When Sherry made a mood board of gifts that kids and ladies might like, there were actually a bunch of requests for a guy-gifts version from me. Color me surprised. But who am I to deny the people what they want? (cut to me muttering quiet profanities while trying to make a mood board). The good news is that ten hours later I emerged victorious. Fist bumps for everyone! I won’t even pretend that the items below will tickle every guy’s fancy (do men even having “fancies?”), but here are a dozen items that I wouldn’t mind finding under the tree…
1. This HOMAGE NYC tee, which I’m actually wearing right now. I treated myself to this $20 Fab.com find a few weeks ago and the best part is that Clara says “C for Clara!” when she sees it.
2. I’m a sucker for a good notebook. Yep, even dudes need to write things down now and again. So this $10 hand-stamped brown spiral notebook from Etsy seems like a pretty perfect place to jot down your “nefarious ideas.”
3. I haven’t actually used this GYRO screwdriver from Black & Decker, but every time I walk by it at the store I’m intrigued. It’s like the Segway scooter from www.MyProScooter.com of screwdrivers, interpreting the twist of your wrist to the direction you want to drive your bit. Screwdriving of the future perhaps?
4. I will always have a soft spot for vintage travel posters, so these caught my eye a few weeks ago. Sadly there’s no Richmond poster yet, but there are still lots of options for those of you who live in (or have a love for) a bigger metropolis.
5. Fist pump… in poster form. Need I say more? I do. This fresh $20 print comes to you straight from Richmond.
6. I couldn’t do a mood board without something bike-y on here, right? So how about this $18 leather wallet from Etsy, which can even be personalized for no extra charge. That means more cash to keep in your… well, you know.
7. These are man cave bookends if I ever saw ’em. And while I like the classic green color of these oversized army men, I think they could also look pretty sweet spray painted charcoal, navy, or even in Sherry’s go-to glossy white.
8. Here’s another suggestion straight from my closet: this striped hoodie from American Apparel is just about the most comfortable thing I own these days. The $45 price tag is a bit more than I usually spend on a sweatshirt, but I’m most definitely getting my money’s worth this winter.
9. This WOW Bluetooth Speaker comes in several colors, but this yellow one caught my eye first. They’re available in a few places around the internet, but the best price I’ve seen hails from eBay.
10. I’m a fan of giving magazine subscriptions to my brothers-in-law for the holidays, and this rustic magazine rack (made from reclaimed materials) could be another option. It’s more expensive than a magazine subscription, so a few of the bro-in-laws would probably go in on it together.
11. The Oatmeal cracks me up on a regular basis, so I see guaranteed laughs for anyone who receives the gift of How To Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting To Kill You.
12. While I wouldn’t normally suggesting giving a guy scented candles, even I can get behind “man candles” which smell like fresh cut grass, a campfire, and (my personal favorite) sawdust.
So that’s my dude-y dozen. Do you guys have any favorites of the mix? Or are there any other items that you’re getting the dudes in your life that you’d like to share?
Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
Man cans are made by a kid in my small town! Thanks for the awesome shout out! Too cool!
No way! That’s awesome.
-John
Sawdust scented candle? That makes me laugh! Definitely a “man candle” if anything!
So… I’m a girl, but pretty much most of everything on this list works for me too! Wonder if that makes me a man-girl? No. Let’s just call this a gender-neutral list for my sanity-identity’s sake.
Haha, I thought the same thing! I would definitely show that drill who’s boss.
xo
s
you said doody.
Great post, I love 2,4,5 and 8-12. Off to shop.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS YHL!
Haha, my thoughts exactly when I proof-read it (about doody). Haha. Twinsies.
xo
s
So glad i’m not the only one who read it and thought “doody!”…oh the joys have having two 2yr old boys!
Love the speaker! Might have to pick it up as a gift.
Chris asked for 98% stuff for the kitchen, 1% tools and 1% clothes. And he counts “new basketball shorts” as clothes. So while I observed his wishes and got him things he really wanted, not going crazy in the Gap’s men’s department was hard! I learned a valuable lesson though–what us women want to get our men, isn’t necessarily what they really want to receive. Hence–1% clothes. Hahaha.
I did have fun putting together a dream gift guide for a guy though. Just not my guy necessarily. http://www.chrislovesjulia.com/2012/12/you-cant-go-wrong-gifts-for-him-her-and.html
Love the guide! And you’re so right about us trying to project what we want our men to have instead of just getting them what they really want. Hahah!
xo
s
Kreg Jig, for the win! Although that really might be more for me. I also got a battalion of balsa wood airplanes, just as a cheap, fun stocking-stuffer. Lots of fun on Christmas morning.
John loves his Jig. Seriously, it’s a very deep and meaningful relationship.
xo
s
Excellent! My husband is such a good sport with our three cats and I needed one extra little gift for him so I just ordered the Oatmeal book. Thanks for posting these!
Sure!
