Today’s post title is brought to you by the opening lines of Frosty the Snowman (he of the silk hat, corncob pipe, and button nose) – and a whole lot of stylish gift ideas. As I was crafting my gift guides this year, it became clear that – surprisingly or not – there are more gift ideas than ever for men who really care about style. What that means can be read a few different ways. There’s men who like to spend a little extra effort (and money) on grooming products, there’s guys who actually appreciate a well-made pair of shoes, and there’s others who simply have an eye for design; with a pleasing aesthetic that carries through various aspects of their life. Today’s gift guide is for ‘that guy’ – the one who actually treasures the finer things in life. And before you think this gift guide isn’t for you ladies? Trust me – there’s a few items on this list you’ll covet just as hard.
Nadia Lloyd Beanies – $45-$49
I featured Nadia Lloyd’s art print scarves the other week, but I wanted to also highlight her unisex beanies for a great gift for men (or let’s be honest, ladies too). Available in a range of prints and styles – including an amazing Toronto skyline print – these beanies can be customized for how you plan to wear it. Go for a lightweight bamboo fabric if it’s just for fashion, or add in a heavy cotton lining to stay warm this winter. Unique, stylish, and full of Canadian pride, I *love* this gift idea for any man, woman, or even child!
Always Bearded Products – From $6 USD
It’s almost Decembeard (the distant cousin to Movember), but the reality is, more men are rocking facial hair than we’ve seen in the last few decades. Always Bearded is a proudly Canadian brand that specializes in beard care products, including beard balms, mustache wax, shower soap, and their signature house blend beard oils. Plus they’ve got all the tools you could ever need, from scissors and combs to dopp kits for transporting your beard products. The idea? Keep that scruff looking clean, trimmed, and ultimately well-manicured. I had a bearded fellow in my world try it out, and he was simply raving about the quality. The price points are great too – you can nab one or two items for a stocking stuffer, or buy a gift set.
Mule Ties – From $29.99
Built by the dynamic husband and wife duo of Terry and Monica out of Calgary, Mule Ties specializes in creating accessories for both men and women, including bow ties, neck ties, watches, jewelry, socks, and pocket squares. I zeroed in on their ties and bow ties for their bright, colourful designs that make this classic accessory feel modern again. And yes, they even have some holiday styles that are the polar opposite of cheese. From a rustic candy cane-coloured evergreen print tie (also available in a cool blue colour palette) to a dapper red tie that’ll make you look twice to see the print, you can also just pick up one of their regular red tie designs for a more subtle way to dress for the holidays. A tie may be a traditional men’s gift – but with Mule Ties it’s truly anything but. Don’t forget to check out some of their affordable extras for stocking stuffers – like this cool wooden lapel pin!
InCase Slim Sleeve for MacBook Air 13″ – $69.99 @ Best Buy
Aesthetes will tell you that their tech is just as critical as their outfit when it comes to looking good. That’s why Apple’s resurgence in the 00s was largely tied to the designer set, who appreciated the balance of pretty and practical in their tech. Today, there’s a whole design culture around what your tech is toted in, and InCase is there for it. Their slim sleeve laptop cases have a sharp, minimalist profile and come in neutral colors that are right on point with both the actual MacBook colors and top trendy suit shades. Lined with a plush faux fur fabric, this laptop case will also keep his favorite laptop free from scratches and bumps, keeping that pristine silver finish for way longer.
MYsock.ca Yearly Sock Subscription – $99.99
Guys don’t have a lot of opportunities to wear crazy prints and colours, but one place they’re known to have a little more fun with is their socks. MySock.ca makes it easier than ever to dress up your ankles with their cheerful, whimsical collection of socks that can be purchased a la carte – or sent right to your doorstep via a sock subscription. Designed in Winnipeg, these comfortable cotton-blend socks are great for the guy who wants to turn heads (when they catch a glimpse of their socks). From polka dots and stripes to argyle and checks, he’ll love opening up a package each month in the mail!
Leather Textile Dog Leash – $48 USD @ El Mercado Peru
Man’s best friend better be just as well dressed as his owner if he has anything to say about it. I featured El Mercado Peru last week in another fun, fashionable post, but I couldn’t resist highlighting another cool gift idea from them that’s perfect for the dapper dog of a dapper guy. Made from traditional Peruvian textiles (seriously, that woven print is to die for) mixed with sturdy leather, this cool leash will have all the pups at the park asking where your pooch got his killer accessory. Want to up the style factor? Pick up the matching collar for a head-to-tail look!
