2013-12-05

I hear it again and again……

Men are hard to shop for.

Which is funny – as that most of us guys would disagree.

 

The fact is men are actually very easy to please – we just ask for the best

Seriously – I find most men want high value gifts.  

Things they’ll use that are built to last …….and it doesn’t hurt if the tool or clothing looks great!

Need help finding gifts like this?

Well –  you’re in luck. I’ve compiled a list of 132 gift ideas that have met that criteria.

Enjoy!

 

The items on this list are all vouched for! I own or have used nearly all of them, and have had the rest highly recommended by men I trust. 

 

 

Clothing & Wardrobe

 

1. Military Neckties from Bows-N-Ties

Most military-themed neckties tend to be kitschy novelty items. Not these. Each silk tie is done in dignified regimental striping, in the colors of a specific service branch, with the emblem and motto of the branch on the back. These are a limited edition run, and all proceeds are donated to the not-profit group Stop Soldier Suicide. Jump on them while you’ve got the chance — less than 100 are left in each style!



2. Lee Jeans

An American classic and my premium sponsor – and I say that with pride as they offer real value that you can find in about any department store out there.. These are the original wear-’em-anywhere, beat-’em-up jeans. Their “Modern Fit” is fantastic – close without being silly about it. Perfect for work indoors or out.  And checkout their new jean jacket below!

3. Kiwi Boot Protector

Simple spray-on waterproofing for boots. Silicone-based and non-staining, although it may darken light colors. A great stocking stuffer for outdoors adventurers of all kinds.

4. Crescent Moon Valet

Part nightstand, part charging station, part closet space, and all of it elegant. For the man who needs a little help getting ready in the morning.

5. Made in Maine Rogue Wallets

Did you know that RFID-chipped credit cards — which are becoming increasingly common — are vulnerable to remote hacking? It sounds like the stuff of sci-fi, but thieves have been able to steal hundreds of people’s personal information at a go just by sitting in a parking lot near a large store and running a scanner. Rogue Wallets block the RFID signal, keeping your cards safe — and they’re slim, stylish, and fitted to your pocket, too.

 

6. Vvego Leather Belts

Ultra-durable, ultra-tough, and ultra-cool. A belt that’ll last a lifetime. Perfect for the rugged outdoorsman in your life or a man that conceal carries!

7. Buckley Denim Jeans

Pick your own fit and style. Handmade, lightweight jeans are perfect for men in warmer climates or go with their regular weight for winter. Keep ‘em cool and stylish with Buckley Denim – every pair is designed and made by the man Jim Buckley himself.

8. Shoepassion Winter Dress Boots

Smooth, sturdy boots with a soft lambskin lining.  VERY hard to find here in the States – that’s why they’re coming out of Germany!  Really, they’re the most beautiful pair of winter boots your lucky friend (or you) will ever wear. The rest of their catalog is worth a look, too.

 

9. Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Primo Chronograph

A solid sportswatch powered by light — natural or artificial — so that it never needs charging or winding. I’ve been using this when I workout for the last 6 month – a solid addition perfect for timing between sets or just making sure you’re not late for your next appointment!

10. Fuzz Wizard Fabric Shaver

Yeah, the name is goofy. Yeah, it looks like something you’d buy on late-night TV (and it is, in fact, sold on late-night TV). But it actually works. We can vouch for this as a functional solution to sweater fuzz, pilling, and general fabric unevenness. A couple quick passes will even out even the most explosive hand-knitted sweater from Grandma.

11. Soul Socks

A great new company that we love to recommend. Every month they release a new, colorful sock design and ship it straight to the subscriber. No repeats –it’s a unique wardrobe item every month. Who wouldn’t love it?

12. J. Crew Sweaters

Upscale sweaters for the discerning man. If you want to give something a little more wardrobe-friendly than the “ugly Christmas sweater,” we recommend J. Crew as a good starting place. Lots of good options in their catalog.

13. Eddie Bauer Kettle Mountain Stormshed Jacket

Warmth and waterproofing all in one. The classic wax jacket style with a soft corduroy collar and cuffs. Stylish and rugged.

14. Red Wing Heritage Iron Ranger Boot

Work boots that really work — novel thought! Touch leather, stitched welts, and non-marking rubber soles. If you know someone who beats the hell out of his work boots, get him these. They’ll last longer than just about any other option.

15. Timberland Lambswool Donegal Full-Zip Sweater

Sturdy and stylish, right at that sweet spot between an indoors sweater and an outdoors jacket. One of our favorites for layered looks.

