs. If it’s for coffee or they travel a lot, you can try Simple Modern 24oz Classic Tumbler.
• Himalayan salt shot glasses.
• Wet shave kit. One of the guys I know recommended I add this to the list. I know nothing about men’s shaving…I am just passing along a man’s opinion.
• Books. I highly suggest “Tools of Titans” or “Rich Dad, Poor Dad.”
• Bourbon Gummy Bears. This is amazingly unique. And a little cute.
Thoughtful gifts for men
If you’re looking for thoughtful gifts for men or creative gifts for men, then you’re at the right place! I’ve got some great options below.
• One of my guy friends revealed this story to me (and I’m sharing it with his permission): I got a jar of paper hearts in white, pink, and red from a girlfriend in college (20+years ago) all the pink ones had something she loved about me, that was the coolest ever. From the heart.
• Free Printable Christmas Gift Certificates. I give these to my husband every year. I include: Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes in the morning. I give those with flavored pancake syrup. I also give him one for Butterscotch Blondie Cheesecake. And Cinnamon Rolls. Other ideas: back rub, foot rub, an activity he likes to do, breakfast in bed, movie night (either out or at home), dinner at a restaurant, and, um….naughty options. You know what I mean, I don’t need to list them.
• Donation to their favorite charity.
• Personalized/initialed leather stuff, such as portfolio, iPad case, or planner.
• Personalized leather valet tray. It comes engraved with whatever message you want to put on there. I know my husband loves the little basket I have by the door for him to drop everything from his pockets in. He always knows where to look for all those little things (eye drops, gum, keys, etc.)
• Custom License Plate Sign. This is amazing!
• Personalized Engraved Flask.
• Personalized branding iron and cutting board. He can emblazon his initials on anything he’s grilling!
You can find more creative/thoughtful gifts if you jump down to the “DIY/Homemade” section.
Useful gifts for men
Most men love to receive something useful.
• Tire pressure gauge. No more of those old-school ones where the little stick jumps out and tells you how much pressure is in the tire. You have to check out AstroAl Digital Tire Pressure Gauge. You can also check out Vondior Tire Pressure Gauge with dial reading.
• Magnetic band that holds nails, screws, etc. easily while he’s working.
• Valet tray. A handy place to dump all the stuff in their pockets when they walk in the door. Juns has a five-compartment tray if he wants to keep his stuff organized. If you just want an open tray with just one compartment, check out Luxspire Valet Tray.
• Multitool. My husband has three of these. I would seriously think one would do…but who am I to question since I don’t use it. Leatherman is a classic brand that most men love. I have one of these in my emergency bag. A slightly different option: one of my guy friends suggest the MyKee multitool which he can keep on his keychain.
• Key organizer. This is a small tool that allows all their keys to fold in so nothing gets scratched if their keys are in their pocket. PocketPro has a version that comes in multiple colors. You could also get the Smart Compact Key Holder which includes a couple of tools.
• Folding knife. Check and see if he has a brand he prefers.
• Tools for his hobby of choice, such as woodworking, milling, cars, or household improvements. See if there is something in particular he needs. I know my Dad could always use sandpaper…but you need to know if he uses a sander (which takes special stuff) or sands by hand. My husband is always looking for something or other for his classic Corvette.
• Rubber gear twist ties. These are great for organizing cords and are reusable.
• Emergency cash capsule. He can attach it to his keychain and always have some emergency cash on hand.
Gifts for the outdoorsman
If you’re looking for: gifts for men who fish, hunt, are survivalist, etc., then you’re in the right section. The outdoors covers a lot of ground, so this is a long list.
• Books. 40 True Stories of Hunting and Fishing on the Path Less Traveled, The Total Fishing Manual (by Field & Stream), The Trapper’s Bible, The Complete Guide to Hunting, Butchering, And Cooking Wild Game, SAS Survival Handbook (I have this last one and it is FABULOUS! It’s a great gift for almost any guy).
• Gifts cards: Cabelas, Bass Pro Shop, L.L. Bean, and Lowes.
• Survival tools and gear. KOSIN Survival Gear or Weyland Outdoor Emergency Survival Kit.
• Fire starters. You can also check out pocket bellows.
• Lifestraw.
