In case you needed a reminder, the holidays are quickly approaching – do you know what your spouse/boyfriend/dad/brother/friend/son/any other man you are planning on buying a gift for needs? A lot of the time, neither does he. For the past month, I’ve been thinking about what I’d like for Christmas, and narrowed it down to ten options – from cool and necessary bargains to the greatest Air Jordan sneaker of all time. Here’s my holiday gift guide for men.
Table of Contents
Holiday Gift Guide for Men
1. Framed Art by Framebridge
Tired of spending $200 or more at your local frame shop for fairly simple framing jobs? I’ve been framing posters, prints, and old Nike ads on the Framebridge app for years now for a fraction of the cost. You can pick out the exact frame you want on their website or app and see how your print looks framed online. Then, they send you a tube or mailer envelope so you can safely ship your print to their facility. Within a week or so, you get the perfect frame job for a lot less! A great idea if there’s something sentimental lying around the house that needs to be put up on a wall.
2. Levain Gluten Free Cookies (Or Regular, Non-Gluten Free Cookies)
Oh man. There is nothing like a Levain chocolate chip cookie. Arguably the best cookies in New York City that can be shipped nationwide in the US. Just throw them in the microwave or oven and they’re even better. I’ve been gluten-free for 2.5 years now, and have definitely missed chocolate chip cookies. I remember having the Levain version several times and was even tempted to stop the GF diet just to try one again. Then I learned they have a Gluten-Free one too! Problem solved. If you’re by one of their bakeries and know someone who is gluten free, I can guarantee this will make them happy.
Levain has gift boxes with an assortment of their regular cookies starting at just $27, and they ship all over the country.
3. Air Jordan XI “Cool Grey”
A tradition unlike any other. For decades now, Jordan Brand has been dropping an Air Jordan XI silhouette during the Holiday season. Every year, they sell out – and for good reason. The Air Jordan XI is arguably the greatest Air Jordan sneaker of all time. One of my favorites is the “Cool Grey” colorway, which first released in 2001. It will be extremely hard to get, so make sure to check out sites like StockX where you can find them for a few dollars over the retail price.
If they’re too difficult to find, there’s also these 23 basketball shoes you can’t go wrong with.
4. Malin&Goetz
How do you explain Malin&Goetz to someone who’s never heard of Malin&Goetz before? To put it simply, they have the best body products you can use on your skin. All my favorite hotels use Malin&Goetz. I love their rum hand + body wash and peppermint shampoo. Even their fragrances are awesome, like the cannabis eau de parfum. The best thing about their products is that they’re great for both men and women.
5. Hall Wine Subscription
I am not a wine connoisseur by any means. However, I do know good wine when I taste it. And, in my opinion, the best wine I’ve ever tasted was at Hall Winery in Napa, California. Their wine is so good, it’s our first stop whenever we fly out to San Francisco to visit friends and family. It’s so good, we became members – even though we live in New Jersey! Every time we open a bottle of Hall – which is not often enough – the aroma and taste mentally transports us right back to their gorgeous winery in Napa.
So, if you don’t live anywhere near California, but want to taste the best wine they have to offer, order a bottle set as a gift. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to share it with them. Shipping is only $1 if you order 6+ bottles.
6. Bombas Socks
By far the most fun, comfortable socks I’ve ever owned. I’ve seen ads for Bombas socks for years, but have never had the opportunity to try them out until recently. I was blown away by the comfort and quality. Most men think about their socks and their underwear last of all, so Bombas makes it easy to upgrade these key pieces with their holiday gift guide. My favorites include the Holiday 4-Pack and the All-Purpose Performance Calf Socks. He most likely will realize they are the gifts he didn’t realize he really needed.
7. Stumptown Coffee
There is nothing like a freshly-ground cup of coffee in the morning to get my day going. In order to do that properly, you need the right beans. More often than not, I find myself ordering from Stumptown. They have the best beans for the best value, in my opinion. For gifting, I recommend the Hair Bender blend that is guaranteed to make any coffee lover’s day.
8. Nike Running Gear
Just because the temp is dropping below zero doesn’t mean you can’t get out for a run! I admit I taper my runs down a lot during the winter months, but I still try to get out there once a week to stay in shape. One of the main reasons I stopped running in the winter was because I didn’t have the proper gear. Most guys just stick to tee shirts and shorts, but by adding some Dri-FIT Running Tights and a Full-Zip Jacket, the winter chill is no match. A lot of the apparel on Nike’s website is under $100, so there are definitely some affordable options.
9. Solo Stove
One of the greatest purchases I’ve ever made – the Solo Stove helped us get through the pandemic because it was an excuse to invite the neighbors over to hang out outside by the fire and have a drink together. We bought the Ranger four years ago because it was getting cold outside and we spent a lot of time outdoors just hanging out. Not only does the Solo Stove keep you warm, it’s fun to keep throwing sticks and logs on to keep the fire going. Plus, it’s portable, so you can take it on the road wherever you go. We’ve used ours out in the woods and on the beach in the Hamptons.
10. Klean Kanteen
I’ve been using Klean Kanteens now for years. My entire family uses them on a daily basis. They’re great for holding water, coffee, tea, snacks, soup, and much more. Klean Kanteens are insulated, which means they keep cold liquids cold, and warm liquids warm. They’re great for car rides and stowing away in bags and backpacks because they never ever leak. Plus, I love all the great colors and sizes they come in.
This is my go-to for coffee, my wife uses this stainless steel one with the bamboo cap for the gym and on the go, and this is the big one we use as a family for outings like the beach or hiking. Klean Kanteens start as low as $9.95.
