This holiday season I asked you guys who you needed help shopping for. The most popular answer, hands down, was guys/boyfriends. Whether this boy happens to be a son, brother, or boyfriend I’ve got you covered with all the best gift ideas for your teen/twenty-something.
I wanted this gift guide to be as authentic and helpful as possible for you; so, I took it upon myself to sit down with each one of my guy friends and pick their brains. I asked each of them a few different questions: 1) What gifts have you received from a significant other in the past? 2) Which gift is the most memorable and why? 3) Is there anything specific you want for Christmas this year? 4) What gifts have you given your significant other in the past?
If I’m being honest, I was floored by some of their answers and creativity, while others responded just as I expected. I’ve never had a boyfriend during the holiday season so their help was greatly appreciated and will hopefully provide you with some spot-on ideas. *I will admit, every guy I spoke with is a college athlete so answers may be a bit skewed, lol.
I’ve generated a list of the top 50 most popular answers amongst them. As always, everything (that I could find) is linked in order from least expensive to most expensive (left to right) to make things as convenient as possible for you!
(click on the photo to open the link!)
It was no surprise to me that most guys answered their preferred gift as some sort of experience. I expected these to be high up on the list and totally understand why they are, especially when given by a significant other. There’s no better gift than one you can do together. Concert tickets were highly requested, especially something outdoors and during the summertime. I know concert season is looking a little different this year due to COVID but I figured I’d still throw this idea on here.
Sporting event tickets also ranked high on the list. Whether it be MLB, NFL, or NHL games every single boy I talked with said they would love nothing more than to attend a game. I can’t blame them, these make for the most fun experiences together! This gift idea would pair perfectly with a new sports jersey, sweatshirt, or even a hat from their favorite team.
Some of you said a weekend getaway together was your favorite thing to give your significant other and then there was Sam. Sam was quick to say that one of his favorite gifts to receive is a plane ticket voucher to go on different mission trips. If your man is passionate about helping others and feels called to participate in a mission trip, this is a fantastic idea. Or, if you want to visit somewhere tropical to get some relaxation time in, that works too—lol!
My sister and her boyfriend, Colton are big skiers. It’s their “thing” and so every birthday and holiday they give each other something ski related. If your man is into snowboarding and/or skiing perhaps a ski pass is something worth checking out. They can be rather pricey and one of those tedious things to purchase for yourself which is what makes it such a good gift idea. Bonus points if you’re like Madison and get yourself a pass to tag along!
After their first year of buying each other passes, the two of them started buying each other something ski related each holiday. Over the years they’ve purchased each other new skis, snow boots, helmets, jackets, and so much more. I talked with Colton and he gave me the scoop on all of his favorite ski accessories—linking as much as possible below for you to shop.
I don’t know what it is about college-aged boys/twenty-somethings but suddenly golf is the next best thing. And while I know most girls have no desire to participate in a day of 18 holes, while we’re on the topic of fun, experience gifts I figured I’d throw in the classic Top Golf date. This is something super fun for you two to do together. Not only will he enjoy it but it makes for a unique date night.
It took me by no surprise when several of the guys said a PS5 is on the top of their wishlist this year. Of course, the latest Play Station costs an arm and a leg but perhaps if you’re shopping for your son or your price range is a bit higher than this is just the gift idea you’re looking for! You’ll win girlfriend of the year with this purchase, trust me. Make sure they are Play Station boys and not X Box ones—I assure you there is a very big difference,
Of course, videogames always rank pretty high on the list. It feels like all my friends do is eat, school, baseball, videogames, repeat LOL. Connor has assured me that Call of Duty is back in business and that “Fortnite is for losers”. But, depending on the age you’re shopping for/what gaming system they use this answer may be very different. So, perhaps just ask them what game they have their eye on this year.
Ugg slippers are all the rage amongst the guys—they were big when I was in high school and they are just as big across my college campus. I’ve linked the most common favorites amongst guys. Although this gift is on the pricier side, Uggs are so worth the investment and are incredibly practical. I highly recommend purchasing from Ugg or Nordstrom as they run awesome sales around Black Friday.
