a toy truck that has candy canes sticking out of the truck bed perched on a table with two candlesticks in the background
Christmas Gifts Marriage Seasonal

Gift Guide for Guys

It’s a week before Christmas, but judging by the lines at Target, I suspect you still need to go gift shopping for the men in your life. Let’s face it, men are difficult to buy for, and you probably only have a vague idea what to get him, or at worst, no clue. Hence the need for this handy Gift Guide for Guys.

We ladies usually have to buy gifts for several men– husband/significant others, Dads, brothers, and sons to name a few. Since little boys are pretty easy to buy for (hello, Legos!), we’ll skip that category and get right to the grown up ones. (Thanks to my husband, son-in-law, and various friends for posing for this post!)

Let’s just make lists for each:

For the Handyman:

Man sitting by Christmas tree holding a drill wants a tool apron, new tool box, or hand-held air compressor for his gift!

Gift cards: Home Depot, Lowe’s, or your local hardware store (I’m partial to Ace, because wherever I’ve lived, their service is always top notch!)

$50-$100:

Under $50:

Small gift/stocking stuffer:

  • a measuring tape because you need more than one, right? (It gets lost or you don’t want to go all the way to the garage or basement to get it!)
  • duct tape which now comes in so many patterns!
  • a small tool

For the runner:

Man stretching before a run would love cold weather running gear, a trigger-point foam roller, or nice wireless headphones for Christmas!

Gift cards: local runner’s store, or any athletic or shoe store

$50-$100:

  • cold weather running gear
  • new running shoes, as long as you know what he likes– good ones may still be at this price on sale
  • activity tracker like this one on sale right now

Under $50

Small gift/stocking stuffer:

For the gourmet:

This young man standing at a stove cooking would love a gift such as a new set of pots or a personal-size pizza stone.

Gift cards: Williams-Sonoma, nice local restaurant, gift certificate for cooking classes

$50-$100:

  • For the gourmet who is also a Star Wars fan: an instant pot that looks like R2D2!!!
  • a new set of pots (huge sale on these at Target!)
  • a panini press like this one on sale

Under $50

Small gift/Stocking Stuffer:

  • a bottle of hot sauce
  • Infused olive oil– there are stores now exclusively for that!
  • coffee from a local roaster
  • new, interesting kitchen utensil such as this flat whisk
  • chocolate-covered espresso beans–because who doesn’t love those?

For the Hiker:

two men with backpacks in the woods-- gifts suggested for this guy are things such as an insulated backpack, down jacket, or paracord bracelet

Gift cards: yearly pass to state parks, REI or local outdoor retailer, Cabella’s

$50-$100:

Under $50

Small gift/Stocking Stuffer:

  • eco-friendly water bottle
  • hydration tablets and lip balm from the runner, above
  • trail mix, of course!
  • a Bear Bell for those unwanted encounters!

For the Techie:

Man looking at smart phone next to a Christmas tree.  Among the gifts suggested for this type are noise-canceling headphones and a FitBit.

Gift cards: Best Buy, Amazon, Apple Store

$50-$100:

Under $50

  • Amazon Echo dot (aka “Alexa”) is on sale for half price!
  • a smart clock (on sale right now)
  • this tablet on sale right now as well

Small gift/Stocking Stuffer:

For the Artist:

Man painting with easel, depicting an artist.  The gift guide suggests a new easel, an art storage box, or a new sketch pad to name a few.

Gift cards: Local art store, Michael’s, Hobby Lobby

$50-$100:

Under $50

Small gift/Stocking Stuffer:

  • new paint brush(es)
  • new sketch pencils
  • calligraphy ink or paints

For the Intellectual:

Man sitting at desk smoking pipe and reading a book-- the gift guide suggests things such as an escape room experience or gift certificate to a local bookstore

Gift cards: Local book store, newspaper subscription, enrollment in a local class

$50-$100:

Under $50

  • wooden map of the world puzzle
  • wooden Sudoku game
  • escape room experience for 2

Small gift/Stocking Stuffer:

When you finally finish shopping for the men in your life, you can throw away your gift guide for guys and focus on enjoying the season. Merry Christmas!

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