Some folks are easy to shop for. They drop strong hints or create wishlists so people have at least a basic idea of where to start looking for holiday gifting. Other people, more specifically men, rarely make it that simple and finding out what they want is like pulling teeth.
With that in mind, we surveyed guys we know (ages ranging from 24 to 74) to find out what gifts they’re hoping to unwrap this year. From budget-friendly to big ticket splurges, hopefully this list helps you find the perfect present for the fellas in your life who aren’t offering any guidance.
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Shopping writer Tessa Flores's father, Eliazar Flores has always loved New Balance's classic 574s, and often asks for a new pair during gifting holidays. When asked what he likes about the sneaks, Eliazar Flores said they're good for the gym, work or everyday wear, are a nod to his style in the '80s and are one of the only tennis shoes that work with his short, wide feet.
Today, 574s feature an ultra-comfortable soft foam midsole, come in a wide range of color options in men's sizes 4-18 with wide and X-wide options.
Flores also endorses this beard oil by Jack Black, as a nice grooming gift a dad may not get for himself. This nourishing formula contains a blend of vitamin E and Kalahari melon oil to tame coarse beard strands and hydrate skin.
"It's not exactly something that can be wrapped and left under the tree, but I really want to try one of those home delivery butcher shops. I love a good steak dinner, but I don't often have time to get to my local butcher to make it at home. I know people who swear by those meat delivery brands." — Ross, 29
Certified Piedmontese has special holiday-themed boxes including the Frasier Fir, which contains two 10oz. New York strips, four 8oz. flat iron steaks and four packages of 80% lean ground beef (all grass-fed.)
Brandon Jenkins, a professional muralist who frequently paints outdoors says Carhartt's line of Rain Defender jackets are great for anyone who works outside or spends a lot of time outdoors. If he could, he would ask for one in every version, ranging from heavily insulated jackets to lightweight hooded windbreakers. "They are just really functional and great quality," he said.
This particular rain jacket is moderately insulated for partly cold conditions and features a water-repellent coating that will keep your guy completely dry in rain or snow. The relaxed and non-bulky fit means it's easy to move in, and it comes in six colors and sizes S-3XL as well as tall sizing.
"I went to a game night where my friend had one of those lights that let you change the colors with your phone. It would be nice to have one of those for my bathroom when I get up in the middle of the night and don't want to turn on the aggressive overhead lighting." — Brian, 42
This tiny plug-in option from Enbrighten projects customizable color waves and has sensors to turn on at dusk and off at dawn.
"I always look forward to unwrapping a new bottle of cologne at Christmas and then wearing it throughout the new year. Now that I have a bit of a collection, I've been on the lookout for something different that really stands out. I also love when the bottle itself is nice enough to display on my dresser."— Dwight, 40
Memo Paris does so many interesting things with not only their fragrances, but also the artwork on their bottles. African Leather is a top-seller for them and a splurge-worthy scent bound to become the pride of his collection.
Jenkins, who frequently paints outdoors, said he really wants this job site coffee maker by Makita, a power tool brand that he touts as "one of the best." It's powered by the same rechargeable batteries that operate your favorite Makita power tools and brews up to three cups of coffee at once, without the need for single-use paper filters.
"It's something that's not only functional but really cool and it can save money in the long run because I wouldn't have to run to a coffee shop while on a job site," Jenkins said.
Ruane's friend Mary Guerin says her husband cited Vuori as a favorite brand for athleisure. We found these bestselling under-$100 joggers that offer a moisture-wicking four-way stretch fabric crafted from recycled polyester. Over 8,000 reviewers have awarded these comfy pants a 4.8-star rating.
"When we were all in quarantine I got really into trying out different at-home workout options. I got really into one called "Ring Fit Adventure" on Nintendo Switch. Since then, I have played all of their exercise-focused games and love the "Fitness Boxing" series. They're really fun rhythm games and "Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer" builds on everything I enjoyed about the previous installments. I'm hoping someone I know reads this and gets that for me." — Jacob, 37
Shopping manager editor Emily Ruane's brother-in-law, Matt M., is asking for a Hamilton Beach food processor that was recommended in one of his favorite cookbooks. "My sister has it and loves it,” he added.
