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VettedGifts
Erica Finamore Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
Forbes Vetted
Not to overgeneralize things, but men can be difficult to shop for. After all, what do you get the guy who just shrugs and says “I don’t know” every time you ask him what he wants? If you haven’t uncovered any hints about his ideal present, don’t panic. The key to finding the best gifts for boyfriends is to focus on his interests and how he likes to spend his free time. Whether he enjoys lounging around the house, taking photos, snacking or listening to music, there’s a thoughtful gift that will match his passion (even if his passion is relaxation).
We’ve found ideas for all of these hobbies and more and rounded up this handy guide, which includes presents for tech lovers, sports fanatics, outdoor enthusiasts and home chefs alike. Whether you’re shopping for a birthday, anniversary or another special milestone, there are also some classic gift options included that will delight him no matter the occasion. Here are the very best gifts for boyfriends that he never even knew he needed.
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Best Gifts For Boyfriends, At A Glance
- Best Classic Gifts For Boyfriends: Onsen Hooded Waffle Robe, Fly By Jing Core Four Set, Witfox Custom Song Plaque, Jack Black It’s The Balm Lip Balm Set
- Best Tech Gifts For Boyfriends: Ray-Ban Wayfarer Smart Sunglasses, Rocketbook Core Reusable Smart Notebook, Leatherology MacBook Sleeve, Fujifilm Instax Mini EVO Instant Camera
- Best Sports Gifts For Boyfriends: Wren Backpack Cooler Chair, Mark & Graham Practice Putting Mat, Homesick Stadium Candle, Weezie Tennis Towel
- Best Unique Gifts For Boyfriends: Duke Cannon Beer And Bourbon Soap Set, Uncommon Goods Model Airplane, Food Decision Dice, Pappy & Company Bourbon Barrel-Aged Coffee
Best Classic Gifts For Boyfriends
A Warm Robe To Keep Him Cozy
Onsen Hooded Waffle Robe
Men need a self-care moment too, so help your boyfriend relax and unwind by outfitting him in this insanely comfy robe by Onsen. It’s made with luxe long staple supima cotton and woven in a waffle pattern for ultimate absorbency. The hood will keep his head warm on chilly mornings and large pockets can fit his phone, a remote or a tasty snack.
A Belt Set That Guarantees Fresh ‘Fits
Shinola Belt Gift Set
If he’s been rocking the same belt since long before you met, it could be time for an upgrade. Shinola is known for their sophisticated masculine style, so this set is a no-brainer. It comes with black and brown leather belts, plus matte black and tumbled nickel buckles. He can mix and match for different looks, all of which will be perfect for date night.
Gourmet Ingredients To Spice Up His Life
Fly By Jing Core Four Set
Bring some heat to the relationship with a thoughtful food gift that will make all of his snacks and dinners a bit bolder. This Fly By Jing set has four sauces including Sichuan Chili Crisp and Xtra Spicy Chili Crisp that he can pour on pizza, chicken and even ice cream. The Zhong Sauce is a dumpling’s best friend and the Mala Spice Mix will give his protein some oomph. Basically, this gift is chef's kiss.
A Token Of Your Musical Affection
Witfox Custom Song Plaque
What song was playing in the bar or restaurant on your first date? What about the first song you ever danced to together? This customized acrylic plaque gives that little ditty a special place in his home. You can add your own photo, the song’s title and a significant date (like the day you met or your anniversary). A QR code allows them to play the song and reminisce with a quick scan.
A Set Of Balms For Better Kisses
Jack Black It’s The Balm Lip Balm Set
If winter weather has left him with dry skin and chapped lips, this limited-edition lip balm set by Jack Black will work wonders. It includes three Intense Therapy Lip Balms with SPF 25 for daytime and a NightMode Lip Treatment that will hydrate and soften his pout while he sleeps. It’s a gift for both of you, really.
A Bar Set For A Budding Mixologist
Georg Jensen Sky Bar Set
This sculptural set of bar tools by Georg Jensen will have him stirring martinis and shaking cosmos in mid-century modern style. The gift set comes with a stainless steel shaker, stirring spoon and jigger, and is the perfect conversation starter or artistic accent on a bar cart.
