Gift ideas: Hard To Shop For Husbands
I asked on Instagram who is the hardest person to shop for, and I FULLY expected in-laws to be at the top of the list. NOPE. It’s husbands. When it comes to men, even the ones we live with, it seems like we think they’re a mystery.
If your husband falls into the "hard to shop for" category and you're tired of the same old sports team paraphernalia, BBQ gear, and ties, worry not. I've tapped into the minds of some stellar men, including my husband Cap, Alan McNaron, and Ben Moon, to bring you a curated list that ditches the clichés and embraces the extraordinary.
WANT: Elevate His Macho Side
Good Tailgate Chair: Because comfort and style can coexist, especially during those pre-game celebrations. I personally have this rocking camping chair and will attest that I can’t keep my husband’s butt out of it when we go to the kids’ games.
Status Cooler: Upgrade his beverage-chilling game with a cooler that screams "I've got this." The YETI is the yes daddy of all coolers but this backpack cooler looks, well, cool, too!
Utility Apron: For the BBQ maestro or the garage guru, a utility apron is the stylish, hands-free accessory they never knew they needed. Cap has had this exact apron going on eight years now and uses it for all the things.
NEED: Socks and Beyond
Socks (Seriously, all men want socks!): The classic, can't-go-wrong option. Because who wouldn't appreciate a drawer full of cozy foot hugs? For Christmas, look for wool socks that offer a warranty. Yes, that’s a thing. Best bets: Darn Tough, SmartWool, and socks from Duluth Trading Company.
Nice Weekender Bag: For those spontaneous weekend getaways or business trips - a bag that's as stylish as it is practical. I got Cap the Half Day Duffle for Father’s Day last year and it was a hit. Check it out. It’s basically a transformer in bag form. There’s a similar bag that has great reviews on Amazon, too.
“Small, Bad Ass, Powerful Flashlight”: These were Alan’s exact words. I LOLed. I guess every man needs to channel his inner superhero occasionally. This one is under $20 and is 2000 lumens. Stock stuffer, perhaps?
WEAR: Upgraded Style
Heirloom Quality Boots: Elevate his shoe game with boots that don't just last a season but tell a story. I am partial to Nisolo because they’re ethically manufactured. I have an affiliate code that gets you $50 off. But if you have $500 to spend (hear me out!), may I recommend joining their 5 for 5 club? You pay $500 up front and you instantly get to choose one of anything off the website. For the next five years you’ll get to do that once every six months. That’s 10 pairs of shoes (or a nice leather bag) for $50, which is incredible. I got this last Christmas and gave Cap the Andres Boots. For my next code, I got myself the Ana Healed Chelsea Boots and footwear is covered for us both for the next five years.
Flannels Fit for Work: Flannels that seamlessly transition from weekend lumberjack to weekday boardroom. Avoid the red and black Brawny Man plaid. Wrangler makes great flannels as does Legendary Whitetails if you want to spend a little more.
White Sneakers: It’s time. White sneakers are such an easy way to turn a regular dad into a stylish dad. We love these gum sole Club Reeboks (Harry Styles wears these) but other great choices are Vejas and Stan Smith Adidas (get the classic green).
READ: Feed His Mind
Cool Professional Development Reads: Because who says professional growth can't be cool? Find reads that inspire and elevate his work life. Pictured: How I Built This by Guy Raz.
Spiritual Development: For the important moments, a book that nourishes the soul and encourages personal growth. Pictured: C.S. Lewis box set (and there’s more suggestions in this Amazon list).
Easy Non-Fiction: A gateway to knowledge without the heavy lifting. Think intriguing stories or fascinating facts. Pictured: The Day It Finally Happens by Mike Pearl.
PROCEED WITH CAUTION: Experiences. Only get him tickets to sporting events, concerts, or activities if you’re 100% sure he wants to go do that. Some guys prefer their shows or sports from the comfort of their own couch.
AVOID: neck ties, cutesy sentimental clothing (example: t-shirt with the kids handprints), and expensive gag gifts. It sounds funny to put your photo on a t-shirt but he might rather just have a gift card for that money.
GOOD GIFT CARDS:
Bespoke Post (the shop | see below for the subscription option)
Digital downloads - Xbox, Apple, etc.
His hardware store of choice if it’s not tied to a honey-do list
SUPER SUBSCRIPTIONS (the gift that keeps on giving):
Breo Box - quarterly tech box ordered through Amazon
Bespoke Post - the men’s box is the very coolest subscription service I have ever seen. I don’t even know if my description can do it justice. But basically you join for $50 / month and they’ll suggest a themed gift for you, made by a small brand. YOU GET TO SEE WHAT IT IS and if you don’t like it, you can skip it (and not pay $50 that month) or you can swap it for any of their other boxes (40+ options). The “boxes” are usually centered around one great item. You can join for $0 to take a look to see what I mean and my link will get you $20 off your first month.
Still stumped? Read How To Be The Best Gift Giver Ever to make sure you’ve not overlooking a simple solution. Happy gifting!
