Top 30 Gifts for Christmas gifts for him
3The Cannes Waffle Knit Robe - Albero
CNN Underscored picks this plush waffle-knit robe for the brother who will not compromise on style, even at home.
$139Dandy Del Mar
5The Vermonter | Leather Work Glove | Vermont Glove
Featured in Wirecutter's dad gift guide: hand-stitched goat-leather gloves made in Vermont, built to last for years.
$115.00Vermont Glove
7Theragun PRO | Professional-Grade Percussion Massage for Deep Relief
CNN Underscored picks the Theragun for brothers who train hard; a professional massage gun for post-workout recovery.
$529.99Therabody
9Small Hanging Toiletry Kit | Full Grain Leather Navy Blue
CNN Underscored recommends this leather hanging toiletry kit for brothers who travel; keeps a grooming routine tidy on the road.
$140.00Leatherology
11Game Boy™ 72046 | LEGO® Super Mario™ | Buy online at the Official LEGO® Shop US
CNN Underscored's nostalgic pick for a brother; a near-scale 421-piece Game Boy that is fun to build and display.
$59.99LEGO
13The Original Cashmere Crewneck Sweater Men's
CNN Underscored's classic winter gift for a brother; a soft everyday cashmere crewneck at a fair price.
$98.00Naadam
15Rover Pack | Classic and Versatile Backpack for Adventures
CNN Underscored's boyfriend guide recommends this small rucksack with a lifetime warranty for weekend getaways, day hikes and commutes.
$99.0Topo Designs
17Loop Dream™ | Earplugs for Sleeping & Side Sleepers
Rolling Stone picks these oval-tipped sleep earplugs for dads kept awake by street noise, a loud cat or plane engines.
$44.95Loop Earplugs
19The Ries Beauty Complete Essential Reusable Travel Size Set
CNN Underscored picks this refillable travel set of Ries grooming essentials; a tidy gift for anyone who travels with a bag of toiletries.
$78Ries
21Men's Hiker Quarter Midweight Hiking Socks
CNN Underscored picks these cushioned merino hiking socks for dads; they come with a lifetime warranty, so they suit a dad who walks a lot.
$23.00Darn Tough
25BONE (GRAY) | Zero Tube 10x25 Waterproof Monocular | Nocs Provisions
Named in CNN Underscored's dad gift guide; a pocket-sized waterproof monocular for dads who love hiking, birdwatching or match days.
$179.95Nocs Provisions
27CNN Underscored recommends a Framebridge frame for a first anniversary, to show a favourite photo or a piece of wedding stationery.
$75Framebridge
2950 Must-Read Books 1000-Piece Puzzle | Ridley's Games
A 1000-piece jigsaw of a bookshelf of classics, picked by CNN Underscored for readers who like a screen-free evening (for christmas-gift-ideas and book-gift-ide
$24.99Ridley's Games
2ER20XS | High Fidelity Earplugs - Standard
Reusable earplugs made for musicians that cut loudness evenly so music still sounds natural, a thoughtful gift for anyone who plays or goes to gigs (for stockin
$24.99Etymotic
4Buy PENDLETON CHESS AND CHECKERS SET for USD 37.50 | Pendleton
Wirecutter's dad gift guide pick: a canvas roll-up board with reversible pieces for chess or checkers that slips into a bag.
$37.50Pendleton
6Leaf Twig Razor & Thorn Razor | Single Edge Razor Single Blade Razor
CNN Underscored includes this single-edge razor bundle in its grooming gift picks; a reusable razor for someone who wants a closer, less wasteful shave.
$59.00Leaf Shave
8CNN Underscored picks this keyring-sized multi-tool for brothers; ten handy tools that fit in a pocket.
$34.99Gerber
10Soap Discovery Gift Set – 4 Soap Bars for Men
Featured by CNN Underscored in its grooming gifts; four different men's bar soaps so he can find his favourite scent.
$40.00Marlowe
12Backbone Pro Wireless Mobile Gaming Controller | Backbone
A CNN Underscored brother pick; a pro-grade phone controller for gaming on the go.
$169.99Backbone
14Men's OOahh Black Slide Sandal
CNN Underscored's boyfriend guide includes these recovery slides as a comfortable pick for after workouts or long days on his feet.
$59.95OOFOS
16Tech Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater | Mack Weldon
Cup of Jo suggests a pine green cashmere sweater for dad that he can toss in the wash, so it is luxe without being fussy.
$218.00Mack Weldon
18Kalastyle Swedish Dream Gnome Soap Swedish Pine | Boston General Store
A small stocking-filler bar of classic Swedish pine soap, which Cup of Jo recommends for dads who like a woodsy scent.
$12.00Boston General Store
20CNN Underscored's dad guide picks this steel flask; a well-made gift for a dad who enjoys a dram by the campfire or on the trail.
$129.00High Camp Flasks
22CNN Underscored recommends this Lodge skillet; a durable, affordable pan for a dad who loves cooking steaks or breakfasts.
$19.90Lodge
24Vintage Gino Tin Refreshing Formula for All Skin Types
CNN Underscored lists this retro tinned Italian shaving set for dads who like a proper wet shave; a good stocking-sized grooming gift.