-John
The Oatmeal is hilarious. And now I want my next journal to say “Nefarious Ideas” on the front. Definitely sounds like a Dr. Horrible type of idea. :)
Haha me too! I think our next book should be called Nefarious Ideas from Young House Love. Hahah!
xo
s
Those are some great ideas…I especially love the fist pump poster…that would be awesome for my office…and i would totally be down for the campfire smelling candles…some cool finds!
Thanks Ed! Fellow dude in the house. Ladies make some noise!
-John
*noise*
I bought my husband that bike wallet last year! We are the next J&S {only M&A}. :)
Haha, that’s so sweet! I wish I had seen it before ordering John’s gift – I totally would have gotten him one.
xo
s
These are great ideas. I never think to get my hubby home decor gifts, but I’m sure he’d love the posters and the magazine rack.
Thanks Lauren!
-John
Boom. Wallet purchased. Thanks for the suggestion, John!
But of course.
-John
We posted about the man candles too! How funny are they?
Jenn
http://withluckblog.com/gifts-for-him-under-25/
So funny!!
xo
s
“Do men even having “fancies” ”
Answer — only in England.
And have.
Haha!
xo,
s
Totally just bought the cat book! My boyfriend is always talking about how the cat is trying to kill him!
Nice!
-John
Hi John & Sherry!
This are all very cool!
Do you have any suggestions for a seminary student/theology lover?… I cant seem to find anything for my husband that is not a book… ;/
Thanks!
Hmm, I was thinking about books but then you said no books. Maybe some cool theology-related art?
-John
My husband is a theology lover too. He LOVED the audio recording of C.S. Lewis’s radio talks that eventually were turned into his book “The Four Loves.” You can download them from Audible.com or get a hard copy with 4 cd’s here http://www.christianbook.com/the-four-loves-audiobook-on/c-s-lewis/9780849963728/pd/963729
Check out http://www.beestill.org/
I think the cat book is the best thing on that list. I’m not a fan of cats myself, but there’s no way that book can’t be good.
My husband always tells me he wishes we could be tortoises so we could live very long lives together. That led me to purchase a tortoise print for our gallery wall from this Etsy shop for him: http://www.etsy.com/listing/108481726/tortoise-original-watercolor-painting?ga_search_query=tortoise. I’m pretty pumped about it and I’m certain he’ll love it!
That’s so cute!
xo
s
Yay, Homage! I was just at one of their stores this morning to pick up a gift for my husband. Love their stuff, and shopping local.
Love all these idea. It’s the most relatable holiday gift post I’ve seen on the web this whole season! Too bad I got hubby a medical drawing textbook. coughdorkcough
Wow, thanks Robin!
-John
So much for no more shopping! I knew I shouldn’t have looked, off to see if I can get some of these things before Christmas….otherwise I’ll save them for Valentine’s Day :)
Oh man. YHL reads The Oatmeal! And thus my fandoms collide. Next I’m going to find out you all watch Doctor Who or something. :-)
Hah, our friend Noah says Doctor Who is awesome, so it could happen!
-John
John and Sherry watching Doctor Who = awesome. They’re all on Netflix and I just watched the last episode.
Check out this iphone mount for a road bike- I got this for my cyclist dad. http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/iphone-bike-mount
Really cool!
xo
s
John, I know you just spent 10 hours creating this mood board… but do you happen to have any cheap stocking stuffer ideas for guys??
Hah, let’s see? Maybe a candy bar? Or a soda? Haha. Hmm, what else? A magazine subscription is always fun/cheap (sometimes $5 on amazon.com) and you could slip a little printout of the mag’s cover in the stocking.
-John
Love the magazine idea–just bought a $5 subscription to Esquire for my man (we are starting a tradition of doing about $30 worth of random fun stuff in each other’s stockings since our one big gift usually isn’t a surprise!). Thanks John!
There are also a lot of really fun stocking stuffers at Urban Outfitters. I’d check them out too. :) Of course there is always lottery tickets, cheap gift cards and homemade cards or coupons you could add too.
I’ve been totally stumped on a gift for my husband. There was a Slate magazine article about the most comfortable hoodie ever but it was sold out when I went to the website (and $80) so I’ll have to check out that American Apparel one.
I don’t know if you guys have heard of Doctor Who but your #3 screwdriver reminded me of the futuristic “sonic screwdriver” from the show. Definitely a step in the right direction.. soon we’ll only need sound to install shelves according to BBC :P
So funny! Second Dr Who reference today! We’ll have to check it out!
xo
s
Beware: it’s addicting! I hated the first episode, but then went back a couple months later, loved it and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Kimberly MTE! I’d buy it in a second if it made sounds like the sonic screwdriver.
surprised you didnt include something mappy. I got these “fabmaps” for my husband and sister and am SUPER psyched about it. http://store.randmcnally.com/sale.html
you could use them for anything! bulletin board, pillows, pop it in a frame to use as a matte…or as a map. obvs.
Mmm, maps. Well done.
-John
I used to have toy soldiers lined up with putty around my dorm room waaay back in the day. The book ends get my nostalgic–I might have to get them (despite them being labeled as a man gift!).