You can’t go wrong with a nice pair of sunnies. Sunglasses are one of those items that most guys hate picking out for themselves. See if they prefer something trendier like a pair of Ray-Bans or something a bit sportier. Again, I recommend checking out Nordstrom for gifts like this one so you can score an awesome deal!
It may seem simple, but most guys are… you can’t go wrong with a little booze. Grab them a Yeti to keep their beer can cold, a shot glass or even a coozie to go with!
Connor was very adamant about me putting beer bong on the list of gift ideas. This is a very inexpensive gift that pairs well with a handle of their favorite alcohol or even a case of beer—much appreciated by any college student, of course.
Chubbies started off as a swimwear brand but have since expanded offering sweatshirts, polos, and shorts too. However, more times than not if a guy refers to Chubbies they’re talking about their 5-inch inseam swim trunks. I know it may seem like a strange fit to give around Christmas but these are so popular amongst college kids. Plus, what boy do you know that goes out and buys themself a new bathing suit?! Exactly… trust me, he won’t care that it’s thirty degrees out when he receives these. The more obnoxious the print, the better.
Most boys don’t upgrade their wallets often so this is the perfect gift idea. My dad used the same leather wallet he received as a gift until it quite literally fell apart. There are so many different styles out there at various price points. You’re sure to find one that works for your man! Bonus point if you get it embossed with his initials!
Connor helped me brainstorm tons of ideas for this blog post and the next few “game” ideas were some of his best/most creative if you ask me. Corn hole boards are an awesome Christmas gift idea. Nobody wants to purchase corn hole boards for themselves and yet every house needs a set at this age. Grab the bean bags as a smaller, side gift too! Many colleges/professional sports teams sell their own custom boards; this is an awesome route to go for the sports lover!
Ping pong table was another popular answer. Whether the boy in your life is thirteen or twenty-three, ping pong truly never gets old. I play with my friends all the time despite being absolutely terrible at it. I highly recommend checking out Target or Dicks for a gift like this one as they will both be running Black Friday specials on tables and their accessories (net, paddles, balls, etc).
If you didn’t paint your guy an infamous Tik-Tok beer pong table over quarantine, now is the time. This can double as your handmade gift and your “big” gift and I can guarantee it’s something he’ll keep forever. There are plenty of tutorials on how to paint these across YouTube and Tik Tok. Just don’t forget to seal your table so it doesn’t get ruined when wet!
Guys love getting yard games for holidays no matter their age. Can Jam is another game that’s super popular where I’m from. I’m not sure if it’s big everywhere but it’s a big beach favorite by us! I literally ~suck~ at this one but it’s a hit. Spikeball is also a fan fav and can keep a group of guys entertained for hours.
I know boys aren’t always the easiest to shop for especially when it comes to clothing but I’ve been doing my fair share of stalking over the last few weeks and have taken note of how many guys wear Timberlands. It doesn’t really matter whether you’re sporty or a hick, these shoes are among the most popular. Pricey but a closet staple aka something he’ll wear for years.
There are few “nice ” things a guy needs in their closet and a belt is definitely one of them. Weddings, funerals, game days, and formals tend to creep up before you know it and a dress belt is something every guy should have on hand for the occasion. Double-check their waist size before purchasing!
Similar to a nice dress belt, a tie is something they may put to good use, especially if they are working a “big boy” job that requires them to dress up. I know my high school football team had to wear a tie each game day so this is a good idea for younger boys as well! I always love something striped but there are dozens of ties out there. I’ve gotten my sister’s boyfriend a few over the years and Kohls + Vineyard Vines are always my go-to places to purchase.
There’s nothing better than a new basketball hoop, or so I’ve been told. Look into getting one for outside or the kind that hooks onto a door frame if they’re living in an apartment or dorm!
Even if they won’t admit it, every guy loves jamming out to their favorite tunes while driving. If they don’t already have a dongle/aux cord for their car, perhaps this would be a gift worth checking out!