$32Proraso
26A5 Snap Journal | Full Grain Leather, Timeless Journal Design, Leatherology Black Onyx
CNN Underscored lists it for a first anniversary: a full grain leather journal that suits paper-themed gifting and can be personalised with initials.
$100Leatherology
28Get Closer Conversation Game: Table Talk - Table Talk
CNN Underscored picks this deck of conversation prompts for getting to know friends better; a card game for couples that turns a night in into a proper catch up
$20Intelligent Change
30Folding Treadmill with Incline | Strol 2S Pro
CNN Underscored and Stuff both feature this folding walking treadmill; fits under a desk for someone who wants more steps without a gym.
$549.99Urevo
Why so many gifts for him miss the mark
A lot of Christmas shopping for men defaults to novelty because it feels safe. A joke gift cannot really disappoint, but it also cannot mean much, and most men end up with a small pile of them by January that never gets used again.
The better approach takes slightly more thought but is not actually harder. Notice what he already uses daily, what he has mentioned wanting, or what he keeps meaning to replace. Any of those beats a gimmick every time.
Buy from his interests, not his gender
If he has a clear interest, whether that is cooking, fitness, gaming, music or the outdoors, that tells you far more than any generic gift guide for men. A proper kitchen knife, decent running kit, a game he has mentioned, or good outdoor gear will land better than something chosen because it seemed like a typical gift for a man.
If you are not sure where his interests currently sit, look at how he actually spends a free Saturday. The answer usually points straight to a category of gift worth exploring.
When you know him well
For a partner, a close friend or a brother you know properly, use that knowledge rather than falling back on a safe default. An upgrade to something he uses constantly, such as his wallet, his headphones, his watch or his coffee setup, tends to be appreciated far more than it sounds on paper.
Shared experiences are also a strong option here: tickets to a match or a gig, a trip somewhere he has mentioned, or a class in something he has always meant to try give you something to look forward to together, not just another item in the house.
When you do not know him that well
Buying for a colleague, a newer friend, or someone you have not bought for before calls for something pleasant and low risk rather than personal. A good desk item, a nice food and drink set, quality socks or a well made accessory such as a card holder all work without guessing too much about his taste.
Skip anything that leans on stereotypes about what men like, since it tends to read as generic rather than considered, and avoid anything that assumes sizes or strong preferences you have not actually confirmed.
A more thoughtful gift for this year
A genuinely meaningful gift for him usually comes from specificity rather than expense. A watch engraved with a date that matters, a framed print of a place you have been together, or a handwritten note about what you appreciate about him will outlast almost anything bought off a generic list.
For a father or brother, a photo book of family memories or a print of a childhood home can also become the gift he keeps for years, long after anything wrapped in shiny paper.
Small extras worth adding
Good smaller additions include a quality bar of chocolate or a favorite drink, a proper pair of socks, a phone accessory he actually needs, a small tool he would use, or a book on a subject he is into. These work well tucked alongside a main gift rather than as the whole present.
If you are buying for several men in your life this Christmas, from a father to a brother to a friend, small personal touches like these are an easy way to make each gift feel specific to him rather than repeated from the same list.
Christmas gifts for him by budget
On a smaller budget, look at a good book on something he enjoys, quality socks, a nice bar of something he likes, or a small tool or accessory tied to a hobby.
In the middle range, consider headphones, a grooming set, a quality bag, or tickets to something you can do together.
For a bigger gift, think about a watch, a weekend away, a serious piece of kit for his main hobby, or tech he has been putting off buying for himself. When the gift he really wants stretches beyond one budget, splitting it with family or friends is a straightforward way to get him something properly good.
Skipping the guesswork this year
If working out what he actually wants has always meant a fair amount of guessing, make it easier on yourself. On HintDrop he can save things he likes from any shop to his own list as he spots them through the year, and the people who care about him can check it when Christmas comes round, so the gift stays a surprise on the day without being a shot in the dark.
Frequently asked questions
What are good Christmas gifts for him besides novelty items?
Start from an actual interest rather than a generic idea of what men like. Kit tied to his hobby, an upgrade to something he uses daily such as his wallet or headphones, or a shared experience will all beat a joke gift or gadget he will use once.
What is a good Christmas gift for a man you do not know well?
Keep it pleasant and useful rather than personal. A good desk item, a food and drink set, quality socks or a well made accessory work without assuming too much about his taste or size.
What is a meaningful Christmas gift idea for him?
Meaning comes from being specific to him. An engraved watch, a framed print of a place you have shared, a handwritten note about what you appreciate, or a photo book of family memories all carry more weight than an expensive but generic gift.
What are good stocking fillers for him?
Small treats and small practical items both work: good chocolate or a favorite drink, quality socks, a phone accessory he needs, a small tool tied to a hobby, or a book on a subject he enjoys.
How much should I spend on a Christmas gift for him?
There is no set amount that makes a gift right. A smaller gift chosen with real thought usually means more than a bigger one picked at the last minute, and sharing the cost of something bigger with family or friends is a sensible option when the ideal gift is out of reach alone.
Buying for a group this year? Draw names with our free Secret Santa generator: private emailed matches, a budget, and wishlists so nobody has to guess.
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