Ruane’s brother-in-law also recommends gifting the athletic tapered pants from Banana Republic. "[They're] thicker than slacks and can go formal or casual," he said, adding that a pair usually lasts him two years.
We found this impressively rated 3D printer from Amazon; it's an item also inspired by Melanie Gray, a member of the HuffPost's Parents Facebook page's husband's wish list. The brand claims it takes just two hours to assemble, has the ability to resume a printing job even after an interruption and features an updated extruder component that's less likely to clog.
Ruane's husband Chris Grosso always asks for the classic Carhartt pocket tee, a closet staple for over a decade. "His shirts get more wear and tear these days, cooking for and taking care of two little kids, so I think he'll be delighted to unwrap a few new ones," she said.
Shopping writer Lourdes Avila Uribe's dad, Fernando Uribe, is asking for cashmere socks to keep his feet warm this winter. They're a little more indulgent that a basic crew sock and can make for a great present.
It wouldn't be a dad gift guide is there wasn't a mention of a nice new sweater. No less than six of my friends said their dads ask for sweaters every winter, with one saying, "Dads are bad at buying their own." Uribe runs cold, and this year (like every other year) is also asking for a nice cashmere sweater like this one from J.Crew.
Audience editor Abigail Williams' husband is asking for these low-profile leather Nike sneakers, which are sharp enough to dress up with slacks and a sweater but still casual enough to wear with jeans and a T-shirt.
Williams says her husband likes Bombas socks made from moisture-wicking merino wool, an anti-microbial material that naturally regulates temperature and keeps feet from getting funky.
Williams' husband is also eyeing this incredibly stylish Igloo cooler that comes in a ton of vintage-inspired colors, can stand on its own and has a woven, adjustable easy carrying strap.
HuffPost Shopping friend Rosie Carlson's father is adding more activity into his life and wants to get started with pickleball lessons. Surely he'll need a set of paddles and some other starter equipment to get into the game.
Michelson also recommended a pair of convertible mittens. "They keep your hands toastier than gloves and instantly allow you the dexterity you need to use your phone (or do any number of other things) without fully removing them," he said. This pair that we found on Amazon is made for ice fisherman, so it would be a great option for anyone in chilly climates.
A friend's dad who preferred to remain anonymous asked for a coffee thermos, but explicitly wants something huge and non-fussy. Bubba cups are a time-honored classic that will hold close to the whole pot of coffee and are nearly impossible to break.
Game night advocates may appreciate this adult version of Telestrations, a gift Noah Michelson, head of HuffPost Personal recommends this adult version of Telestrations. Michelson said he recently purchased for a fried. "It's so fun and stupid in the best way possible," he said.
An interactive game that relies on miscommunication, poorly drawn sketches and hilarious guesses, Telestrations After Dark promises to be endlessly entertaining and perfectly crass.
Grosso also has his eye on this smart wine fridge. It’s equipped with reversible racks that can be re-arranged to accommodate bottles and beverages of all shapes and sizes, and temperature zones powered by the same compression technology that’s found in Sub Zero refrigerators. The triple-thick reeded glass door is both attractive and functional, providing added insulation and diffusing any incoming light, protecting the contents of bottles.
“I like that they seem to have engineered it so that it doesn't rattle the way most wine fridges do, and it looks nice enough to blend in with your dining room decor,” he said. “If you’re going to serve wine, you might as well serve it at the right temperature.”
The appliance also promises to run quietly, something that’s hard to find in a cheaper model. “Lesser fridges can be extremely noisy, which is something you definitely don't want in an area where you’re hanging out,” Grosso said.
"All I want to wear these days is a matching sweat shirt and sweat pant set, especially when I'm traveling. A sweat suit offers a clean, put-together look and it's always going to be exponentially more comfortable than just about anything else I can pull out of my closet. Right now, I'm loving the Gap's vintage soft hoodies and joggers. They come in a bunch of colors that you can mix and match, and they're great as separates too." — Noah, 46
Gap customers are hooked on these sweats, with some reviewers even admitting they bought sets in every color.
