GIFTS FOR MEN
The Ultimate Idea Guide
The Ultimate Idea Guide
What do you get for that boyfriend of yours?
That’s a lot more difficult of a question than you might have realized before starting out the relationship. With new relationships, it feels like gifts are around every corner. You’re as infatuated with him as he is with you, thinking about each other non-stop, and gifts are a great (and natural) way to express your feelings.
But you may not really know him all that well yet. You’re getting to know his likes and dislikes, hobbies and interests, quirks and flaws. You may have lots of great ideas for gifts, only to find out they won’t work for him because he’s just not that kind of person.
In the early days, it can be tough to decide on a good gift. You can spend hours racking your brain and still come up empty-handed because you are still figuring out what kind of gifts would work best to show him how you feel.
I’ve got good news for you: it gets easier as your relationship progresses! As you get to know each other, you can learn about his wants/needs/likes and in so doing, come to understand what kind of gifts suit him best.
As he changes from your boyfriend to your fiancée to your husband to the father of your kids, you’ve got all sorts of great opportunities to get him gifts you know he’ll love. (You can also use some of our other gift guides to help you find the perfect Husband gifts and Father gifts.)
But for the time being, while you’re still in the early stages and trying to figure him out, we’ve got your back!
Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best gifts for a boyfriend—low-pressure, no-obligation, ultra-versatile gifts that will be perfect for any occasion…and any stage in your relationship.
Want to jump right to the gift ideas?
For 2022, we've outlined a selection of gifts every boyfriend will enjoy. Our Gifts for Boyfriends Guide is one of the many gift guides available at WERD. Tapping into our 12 years of gear & gadget experience, we've hunted down the best finds for every type of guy, giving you the confidence to gift like a pro.
What is the best gift for a boyfriend?
- Something he’ll use regularly
- Something he needs (but may not want to/be able to buy for himself)
- Something he wants (but can’t bring himself to spend that much money)
- Something romantic shows that your feelings for him
Your gifts don’t have to fall into all of these categories; really, you only need to make sure to hit one, and it’ll work just fine.
The truth is that a gift isn’t as much about the object being given as the time and effort invested into choosing that object. It could be a $5 keychain, but if that keychain is exactly what he needs (to stop losing his keys) and has a romantic addition (some token of the two of you), it’s worth exponentially more than a $100 gift card to some big box store. Even an inexpensive tool or piece of equipment he needs for school/work/hobbies can be an amazing way to show your support for his career and professional interests.
What should I gift to my long distance boyfriend?
Giving your long-distance boyfriend a gift can be tricky, chiefly because you’re not there in person to give it to him and see his face light up.
However, when given over long-distance, even small gifts can have much greater impact. It’s an amazing way to show him just how much you’re thinking of him—a few hundred (or thousand miles) isn’t enough to get him off your mind.
The gift-giving rules are the same for a boyfriend who lives next door or across the country. All that matters is that you find something he’ll love, or that will make him happy and improve his life, and you’ve found the perfect gift to have sent directly to his address.
(Or, if you’re into the whole rom-com ultra-romantic gesture, you can always surprise him with it on your next visit!)What should you not gift your boyfriend?
- A barrage of gifts.
There is such a thing as "overgifting"! - Super expensive items.
He may feel obligated to reciprocate, and if he’s on a tight budget, that’ll negatively impact the relationship. - Cologne.
Guys tend to be very specific in their cologne choices.
(Note: The only caveat to this is that cologne makes a great gift if you go with him to a department store and test out various scents to find the "right" one you both like. That’s a gift he’ll love!) - Toiletries and Grooming products.
Unless he’s totally obsessed with his appearance, it’s not really a great gift.
(Note: The caveat to this is that there are some very cool grooming tools that he might not know about, but which he might love. Just make sure he doesn’t already have it.) - A framed photo of yourself.
Possessive, much? That can come off like "marking your territory". If you’re giving him a framed photo, make it of the two of you.
What can I write to my boyfriend in a greeting card?
Coming up with the right message to write in a greeting card is HARD—harder even than buying the right gift, many people find.
Thankfully, the good folks over at American Greetings have a complete guide to writing a card for your boyfriend. You’ll find lots of excellent advice and ideas to use as a springboard to draft a loving, personalized message that will touch his heart.