Joe Fresh Men’s Shaker Knit Sweater + Plaid Sweater – $39 each
I was actually 100% torn for which sweater to highlight from Joe Fresh’s winter collection – so I’m sharing both of these cuddly picks with you! First, we have a chunky, fisherman-style sweater with a mixed knit fabric. It looks perfect layered under a lightweight jacket for running around town, plus it’ll actually keep him warm. Not into the shade I chose? It comes in four others. Second, I love this more dapper take on a way-trendy buffalo check print. It’s dressy enough he can wear it to work with a collared shirt, but it also makes a great cozy weekend sweater for laying back and playing video games.
A Life Well Played: My Stories by Arnold Palmer – $29.99
As I mentioned at the top of this post, not all of the gift ideas featured here are actual wearable things, but rather, speak to a lifestyle. Many stylish guys I know are into golf as well, as per it’s basically the ultimate leisure sport. Arnold Palmer was an icon in the golf world (he had a dang drink – iced tea and lemonade – named after him!) and his passing this fall makes this timely memoir all the more poignant. It’s not his first memoir actually – he’s published a few others dating back to 1999, plus a bunch of instructional titles – but the fact it’s his last gives it a certain gravitas. Divided into sections covering life on and off the green and filled with heartwarming insights of a life fully lived, this is a must-have pick for the dapper guy that would gladly sit and watch the Masters.
Carpenter Collection Wooden Watches – $150 USD each @ Analog Watch Co
You’ve seen wooden watches before sure, but have you seen ones like this? Everything about these minimalist chic watches makes my heart flutter – the smooth and flexible wooden cuff band (a signature feature), the simple faces, the contrasting wood body – it’s all. just. so. dreamy. In fact, these gorgeous watches are actually gender neutral and pretty much one of a kind. Each watch has its own finish based on the tree it’s made from, and the craftmanship involved is totally evident. Amazingly, each watch is over 80% biodegradable. Talk about getting closer to nature! Hint – if you buy one of these for him this holiday season (with free shipping), you can totally steal it for yourself when he’s not looking. Did I mention they’re also sold in a few stores across Canada? Check their stocklist for in-person locations in Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Toronto.
Believe it or not, this entire gift guide is actually up for grabs as part of my biggest giveaway of the season to date! Valued at almost $750, if you win, you’ll receive:
Nadia Lloyd Beanie
Always Bearded Essentials Pack
Mule Ties 2x Holiday Ties
InCase Slim Sleeve for Macbook Air
MYsock.ca Year-Long Sock Subscription
El Mercado Peru Leather-Textile Dog Leash
$100 Joe Fresh Gift Card
A Life Well Played by Arnold Palmer
Analog Watch Co Wooden Watch
Want to win it? Here’s how to enter for your chance to win, kids:
1) First off! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by December 3, 2016 telling me your favourite dapper guy gift ideas are that are featured in this post!
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around December 4, 2016 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry Opportunities:
Follow Nadia Lloyd on Instagram and either regram a photo or share a photo of your favourite beanie from the Nadia Lloyd website onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.
Follow Always Bearded on Instagram and either regram a photo or share a photo of your favourite product from the Always Bearded website onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.
Follow Mule Ties on Instagram and either regram a photo or share a photo of your favourite tie from the Mule Ties website onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.
Follow Erikson on Twitter for the latest news on their electronics brands and send out a Tweet that links back to this post and tags them + me (@cdngiftguide). Link back to your Tweet in a separate comment below.
Follow MYsock.ca on Instagram and either regram a photo or share a photo of your favourite tie from the Mule Ties website onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.
Follow El Mercado Peru on Instagram and either regram a photo or share a photo of your favourite gift idea for him from the El Mercado Peru website onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.
Follow Joe Fresh on Twitter and send out a Tweet that links back to this post and tags them + me (@cdngiftguide). Link back to your Tweet in a separate comment below.
Follow Raincoast Books on Instagram and either regram one of their photos or share a photo of A Life Well Played onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.
Follow Analog Watch Co. on Instagram and either regram one of their photos or share a photo of your favorite wooden watch of theirs onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.