"I don't have a need for a lot of things, but I love getting texts of pictures of my grandkids. As much as I like looking at them on my phone, it would be nice to hang some of them up in my house. I'm hoping my kids might read this and know to give me framed photos to put up on the walls." — Michael, 74
There's a huge selection of custom photo printing options from Printique, but the photo tiles can be arranged and then easily switched around on your wall as needed without using a hammer and nails. They're available in six size options for various space needs.
"The item I want is an external multi-media player that can plug into my current laptop. Media storage has changed many times over the years from CD-ROM, zip disks, DVD-RW and SmartCards just to name a few. Those items contain so many memories of my family that I would love to have saved on my current computer. Being able to do that and relive those memories this holiday season would be a wonderful gift for me." — Russell, 53
This budget-friendly option is easy to travel with and also has the ability to burn CDs and DVDs.
Clip the coupon for an extra 10% off at checkout before the deal ends.
"More than anything, I really need new luggage. I'm trying to avoid checking bags at all cost when I travel, so I'm looking for a durable carry-on. I have been trying to cram all of my clothes into a backpack, but it doesn't do the trick for trips longer than a weekend." — Jesse, 41
The Monos Carry-On Pro meets the requirements for most major airlines and is worth every penny for a frequent traveler.
HuffPost Shopping friend Clark, who's in his early 30s, recently gifted his dad a Google Nest so he can watch the news as he's making dinner. It's a user-friendly home tech item that doesn't totally break the bank and could be great for other news lovers or multitaskers.
"I have one of those cheaper record players but recently learned that they can actually be bad for the vinyl, so I'm ready for an upgrade. Online research led me to this Electrohome option, which will be really awesome if I get it because I'll have an excuse to bust out my old high school CD collection as well." — Jack, 36
The Electrohome Kingston 7-in-1 record player has a turntable, CD player, AM/FM radio, Bluetooth as well as AUX and USB ports. It also comes with a remote control. Get it in three natural colors including black, walnut and cherry.
"I bought a cheapo Nakiri on Amazon a couple years ago. I love it. I’ve secretly wanted an upgrade but can’t really justify it. So if one were to show up as a gift (hint, hint) I wouldn’t mind!" — Ryan, 37
Reviewers love Shun's all-purpose knife for being comfortable to hold and razor-sharp for maximum precision.
"This might sound boring, but every year I just want the basics: underwear and socks. I usually get myself packs from Costco and Target, but I look forward to trying out fancier brands that I get from my family for Christmas." — Brett, 40
Mack Weldon's underwear has amassed a bit of a cult following and their ultra-soft 18-hour Jersey boxer briefs are bestsellers for good reason.
"I'm cooking more at home — and making more of a mess. I like the design of Hedley & Bennett aprons and hope they can help keep my clothes clean while I use every utensil in the kitchen." — Christian, 44
Each Hedley & Bennett Essential apron is handcrafted and tested for durability and mobility.
"I’ve been in the market for a solid pair of headphones after constantly fretting about my earbuds falling out while I hike. I'm going back to the on-ear style and narrowed my search down to a few brands. I used to have a pair of Skullcandy headphones that lasted me a while, so I'm leaning toward trying them again with one of their recent offerings." — Usman, 38
With a battery life of up to 60 hours, the Skullcandy Icon ANC model is a real crowd-pleaser for anyone looking for a pair of wireless on-ear headphones with noise cancelling capabilities.
"I’ve searched high and low for the perfect water bottle. One that's big enough and doesn’t leak as I bring it with me on all of my travels." — Stephen, 45
Orca's Hydra model promises to keep icy beverages cool for up to 24 hours and has a silicone grip for easy handling on the go.
"I got a fully remote job this year and I'm trying to build out my home office set up. The trackpad and keyboard on my work laptop isn't ideal, so a wireless keyboard and mouse would really help me." — Aaron, 34
Logitech's POP Icon Combo includes a Bluetooth-enabled keyboard and mouse. They can connect to up to 3 devices and the keyboard has a row of shortcuts to toggle between your favorite apps.