16. Schott Leather Jackets

A classic manufacturer, and your starting place if you’re buying a leather jacket for anyone. We’ve just linked to their catalog in general, because there are some fantastic winter parkas and sweaters in there that are worth your time, too, but if you need a specific product highlighted, you can’t go wrong with their Cowhide Casual Racer. Slim, sleek, and sexy.

17. Charles Alexander Neckwear

Still some of the best neckties out there. The stuff on the department store racks just can’t compare.

18. The Sharp Seven Gift Box

My friend Hendrik put this package together – 5 neckties, a pair of great looking socks, and one box tie.  All built around the premise that we are more productive certain days of the week than others……which I’m not sure I agree with, but I love the uniqueness, quality& value of this gift set.

 

19. Kenton Sorenson Leather Goods

Wallets, electronics cases (think iPads etc.), and more. Every piece is handmade, in the original sense of the word. No shortcuts here.

 

20. Leather Honey Leather Conditioner

One of my favorite leather conditioners! It’s both a conditioner (keeps the leather soft and supple) and a protector (helps keep the pores of the weather sealed against water and dirt). Simple to use, good for your leather, and a great price. If you’re not convinced, see my review here!

21. Chamberlain Leather Milk

A series of numbered products for a thorough leather treatment: #1 for conditioning, #2 for cleaning, and #3 for waterproofing. For anyone who wants to really pamper his or her leather goods.

22. Kirby Allison’s Hanger Project Clothes Hangers

The hangers your wool jackets and trousers deserve. Thin wire hangers will crease and damage jackets — Kirby Allison’s hangers off thick wooden support, smoothed and rounded into natural contours. Why ruin a $500 suit with a $2 hanger?

23. RibbedTee Undershirts

Undershirts don’t have to be those non-functional pieces of gauze you buy in five-packs at Walmart. Invest in quality and you — or a lucky gift recipient! — can have undershirts that fit, absorb and wick moisture, and in general keep the wearer looking stylish and feeling great. Who knew?

24. Deo-Go Armpit Stain Remover

An aggressive stain remover specifically formulated for sweat stains. The shirts it saves are worth so much more than the product costs it’s almost funny. Great value for you or anyone you give it to.

25. Maui Jim Kapalua

Yes, the hype is true. These shades will last a lifetime — and look great while doing it. Great for anyone that’s tired of buying at least two pairs every year at the drugstore.

26. Blue Claw Luggage

Made in the USA, tough as nails, and beautifully styled. What more could you ask of luggage? Upgrade any man’s travel look with a few pieces of Blue Claw.

27. Maxwell Scott Bags

An English company making hand-crafted Italian leather products for sale in the United States — how multicultural! Fantastic bags and briefcases for the classy traveler.

28. Zaharoff

For the artistic dressers, this Chicago-based designer has classically-styled menswear with a modern twist. Very unique. You can safely bet that anyone you give a Zaharoff piece to won’t have received anything else like it this year.

29. Anson Belt & Buckle

A father and son operation from South Carolina making slim, elegant leather belts with a customizable “microadjust” system. For the perfect belt fit — and a sharp look!

30. Brown, Diem Jeans

If you really love someone, and he really loves jeans, introduce him to Christopher of Brown, Diem. This is true bespoke denim — tailored to each customer from start to finish. There’s no way to make this one a surprise (the person getting the jeans will need to be involved in the construction process), but whoever you’re getting them for will forgive you once the pants arrive.

31. D’Accord

South American style made right here in the USA. A great (and subtle) way of encouraging your friends to wear something other than T-shirts in the summer…

32. Fifth & Brannan

Boutique menswear at reasonable prices. Gorgeous stuff. There’s always something new and interesting in their collection.

33. HommeDelicacy

Your one stop shop for classy stocking stuffers. They do menswear accessories: hats, scarves, belts, etc. Something for everyone, here.

34. 5th & Lamar Slim Fit Dress Shirts

Off-the-rack dress shirts are huge in the waist. They don’t even come close to fitting slender or athletic men. So if you know a man with a slim build, get him one of 5th & Lamar’s slim fit shirts, and watch him smile when he tries it on. They make sweaters, too, just as slim-fitting.

35. Monte Carlo Tailors

Bespoke clothing at value prices. Raja is from Bangkok, so you’ll be working with him remotely, but he’s happy to Skype and does a great job. A good friend and someone whose work I’m very impressed with.

36. Lucchese Classics 1883 Boots

A trusted brand, a classic style, and fantastically sturdy leather. What more do you want? True cowboy. 37. Black Socks Subscription Service

High-quality socks delivered every month (or at other intervals of your choosing). Wouldn’t you like to never have to shop for socks again? Way better than the Cheese of the Month club.

