Valentine’s Day can befuddle the best of us. On top of the whole holiday serving as a dedicated relationship reminder (aka whether we have one or not), there’s an added tricky-gifting component too. It’s a February 14 shopping tradition that can become even further complicated when the Y-chromosomes in our lives aren’t longing for standard floral arrangements or heart-shaped chocolate boxes.
But! There’s no need for present drama in 2021 because we’ve got the dude-approved goods lined up right here to save you from last-minute gifting fiascos. Scroll on for our curated hit-list of creative gadgets to unique fashion finds and very cool grooming products that your main man (whether best bud, family member, or partner for life) will adore. And for those who are opting out of V-Day altogether, the 38 finds ahead are all still single-and-fabulous-approved.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team, but if you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Seinfeld George Costanza Valentine’s Card
If you and your partner like to keep things simple with a thoughtful card exchange, look to Etsy. After all, nothing says “romance” quite like George Costanza striking a sensual pose.
RinnyPrints George Costanza Valentines Day Card, $, available at Etsy
KULE X Monopoly Men’s Pass Go Socks
Pass go and collect a pair of socks your main Monopoly man will be jazzed to put on his feet.
Monopoly THE MEN’S PASS GO SOCK – WHITE, $, available at Kule
Cable Guys The Child Device Holder
This miniature Baby Yoda is perfectly sized to hold his gaming controller or iPhone — it also uses the Force to charge tech devices (okay, fine, a 6-ft micro USB cable).
Cable Guys The Child Device Holder, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Duke Cannon Beer & Bourbon Soap Box
Treat him to a toiletry lineup that will keep his top-shelf on brand. Duke Cannon’s epic bundle contains three bars of beer soap (a sandalwood-scented Busch Beer, citrus-woodsy IPA, and warm-cedarwood Budweiser) paired with one bar of bourbon soap (an oak-barrel-scented Buffalo Trace Bourbon).
Duke Cannon The Beer & Bourbon Box, $, available at Duke Cannon Supply Co.
Nixon X Metallica Time Teller Watch
Does he listen to heavy metal? Meet him halfway with a watch that SCREAMS style.
Metallica Time Teller Watch Black / Kill Em All, $, available at Nixon
Man Crates Jerky Heart
This year, say it with…beef jerky. If your man has a special place in his heart for dried, smoked meats, then this gift box will surely delight.
Man Crates Jerky Heart, $, available at Man Crates
The Daily High Club 80s Smoking Box
Bless your mans with one of 2021’s most wanted goods: an 80s-themed box of curated smoking essentials including everything from specialty rolling papers to rolling tips, premium matches, and a few other “goodies.”
The Daily High Club 80s Smoking Box, $, available at The Daily High Club
Tetra Valise Keychain
Additionally, for men who roll their own: this sleek and nifty keychain contains a hexagon-shaped interior chamber made to store his rolled smokes (big and small).
Tetra Valise Keychain, $, available at Tetra
Jean-Michell Basquiat Warner Bros UT Graphic T-Shirt
If you’ve recently turned one of his tees into one your favorite sleep shirts, gift him this incredibly rad graphic style from Uniqlo’s Warner Bros’ collab with legendary artist Basquiat.
Jean-Michel Basquiat Warner Bros. UT (SHORT-SLEEVE GRAPHIC T-SHIRT), $, available at Uniqlo
Beard Straightener Kit
Gift him the tool he never knew he needed to tame his unkempt beard hairs. The before-and-after shots of dudes across the web all point towards this being a very good buy — as one partner put it, “Works like a charm. It’s sleek and lightweight and does its job. I’m glad I bought it for my boyfriend because his beard was getting unruly, but now maybe he will actually DO something with it!”
XIKEZAN Beard Straightener Kit, $, available at Amazon
Uncommon Goods Make Your Own Hot Sauce Kit
Bring the heat this Valentine’s Day with a DIY hot sauce kit that allows you to get creative in the kitchen. (Bonus points if you put your taste buds to the test with an at-home Hot Ones challenge.)
Uncommon Goods Make Your Own Hot Sauce Kit, $, available at Uncommon Goods
ProsourceFit Acupressure Mat
If he’s into his mind-body connection, likes to meditate, or could just use some damn tension relief, then this bestselling acupressure mat will do trick.
ProsourceFit Acupressure Mat, $, available at Amazon
Lou Malnati’s Spreading Hearts Charity Pizza Pack
Break his heart into shareable pieces.
Lou Malnati’s Spreading Hearts Charity Pizza Pack, $, available at Goldbelly
Gogogo Laser Golf Range Finder
If he’s into golf, we’re pretty sure this range finder with cutting-edge pin-seeking and flag-lock technology is a gift he’d love to get.
Gogogo Sport Gogogo Sport Vpro Rangefinder, $, available at Amazon
Bonobos Riviera Face Mask 3-Pack
He deserves to have some fun with his face masks, too.
Bonobos Riviera Face Mask 3-Pack, $, available at Bonobos
Star Wars The Mandalorian Baby Yoda Chia Pet
Maybe his WFH space could use a little greenery — so, here’s a plant pet he’ll actually be excited to watch grow.
Chia Star Wars The Mandalorian Baby Yoda Pet, Terra Cotta, $, available at Amazon
Great Jones Holy Sheet Baking Pan
This pun’s for all the big baking guys out there! Gift him something shiny and new he can whip you up some Valentine’s Day treats on.
Great Jones Holy Sheet, $, available at Great Jones
Carhartt Men’s Knit Cuffed Beanie
Beanies are a lot like friends: he can never have too many (and already has a lot).