"I've been doing a side hustle of selling 3D prints and been making videos of my models, this gimbal is made for filming with your iPhone to get those cinematic looking smooth shots. Hopefully it goes on sale on the holidays." — Chris, 44
The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 utilizes ActiveTrack 5.0 for more stable shooting over longer distances and easily accessible joystick controls on the handle.
"My job has us back in the office full time, which means I'm in a suit every day. I have like 100 ties to switch up my look and I have been thinking about getting cufflinks to step things up when I have important meetings or events." — James, 29
This affordable gift set includes silver cufflinks with a matching tie bar.
"I'm excited that my son is getting to an age where I can introduce him to video games. I could use another controller for my Xbox. There's one I have my eye on that lights up while you play. I'll be happy with anything but that looks really cool." — Wahib, 41
PowerA is one of the most trusted brands for gaming accessories and their Fusion Pro wireless controller offers up to 30 hours of gameplay on a single charge.
"People who go to raves know there’s some very unique kinds clothes you see people wearing. For me, my favorites are shirts made of breathable material and the jerseys people wear representing their favorite artists. I especially love finding shirts that show off some of my other favorite hobbies, like that I’m a huge Star Wars nerd. I would love to get a nice button down or a jersey that shows off some of my favorite characters or franchises. Something I could get excited about when putting on, and might even attract conversation from other people I run into who are also fans of whatever’s on the shirt." — Josh, 25
Reviewers say this cotton "Star Wars" Vader jersey isn't too heavy or lightweight and the reference to the iconic movie character is bound to inspire conversation with other fans.
"I got really into puzzles and model-building again back in 2020 and it continues to be the hobby that helps me relax and tune out the world. I've done a few of the bigger Lego sets and enjoyed the challenge. There are newer offerings, like this pixelated Mario and Yoshi set, which have parts that move. That's what I'm hoping to do in that slow week between Christmas and New Year's." — Marcin, 41
The Nintendo x Lego Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi is 1,215 pieces and has a crank at the base to animate the model.
"I’ve been wanting a projector for a while now and there's one by NexiGo that seems to be one of the better options out there. The picture quality and portability on it seem perfect for everything I need, from hosting a movie night to projecting on a wall or canvas for art projects." — Francisco, 37
Customers love the crisp and clean images from NexiGo's PJ40 projector and are impressed by its surprisingly powerful built-in speakers. Clip the on-page coupon for an extra $40 savings at checkout.
"Growing up in Ventersdorp, South Africa on a farm I'd watch my father make our favorite sausages during the holidays and now that i have a family of my own i'd like to do the same." — Jean-Claude, 31
With nearly 4,000 5-star reviews, STX's Turboforce 3000 is a solid choice for a home cook in search of a grinder that's easy to use for making sausages and beyond. Another bonus: It's meant for easy cleaning! This one comes with a foot pedal but there's also a design that comes without it if that's not a must-have for you and you want to spend slightly less.
Cameo is a website offering short personalized video messages from well-known celebrities. Buying one is a winning gift, according to Monika Porch, a reader of the HuffPost Women Facebook page.
"My dad is a massive fan of the show MASH," she explained. "...He just rewatches over and over again. I got him a Cameo from Jamie Farr and he was over the moon. I revealed I had been debating between Jamie and Loretta Swit and he asked if I could get him a Cameo from her as well. Both actors were very kind and Jamie even showed off some of his MASH memorabilia and now my dad has the biggest street cred in his retirement community and shows it off constantly to people."
Grosso would also be happy to receive this 7-inch hollow-ground santoku knife from Shun. “This is a really good multifunctional knife for chopping vegetables and carving meat,” he said. “[It’s] highly functional and very stylish.” Made in Japan, this knife-cleaver hybrid has a sturdy handle made from a wood-resin composite material and a sharply tapered blade that’s layered with 34 ultra-thin sheets of stainless steel.
Another genius suggestion from Guerin is a gift card to Framebridge, a startup that specializes in both mail-order and in-person framing. (There are a number of locations throughout major cities on the Eastern seaboard.) The brand’s website is overflowing with inspiration, and they also offer design services.
