From a teak cutting board to a Scandi-style travel mug.
The real truth about gifting for guys: such seemingly simple creatures, so hard to buy for. So we get it — with Love day on the way, the memorable best friend gifts search for your other half can be a little intimidating. That’s why we’ve curated the perfect list of Valentine’s Day gifts for him. Read on for 20 ideas for every kind of guy (and budget!).
What to look for in the best Valentine’s Day gifts for him
Scoring an unforgettable gift is all about zeroing in what he wants — and what he needs. Think about his off-duty pursuits (maybe it’s gaming, globetrotting or generally looking good) and go from there. On the practicality side, presents that elevate his dopp kit contents or support his everyday habits (like the best travel mugs) are good bets, too.
Our fave Valentine’s Day gifts for him 2024
Unisex Half Frame Sunglasses
Everyone needs a not-too-precious pair of sunnies in their optical arsenal (the kinda pair that if you lose while on a boat in Barbados, it’s no biggie?) These under-$20 frames with classic style deliver.
Codenames by Czech Games
Want to witness a game night go completely sideways? Set him up with Codegames, the perfect party game that mixes wordplay with total group lunacy.
Baxter of California Citrus & Herbal-Musk Deodorant
He’s better than the drugstore deodorant with a teen-locker room reputation. Show him the elevated way with this clean, aluminium-free option that conditions the skin while it detoxifies.
Igor by Tyler, the Creator Vinyl
Music just sounds better when it’s played through a record player. Add to his vinyl collection with Tyler, the Creator’s critically acclaimed 2019 album Igor.
He’ll love this genre-contorting listen that’s made for vibey evenings spent with a crisp glass of skin-contact wine and an endless supply of snacks.
P.F. Candle Co. Golden Coast
Eucalyptus, sea salt, red wood, palo santo: inhaling P.F. Candle Co.’s intoxicating room spray is like setting out on Highway 1 at sunset.
Each spritz, whether it’s dispersed in his living room or misted on his sheets before bed, is a little daily getaway.
Kotn Men’s Essential Crew
The perfect white tee should not be underestimated as an ace gifting option. (Find him an impeccable pick and you could be priming him for long-term style success, you know?)
Kotn’s Essential Crew — as integral as the name suggests — is cut from a durable, mid-weight cotton that fits slim through the body. Layered or tossed on on its own, it’s the very definition of closet staple.
Dyson Zone Noise-Cancelling Headphones
It’s impossible to understand just how crisp, just how immersive Dyson’s new noise-cancelling headphones are until you try them.
The tech-genius brand offers up unparalleled sound (up to continuous 50 hours with active noise cancelling), ergonomically designed ear cup geometry and micro-suede cushions that feel sumptuous to wear. It’s one of our favorite Valentine’s Day gifts for men that we know they’ll use every day.
Miansai Fortuna Golden Chain
A good reason guys don’t partake in the jewellery category is because they don’t know where to start. Make an impressionable introduction with one of Miansai’s chains, an easy throw-on that’s as low-key as it gets.
This one’s punctuated by a medallion engraved with the goddess of luck, setting him up for good fortune in 2024.
Reigning Champ RC-5405 Cotton-Blend Track Pants
Give the gift of anywhere-everywhere comfort with Reigning Champ’s polished track pants. This Canadian-designed style, cut from a cozy cotton blend, is the kind of pair that won’t look out of place in business class.
Omoton Laptop Stand
If his WFH set-up consists of a makeshift laptop stand crafted from a stack of books or, worse, flat and out of eye level on a desk, consider this thoughtful (and practical) present for him.
Raising his laptop six inches up and at a 15-degree forward-tilt angle, it’s an under-$30 device that gives him the gift of good posture and easy working.
Taschen The New York Times 36 Hours USA & Canada 3rd Edition
For the travel obsessed, present this New York Times-curated guide to the best road trips across the US and Canada.
With suggested stops in zig-zagging the continent (expect everywhere from Big Sur to the Berkshires), included are hundreds of highly curated weekend itineraries with notes on stellar stays, must-get reservations and cultural hotspots.
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
You could call his “skincare routine” understated (to be generous), but even getting him on board with one stellar addition can make a major impact. Enter The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution: a once-a-week, 10-minute mask that’s set to transform his skin.
Fellow 16oz Carter Everywhere Travel Mug
While everyone has jumped on the Stanley and Yeti trains, your guy enjoys his caffeine input in a bit more of an understated fashion.
Veja Campo Leather Sneakers
A classic sneaker with a sustainable bent — that’s what you get from Veja’s goes-with-everything low tops. The eco-supporting design details: a chrome-free leather upper, a lining crafted from organic cotton and recycled plastic bottles and a sole that’s partially made using wild Amazonian rubber.
The Art of Shaving Pre-Shave Oil Bergamot & Neroli
He’s reaching for his razor so often, might as well apply a self-care approach to his routine.
Formulated with two hard-working hair oils — olive to hydrate the skin, castor to diminish tug and pull as the blades glide over the hair — this perfect first step lets him get his closest (and most comfortable) shave yet.
Skagerak by Fritz Hansen Dania Cutting Board
This gorgeous teak cutting board is a certified upgrade for the at-home cook. Yes, he can exercise his best “yes, chef!” skills on its durable, moisture-resistant surface, but even better, it can remain on the counter even when it’s not in use, thanks to the eye-catching cross-section design.
Levi’s Skate Garage Jacket
A crisp, well-thought-out jacket can do wonders in a guy’s wardrobe. This one from Levi’s — somehow sleek and utilitarian, and done up in a dark denim — is a piece he can throw on for a low-key park walk or over a button-up during date night.
Tom Dixon Bell Portable LED Light
For the guy who gets a kick out of good design, a Tom Dixon lamp — rounded in all the right places and offering up soft, diffused lighting — will definitely have him pleased.
The nine-hour, battery-operated power source means he can perch this piece wherever he likes: on a desk, nightside table or anywhere he wants to add a little ambiance.
Bathorium Hinoki Magnesium Bath Flake
He’s a bonafide bath guy, he just doesn’t know it yet. A couple of scoops of this magnesium-laden soak — infused with the scent of yuzu, hinoki cypress and distilled ginger CO2 — into the tub aids in muscle recovery after a particularly gruelling gym sesh.
PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller – Midnight Black
We’re not going to pretend to know anything about video games, but over 10,000 five-star reviews on Amazon is probably a good indication that this PlayStation 5 controller is worth getting the gamer in your life.
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