Carhartt Men’s Knit Cuffed Beanie, $, available at Amazon
Theragun MINI Portable Deep Tissue Massager
Theragun’s mighty massager has taken the world by storm, and it’s easy to see why: The device is a magic wand for sore, overworked muscles, making it a great gift if you’re splurging on your fitness-loving partner this year.
Theragun MINI Portable Deep Tissue Massager, $, available at Walmart
Big Hug Mug
A mug for the man who knows that season one of True Detective is the GOAT.
Applicable Pun Big Hug Mug – Ceramic Coffee Mug, $, available at Amazon
Mini Keg Beer Making Kit
Transform his love of beer into a constructive activity — this reusable kit will have him brewing up and bottling his very own IPA at-home in time for V-Day dinner.
Uncommon Goods Mini Keg Beer Making Kit – IPA, $, available at Uncommon Goods
Cole Haan Men’s GrandPrø Tennis Sneaker
Upgrade his ancient pair of sneaks with something that strikes the perfect balance of knock-around luxe.
Cole Haan GrandPrø Tennis Sneaker, $, available at Cole Haan
Judy The Starter Emergency Preparation Kit
If your guy’s the survivalist kind, we’d suggest a sweet Valentine’s Day emergency-preparedness kit. Judy’s bright-orange waterproof fanny pack contains a streamlined safety lineup of First Aid medical supplies, a whistle, glow sticks, emergency blanket, ponchos, dust mask, and meal replacements.
Judy The Starter, $, available at Huckberry
3D Laser Cut Metal Model Building Kit
Slip this flat metal model building kit into your favorite hobbyist’s V-Day card. We sourced this gift idea from The Grommet’s small business section and we’re super impressed with the options from a Ford Mustang to the Brooklyn Bridge.
Metal Earth 3D Laser Cut Metal Model Building Kit, $, available at The Grommet
Vuori Sunday Performance Jogger
His sad college hey-day sweatpants could use an upgrade — this bestselling performance pair from Vuori is just as soft and won’t embarrass him OR you whilst errand-running around town.
Vuori Sunday Performance Jogger, $, available at Vuori
Guss’ Pickles
This gift of pickles from America’s oldest family-run pickle shop comes in a gallon bucket so it should be reserved for true enthusiasts only.
Guss’ Pickles NY Fresh Kosher Dill Pickles – 1 Gallon, $, available at Goldbelly
Jaxon Lane Bro Sheet Mask
Do you even sheet mask, bro?
Jaxon Lane Bro Sheet Mask x 4, $, available at MR PORTER
Bellroy Note Sleeve Wallet
Dads, grandpas, husbands, VIP buds… they’ll all appreciate this high on the quality, low on the bulk wallet. It’s made of superior leather, comes with a coin holder, secret pocket, is RFID-blocking, comes in ten colors, and a three-year warranty. Boom.
Bellroy Note Sleeve, $, available at Bellroy
Maude Rise Condoms
Because nothing is sexier than keeping things safe in the bedroom.
Maude rise, $, available at Maude
8 Key Mini Portable Kalimba Keychain
This little hand piano offers bouts of fun that will amuse musicians of all levels (but will never be so loud that you’d need earplugs alongside the purchase).
ammoon 8 Key Mini Portable Kalimba Keychain, $, available at Walmart
Nintendo Switch Lite – Turquoise
Win 10,000 relationship points by gifting him what’s likely been collecting dust in his Amazon wish list since last year: A portable, sleek Nintendo Switch Lite — and if you’re feeling extra generous, add in a game for him to enjoy.
Nintendo Switch Lite – Turquoise, $, available at Amazon
Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack
If your man is always on the move, help him get there in ease and style with this lightweight-yet-sturdy backpack made from 100% recycled materials.
Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack, $, available at Everlane
Homesick Book Club Candle
Set the mood for a quiet night in with this warming candle that features notes of nutmeg, amber, and sandalwood.
Homesick Book Club Candle, $, available at Homesick
Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon
Getting your partner roses may be Valentine’s Day 101, but a bottle of Four Roses? This year, we’re making the case for raising a glass of bourbon sweeter than a first kiss.
Four Roses Bourbon Single Barrel, $, available at Drizly
Kin Euphorics Dream Light Nightcap
If he’s alcohol-free, then surprise him with a trending bottle of botanical elixir that’s specially crafted to encourage dreamier sleep. Kin’s Dream Light “nightcap” is made from a blend of earthy adaptogens and serene nootropics (like Reishi mushrooms) that can be mixed with milk or water before bed.
Kin Euphorics Dream Light Nightcap, $, available at Kin Euphorics
The Office: Antics And Adventures From Dunder Mifflin
If rewatching The Office is among your favorite pastimes, then this pocket-sized superfan gift will be an amazing present for the Jim Halpert to your Pam Beesly.
Urban Outfitters The Office: Antics and Adventures from Dunder Mifflin, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Warby Parker Downing Sunglasses
These Warby Parker sunnies are the chicest way to shield eyes from UV rays. Pro tip: Shop them now so he can have them for your next trip together.
Warby Parker Downing Antique Shale Fade with Green-Grey lenses, $, available at Warby Parker
Portable Cell Phone Touch Speaker
No more Bluetooth #struggles here — this minimally-designed wireless speaker magically connects to your phone when put in direct contact, allowing you to instantly blare your favorite songs (and let all your friends take a turn playing DJ) without any technical difficulties.
On Trend Goods Portable Cell Phone Induction Speaker, $, available at Amazon
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