5 Gifts for Men I Can Actually Recommend (Without Guessing)
- Jennifer DeWitt
- Nov 12
- 3 min read
I’ll be straight with you: I find men incredibly hard to buy for.
Not because men are complicated, but because I don’t speak golf, I can’t tell you what makes one grill better than another, and I have no opinion on whether someone needs a new multi-tool when they already own six.
So this year, instead of pretending I understand hobbies I don’t participate in, I’m sticking with what I know: quality items that get used constantly. Things I either own myself, have gifted successfully, or have heard my clients rave about so often that I made a mental note.
No guessing. No “I hope he likes this.” Just five things that work.
1. Bose QuietComfort Wireless Earbuds
I have a love/hate relationship with earbuds. Love them for allowing me to finish a podcast during a pedicure, hate them for becoming painful after five minutes. These are the first pair I’ve owned that I genuinely look forward to using, AND they are noise blocking!
If the man you’re shopping for takes calls, travels, works from home, goes to the gym, or exists in the world with noise, these will get used. Guaranteed.
2. Aspinal of London Slim Nylon Briefcase
I discovered Aspinal of London during a trip to London earlier this year and spent an unreasonable amount of time in their store. The quality, the craftsmanship, the fact that everything is designed to actually last made me an instant fan.
This briefcase is professional enough for client meetings but not so rigid that it looks out of place on a casual Friday. The nylon holds up better than leather for daily use, and the slim profile means it actually fits under an airplane seat without having to shove it.
For men who carry a laptop, files, or anything that needs to look organized, this works. And it’s the kind of piece that gets better with use, not worse.
3. Yeti Roadie 15 Hard Cooler
If you live anywhere near a college town, you know how important a quality cooler is for tailgating. In my family, we use it to transport groceries to and from long weekends at the lake.
Small enough to carry easily but big enough to actually be useful, the hard shell means it doubles as a seat (which sounds dumb until you’re at a tailgate with nowhere to sit and suddenly it’s genius). And it keeps ice frozen for an absurdly long time.
If he spends any time outside, at sporting events, camping, or just living in a place where heat exists, he’ll use this constantly.
4. Solo Stove Yukon 2.0 Fire Pit
This is one of those gifts that seems expensive until you realize how often it gets used.
I gave the Solo Stove to my dad a few Christmases ago, and it’s one of the things he uses most often. No smoke in your face (the design actually works), burns wood efficiently, and it’s substantial enough that it feels permanent without being impossible to move.
If he has a backyard, a patio, or any outdoor space, this transforms it. Whether fall nights, winter weekends, or spring evenings, it’ll get used year-round.
5. iPhone 17 Pro Case in Green Alligator
Everyone needs a phone case. Most people buy cheap ones that crack in three months.
This one is leather (actual leather, not the synthetic stuff that peels), looks better the more it’s used, and the green crocodile texture is distinctive without being loud. It’s the kind of thing that lets him show off his sartorial perspective without becoming a trend victim.
Practical, elevated, lasts forever. The trifecta!!!
The Full Guide
These are my top five, but the complete “For Him” guide has 20+ options across different price points and categories. Not everyone needs a fire pit, but everyone can find something there!
All of these are organized on my ShopMy storefront, which means you can:
Browse by category (person, vibe)
Save items to your wishlist and get alerts when they go on sale
Come back whenever you need to, without digging through old Instagram stories and blog posts
I’ll be updating these as we get closer to Black Friday, adding items as I find them, and removing anything that sells out or doesn’t meet my standards. By joining ShopMy and adding me to your circle, you’ll never have to hunt down the guides again. They’ll always be right there on your user page!
The difference between a good gift and a “thanks, I’ll find a place for this” gift is the way it can become part of their routine.
These suggestions? They become part of the routine.
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