Hey, we get it—shopping for men is hard. You never know what to get them, and in the event that they actually give you a few ideas, they're either absurdly expensive or impossible to find. Sure, you could go the sock and underwear route, but you know they're just going to wear the same five pair with holes in them anyway, so what's the point?
We feel your pain, which is why we did the legwork this year and compiled a list of 10 gifts—all under fifty bucks—that might literally blow their socks off (probably due, in part, to all the holes in them). Continue reading to discover how you will declare victory this holiday season.
For the men on your list with a culinary inclination, you can't go wrong with a good ol' man pan. From the cast iron experts at Lodge, this 12 inch showstopper features two loop-style handles for a rustic touch that helps save space on the grill. And no overnight outdoor adventure is complete without a fireside feast, making this manly pan a must-have for any outdoorsman on your list. Check it out.
For men, chopping stuff is a rite of passage. They crave it from the time they first eye an axe, hatchet, or tomahawk. Swinging a blade speaks to their primitive side, back when life required regular chopping to build, to eat, to survive. And while most men's well being no longer depends on it, they will love it all the same. The Estwing 14" Camping Hatchet will quench their dormant tendencies, and allow them to chop till their heart's content. Check it out.
Nerf holds a special place in the hearts of most men. It harkens back to a simpler time, when we would amass our foam dart arsenals and gather to pelt one another for hours on end, only stopping to reload or refuel on Kool-Aid and Gushers. Allow the men in your life to relive their glory days in true Nerf fashion. (but please make sure they stretch first) Check it out.
This day and age, there's at least one man on your list with some sort of facial foliage. Help him keep it neat and clean with a gentleman's comb and oil combination groom kit. The two-sided wide-tooth comb is comprised of smoked sandalwood and comes in a handy stow-and-go leather wallet. And to give his mane a healthy sheen any woodsman would proudly wear, finish it off with 100% natural beard oil. Comb. Oil.
Peace of mind is the gift that keeps on giving. Outfit the men in your life with some ruggedly stylish IDs that will empower them to pursue adventure. The matte black FIXX ID and the Elite+ Pin-Tuck are merely two of the manly crowd-pleasers in our ID lineup. And help him accessorize with some extra bands and Badges to match his favorite gear. Shop all IDs.
Practical gifts have their time and place, but thankfully so do grappling hooks. The VANON multi-functional survival tool is the gift your man always wanted, but never knew he could actually receive. Common uses vary, but in the event that he actually uses a grappling hook in real life, nothing else will matter. His life will be complete. And it will look great alongside the other crime-fighting implements in his new utility belt (which he will definitely now need...sorry).
Check it out.
We took a poll around the office, and apparently men like beer. Like, a lot. So much so, in fact, that the lovely folks at Hydro Flask designed a way to keep your brews ice-cold and carbonated for up to 24 hours. Never again will that lucky lad on your list take part in outdoor adventures without a frosty libation on-hand, ready at a moment's notice. We cannot force him to share, however. That's between you and him. Check it out.
The toaster had a good run. It really did. But there's a new Sheriff in town: the Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker. This feat of modern engineering will prepare the perfect breakfast sandwich in a matter of minutes, with little effort and minimal clean-up. Load it with the bread and fixings of your choosing, set the timer for 5 minutes, and VOILA!—two heavenly handheld breakfast creations, one for each hand. Breakfast will thankfully never be the same. Check it out.
For the man on your list who desperately needs to relax, a comfy camping hammock will do the trick. Strap this bad boy between two trees, and he'll be carefree in no time. From Wise Owl Outfitters, it's made from heavy duty parachute nylon, making it super strong and soft, and at a meager 16oz, it's roughly the size of a grapefruit when packed. It's everything he needs to reconnect with ol' Mother Nature.
Check it out.
Adventures often need a soundtrack. And for the men on your list who favor the outdoors, they need a speaker that can withstand the elements. The JBL Clip 2 is a lightweight, rugged, bluetooth speaker that's completely waterproof and up for anything. And with 8 hours of playtime, he'll be jamming all day as he's out showing life who's boss.
Check it out.