10 Stocking Stuffers for Him

10 Stocking Stuffers for Him

Shopping for the guy in your life shouldn’t require a doctorate. Most men don’t want a thirty-piece grooming kit — they want a few small, useful, well-made things they wouldn’t buy for themselves. I’ve put together a stocking stuffer list of items I’ve actually given (or watched a partner unwrap with genuine appreciation), priced for that $5-$30 stocking sweet spot.

The principle behind a good men’s stocking

The best stocking stuffers for men hit one of three notes: an upgrade on something he uses every day, a small luxury he wouldn’t justify himself, or a fun item that says “I paid attention to what you like.” Avoid: cheap novelty, anything labeled “for men” in fluorescent colors, multi-tool key chains.

The list

Everyday upgrades

• A really good razor. A weighted Merkur safety razor changes shaving from chore to ritual. Pack with a small badger brush.
• Quality grooming basics. Aesop, Kiehl’s, Baxter of California — face wash and moisturizer in nicely-designed bottles he’d never spend on.
• A premium beard oil. If applicable. A small bottle of Murdock or Captain Fawcett.

Small luxuries

• A merino wool beanie or scarf. Smartwool, Filson. Quietly excellent, used all winter.
• A pocket-sized notebook. Field Notes is the move. Subscription works as a year-round gift.
• A really good pen. A Pilot Vanishing Point or even a Uni-ball Jetstream feels meaningfully better than the office Bic.

Tech and tools

• Quality USB cables. Anker braided ones. Sounds boring, ends up being the most-appreciated gift.
• A good multitool. Leatherman Squirt or Wave. Lasts forever.
• A wallet card knife or bottle opener. Small, well-designed, lives in his wallet.

For the gourmand

• Single-origin coffee beans. A small bag of something from Counter Culture, Stumptown, or a local roaster.
• A bar of really good chocolate. Mast, Tcho, Valrhona. Eaten, appreciated, doesn’t take up shelf space.

Related gift guides

If you’re shopping for the whole household, see stocking stuffers for her and stocking stuffers for kids.