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We’ve shopped for a lot of hard-to-gift individuals in our lives — our picky sister, the colleague you only see on Zoom, the “I don’t need any gifts” mother-in-law — but the greatest head-scratcher of them all has got to be The Guy. Whether it’s your S.O., fantasy football buddy, or just your impossible-to-buy-for father, he is, without a doubt, the “cool dude” in your life, the one who seems to be on top of the next thing before everyone else is.
No matter who this cool guy is, his mile-high standards and sixth sense for the latest gear make him impossible to shop for. But don’t worry — if you’re determined to defy the odds and knock it out of the park this holiday season, you’ve come to the right place. We observed some of the coolest guys in our own lives for inspiration for all the best Christmas gifts for men. With items that range from a deep Sopranos reference to a pair of luxury loafers, everything on this list should pass muster with your hard-to-please fellow.
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. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Birkenstock Boston Genuine Shearling Lined Clog
Behold: the perfect winter house slipper. It’s easy to slip on for the indoors, substantially soled for quick outdoor errands, and completely lined with shearling for toe-wiggling coziness.
Birkenstock Boston Genuine Shearling Lined Clog, $, available at Nordstrom
STMNT Grooming Goods Beard Oil
If your guy’s facial hair is a bit rough, show him the ways of beard-softening oil.
STMNT Grooming Goods Beard Oil, $, available at Nordstrom
J.W. Anderson Pigeon Jacquard Zip Fleece
A statement fleece for the fashion guy who aims to stand out.
J.W. Anderson Pigeon Jacquard Zip Fleece, $, available at Shopbop
Lululemon Commission Slim-Fit Pant 37″ Warpstreme
These performance pants from Lululemon sure look like regular trousers, but they’re breathable with a hint of stretch. What guy wouldn’t love this comfort?
Lululemon Commission Slim-Fit Pant 37″ Warpstreme Online Only, $, available at Lululemon
Caraway Non-Stick Ceramic-Coated, Mini Fry Pan & Sauce Pan Duo
A great set for the guy who’s just getting into the kitchen and needs reasonably sized wares.
Caraway Non-Stick Ceramic-Coated, Mini Fry Pan & Sauce Pan Duo, Non-Toxic, $, available at Caraway
Saatva Weighted Silk Eye Mask
Designed to rest those tired eyes.
Saatva Weighted Silk Eye Mask, $, available at Saatva
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Tonic For Men
Tell him to splash this on his face before his moisturizer for a next-level morning routine.
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Tonic For Men, $, available at Sephora
Union Corduroy Shirt Jacket
This gem from Nordstrom Rack is wild affordable, utilitarian, and is offered in an array of colors.
Union Corduroy Shirt Jacket, $, available at Nordstrom Rack
Perry Co. Unisex Sunglasses
These square frames are just unique enough to feel fresh but classic enough to transcend the trend cycle.
Perry Co. Unisex Sunglasses, $, available at Perry Co.
Twelve South AirFly Pro Wireless Transmitter
This nifty gadget allows your dude to keep using his wireless headphones even while on the plane. Plug the dongle into the jack, connect it to the earpiece via Bluetooth, and it’s good to go for (air) miles.
Twelve South AirFly Pro Wireless Transmitter, $, available at Amazon
Merrell Men’s Hydro Moc
Maybe it’s time to upgrade your guy’s Crocs to something more interesting.
Merrell Men’s Hydro Moc, $, available at Merrell
Omsom The Try ‘Em All Set
Send him on a global culinary adventure without ever leaving his kitchen with this sampler box of Southeast and East Asian starter sauces — each one offering hard-to-get quality ingredients and complex flavors that are normally pretty tricky to conquer unless you travel to a ton of specialty stores. All are vegan and gluten-free.
Omsom THE TRY ‘EM ALL SET, $, available at Omsom
Los Angeles Apparel POLAR FLEECE HALF ZIP PULLOVER
This can’t-go-wrong pullover also happens to be one of those “steal at any moment from his closet” pieces.
Los Angeles Apparel POLAR FLEECE HALF ZIP PULLOVER, $, available at Los Angeles Apparel
Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700
If he doesn’t already have a pair of premium headphones, this one is certainly worth the splurge.
Bose Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, $, available at Bose
Goldilocks Utensil Set
If you’ve been keeping up with our kitchen recs, you know that we’re all about the easy-to-use pots and pans. But, so often, chefs can’t get by on stovetop wares alone — they also need the proper tools. Enter: the ultimate 12-piece utensil set from Goldilocks, all for under $100!
Goldilocks Utensil Set, $, available at Goldilocks
Jenni Kayne Men’s Cashmere Beanie
It’s a cashmere beanie from the cashmere queen herself Jenni Kayne, so you know it’s bound to be super-warm.
Jenni Kayne Men’s Cashmere Beanie, $, available at Jenni Kayne
Sonos Move
This portable speaker is a must for any guy who loves to entertain. It can also be toted to parks, beaches, camping trips, and more.
Sonos Move, $, available at Sonos
Clarks Wallabee Boot Maple Suede
Trendy footwear is always a nice-to-have but so are the tried-and-true styles that your guy is bound to reach for again and again.
Clarks Wallabee Boot Maple Suede, $, available at Clarks
Momofuku Chili Crunch Variety Pack
If his meals need to be kicked up a notch (or three).
Momofuku CHILI CRUNCH VARIETY PACK, $, available at Momofuku
Shun Premier 6-Piece Slimline Block Set
Perfect for those who are very serious about their cooking, this Shun Premier block set crafted by actual Japanese bladesmiths is the sharp move.