Best Tech Gifts For Boyfriends
Smart Glasses That Will Help Him Multitask
Ray-Ban Wayfarer Smart Sunglasses
There’s no denying that Ray-Bans have a cool factor. Bob Dylan, Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt would all agree. But this new style is somehow even more amazing because they’re not just incredibly sleek sunglasses, they’re also wearable tech. They connect to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, have two-speaker audio and a 12 megapixel camera embedded in the glasses that allows the wearer to take photos and videos from their POV. Did we mention they’re unisex? We won’t judge you for “borrowing” them.
A Smart Notebook To Digitize His Thoughts
Rocketbook Core Reusable Smart Notebook
Yes, taking notes on the computer is efficient, but there’s something about putting a pen to paper that’s so satisfying. This notebook and pen setby Rocketbook will allow him to have that aesthetic pleasure of old-school note-taking, but give him the ability to save those notes digitally. After jotting ideas down, he can scan them to get a digital copy, then erase the text on the physical pages and use them again. It’s the best of both worlds.
A Custom Laptop Case He Can Take To Work
Leatherology 15/16 Inch MacBook Sleeve
Upgrading his laptop may not be in the cards, but a nice case has the ability to make old tech (or, really, any tech) feel brand new. Made of full grain leather with a microsuede-lined interior, you can have this luxe Leatherology sleeve embossed with his initials for a gift that’s much more personal.
A 6-In-1 Charger To Keep Him Powered Up
Anker Prime 6-In-1 USB C Charging Station
Some gifts are pretty and shiny and some are just incredibly useful. This is the second one. These popular chargers by Anker are small, sleek and able to power tons of tech in record time so his phone, computer, ear pods, gaming system and smart watch can all get back to optimal function, no matter where he is.
A Turntable With A Modern Spin
Audio-Technica Bluetooth Stereo Turntable
Whether he’s got a premium collection of vintage vinyl or he’s just getting into records, this turntable by Audio-Technica will take his listening experience to the next level. It has a fully automatic belt drive and high fidelity audio withBluetooth connectivity, so he can pair it with wireless headphones or speakers for superior surround sound.
A Tiny Camera To Capture Big Moments
Fujifilm Instax Mini EVO Instant Camera
This camera looks retro, but it’s actually pretty futuristic in terms of function and use. It has ten lens effects, ten film effects and a high quality printer to make 2-inch x 3-inch photos instantly. He can also hook it up to his phone to print images saved in his camera roll.
A Cutting-Edge Speaker For His Tunes
Urbanista Malibu Small Solar Bluetooth Speaker
Guys who are into tech are always looking for the latest gadget and this one is winner. The Urbanista Malibu Solar Bluetooth Speaker is the first solar-charging portable speaker, thanks to Powerfoyle solar cell technology. It reloads its charge when exposed to light—whether indoors or out—and it’s so tiny (under 4 inches x 2 inches), he can take it anywhere with ease.
A New Phone That Takes Post-Worthy Pics
Google Pixel 8 Android Smartphone
This item is definitely a splurge, but if your boyfriend holds fast to his phone and loves to take pictures, this will truly delight. The Pixel 8 is Google’s newest device and while it comes with a clean modern design, tons of storage and an advanced display, the camera and photo editing are the star of the show. Their Best Take feature can even combine pieces of group photos to create a version where everyone’s eyes are open—finally!
Best Sports Gifts For Boyfriends
A Double Duty Cooler Chair
Wren Backpack Cooler Chair
Die-hard sports fans know that spectating is also a competition (especially if you have all the gear and beer to win). Gift that guy a lightweight cooler and a comfy place to sit, all in one. This water-resistant backpack can hold up to 12 eight-ounce cans and then opens up to reveal an adjustable padded seat. When the game is over, he can throw it back over his shoulders and stash it away until next time.
Drink Stirrers For Classy co*cktails
On The Ice co*cktail Stirrers
It’s winter sports season, so if your guy likes both his sports and his drinks on ice, this set from Uncommon Goods is a major score. The four stainless steel hockey stick-shaped stirrers make any drink look cooler (pun intended). If he’s more of a golf guy, you can also buy them as a set of teeny tiny clubs that he can use to stir up his spiked Arnold Palmers.
A New Place To Practice His Putting
Mark & Graham Practice Putting Mat
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean he can’t up his golf game a bit. This 9 foot roll-up turf putting green will give him a chance to work on those shorter shots and nail down his alignment and accuracy. What makes this extra special is that you can have it personalized with his name, so everyone knows who the king of this mini course is.