What events should I give a gift to my boyfriend?
That’s the beauty (and downside) of new relationships: there are SO MANY occasions when you can gift him a gift!
A few of my favorites include:
- Anniversary of your first date, first kiss, first moving in together, first asked to be boyfriend-girlfriend
- Birthday
- Valentine’s Day
- Holidays (pretty much all of them!)
- New job
- Promotion
- No reason at all—everyone loves a "Tuesday gift"!
Should I bring a gift for my boyfriend’s parents if they invite me to dinner?
There’s certainly a great deal of expectation placed on you the first time you go visit your boyfriend’s parents. On this visit, you should definitely bring a gift of some sort—as a way of showing your hosts (and prospective in-laws) that you’re a well-mannered, respectful person.
The ideal gift to bring for your boyfriend’s parents on this initial visit is a bottle of wine (or whatever liquor they like to drink).
Ask your boyfriend what his parents drink—or get him to do a bit of subtle sleuthing for you—and make sure to bring the bottle in a nice little gift bag or tied with a ribbon. That’ll show how classy you are.
Keep bringing gifts for the first few visits. There will eventually come a time when you become less "prospective" and more like “family”, and that’s when you can stop bringing over a gift.
Do guys like getting gifts from girlfriends?
Absolutely! In fact, I’d argue that guys like it even more, because they’ve received far fewer gifts in their lives. It’s expected that boyfriends shower their girlfriends with treats, gifts, and special treatment, but they love feeling it in return. Even just a small gift is a sign that you’re paying attention to his wants and needs, and it lets him know you’re thinking about him. I guarantee it’ll put a smile on his face!
A selection of gifts ideas for boyfriend for 2022
Kanga Kase Mate Insulated Cooler Bag
It’s no exaggeration to say that with the Kase Mate, you’ll never need ice again. This little cooler is designed to keep your drinks cold for up to 7 hours, so you can hit the beach or lake in style and still enjoy a frosty drink at the end of a long day.
It’s actually sized perfectly to slip right over your 12-pack, 24-pack, or 30-pack—ready to hit the road in a matter of seconds. The four-layer closed-cell foam insulating membrane even has a reflective liner that will shield your drinks from the heat and stop any chill from seeping out. Talk about the perfect companion for those hot summer days.
Able Cooler
Large enough for up to 6 cold cans or carrying your lunch, the 2.5-liter Able Cooler is a slim, insulated carrier that will keep its contents cold for hours. Up to 6 hours with the brand’s icepacks. Or warm for 4 hours. It features a padded carry handle and an adjustable shoulder strap to give you options.
Aged & Ore Bottle Flight
The Bottle Flight from Aged & Ore is a set of 4 silicone-wrapped 3-ounce glass bottles designed to safely transport and share samples of your favorites spirits. The bottles carry in a custom travel case sized to fit neatly in any small bag. An Aged & Ore ‘Glass Marker’ is also included, allowing you to label your beverages so you know what you’re sipping.
Nebo Slim+ 1200 Flashlight
With a super-bright 1200-lumens of light, the Slim+ 1200 flashlight from Nebo combines a spot light, red laser pointer, and a 1500mAh USB charging bank into a sleek, pocketable package.
A sprung wire pocket clip makes it an easy way to recharge your phone while you’re on-the-go. A magnetic base provides secure, hands-free function.
Bellroy Key Case
Offering sleek, bundled storage for 3-5, Bellroy’s Key Case features a unique flipper mechanism that ejects keys one-handed while keeping them secure on a detachable cord loop for a car key or fob. The exterior is smooth, eco-tanned leather finish & the hardware is stainless steel. Choose from 5 colors.
Acebeam Rider RX 650 Lumens Flashlight
The numbers tell you all you need to know about this little badass. The Acebeam Rider RX is a compact & waterproof EDC flash that delivers 650 lumens of bright-white light that it can throw into a 300-foot beam. It’s got 5 power modes. 2-way clip. Max run-time: up to 7 days. Weight: 82 grams.
Sonos Roam SL Speaker
The Sonos Roam SL makes the brand’s popular Roam portable speaker a bit simpler by eliminating the mic but its functions with the same sweet, room-filling sound & a sweet price tag to boot.
