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Dear Wendy
Dear Wendy

2014 Holiday Gift Guide for Men

The guys of DW shared some of their top gift ideas with us last week. Today I share a few of mine, plus some from fellow (female) DW readers, as well as a bunch of stocking-stuffer ideas, after the jump.

 

 

4144IF79rWLIf he’s into photos and tech gadgets and immediate gratification: Fujifilm INSTAX 210 Instant Photo Camera and film.
A polaroid camera for the 21st century.

 

 

UnknownIf he likes looking all manly-like (or YOU like him looking all manly-like) and being cozy and warm and comfy and stylish too: O‘Neill Men’s Glacier Plaid Flannel Shirt.
During our annual Black-Friday-Let’s-Update-Drew’s-Wardrobe-With-a-Few-New-Essential-Pieces shopping spree recently, I picked out this plaid flannel shirt and I’m pretty sure it immediately became drew’s very favorite item in his closet. He has worn it several times and even carefully washed it himself in cold water and hung it up to dry before his distracted and sometimes idiotic wife could accidentally throw it in with underwear and shrink it in a hot water wash, not that that has EVER happened, of course. Also, it’s really soft and makes me want to pet him.

817gmcTtGsL._SL1500_If he’s crazy enough to run outside even when it’s like 9 degrees and snowing: Under Armour Men’s ColdGear Evo Long Sleeve Compression Shirt and/or Under Armour Compression Leggings (and assorted accessories like a hoodie and gloves).

 

 

71Z55GwjfaL._SL1500_If he’s crazy enough to do all that cold running, he’ll want to record his miles (and speed, distance, pace, and calories) with the Garmin Forerunner 10 GPS Watch.
Plus, it tells time (since it’s, you know, a watch).

 

 

71SmrVsF1hL._SL1500_If he likes to drink beer on the go: Brew 2 Go Double Wall Insulated Acrylic Beer Tumbler
Like the ever-popular wine tumbler I’ve included on the women’s gift guide, the beer tumbler makes it possible to easily tote wine to the beach, on a walk, to the park, etc., which is like the next best thing to having a beer IV drip.

 

 

 

 

9781624140808_p0_v1_s260x420If he likes food trucks and road trips and cooking: Food Truck Road Trip–A Cookbook: More Than 100 Recipes Collected from the Best Street Food Vendors Coast to Coast.
I mean, duh!

 

 

31Chn-buxlLIf he’s sexy and likes martinis: Ice Free Stainless Steel Martini Glass.
Because it’s sexy… and it’s for martinis. And it keeps the drink cold without watering it down with ice. Which is sexy.

 

 

91r0WxqlO5L._SL1500_If he’s into hygiene (or you want him to be) and skin-care and looking and feeling great: Baxter of California Shower Kit.
I started getting California of Baxter skin care products for Drew a few years ago on the recommendation of my gay bestie, and Drew has been hooked ever since. He says the products make him feel like he’s spent time at a spa. Ooh! That’s also a good gift for your guy: a spa day. Guys like pampering, too.

NM1000_281_fIf he needs new snow boots: Sorel snow boots
A holdover from last year’s gift guide, I got these for Drew two years ago after he started wrapping his shoes in plastic bags when it snowed, and he said they are among his favorite gifts ever. He loves them so much that he wears them as soon as the temps dip below 40. When I showed him the first draft of this gift guide, he said, “Where are my boots?! Those things are awesome!” Here they are, here they are!

 

Recommendations from (female) DW readers:

Katie recommends:
71CryJIbzcL._SL1500_

Automatic Smart Driving Assistant
“I bought this gadget for my boyfriend, who never raves about anything, and he adores it. It’s called Automatic, which retails for about $99 but goes on sale semi-frequently to $75 (when we bought it). It’s fun and useful, turning driving into almost a game.”

 

Lake Girl recommends:

GreyWoolMensPaseo-10004338-S_1450x1015Toms for Movember Grey Wool Mens Paseos
“Just ordered these for my son-in-law who grows a (creepy) mustache every November. Subtle, stylish, and supports a good cause.”

