It feels like every guide to the best gifts for men these days is just whiskey glasses and beard oil—because that’s what all men like, right? Wrong. To make your holiday shopping a little easier, we’ve gathered 55 of what we think are this year’s best gifts. We’re not trying to say that every inclusion on this list is going to be a perfect choice for everyone on your Nice List this year, but we do feel strongly that we’ve rounded up some of the smartest, coolest, and perhaps most surprising gifts for the guy in your life this holiday season. Here, you’ll find buzzworthy international favorites and social media darlings, as well as undiscovered gems from small businesses you may have never heard of—no whiskey glasses or beard oil in sight.
Need some more inspo? Check out Traveler’s Amazon Storefront for even more of our favorite travel gifts.
Find the best gifts for men by category:
For the foodie
Food is one of our favorite ways to experience travel. And if you’re not quite ready to gift someone a full evening at Eleven Madison Park, or a trip to sample authentic prosciutto di Parma straight off the bone in Italy, then the good news is that the marvels of modern packing and shipping have made some of the world’s tastiest foods closer than ever. A single-origin Spice Passport livens up tired airplane food anywhere. Flamingo Estate’s Instagram-famous tomato candles and olive oil feel particularly ripe for gifting this year. And if you aren’t able to snag a table for two at Carbone—store bought is absolutely fine.
For the frequent flier
At Condé Nast Traveler we spend a lot of time debating, researching, testing, and re-testing the best stuff when it comes to travel accessories, luggage, and more. If you’re looking for the best suitcase to buy your guy this season, look here. But if you’re looking for something a little different, or perhaps a little unusual that will absolutely rock his travel routine for years to come, check out some of the below. Dr. Dennis Gross’ peel pads are a cult favorite among skincare enthusiasts, and an effortless (read: dude-friendly) way to look refreshed and dewey after a red-eye. Small touches like a beautiful passport case or a capacious leather weekender are luxurious upgrades he’ll cherish forever. And in case of emergencies, a good old fashioned flask will more than do the trick.
For his closet
Clothes are a tough gift. Everybody is different, every body is different, and a lot of guys are just downright picky when it comes to what they get dressed in everyday. That being said, there are a few tricks of the trade to consider here—when gifting clothes, don’t go too big, too outré, or too outlandish. The secret is to select timeless, quintessential pieces that travel well, age well, and can be styled into any wardrobe. That’s how you’ll end up giving a gift that can find a home in literally any guy’s closet (or suitcase). Who could say no to a versatile, eco-friendly jean, or a quarter-zip sweater knit from recycled oyster shells? A quilted Barbour jacket looks as good in the West Village as it does in West Yorkshire. And a classic pair of folding Persol sunglasses works for beach vacations as they do for ski trips.
For the outdoors enthusiast
Lovers of the great outdoors are a funny bunch to shop for. They typically have all of their most treasured gear ready to go in their quiver already, so this is a demographic for whom you need to be on your A-game. Gifts for outdoorsy types need to be the newest of the new with smart details, category-leading engineering, and unassailable durability. Think a lightweight Norwegian cooler that keeps drinks cool without any ice (that’s right—no ice), or a rechargeable glow light that doubles as a mosquito repellent. Outdoorsy folks will say that they can never have too many puffy layer-type things (so go ahead and consider a puffer blanket, or the iconic Arc’teryx Atom Insulated Hoody), and if all else fails you can get them a beautiful Stanley bottle to keep their favorite (adult) beverages warm by the fire.
For the gadget geek
Here’s the thing about men: there’s a part of us that never really grows up, and will always appreciate having a new toy to play with. This category is for he who will appreciate a wild card gift and savor the element of surprise. A perfect pair of travel-sized binoculars made from the best optical-grade crystal in the world? Jackpot! A wearable tech bracelet to quantify how well (or not well) we’re pumping at the gym? Bingo! A bird feeder with a motion-sensing camera so you can get live updates on which winged friends are snacking in your backyard? Why not?
For the homebody
Home gifts for anyone can be a tricky gift to navigate—you really need to know a person to make an informed decision. But no matter what the recipient’s sense of style is, there are certain things that show you care and that can also belong in any home. In an age when photos live on our phones and are lost to the cloud forever, for instance, a custom acrylic photo block has a nice physicality to it. Beautiful linen sheets are always in style. A crisp-smelling candle from a small business in Hudson, NY warms up any space. And when in doubt, the flourish of a fabulous Brazilian jacquard hammock has the right air of whimsy to it to grace any bachelor pad.
For the self-care newbie
We hate to stereotype the genders—but a lot of self-care products out there are marketed more heavily towards women, leaving the average guy in the lurch! He may not know the benefits of investing in a Dr. Barbara Sturm skincare regimen, or how regular use of a sauna blanket can help improve sleep and recovery patterns, or that Athletic Greens’ enormously popular AG1 powder also comes in convenient travel-sized packs for on-the-go vitamin pick-me-ups. There’s a whole world of self-care products out there! Here we’ve gathered some of the best ones to kick start his journey—and sometimes all it takes is a pair of “Wicked Good” shearling slippers from L.L.Bean.