Shun Premier 6-Piece Slimline Block Set 2 Reviews| SKU, $, available at Sur La Table
Super World The Super Puff Men’s Vest
This year, get him one of Aritzia’s world-famous Super Puff pieces.
Super World the super puff™ vest men’s, $, available at Aritzia
Fredericks & Mae Chopping Block
A stunning slab upon which your guy will be slicing, dicing, and chopping up his produce.
Fredericks & Mae Chopping Block, $, available at Coming Soon
Anova Precision Sous Vide Cooker with WiFi
If your guy is a fan of cooking but is always short on time, a sous vide cooker is going to be the lifesaving kitchen gadget he’ll obsess over.
Anova Precision Sous Vide Cooker with WiFi, $, available at Williams Sonoma
Wthn Acupressure Mat Set
This a fabulous under-$100 gift for anyone who experiences back pain and body tension.
Wthn Acupressure Mat Set, $, available at WTHN
Bern Hudson Bike Helmet
If your dude is a biker and could use a more stylish upgrade on his head protection, this helmet checks the box.
Bern Hudson Bike Helmet, $, available at Bern
Mejuri Flat Curb Chain Necklace
If your stylish guy is in need of everyday bling, this chain is a golden choice.
Mejuri Flat Curb Chain Necklace, $, available at Mejuri
Tod’s City Gommino Leather Penny Loafers
A pair of beautifully designed men’s loafers for the refined guy in your life.
Tod’s City Gommino Leather Penny Loafers, $, available at Mr. Porter
Warby Parker Winston Glasses
When it comes to specs, classic tortoiseshell is always a solid choice. Consider a new pair of glasses for the guy whose eyewear could use some fine-tuning.
Warby Parker Winston Tortoise Collage I, $, available at Warby Parker
Salomon Trail Running Shoes
Take our word for it — Salomon shoes are set to gain some traction this holiday season.
Salomon Speedcross 5 GTX, $, available at Zappos
Away F.A.R Duffle 55L
Luggage brand Away has stepped into a new category of travel bags — and it includes soft duffles made for outdoor travel.
Away F.A.R Duffle 55L, $, available at Away
New York Times Logo Baseball Cap
Gift him the hat that tells the world, “Yeah, I read the news.”
New York Times Logo Baseball Cap, $, available at New York Times Store
Espro P7 French Press
Naturally, this one’s a gift for the caffeine fiends on your list.
Espro P7 French Press, $, available at Amazon
Rap Capital: An Atlanta Story by Joe Coscarelli
This book is for the music fanatics on your list, written by Joe Coscarelli, music critic for the New York Times.
Simon & Schuster Rap Capital: An Atlanta Story, $, available at Amazon
Therabody Theragun Mini
Now smaller and more lightweight than ever! This Theragun Mini is the ideal travel gadget for the guy who needs a handheld massager wherever he goes.
Therabody Theragun mini, $, available at Therabody
Hot Ones Truth or Dab The Game
Behold: a “gag” gift for the guy who can actually handle the heat.
HOT ONES Truth or Dab The Game, $, available at Amazon
Thorne Curcumin Phytosome 500 mg
It’s never a bad idea to give the gift of good health! These supplements from Thorne can help keep those joints happy and healthy.
Thorne Curcumin Phytosome 500 mg, $, available at Amazon
Ben Medansky Dune Coasters
This set of four terracotta coasters are great for individual hot beverages or arranged together to create a trivet for dinner.
Ben Medansky Dune Coasters, $, available at Areaware
Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Weights and Dumbbells
It’s like having easy access to a whole set of weights but in one contraption.
Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Weights and Dumbbells, $, available at Amazon
Fantastic Walls Tony Soprano & Pie-Oh-My Wall Art Canvas
Oh! So this is a deep-cut Sopranos reference — but, IYKYK, it’s a really good one.
Fantastic Walls Tony Soprano & Pie-Oh-My Wall Art Canvas, $, available at Etsy
Golde Make Your Matcha Kit
This well-packaged kit is everything your guy needs for a frothy cuppa matcha.
Golde Make Your Matcha Kit, $, available at Golde
Lego Seinfeld 21328 Building Kit
Can you think of a better way to while away the cold months than hunkering down on this 1,326-piece kit that assembles into the Seinfeld TV set? We thought not.
LEGO Ideas Seinfeld 21328 Building Kit, $, available at Amazon
Gerber Lockdown Drive Pocket Knife
A sleek and compact pocket knife is always a useful gizmo to gift — and this one is equipped with eight handy tools, including a bottle opener!
Gerber LOCKDOWN – DRIVE, $, available at Gerber
Chrome Bullet Space Pen
This pen writes upside down and in zero gravity. It also writes underwater and in both below-freezing and hellscape temperatures. Not sure why anyone would need to be writing a memo in those aforementioned conditions, but if you’ve got a wordsmith on your list, this pen will surely stay with them till the end of time.
Space Pen CHROME BULLET SPACE PEN, $, available at Space Pen
StubHub eGift Card
Take him out to the ballgame…or the concert…or the show…or whatever entertainment event he has locked in on the cal.
StubHub StubHub eGift Card, $, available at StubHub
Apple AirTag
If a guy in your life is always misplacing his things, these nifty AirTags are a savior.
Apple AirTag, $, available at Apple
Bellroy Tech Case
Get this for the guy who travels a lot or is constantly commuting to the office. This tech case organizes all the essentials like cords, a wireless mouse, chargers, earbuds, and more.
Bellroy Tech Kit, $, available at Bellroy
Hydro Flask 32 oz Water Bottle with Straw Lid
For the guy who is never hydrating enough, this insulating water bottle is truly awesome.
Hydro Flask 32 oz Water Bottle with Straw Lid, $, available at Amazon
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