Men Are Hard to Shop for, so I Asked InStyle Editors for the Best Gifts for Him

Kaelin Dodge
·4 min read

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Dads, brothers, husbands, and sons will love these 25 holiday gifts.

Todd Snyder, Nordstrom, Fossil

Todd Snyder, Nordstrom, Fossil

Finding a gift for my mom, sister, and girlfriends is never an issue; as a shopping editor, I’ve tried it all and typically know exactly what each of them needs. But when it comes to the men in my life, I sometimes struggle to find that perfect gift. Sorry, but they’re hard to shop for.

So this year, I crowdsourced, asking InStyle editors what winning items they’ve gifted to men and what they’re buying this year. Below, shop the 25 items we’re buying for husbands, boyfriends, fathers, and brothers, starting at $28.

Best Gifts Under $100

Finding affordable gifts that don’t suck can be hard, but these six are all under $100. Last year, I decided to upgrade my boyfriend’s bathrobe, and got him this monogrammed one from Lands’ End—it’s one of those little luxuries you don’t typically think to treat yourself to. Another editor recommended Sephora’s cologne sampler. It comes with 11 samples of the retailer's most popular fragrances and a voucher for a full-size bottle of their favorite. She also said she’ll be grabbing her brother the bonsai tree from Lego’s botanical collection, explaining that he’s loved “Legos since he was a child.” This nostalgic gift gives him an opportunity to play (something everyone’s inner child deserves), but the end result is a beautiful design he’ll actually want to display.

Land's End

Land's End

LEGO

LEGO

Other affordable gifts include a classic pair of PJ pants from Gap, comfortable compression socks (my dad is obsessed with these), and a stylish ballcap from Polo Ralph Lauren.

Comrad

Comrad

Shop Bop

Shop Bop

Best Fashion Gifts

A number of editors are using the holidays to upgrade wardrobe basics: Lululemon’s thick hoodie and Bombas’s Premium Weigh T-Shirt Pack both made the list. My boyfriend—who already owns three of Todd Snyder’s classic Donegal Crewneck Sweater—asked for another.

lululemon

lululemon

Todd Snyder

Todd Snyder

Another fashion editor told me her husband loves Beckett Simonon’s Preston Chelsea Boots, so she’s grabbing him a new colorway, and you can’t go wrong getting a flip-flop dad some Birkenstock Boston clogs. But if the man in your life likes more elegant things, consider this timeless watch from Fossil.

Zappos

Zappos

Fossil

Fossil

Best Self Care and Beauty Gifts

The holidays are the perfect time to introduce men to new self-care and beauty treatments. You’ve been thinking he could use beard oil? Add this $28 option to his stocking. And if he’s always complaining about aches and/or dedicated to his workout routine, TheraGun’s massage gun might be a game-changer.

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Editors also told me the beauty essentials their men asked for, which include the Manscaped Head Shaver—it offers a very close shave—this electric flosser, and Byredo’s famous Mojave Ghost Eau de Parfum. The unisex fragrance has been on one boyfriend’s “wishlist for months,” so while our editor “plans on gifting it to him,” she notes she’ll “be getting [her] fair share of sprays from it.”

Amazon

Amazon

Nordstrom

Nordstrom

Best Home and Tech Gifts

There were also a few home, tech, and miscellaneous items that made the cut. One editor who gave Dagne Dover’s practical and sleek carryall bag to her brother-in-law last year said that it was such a hit, she’s now grabbing one for her dad and brother. Another said she’ll be grabbing this machine that’s “basically a Keurig for cocktails.”

Nordstrom

Nordstrom

Amazon

Amazon

Other suggestions include this portable projector, which is great for outdoor movie nights and apartments, Marshall’s waterproof bluetooth speaker, and this beautiful whiskey set, which comes with a decanter and two glasses.

Neiman Marcus

Neiman Marcus

Nordstrom

Nordstrom

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