Compatible with all Sonos Qi chargers, it offers 10 hours of continuous playback as well as IP67 waterproofing for beach & poolside soundtracks.
Craighill Wilson Keyring
Constructed with sprung, eighth-inch thick brass wire, the Wilson keyring from Craighill is a strong and purposeful piece. What it lacks in complexity, it more than makes up for in pure function. It exists to declutter you pockets & performs its task with ease. Choose raw brass or vapor black finish.
The Catcher Bottle Opener
Bottle-tops won’t go flying when you’re popping cold ones open with The Catcher. It’s a magnetic-bottle opener with a soft silicone-grip that allows you to stick it almost anywhere & get crackin’! A strong magnet inside catches the caps before they fall. Ideal for home, RV, boat, garage or man cave.
Gerber Gear Armbar Slim Drive
Lightweight and minimalist, Gerber’s Armbar Slim Drive multi-tool offers a few of your most-used essentials. For screwing stuff: A 2-1/2” long driver with two-sided ¼” bit, for cutting stuff: a 2 & 1/2” frame lock blade, and for drinking stuff, the always handy bottle opener. Choose from 3 colors.
Wills Cashmere Socks
If you think cashmere feels good in a sweater, wait until you wear it on your feet. These socks are made with Mongolian cashmere, offering an ultra-soft feel & blended with nylon for strength and spandex for stretch. Warm & yet highly breathable, the cashmere blocks odor naturally. Color choices include charcoal & whiskey.
Flexit Pocket Light
The Flexit Pocket Light works like a traditional flashlight but it’s a lot more flexible than that. It’s got a 180º adjustable head so you can point it exactly where you want it. Simply grab the handle and flex the LED head. The adjustable head offers a spot & floodlight mode as well as options for hands-free use, including a magnetic base, a hanging hook, and a hinged clip for attaching it. Run-time up to 72-hours with 650-lumens of brightness.
Gerber Shard Keychain Tool
Lightweight & airline-safe, Gerber’s Shard keychain tool is a proven EDC classic. It also happens to be the one tiny tool we go to most often. With a durable titanium nitride coating & sized perfectly for your pocket, it offers small & medium flat drivers, a Philips head driver, wire stripper, pry bar, bottle opener, & lanyard hole. It weighs about half an ounce.
Cable Knit Pants
Made with a unique “seawool” nylon yarn created from pulverized oyster shells and recycled plastic bottles, these cable knit pants are purpose-built for casual comfort. Basically a cozy cable sweater for your lower half.
TOZO W1 Wireless Charger
The Tozo W1 Wireless Charger is smooth and sleek and just 5mm thick. For reference, that’s two nickels and a penny stacked together. So yeah, impressively thin for its 10 Watt output, which is plenty to charge the latest Apple & Samsung devices.
A mirror-like finish and single LED indicator light complete the streamlined design. It charges via USB-C but no cord & adapter is included. Which must be at least part of why it’s such a great price. Available in a variety of colors.
Mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger
Available exclusively through the Apple Store, Mophie’s latest MagSafe compatible charger is a portable, 3-in-1 folding design made to charge up up your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once, delivering 15W of output. When not in use, it folds flat into a handy folio. Recharge via USB-C.
WESN The Samla
The Samla pocket knife from Detroit’s WESN brand is a sharp little friction folder with a flat blade and a streamlined design. Designed for reliable, everyday use, the 2.45” blade is constructed of Sandvik 14c28n stainless steel with scales in your choice of either Rosewood or Grade 5 Titanium.
Foehn Brise Schoeller Pant
Made in an exclusive range of custom colors for Huckberry, Foehn’s Brise Schoeller Pant 2.0 combines a slim fit and versatile styling with a tear- and abrasion-resistant technical fabrication that also repels water, moisture, dirt, & stains. Zip cuff for custom fit & articulated in the knee & crotch for full freedom of movement.
SeaVees Seachange Slide
Seavees’ Seachange Slides are a plush and cozy place to keep your feet from freezing this winter. They’ve got a super-soft recycled fleece lining & a slim, sneaker-style outsole which is also made from recycled material. On top of that: they’re vegan.
REAPR Versa Camp Axe
Built to handle tough work around camp & in the field, REAPR’s Versa Camp Axe is a 10 3/4” pack-friendly axe that hits above its weight. It features a square hammerhead opposite the 3” axe blade; the butt end features a slotted pry bar & nail puller as well as a hole for a lanyard. A bottle opener & 3 box wrenches are integrated into the axehead.
