2016 Gift Guide: for the guys

Hi friends! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend! It’s time to rock and roll into our next gift guide, which I think is always the trickiest: gift guide for the dudes! I think it might be because guys don’t seem to be as vocal about what they’d like for special occasions. Usually in our family, the Pilot is like, “What do you want for Christmas?” and I say, “I’d love this purse/bracelet/spa treatment. What do you want?” and he’s like “Uhhhh, I don’t know, whatever” and then I’m frantically shopping online trying to think of something. Boys.

The same thing goes for the most of the men in our family. Thankfully my brothers will just spell it out for me (especially my youngest brothers because they’re into things I’ve never even heard of haha), but for everyone else, it takes a bit of thought and planning. I can usually count on sports gifts, entertainment (either through games or a ticket to an event he’d love) and foodie finds to take care of most of the list. 

If you’re scratching your head, trying to figure out some ideas for the men in your family, here ya go! I’d love to hear your suggestions, and what you’re getting your dad, partner, uncle, FIL, or brother this year!

2016 Gift Guide for Men

2016 holiday gift ideas for men

Clothes and shoes he might not purchase for himself:

Screen Shot 2016 12 11 at 12 26 18 PM

lululemon is always a huge hit in our family. The Pilot couldn’t initially understand why I was into lulu, and when I bought him his first gear a few years ago, it’s become his absolute favorite. It’s pretty much the only thing he wears when he’s not at work. These are his favorite shorts, and he also loves these shirts, this jacket, and these polo shirts.

Running shoes.

Casual shoes. These also have a great color and classic fit.

Nice button-down shirt, maybe something a little different (but not toooooo different) than his usual picks. Love this one, this one, and this one. 

Jacket or coat. I asked Kyle what he liked, and he said Patagonia anything. This one is SO nice.

Comfy slippers.

New jeans. The classic never dies.

Stitch Fix gift card. I had a feeling the Pilot was secretly wishing Stitch Fix had a men’s service, so I couldn’t wait to order one for him when they finally launched the Men’s version this year. I was SO PUMPED to share it with him, and his first fix ended up just being ok. It was a mix of classic pieces, but nothing really stood out. He decided to give it a couple of tries, especially since it took a few fixes for them to really nail down my styles and preferences. His second fix was way better. He kept a couple of items, and also got his latest favorite pair of jeans. His third fix was a HOME RUN. She sent so many amazing pieces, plus some awesome low-top shoes, and he ended up keeping everything. This is definitely a great gift idea for the guy who enjoys a bit of fashion, but doesn’t necessarily have a lot of time to shop and pick things out. 

For men

Cooking, beer, whiskey-type things:

Screen Shot 2016 12 11 at 10 46 08 AM

A SERIOUS grill cleaning brush.

Monogrammed steak brand and caving board.

Vitamix. Total splurge item, but totally worth it, especially if you get to use it, too! We have used and loved our Vitamix for about 5 years now, and it definitely one of our favorite kitchen tools.

Whiskey chilling stones “on the rocks”

The Bro Basket! Craft beers + snacks

Monochromatic cocktail shaker set. 

Got

Sports, entertainment, electronics, and random faves (or so I hear):

Golf bag

Wireless headphones! We each have a pair of these and LOVE THEM. They are awesome for strength training, sweaty cardio, and travel. 

Tickets to a sporting event or comedian he loves. We’ve done a few of these, like Aziz Ansari and Brian Regan, and we still talk about them. I’m hoping to get a couple of Wildcats bball game tix when we’re in Tucson!

Playstation 4 bundle.

Spa treatment. I mentioned this in my last post, but Zeel is AMAZING. After a particularly stressful week, or for a special occasion, I’ve booked Zeel massages for the Pilot here at home. He loves them, and it’s especially convenient because you don’t have to travel anywhere. You just grab a couple of sheets for the massage table, and you’re good to go.

Mirrorless camera: high-quality pics, but far more compact that a DSLR.

Game of Thrones monopoly.

Nutcracker jammies! Juuuuust kidding. Even though I totally bought some for the Pilot and filmed him opening them via Snapchat. It was priceless. 