38. Sharp & Dapper Shirt Stays

Yeah, they look weird, but don’t let that fool you! These are a clever little product with military origins. Shirt stays keep the front of the shirt looking smooth and flat all day long.

39. Sharp & Dapper Suspenders

Colorful yet classy. The perfect sharp-casual meeting place between black dress suspenders and bright red (or tape measure print) lumberjack suspenders. Perfect for the man who indulges in braces from time to time.

40. Kent Clothing Brushes

Simple, elegant suit brushes. The nicer the brush, the more likely someone is to use it, right? Get the nice one and encourage good habits.

41. SteamFast SF-717 Home-and-Away Mini Steam Iron

Business travelers may not know they need a good travel iron, but trust us — they do. This one’s sturdy, lightweight, portable, and dual voltage for international travelers. And the great thing is, it works just fine at home too!

42. Jiffy Steamer J-4000 Pro-Line Series Garment Steamer

Your go-to tool for steaming wrinkles out of anything. Clothing, rugs, curtains, whatever — it’ll do the job.

 

Grooming

43. Philips Norelco D-Finer Precision Trimmer

This year’s pick from the surprisingly competitive nose/ear hair trimmer category. One handle comes with two heads: a tube-style trimmer for noses and ears, and a flat shaping tool for trimming beards, sideburns, and necks. The painless, tug-free trimming might just make this the best gift you ever give someone — not that he’ll admit it.

44. Tweezerman Petite Tweezer Set

Tiny and sturdy, with a leather carrying case and a lifetime sharpening guarantee. Perfect for air travel, now that the TSA is allowing tweezers again!

45. HeadBlade The Groomster Manicure Set

Putting the “man” back in “manicure.” A tough leather pouch holds six trimming tools. Classy.

46. Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer

Something that really works for cracked hands, without all the fruity smells and oily feel. Fantastic gift for anyone that’s always rubbing lotion on in the winter. A hand cream that even the most macho men can feel proud to use.

47. Merkur Model 180 Long-Handle Safety Razor

The classic double-edged safety razor. Heavy steel shaves smoothly, and the replacement blades are about ten to fifty cents a pop at any drugstore. Convert a cartridge razor shaver for Christmas this year.

 

Tools & Home Improvement

48. Stanley 94-248 65-Piece General Homeowner’s Tool Set

All the basics: measuring tape, hammer, screwdriver set, ratchet set, hex keys, and more. A great starter set at a great price. Perfect for anyone whose “tool kit” still consists of a couple Phillips head screwdrivers and a rusty box cutter thrown in a draw somewhere.

49. Maglite Heavy-Duty 3 D Cell Flashlight

Still the champion in its category, after all these years. An aggressively practical gift for aggressively practical guys. No nonsense.

50. Paracord Planet Nylon 550lb. Type III 7-Strand Paracord

Your basic utility rope. Everyone should have a spool in the trunk of the car. Make it a novelty gift with one of Paracord Planet’s patterned options — they’ve got about fifty of them, ranging from plain black to mottled neon pinks.

51. Black & Decker Cyclonic Action Cordless Dustbuster

Lots of reach, onboard brush and crevice nozzles, and smooth, powerful operation. Not the most glamorous gift you’ll ever give — but if a household needs one, this is a nice one to get.

52. RACK EM 4-Pair Boot rack

Wall-mounted boot rack keeps wet boots off the floor and hangs them upside down to air-dry. A must-have beside the door during the snowy season.  We use two of these!

53. Cosco Max Work Platform Step Stool

Simple. Sturdy. Functional. Gets the job done. If you know someone that doesn’t have a good step stool yet, this is your boy.

54. Bosch 4000-07 15 Amp 10-Inch Worksite Table Saw with Folding Saw

An on-the-go work table you can pull out of your trunk and set up in minutes. One-wrench blade changes just add to the convenience.

55. Jump-N-Carry 660 Battery Booster from Clore Automotive

The gift of never having to beg a jump from a stranger again. Charges from a regular wall socket, and then holds its charge for ages. Every car should have one.

56. Eureka 3670G Mighty Mite Canister Vacuum

A light, simple, and sturdy vacuum cleaner. Great gift for a starting household, first time homeowners, or kids just graduating college and looking for their own place.

57. Kats 1160 300 Watt Magnum Magnetic Heater

Thaws anything. Use it on engine blocks and oil pans (makes starting a LOT easier on the engine!), or take it out of the car and thaw gutters and frozen locks. A must-have winter tool for those of us in temps below zero.