Pelican G5 Field Wallet
With its Aircraft-grade aluminum shell and RFID Blocking barrier, Pelican’s G5 Personal Utility RF Field Wallet keeps your cards, cash, and small EDC items safe, secure and accessible at all times. The case is Crushproof & Waterproof with an IP67 rating for submersion at 1 meter for 30 minutes. Lifetime guarantee.
Rumpl NFL Blankets
Outdoor blanket brand Rumpl will get you geared up for football season with their officially-licensed NFL collection blankets. All the teams, with corresponding colors & logos, plus that puffy, lightweight warmth Rumpl is famous for.
Herschel Insulated Cooler Bag
Innovative Canadian bag brand Herschel is ready to keep you cool this summer. Their line of soft-sided insulated bags lets you take your pops or picnic wherever you may roam and always arrive chilled. The collection includes coolers, tote bags, and packs, giving you all the options for how you carry your cooler.
Bellroy Flip Case
With room for up to 8 cards plus cash, the Flip Case wallet from Bellroy is a sleek EDC essential. With its soft leather exterior and magnetic trap door, it keeps your valuables secure but easily accessible. When you’ve taken out what you need, it automatically snaps shut. Available in brown or black.
Sony Extra BASS Wireless Portable Compact Speaker
With its beach-friendly waterproof design and pocketable size, Sony’s SRS-XB13 speaker makes a cool companion for hot summer days. With an IP67 rating for dust- and water-proofing plus a UV-coated finish, it’s built for all-weather outdoor action. Shorter than a common 12-ounce can, it is also very packable; with a webbing strap loop for lashing it to your pack or carrying around your wrist. Battery life: 16 hours. Available in a range of colors.
Leatherman Bond
Based on its first-ever multitool launched in 1983, the Leatherman Bond multi-tool is a proven EDC essential. It boasts 14 functions, including needlenose pliers, Philips and slotted screwdrivers, wire cutters and strippers, a ruler, a wood and metal file, a can opener and 2.9″ stainless steel blade. Weight is just 5.8 ounces.
Twin Wrench Driver
For dealing with small, technical & hard-to-reach screws, nuts and bolts, Engineer’s Twin Wrench Driver really gets in there. The design pairs a straight end & 90º angled-end ratcheting driver combo that allows you to use it like a screwdriver or a wrench. It’s got a knurled cushion handle for firm grip without slippage & comes supplied with 10 magnetized bits in a bullet holder, including 1.5mm-4.0mm hex bits, sizes #00, #1 & #2 Phillips plus 4.5mm & 6mm slot head drivers.
Spotify Car Thing
Spotify’s Car Thing is the company’s first foray into hardware. The “thing” is a voice-controlled device/display for use in the car; a Bluetooth-connected “remote” for enjoying Spotify without the need for a phone. Which will be useful in older and classic cars without infotainment & connectivity. The dash-mounted device features 2 tactile buttons allowing you to easily, safely control Spotify manually as well as by voice command. It will only be available to wait-listed Premium subscribers selected at random.
FishFace 18-in-1 Pocket Multi-Tool
The FishFace from True Utility is an 18-in-1 EDC multi-tool no larger than the other keys on your keychain but it puts in overtime. It features Phillips and flat screwdrivers, wrenches, hex drive, pry bar, file, nail tool, bottle opener, box opener and cutter. Made of stainless steel with a black titanium coating, it’s built for daily duty & with its sprung ’biner clip, stays right by your side.
Having trouble finding something you think your boyfriend will like?
At WERD, we spend every day of every year uncovering the latest in men's gadgets and gear. Try going through some of our categories for more gifting inspiration. A few to try: Gear for Men, Cool Gadgets, Books for Men, Stuff for the Home.
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It’s a gamer’s best friend, complete with an anti-slip rubber underside that will keep it firmly in place on your desk, and can even be rolled up and stowed in your backpack when gaming on the road. The solid-stitched edges will never come unglued or fray, and the warp- and water-resistant mat can handle years of daily use without ever showing signs of wear. It’s the gaming mouse mat you didn’t know you absolutely needed.