Why is shopping for men so hard? Whether I’m shopping for my brother, husband, dad or father-in-law or even a guy friend, I always struggle to find the perfect gift. It’s funny because there is always so much the men in my life need and yet when it comes time to get them gifts, I always struggle. Maybe it’s because the men in my life make no qualms about showing their dissatisfaction with a bad gift, which both encourages me to strive harder to find the perfect gift and give up and give them something outrageous just to spite them. But after years of struggling, I’ve found some foolproof gifts that even if they don’t earn a huge “I love it” don’t end up hidden in a closet or being re-gifted the next year.
From top left:
Monogrammed Pocket Square (Also love this one and this one)
Nest Learning Thermostat (perfect if you’re always fighting over the perfect temp!)
Plus here are some more of my faves:
Andy always has loose change and random crap in his pockets. My mom got him this personalized carry-all a few years ago, and it’s been a lifesaver. He just throws everything in there and I don’t have to bitch about all the receipts, breath mints, and loose change all over the counters or in dangerous reach of baby or puppy paws.
This shoe-shine kit totally seems like one of those cliche gifts you find at the check-out line at places like Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn, but honestly, I know my husband would use this kit. I think he had one once upon a time. In NYC, you can always find a shoe-shine in the subway or train station, which is great if you have some time before your train, but when you really need a shine is before you’re heading to a wedding or event, and that’s why this kit is great. Sorry to generalize, but from my experience, guys don’t usually take that great of care of their stuff (at least mine don’t) but when they have cool tools to do so, they usually get invested in it. At least for five minutes on Christmas morning…
I know I already have slippers on the list, but Andy is obsessed with these UGG slippers. They’re so comfy and have hard treading at the bottom, so they can be worn outside. In fact, Andy once wore them to a wedding with a tux. (We weren’t dating at the time, don’t worry.)
Nice loungewear, weekend-wear, or active wear layers is always a useful gift. Patagonia seriously makes the best stuff ever and I love their commitment to the environment. I have the women’s version of this top and I love it.
What is it about blenders and dudes? IDK but they always seem to love them and this one is like the best blender ever, and it’s on sale now, so a great option if your guy is into smoothies and juices or just blending shit.
How cool are these tumblers? I just love how they look. They’re a great addition to a chic bar cart or den.