I mentioned this one in my girl’s gift guide as well but it’s seriously such an awesome gift idea! They sync up to your phone and allow you to track your steps, receive messages, and get notifications. I highly recommend one if you’re trying to get in shape or if the boy you’re shopping for is an athlete. You definitely don’t need to pay extra money for the GPS + Cellular and although there’s a Series 6 out by now, the 3 does everything you could ever want.
Airpods are another classic gift idea. I use them all the time and don’t know many guys who don’t have a pair. Whether they’re walking to class, at the gym, or getting ready for a game, these are something that they’ll get tons of use out of. I don’t have the wireless charging case and if I’m being honest, I don’t really feel it’s worth the price difference.
As I mentioned, golfing is the latest and greatest activity for guys of all ages. If yours happens to be into golfing, perhaps get them a few accessories for their next round. Extra balls, tees, gloves, club covers, or even new golf shoes are all awesome ideas. It would even be a cute idea to buy a basket and fill it with a bunch of these ideas.
Every single guy I spoke with had team gear on their Christmas wishlists this year. Whether it be a jersey for their favorite player (the most popular request), a new hat, a hoodie, or even a pair of pajama pants every boy said they would be excited to receive something to support their favorite sports team. Some boys prefer college sports over professional so do a little digging before making your order. If they are a college fan, I highly recommend checking out that school’s bookstore for all the best deals.
A lot of guys have been working out from home instead of hitting the gym due to COVID; if that’s the case, perhaps some workout bands would be a good idea for them. Connor swears by these and is a huge fan of bodyweight workouts.
Pullup bars are a classic, especially if the boy you’re shopping for is in middle/high school and is just getting into lifting/exercising. One that fits right into the door frame is all you need and is something they’ll keep forever! Connor still uses his daily when working out.
Similar to makeup for girls, protein powder is one of those things that a lot of guys use every single day but hate purchasing for themselves. Find out which protein powder and supplements they like and then stock up on their favorites!
There’s no denying the attractiveness of a man who has a way with music! A guitar is such a fun idea for anyone looking to pursue music or who is looking to take it a bit more seriously. I honestly know nothing about guitars so I’m just linking a few popular ones I found on Amazon.
Every guy needs a speaker in their life! It may not be something they reach for on an everyday basis but I promise they will find a use for it when the time is right. We use ours when driving in the old car, on family vacation, or when headed out on a hike. So many guys like bringing their to the gym or even to a pregame. I did a bit of research on speakers and the Beats Pill, though older, still seems to be a classic. I’m linking a few other cheaper alternatives that’ll get the job done too.
Another yard game and one that’s super fun regardless of your age. A bad mitton net, rackets, and birdies are the perfect combo for a warm summer night. This is another item I’d recommend checking Dicks or Amazon for.
Doesn’t matter what your guy is into, chances are he appreciates a good hat. Whether it’s a baseball hat, beanie, visor, or bucket hat you can truly never go wrong with this gift idea. I gave Connor a Tommy Bahama visor a few Christmases ago and he still wears it all the time. I love it because it’s a bit nicer so he can wear it out to dinner/golfing but he also sports it at the beach!
If you’re wanting to hint at your man to *please* shave off that terrible mustache of his, perhaps a shaving kit is the gift idea you’re looking for, lol. I always hear bloggers rave about the Kiehl’s and Art of Shaving kits for their husbands so naturally, I’m passing that information along to you.
I added a weighted blanket to my girl’s gift guide but it’s a pretty universal gift idea so I’m adding it to the guy’s gift guide as well. Guys tend to weigh a significant amount more than girls so make sure you’re doing a bit of research before placing your order—the heavier you are the heavier the weighted blanket you purchase will be. The best naps are ones taken with a weighted blanket—trust me!
If you’re doing long distance, I highly recommend getting an Alexa; preferably one of the larger ones that have a screen so you can use them to call one another. College campuses and apartment complexes oftentimes have weaker reception and I’ve found that the Alexa video option is much more stable than your phone’s WiFi. My sister and her boyfriend use their devices to call each other all the time and swear by them. Plus, they are good for other things like setting alarms, listening to music, and asking questions.