 

 

Flamingoroom recommends:

For brothers:

f0dd_doctor_who_deluxe_12ft_scarfDoctor Who Deluxe 12′ Scarf
I love geek wear that pays homage to tv-shows or characters but at the same time can function as relatively normal clothing.

 

 

image1xlASOS T-Shirt With Oversized Fit And Roll Sleeve
Never underestimate the power of a plain t-shirt. My older brother likes them thin and with loose necklines.

 

 

71vwQnawJ4L._SL1000_Munchkin Deluxe
For family gatherings you’ll actually look forward to, Munchkin is a role playing-flavored game that’s easy to learn and lots of fun. My boyfriend and I love it, and I’m certain my brother will too.

 

 

For boyfriends:

71tjiv0ySrL._SL1500_Stelton EM Press Coffee Maker, 8 cups
This coffee press is masculine and functional, and I just love this design so much. Plus now that’s he’s got a coffee press I can get him a coffee grinder for his birthday. WIN.

 

 

 

image1xlSelected Ditsy Floral Print In Slim Fit
My boyfriend’s a Ginger so color schemes can sometimes be a bit hard; this shirt is fun and good for dressing both up and down.

 

 

For dads:
61UbQXxc-iLStoner by John Williams.
This book is destined to be a new classic and is insanely hip among the European hipster crowd. It’s a moving tale of a man who lives his life resigned to his fate, written in beautiful prose. I’ve done a book review here.

 

 

 

JuneBugg recommends:

Dollar-Shave-Club-LogoDollar Shave Club
“Last year I gave a few of the men in my family a year’s supply (every other month) of the 4X razor, Shave Butter, and Post Shave lotion from the Dollar Shave Club. The Dollar Shave Club delivers the items through the mail so you don’t have to go to the store, and their blades are cheaper than any drug store’s and last many shaves. This year I have been asked to give the same gift again! (I also use their razors, Shave Butter, and Post Shave lotion, and I can’t recommend them enough!).

Stocking Stuffers

Three Jerks Beef Jerky

NomadKey Keychain Charging Station for Apple products

Gingham Pocket Square

Pie in a Jar (!)

Billy Jealousy LiquidSand Exfoliating Facial Cleanser

Mr. natty shipwreck soap

Flavored Toothpicks

Swiss Army Victorinox Nail clippers

Grady’s Cold Brew Bean Bags

The Soft Goat Stubble and Goatee Softener

Fart of Darkness matchbox

Lucky Tiger Face Scrub

Sel Magique Seasoning

Jack Daniels Playing Cards

Bourbon Bacon Caramel Corn

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25

Guy Stuff Pouch

For more gift ideas, check out my 2013 holiday gift guide for men and my 2012 holiday gift guide for men.

5 comments… add one
  • Avatar photo

    Lyra December 8, 2014, 1:39 pm

    I told Navy Guy this weekend about mrmidtwenties and his boxer brief challenge from last week’s Men’s Gift Guide. I think he will be a willing participant!

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  • jlyfsh December 8, 2014, 1:59 pm

    The Garmin watch is on my list in green! Can’t wait to try it out.

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  • Avatar photo

    honeybeenicki December 8, 2014, 2:03 pm

    Re Dollar Shave Club: Both of us actually just buy straight through Dorco (the company that makes Dollar Shave Club’s razors). It’s the exact same razors but they’re cheaper than through DSC. The only downfall is having to store them (we got each other enough to last for all of 2015+) but really it takes a box the size of a shoe box to store for each of us. They often have great deals and they have variety packs so you can buy a few different razors for a low price to see what you like. He’s been using his Dorco razors since before father’s day and LOVES them.

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  • dovie December 8, 2014, 4:33 pm

    Hi everyone, I’ve posted before under a different name but I’ve been a longtime lurker. My soap company makes great stocking stuffers for men: we have a handcrafted soap made from Chive Black Lager beer (it smells warm, rich, and kind of nutty), there is a Spiced Amber in a gorgeous granite grey color, and mini peppermint patchouli rounds for something a little offbeat. We also do salts and salt scrubs to match and my husband is currently working on a shave cream to match. I hope it’s ok to link here (if not, I understand). Pritchardfamilysoap.com is our site. Yes, I’m a real person and not a bot!

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