A Sporty Scented Candle For Baseball Lovers
Homesick Stadium Candle
What exactly does a baseball stadium smell like, you might ask? It depends on where it is. Homesick makes a huge range of scents that are personal to each park and will serve as a nice whiff of home. For example, the Dodger Stadium candle smells like popcorn, crisp beer, sea salt, lime and fresh grass, but the Busch Stadium candle smells like red clay, cut grass, brick and butter.
A Fan Favorite Wallet
NFL Uniform Money Clip Wallet
He may already wear a t-shirt or hat representing his favorite football team, but we’re pretty certain he won’t have this. The cool money clip and wallet hybrid is made of actual game day-used player’s jerseys, licensed by the NFL. Each one showcases a bit of the uniform and, more functionally, includes a nylon inner pocket and two skinny outer pockets that will cradle his cards and cash.
A Tennis Towel That Will Score You Points
Weezie Tennis Towel
Gift the tennis lover in your life something special they can take to the court. This 100% organic cotton towel by Weezie is not only super soft and absorbent, but it can also be customized with his initials or other cheeky embroidery. He’ll happily use it to wipe his brow after an intense rally.
A Sculptural Chess Set That’s Almost Too Pretty to Play With
Gianfranco Frattini Famiglia Modern Stainless Steel Chess Set
Chess might not be the first thing you think of when you hear “sports,” but it is a competition game that requires skill, endurance and training. Gift your knight a chess set that also functions as a work of art like this one that was designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1972. Abstract stainless steel pieces and a gorgeous ash wood veneer board make it a winner.
Best Unique Gifts For Boyfriends
Surprising Suds For Good Clean Fun
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Duke Cannon Beer And Bourbon Soap Set
Bourbon, beer and rum walk into a bar…of soap! This neat set takes some of his favorite spirits and blends them into four 10-ounce bars (that’s almost three times larger than your average bar of soap) each boasting a different beverage. One is made with Busch beer and has a sandalwood scent, whileanother is cooked up with Buffalo Trace bourbon and smells, rightfully so, like an oak barrel. The others are made of Budweiser (cedarwood) and Bay Rum (citrus).
A Souped Up Paper Plane To Channel His Inner Child
Uncommon Goods Smartphone Controlled Model Airplane
As a kid, was there any greater feeling than making a paper airplane and watching it soar over school desks? This gift is a grown-up, wooden version made for serial tinkerers. It’s a DIY kit that allows him to build his own balsa wood wings and control flight with his iPhone through Bluetooth-enabled rechargeable motors. He’ll be ready for lift off in no time.
Dinnertime Decision Dice To Narrow Down His Options
Food Decision Dice
“So, what should we get to eat?” has to be one of the most asked questions in every relationship, with one of the most common answers being “I don’t know, what do you think?” These quirky metal dice take the decision out of your hands and make choosing your chow a fun game. You can customize what goes on one or two dice to include all of his favorites from tacos to sushi.
A Portable BBQ For Camping And Picnics
Gentlemen's Hardware Portable BBQ
He may find camping fun, but nobody likes the hunger that comes with a long day of hiking. This mini collapsible grill can come with him on the trail thanks to its lightweight stainless steel frame. All he’ll need is some charcoal—and maybe a couple of hot dogs. If camping isn’t his thing, it’s great for picnics too.
Bourbon Barrel-Aged Coffee He'll Be Psyched To Drink
Pappy & Company Bourbon Barrel-Aged Coffee
If he likes coffee and he likes bourbon, why not combine both for a delicious gift? Guatemalan whole beans are aged in Pappy Van Winkle bourbon barrels to create this single-batch blend that tastes great over ice or with ice cream.
An Air Fryer For Quick Weeknight Dinners
Philips Essential Connected XL Basket AirFryer
Getting dinner ready before hunger sets in is always a challenge, but especially on busy work nights when you’re out of time and ideas. That’s why air fryers are a lifesaver for culinary gurus and novices alike. They’re the ideal way to heat up a Trader Joe's frozen entree, and they also can cook more elevated meals like fresh salmon and Brussels sprouts in record time. Whatever his skill level, this gadget will earn that coveted counter spot.
An Iconic Sweater He’ll Rock Everywhere
Pendleton Men's Camp-Stitched Cotton Cardigan
Whether he thinks being outdoorsy refers to camping and fishing or just drinking outside, he’ll still look ruggedly handsome in this graphic cardigan. It’s made of 100% cotton by Pendleton, the iconic American brand out of Oregon and it’s sure to be an heirloom piece he’ll have for years to come.
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