I know fishing isn’t super popular in every state but there are few boys I know who would turn down an afternoon spent fishing. I personally love to go as long as I don’t have to take the fish off the hook, LOL! If this is a hobby he’s wanting to pursue a fishing rod is an awesome idea. Again, this is a topic I truthfully don’t have a whole lot of knowledge about so I linked some of the highest rated options for you to check out.
Similar to golf, there are tons of little add ons that go along with fishing. Items like fishing line, hooks, a tackle box, fake bait, bobbers, and more are all items you can purchase in addition to a rod to complete your holiday shopping.
Gino recommended posters and I thought this was an awesome idea. I know this may seem like a strange gift idea but what boy’s room have you walked into that didn’t have a few on the walls? None! Most guys prefer something sports-related but perhaps they’d like a beach scene, something from their favorite movie, a band, or even a giant picture of the two of you!
Back to golfing…. as you can tell this was a very highly recommended theme for me to cover in today’s blog post. So many boys I talked with said they love getting clothes for Christmas simply because they hate shopping for themselves. Things like polos, gold pants, khaki shorts, and zip-ups are all awesome ideas. I always recommend grabbing one from their college—who doesn’t love sporting their school?! I found a bunch of things I liked that are on sale for you to check out.
Socks are one of those things I get every year for Christmas and it’s one of those things that, oddly enough, I look forward to every single year. Boys are the exact same way. Get them a nice pair of dress socks, or even something sporty that they can wear on an everyday basis to class. It’s a basic idea but one they’ll actually use!
I randomly came up with this idea when going to close my eyes at night, lol. I have been working on this series for weeks and have quite literally tried to write down everything and anything that comes to mind. I love playing darts at parties and figured this was something worth adding to the list. It’s a fun addition to the game room!
For Connor’s high school graduation I picked out a nice watch from Fossil to give him. It had a navy face and a leather band and he still wears it to this day (I linked the exact one)! I chose Fossil because that’s where all of my personal favorites have come from so I figured it was a safe bet. Plus, they are pretty middle of the range price-wise. There are dozens of nice options out there and if he’s someone who gets dressed up often, this is an idea you should definitely consider!
If your man is on the road traveling often, a duffel bag is a really good idea. Boys tend to like something super simple with minimal pockets because unlike females they like things pretty plain jane and easy to find. We got my dad a new one for Christmas last year that’s super nice. I’ll link it below along with a few other nice ones.
According to Connor, no guy will ever be disappointed to receive a new football or basketball. When I asked him “isn’t that kind of lame since obviously every guy already has these?” he simply replied, “it never hurts to have another”. If you’re shopping for a younger brother or one of your significant other’s siblings this is a safe bet!
My roommate’s boyfriend Seth is obsessed with poker right now. He and his friends get together once a week and have a game night together and apparently, this is very common at certain schools. If it is, some poker chips and a deck of cards is a unique idea. Maybe even throw in some quarters or single bills for him to bet with!
There are many boys who, at this stage of life, are infatuated with stocks. I know, because I have tons of friends who check the stock market more than their gosh darn texts. If your guy falls under this category, he may just simply want money to invest in his favorite company. And to be honest, how can you be mad about that?!
Weights are a great idea if your boyfriend is into lifting or wanting to start. A lot of guys like to have an at-home gym with weights, a bench press, and more in their basement or backyard. Grab them a few new additions to help up their game!
What boy do you know that doesn’t wear running sneakers on a daily basis? I personally don’t know any. None of the guys I talked with had any specific recommendations (so helpful, right?!). In fact, most of them said they wear a pair their mom got them or that they were given by their sports program. I laughed at this answer and rounded up the most common styles I see them wearing.
I’ve seen this idea a few times on Pinterest and thought it was so cute. If you are someone who travels often (either on your own or with your significant other) I recommend choosing a small item and buying one of it every time you go somewhere new. I see this most often done with shot glasses but other ideas are postcards, keychains, magnets, and bottle openers. Add the items to a box as the year progresses and at the end of the year, give them the box. They will be reminded of all the awesome places you’ve gone together and will be flooded with good memories. This is such a cute idea if you ask me!