58. Stanley 84-024 10-inch Bi-Material Groove Joint Pliers

Your basic adjustable pliers. Good quality, comfortable grips, and no fuss.

59. Stanley 84-058 4-Piece Pliers Set

This set plus the joint pliers above equals every pair of pliers any homeowner is likely to need. Set includes slip-joint, diagonal, linesman, and needle-nose pliers.

60. Toro Ultra 12 Amp Electric Blower/Vacuum #51599

It’s a leaf blower! It’s a shredder! It’s a hand vac! The all-in-one garage and yardwork power tool. Nifty.

61. Poulan Pro 18-Inch 4 HP Electric Chainsaw #PP400E

No one is going to give a cooler gift than you if you’re giving a chainsaw. This one’s small, lightweight, and portable, but packs a punch for its size. A great gift for landowners.

62. Coleman Cable 14/3 100-ft Hi-Visibility Low-Temperature Outdoor Extension Cord #02469

An insulated outdoor extension cord — good for Christmas lights and brand-new Christmas power tools alike.

63. Black and Decker WM425 Workmate 425 450 Pound Portable Work Bench

One adjustable bench becomes a solid plane, a sawhorse, or a vice as needed.

64. Makita LXT600 18-volt Lithium-Ion Cordless 6-Tool Combo Kit

All the power tools a man could want in one beefy bag. Hammer driver-drill, grinder, 6 1/2″ circular saw, reciprocating saw, flashlight, and portable charging system.

65. Leatherman 830039 New Wave Multitool

The Holy Grail of belt-worn multitools. Call it the “least likely to get tossed in a drawer and never used” option in its category. Every Boy Scout’s favorite.

Camping & Sport

66. KA-BAR Straight Edge Knife

If it’s good enough for the United States Marine Corps, it’s good enough for you. So tough there’s a whole genre of YouTube videos showing people trying to break theirs. Oorah.

67. SOG Tactical Tomahawk

Your all-in-one woods tool. Great for backpacking and long hunting trips. Tough enough to stand up to plenty of goofing around — throw it, smash things with it, whatever you want. Good fun.

68. Teton Sports Mammoth Queen Size Flannel Lined Sleeping Bag

Room enough for two at 94″ x 62″. A serious bag, rated down to zero degrees Fahrenheit, with a mummy-style hood and side baffles to keep out drafts. Great for family camping – my wife even approved of it

69. KEEN Targhee II Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot

A mid-weight hiking boot perfect for family camping and day hiking. The protection of a trail boot without the weight of more serious backpacking gear. Great for the casual outdoorsman and family camper. As an added bonus, they make serviceable winter boots for the first few inches of snow.

70. Zip Stick Retractable Lip Balm Holder

It clips to your zipper, and it holds your lip balm there. The retractable cord keeps it connected to the zipper while you use it. If it sounds goofy, you don’t do enough winter sports.  Great for kids too!

71. Coleman Red Canyon 17-Foot by 10-Foot 8-Person Modified Dome Tent

Your go-to family camping tent. Take that “eight person” with a grain of salt — eight is doable, but it’ll get tight. My family used this tent over the summer and it stood up to multiple rainstorms in the Black Hills & Rushmore National Park!

72. Coleman LED Quad Lantern

An absolute beast of a camping lantern. Each of the four sides is its own removable lighting panel, which holds about an hour and a half of charge (drawn from the eight D cell batteries that power the central column). Very cool design. A bit of a battery hog, though, so maybe throw in some rechargeable D cells when you give it as a gift.

73. Coghlans Tick Remover

An large pincer with a strong grip — great for snagging a tick and pulling it straight out with no twisting or squishing. Very kid and pet friendly, with less pinching than tweezers or needle-nose pliers.

74. Pearl iZUMi Men’s Elite Barrier Convertible Jacket

An incredibly lightweight and flexible windshell designed with biking in mind. Close-fitted, breathable, and “convertible” from jacket to vest with zip-off sleeves. Includes a back pocket large enough for U-bolt style locks. Exactly what the biker in your life needs, for fun or for commuting.

75. CatEye LED Headlight/Taillight Combo

One is good; both are better. AAA battery powered bike lights with powerful LED lights and long battery life. If you’re looking for bike-themed gifts but don’t do much biking yourself, trust us when we say this matched set makes a good starting place.

76. Kryptonite Kryptolock Series 2 U-Lock with Bracket and 4-Foot Flex Cable

Locking your bike up safely is a production these days. Really nice bikes need at least two or three locks to secure both the frame and the wheels. Upgrade someone’s security with this set: a beastly-thick U-bolt with a mounting bracket and a 4-foot steel cable. No one’s getting that bike without a lot of work.