Bacon floss

Stocking stuffers:

Sunnies

Bacon floss because bacon.

A bottle of local craft beer.

His favorite candies and snacks.

Mini pomade

Jack Black set

So tell me friends: what are you gifting the men in your family this year??

xoxo

Gina

Companies are not able to purchase spots on my gift guides, and all items were curated by yours truly. Affiliate links are included, which have no impact on purchase price. Thank you so much for your support!

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16 Comments

  1. Bethany on December 11, 2016 at 5:37 pm

    I splurged and bought myself a mirrorless camera this year! I love my DSLR but I’ve been researching and thinking about changing over for a couple years now. The DLSR just doesn’t travel in the diaper bag to well ya know……

    • Fitnessista on December 11, 2016 at 7:27 pm

      it’s like another small child. this is why i almost always just take phone pics when we’re out and about

      • Bethany on December 13, 2016 at 4:02 pm

        I agree! A needy small child! My issue with the phone is I like to ‘disconnect’ and it is impossible with my phone. Plus storage issues! lol

  2. Kim M. on December 11, 2016 at 6:42 pm

    Just a heads up: I think you have the wrong link on the bro basket. 🙂

    • Fitnessista on December 11, 2016 at 7:26 pm

      ahh thank you! fixing it now!

  3. RHONDA @ CHANGE IN SECONDS on December 11, 2016 at 7:20 pm

    Nice list. I see some items that I think my guy will love. 🙂

  4. Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog on December 12, 2016 at 1:10 am

    You’re completely right, buying presents for guys is so difficult. Thanks to your gift guide though, I think I’ll impress no matter what with that bacon floss! Because bacon!

    – Charmaine
    http://charmainenyw.com

  5. Kim N on December 12, 2016 at 7:56 am

    I got my boyfriend a nutribullet since we travel for his triathlons and he insists he has his pre race smoothie. I’m tired of lugging my vitamix everywhere! He travels for work all the time too – so multiple uses!

    I Bought my dad a snowblower. Something practical for an aging man 🙂

    • Fitnessista on December 12, 2016 at 12:33 pm

      haha i love that so much!

  6. Liz @ Justanotherblogaboutmomlife on December 12, 2016 at 9:33 am

    Love these ideas, and I agree – guys can be SO hard to shop for. The men in our fam often enjoy tools from Lowe’s or Home Depot but those ideas usually have to come from my husband.

  7. Tracy on December 12, 2016 at 11:45 am

    My husband and boys really like Nike dry fit polos with favorite team logos:

    http://www.fanatics.com/NFL_Kansas_City_Chiefs/Kansas_City_Chiefs_Nike_Team_Issue_Dri-FIT_Polo_-_Charcoal

    So they’re all getting one!

    • Fitnessista on December 12, 2016 at 12:12 pm

      oh i love this idea!!

    • Jen on December 13, 2016 at 8:05 am

      I do the dry fit polos too. They’re a win across the board – fiance, brother, dad, etc.

      Fanatics is the best place online I’ve found to buy team merchandise too. They have practically every team and a ton of variety. AND there’s frequent sales. WIN.

  8. Crystal on December 12, 2016 at 4:13 pm

    I always get my husband something rugged and manly that I know he wants (this year it’s an electric filet knife), and then I also like to get something that I want him to have haha (cologne and a really nice sweater). Everyone wins.

  9. Tressie on December 15, 2016 at 8:28 am

    Always clothes! He doesn’t shop on his own!

  10. Lori on December 16, 2016 at 11:30 am

    The bacon floss is hilarious and awesome! I always find myself stacking up on gag gifts…the men, like you say above, tend to be the hardest to shop for…

    I’m in Texas And come from a family that loves to hunt! I got most the men this “pistol” ice tray so even their ice cubes look like guns…included in their gifts are “Notes from a friend” by Tony Tobbins. It’s a short book, yet life changing.

    I’m thinking about placing an order for that bacon floss! That’s quite interesting and think it will certainly bring some laughter!

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