• Multitool. My husband has three of these. I would seriously think one would do…but who am I to question since I don’t use it. Leatherman is a classic brand that most men love. I have one of these in my emergency bag. A slightly different option: one of my guy friends suggest the MyKee multitool which he can keep on his keychain.
• Waterproof mini pocket blanket.
• Guns.
• Fish radar.
• Fishing gear, such as bobbers, hooks, lures, lines, etc.
• Archery gear. Ask him if there is anything in particular that he needs.
• First aid kit for hikers, campers, hunters, etc.
• Waterproof HD camera so they can record their outdoor wins.
• Collapsible, leak-proof water bottle. Great for hikers and campers, in particular.
Gifts for cooks
• BBQ Stuff:
– BBQ sauce and spice samplers, such as Guy’s Award Winning Sauce or FreshJax Grilling Spice Gift Set
– BBQ Wood Grilling Planks
– Silicone BBQ Gloves
– Kona Safe Clean Grill Brush
– Personalized branding iron and cutting board
• Meat thermometer (get one with a probe) or wireless meat thermometer. If he likes to cook meat, he’s going to love this. My husband actually gets involved now with some oven cooking!
• Eat Like a Man: The Only Cookbook a Man Will Ever Need
• KitchenAid Mixer– if you have the money for this, you will completely make his day. I got this for my Dad last year and he LOVED it.
• Air Fryer
• Infused sea salt sampler– my husband loves to experiment with different salts when he’s grilling
• If you hop down to the DIY/Homemade section <<<click there<<<, there are multiple homemade seasonings you can make for him.
Gifts for travelers
• Travel cord organizer or leather cord roll-up case
• Leather luggage tags. You might want to ask them or another seasoned traveler. We had one that got caught in airline equipment, got ripped off, and hurt the bag a little.
• Duffel bag with shoe compartment
• Zomake Ultra Lightweight Backpack– this can be bundled up and stored as a really small item. So it’s great to pack if you’re going to buy stuff on your trip. You just unfold it and then have extra storage for on the way home.
• 2 in 1 glasses and contacts case– it’s great for traveling because it keeps all their eye stuff in one easy location.
• Inflatable travel pillow hoodie
Tech/Gadgets/Geek gifts for men
This is a hard group of men to buy before because they have a tendency to already have the latest tech or gadget that they love. But I did find a few gifts for this category.
• Books: Geek and Ye Shall Find, Atomic Habits, or The Google Story.
• Waterproof bluetooth shower speaker
• Portable bluetooth speaker– my husband bought one of these for his office.
• Wireless earbuds. Make sure you know if he has some or has particular tastes. This gift, in particular, is something I would never get my husband. He’s had an ongoing battle with earbuds for years. (Nothing is just QUITE right…haha).
• Universal smartphone lanyard
• New tablet or phone with unlimited data (the unlimited data is important!)
• Drone
Gifts for gamers
• Video Games. Obviously, check and see what he has and what he might want. But I don’t know a single gamer who doesn’t have at least one more game they’re wanting to purchase.
• Video game controller. All the controllers these days are wireless. Which means they run out of battery power. My husband actually has three or four different controllers. Just make sure you know what system they use.
• Game controller charging station. Again, make sure you get one for the system/controllers he has.
• Gaming T-shirts. You can get a generic shirt like “I paused my game to be here” or get one specific to their favorite game.
• Guinness World Records: Gamer’s Edition 2020
• The Comic Book Story of Video Games: The Incredible History of the Electronic Gaming Revolution
• Super Nintendo cartridge soap (this is more of a funny gift than a serious one)
• Mini arcade game– find out what arcade game he loved as a kid and get the mini version of it for some nostalgic play
• GameStop gift card (make sure they have one near them…I know this seems to be a dying breed).
Gifts for sports fans
• Books: The Glory of Their Times: The Story of the Early Days of Baseball, The League: How Five Rivals Created the NFL, The Match: The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever, The Book of Basketball, Earnhardt Nation: The Full-Throttle Saga of NASCAR’s First Family, or Hockey Strong: Stories of Sacrifice From Inside the NHL.
• Streaming package for their favorite sport. For example, one of my friends got her husband subscription to supercross/motocross on NBC Sports Live Gold. I’m not sure what that is…but apparently her husband was happy!