77. JiMarti TR22 Sport Wrap Sunglasses with TR90 Unbreakable Frame

For sport, not for style — but they’ll look pretty sharp with someone’s activewear anyway. Multilayer lenses are anti-scratch, anti-fog, and anti-glare, paired with an unbreakable, flexible frame.

78. OXO Good Grips LiquiSeal Travel Mug

If someone you know needs a travel mug, get them this one. Simple, sturdy, and to the point, with no kitschy logos on the side. Can be sealed and unsealed one-handed, making it convenient for commuters.

79. Aero Sport All-Terrain Queen Bed

An inflatable mattress big enough for two (or even two plus a couple of small kids, in a pinch). Makes camping much more comfortable for everyone, and it makes a handy guest bed in a pinch as well.

80. Carol Davis Sportswear

A great American company making a great American product. Serious under-layers for prolonged outdoor activity in cold weather. Think UnderArmour, but more intense.

 

Computer & Electronics

81. Fujitsu SnapScan iX500 Document Scanner

If you’ve been telling yourself for years that you’re going to finally go paperless, this is your starting point. FAST, double-sided scanning that saves straight to your computer, or to cloud storage services like Evernote, Dropbox, and Google Drive. Documents can be saved directly as PDF, searchable PDF, JPEG, or Microsoft Office formats like Word .doc and Excel .xls  I love this scanner!

 

82. SanDisk Sansa Clip+ 4 GB MP3 Player

Just the basics: a small, lightweight MP3 player with plenty of storage space and a microSD slot for expanded memory. Great for runners, business travelers, and anyone else who prizes storage space and battery life over media features. It’s not the latest and fanciest iPod, and that’s because it’s not trying to be. As an added bonus, mine survived an accidental trip through the washer and dryer, so you know it’s sturdy…

83. ChargerCity Smartphone Tripod Adapter Kit

A one-step adapter for tripods to make them smartphone-compatible. Works with any standard tripod (1/4-20 connection). Adjusts to fit different brands and models, including iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones.

84. Tiffen 72mm UV Protection Filter

A simple, lightweight filter you can leave on your camera at all times. Filters out UV light, reducing wash-out and blue tint, especially on shots taken at high altitude or across water. As an added bonus, it provides an additional layer of protection between the lens and any dirt, grit, and moisture.

85. Snugg iPad Case with Flip Stand Cover and Elastic Hand Strap

A simple, sturdy case that flips open to make a stand for an iPad. Wakes the iPad up when it opens and puts it to sleep when it closes. Comes with a stylus loop and an elastic hand strap for comfortable holding. Available in different sizes for all models, including the Mini and Mini 2. If you know anyone who still carries his or her iPad “naked,” here’s their gift for the year.

86. Nikon 18-200mm Telephoto Zoom Lens

The glass is where it’s at, and this one brings business. A basic Nikon camera body plus this baby equals good photos, all the time. Forget lugging around dozens of speciality lenses. This one will make most hobby photographers happy than any number of specialized options.

87. Koss “The Plug” In-Ear Headphones

Nice, basic ear bud headphones with impressive sound quality for their price range. Great for anyone’s music on the go needs.

88. Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone

Anyone who’s seriously into audio production already owns his own industrial-quality mic. For everyone else, this is the one to give as a gift. A simple plug-and-play interface pairs with high-quality construction for a seriously smooth recording experience.

89. Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920

Mounts on top of the computer, replacing the tiny little built-in thing forever. 1080p, HD, internal mix, zoom capable — it’ll change a friend’s webcasts forever.

90. AmazonBasics Wireless Remote Control for Nikon DSLR

A neat little accessory for the Nikon family of DSLR cameras. Wireless remote control works great for group photos and multiple exposures over time, or for setting up “photo booths” for parties and events.

91. Kindle WiFi with 6″ E-Ink Display E-Book Reader

Any Kindle makes a great gift. This is still one of our favorite styles. But really, take your pick.

92. APC Back-UPS ES 8 Outlet

Know any guys with tangled clusters of chained-together extension cords lurking behind their computers? Get them this one, massive uninterrupted power source, and simplify their life forever — as well as saving them from data loss power interruptions.

93. TrippLite TLP1008TELTV 10 Outlet Surge Protector

Lots of outlets with plenty of space between them. Just what every home entertainment system needs.

 

Kids Games & Toys

94. Melissa & Doug My First Temporary Tattoos Set

Kid-safe temporary tattoos in a variety of designs. A great, affordable stocking stuffer from a trusted toy company. Keeps ‘em busy on Christmas morning!

95. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0092PWN72/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B

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