Haha! Get them! I love them too!
xo
s
I just had to order that Nefarious Ideas notebook for my husband. So awesome. He’s doing clinic rotations to finish a physician assistant program and is always scouring the house for old notebooks to keep track of cases to log. This will fit in his white coat and definitely give him a little chuckle throughout the day. Good job John! :)
Thanks Casey!
-John
*BONUS* I meant bonus. OMG! *blush* geez. last comment ever.
Hahahahahahaha best typo ever!
xo,
s
Haha I like the magic drill. I was just at home depot today buying a “impact driver” for someones gift(just bought one, still not sure what it is) and the very nice man helping me INSISTED that I try it out. I said “oh its not for me, no thanks”. He said, “oh yes, yes its very powerful, just try it”. And handed it to me.
Pretty much just made a lot of noise, bounced off the screw and maybe almost took out both of us. He said, “well thats not really how you… here” and took it away from me LOL.
Hahahaha!
xo,
s
Always fun to see what a guy wants (I shared my guys gift guide here)! I love those army men bookends (though my favorite is that book!).
Fun!
xo,
s
Wow! Thanks for putting my Fresh poster on your list! What a festive honor! Happy holidays! – [email protected]
Of course Matt, we dig it!
-John
I used to find my hubs difficult to buy for, but one year someone said to me “think about something that will make his life/dailylife easier”. So I started doing that, and odd things sometimes come up, like office related, or even decor. But if it makes his life easier and makes him smile (like the NI notebook above) then that’s just a boner.
Oh KatieLou! I saw the correction above, but just found your original comment. Made me laugh out loud! Best. Typo. Ever.
Awesome job, John — totally worth the 10 hours it took. :-) And, though I’m a lay-dey, I’m loving 2, 4, 7, 10, & 12. Possibly for my husband (luckily his b-day is in February, so it’s fun to use holiday gift ideas as “overflow” gifts), definitely for me to love vicariously. And I’m SO into the idea of a campfire candle — favorite scent for the win!
I’m really loving those bookends.
And I would totally read that cat book, just for the title :)
I got some of the candles for the guys on my list.
My whole living room smells of the “coffee” ManCan – to the point where I can’t tell if the “fresh cut grass” ManCan even has a scent.
Homage and American Apparel, love me some men who shop Made in the USA! :) *swoon*
Seriously, I just bought 2 and 4. I wish this list came out a week ago so they were sure to be here by christmas. We will call them new years presents if not.
I noticed there is nothing video game-related here and then I realized I don’t think I’ve ever read anything about John playing video games. John…are you a unicorn?
Sidenote: I got my hubs a Black and Decker Matrix drill with the sander attachment. His mom got him the trim saw attachment and his dad got him the router. (I don’t know what a router is, *hangs head in shame*) My parents got him a torque wrench set. Essentially he’s getting a mini workshop for Christmas.
But I’m going to order one of those campfire candles now…for myself.
Sadly I’m not a unicorn. I definitely liked video games when I was younger but after moving to NYC in my tiny apartment I just didn’t have access to them (or money for them, lets be real) so it sort of died then.
-John
You guys rock.
Thanks so much for including my Nefarious Ideas journal in your manly man gift roundup. Happy Holidays!
Of course! We love it!
xo,
s
Thanks, John! I just ordered the Army bookends for my Army guy. He loves quirky things like that. I am probably the oldest person to order from Urban Outfitters…ever. If you enter purplewishes into the promotion field you get free 3-day before Xmas shipping and 10% off.
Great tips!
xo,
s
Love the NYC shirt! Does it run small or big? I’m thinking my husband would love it…
It runs a little small I think. I got a medium.
-John
Thanks for the mood board! My eye went right to the army dudes as we have a few thousand currently residing at La casa. Plus tanks, trains , planes and whatever a man in his 30’s with the heart of a 12 year old boy would love. They are on their way to a man who can truly love them.
Thanks again!
My bros-in-law would love that cat book. Great list!
I have loved that hoodies of yours for a while….glad to know where I can get one for my man :)
For t-shirts, please also check out my husband’s business!
http://www.killjoytshirts.com
Well, John, I hope you get a kickback from the fab.com folks, because I just joined and dropped a wad there. One thing I don’t get, though – on the Seattle print on your mood board, what is that weird circular thing halfway down on the right side?
Seriously, this might be the best Dude Gifts post ever.
Thanks! Nope, no kickback from Fab.com but their site is fun, right? Oh and in that Seattle print I think that circle is the sun?
-John
John, what is this “sun” you speak of?
Hahah!
-John
Love the fabric you suggested for a shade in the hall bathroom. I think it would look adorable as a shower curtain in a kids bathroom. :) Thanks for the idea!
Thanks for this post! I’ve been racking my brain for a small funny surprise gift for my husband. Enter: How to Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting to Kill You! Thanks for a great idea!
Today Apartment Therapy pointed to some bike/taxidermy related wall decor that made me think of y’all! You might have to amend the ol’ Christmas mood board after you see these…
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/mount-your-beast-bicycle-taxidermy-by-regan-appleton-181353
So much fun!
xo,
s