• Tickets to a game! Even better…season tickets for their favorite team or sport. We got my Grandpa tickets to the local racetrack for the season and he was thrilled. My brother got season tickets for the Cyclones (ick! I’m a Hawkeye girl) and was thrilled.
• Sportula Spatula– get their favorite team, of course.
• Flags for their favorite team.
• Towels for their favorite team.
Gifts for men who play sports/exercise
There are SO MANY different sports that men can play, exercise habits they enjoy, or other activities. Some of these idea are very specific, others are more general.
• Universal smartphone lanyard– this works great for guys who are active. This will depend upon the sport, though. But it might be a great idea as phones are being used to track progress (think Strava).
• Wrist holders for phone, credit card, etc. while they’re playing sports or exercising.
• NoSweat Hat Line & Cap Protection
• Flight lessons. This would be a serious investment, but if he’s adventurous, this might be the gift of a lifetime.
• Books:
– For athletes: Advances in Functional Training, The Champion’s Mind, or Never Let Go.
– For golfers: Golf is Not a Game of Perfect
– For mountain climbers: Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass
– For cyclists: The Cyclist’s Training Bible
– Do a search on Amazon for “type-in-your-sport-of-choice books” and you should get some good options. There are too many different sports for me to do them all!
• Gift cards: Nike, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Big 5, Hibbett Sports, etc.
• Gear for their sports or activity. Examples: golfers can always use tees and golf balls. Cyclists always need SOMETHING- just ask them (My husband is a cyclist…trust me, he’s always buying one thing or another).
• Their favorite energy bar. My husband’s favorite is Clif White Chocolate Macadamia Nut bars.
• Their favorite electrolyte or energy drink. My husband drinks Amino Energy and Gatorade.
• Protein shakes. GET THE KIND THEY LIKE. As someone who used to drink these when I worked out more intensely…this is not an area to explore. Some of these are horrible. Find their brand (and flavor) and get that.
Funny gifts for men
• Super Nintendo cartridge soap
• Books: People of Wal-Mart Coloring Book, What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions, Bad Days in History, The United States of Absurdity, or Delete This at Your Peril.
• Reindeer Poop (it’s really milk chocolate covered raisins)
• Reindeer Farts (it’s really cotton candy)
• Reindeer, Elf, and Snowman Poop (three different kinds of mints)
• Bean Boozled Jelly Beans– you spin the spinner…it might land on a yummy jelly bean or it might land on a nasty one. You have to eat it.
• Funny socks for men. If you want to go above and beyond, you can get custom photo socks– put your face or the face of a pet on the socks.
• DIY Star Wars Han Solo Frozen in Carbonite Soap
DIY/ Homemade
• Christmas Pretzel Kisses (you can substitute regular M&M’s instead of holiday colors if it’s not the Christmas Season).
• Cookies: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, White Chocolate Chunk Macadamia Cookies, Black and White Chocolate Chunk Cookies, White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie Mix Jar
• Puppy Chow or Barks. <<<That links to a page with over a dozen different options. And all of them are super-easy to make.
• Last-Minute Popcorn Gift Basket. <<<click there to see post. Links to the items in the basket: unpopped popcorn, ranch popcorn seasoning, butter popcorn seasoning, bacon cheddar popcorn seasoning.
-Or instead of putting the seasoning in mason jars like in the original post above, you can just buy them 8-pack Mini Jars Popcorn Seasoning: 8 different flavors for them to try out!
-Another option if you’re super-short on time: just buy “Urban Accents Movie Night Popcorn Kernels and Seasoning.” Though the latter kind of loses the personal touch thing provided in the original post.
• Personalized keychain.<<<Post with all the details and step-by-step pictures. You pick a map of a favorite location, use a jewelry bezel, and resin to make it.
• Leather DIY Cord Organizer. This is super cute, but also very practical.
• Make your own Kahlua <<<post has instructions
• Make your own Limoncello <<<post has instructions
• Make your own seasonings for cooking:
– Montreal Steak Seasoning
– Cajun Seasoning
– Pork Rub Recipe
– Taco Seasoning
– Rotisserie Chicken Rub
• Three Bean Chili Mix Gift Jar
• Local Food roulette: this one is FABULOUS. It’s fun and gets you out of the house together to try out new places to eat. Probably better for couples or if you live very close to the person you’re giving the gift to.
• DIY Star Wars Han Solo Frozen in Carbonite Soap
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