Gift Ideas for Men, My Husband in Particular
My husband, like most men, is difficult to shop for. If I buy him something he doesn’t like, he claims to like it but it will sit unused in a corner or the back of the closet until it’s time to purge. I’d rather he’d ‘fess up so I could return it and save the money. This year, I am doing something different. I am asking him. No surprises. This might be the way to go.
Is your husband easy to shop for? If so, please share your ideas! It would be nice to have one surprise under the tree for my husband! Capability:Mom shares her list too!
p.s. This is my list from last year for him.
Book Ideas for Husbands
Bruce by Peter Ames Carlin
My husband is a rock and roll kind of music lover and he likes biographies. He likes Bruce Springsteen too, but not in that fanatical way that anyone who’s been to a concert is. Yet.
Who I Am: A Memoir by Pete Townshend
This also looks good for a classic rock kind of guy. And apparently, he can write too!
Gifts for Handy Men
Husky Tool Chest, $134.
A tool chest is a gift for both the man in your life and your home as it might get all the tool clutter in your basement or garage organized!
Gifts for Golf Dads
Medicus Golf Club Training Club, $90
When my husband used to own a small golf shop decades ago, this training club was very popular because if your swing is incorrect, the club breaks at that hinge. For anyone working on their swing, this is one training club that actually works. I know because I used it and my swing apparently is bad.
The Big Three and Me by Billy Casper
My husband collects golf books and this one looks fun. Billy, William Earl Casper, Jr. (born June 24, 1931), is an American professional golfer who was one of the most prolific tournament winners on the PGA Tour from the mid 1950s to the mid 1970s. If your man likes to “talk story” about golf, this is the book for him, especially if he appreciates the old-time legends of golf.
Gifts for Men Who Hate to Shop for Themselves
Tommy Bahama Half Zip Reversible Sweatshirts, $98
I would not be surprised if this is Tommy Bahama’s best selling item. My husband doesn’t like the itchiness of sweaters so this half-zip sweatshirt is perfect. It’s also reversible which is great for travel and it’s dressy enough for casual Friday. And it comes in many, many shades of blue.
Smart Wool Socks, $13-20
Warm feet are happy feet in a New England winter. The socks come in dressy and casual styles.
Cashmere Lined Dress Leather Gloves, $30
Somehow we lose gloves from winter to winter and my husband won’t buy these for himself since he rarely needs to be dressed up. It’s a small indulgence but for $30, he’s worth it!
Gifts for Wives or at Least Me
The older I get, the less I want. I’m not sure why. It could be that we have a small house and it’s busting at the seams. I just feel like I don’t really need anything and I usually buy something myself when I want it so it’s not like I keep a long list for the holidays. And, I think I am with the French women who buy very few items but of the highest quality. Left with no guidance my husband will buy jewelry and I really don’t need that so here’s my list.
Tata Harper Serum, $150
I am investing more in skin care as I approach 50, and I really want to try the Tata Harper serum that everyone seems to rave about over at beauty blog, Into the Gloss. Still, it’s ridiculously expensive so I wouldn’t buy it for myself but I would be delighted to open it up on Christmas day.
Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Face Oil, $130
I’ve tried essential oil skin care lines in years past and I love good quality essential oils. It just smells so good. This is pricey but the quality of the essential oils is what drives the price and they are impeccable.
Toms Black Suede Fleece Botas, $99
When the Olsen twins designed cashmere Toms, they caught my eye but I didn’t get them and now they are gone forever. I love my Ugg sheepskin slippers that I wear in the house during winter. Sometimes I just want to wear a house slipper (because we take our shoes off) that can go outside because I get tired of changing my shoes. These would work for a quick car pool drop off or pick up which is basically my life.
Japanese Farm Food by Nancy Singleton Hachisu
When I cook, I want to make simple but satisfying ethnic home cooking. This cookbook sounds perfect!
Nigellissima: Easy Italian-Inspired Recipes by Nigella Lawson
I love everything about Nigella Lawson and her food with the exception of her fondness for English mustard and peas. This is the only cookbook of hers that I don’t have.
Chunky Knit Sweater … like this one by Isabel Marant, $700
Every winter, I crave one new sweater, the warmer the better. I LOVE this one but it’s a little pricey. Maybe it will go on sale.
Clu Sweater, $245
I like how this sweater is comfy but also a little dressy.
This should give my husband some ideas for Christmas and my birthday which quickly follows. How about you? What do you want for the holidays?
Please click on any item or link to purchase or view more closely.
The 12 Days of Shopping
Saturday, December 1: Make Your Own Gifts with granola two ways. Hers and Mine.
Sunday, December 2: Kids Make Gifts Craft, Clove Fruit and Crafts.
Monday, December 3: Personalized Gifts, Hers and Mine.
Tuesday, December 4: Father-in-Law/Dad and Mother-in-Law/Mom
Wednesday, December 5: Tutors/Teachers
Thursday, December 6: High Tech/Low Tech
Friday, December 7: Hostess/Doing Good
Saturday, December 8: Sanitation Engineers, Mail Carriers, Hairdresser, Delivery People, Babysitter, Cleaning People, Dog Walker/Dog Trainer
Sunday, December 9: Husband, Me (Our Own List), CapabilityMom’s List
Monday, December 10: Cats/Dogs
Tuesday, December 11: Quick Gifts from Whole Foods and Gourmet Food Store
Wednesday, December 12: ’Cause I Am So Together, Last Minute Home Made Gifts, Homemade Ornament Crafts for Kids and Capability:Mom’s Homemade Gift
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
I have resorted to asking as well…so much less frustrating. I do find an occasional surprise something but nothing expensive. Love your list – will be sharing another link with my family! Thanks!
Thanks Nancy!
I have been married for 21 years and always ask! I got upset early in our marriage with unused gifts. Now I give him money prior to the holiday and he picks his gifts. I add little surprises but the main, read costly, gifts he picks out himself.
Hi Sarah,
It bugged me too! Especially when I watched my husband clean out his closet and noticed all those sweaters I bought him (nice cashmere!!) that he never wore. Now I know. He likes cotton sweatshirts not sweaters EVER even though it gets below freezing here in Boston!
Wool socks sound good! My feet always are cold. I like the expensive sweater and fleece booties too!
I get so caught up in what to get for the kids I usually neglect myself and husband! Hmm, for me… I could use a couple sweaters. Working from home really cuts down on the amount of clothes you need but it feels good to have a few nice new things!
Hi Ann,
I agree. Shop like a Parisian and get a few nice things to wear the few times we work-at-homers need when we actually have to get dressed up for a meeting. I better make sure my husband reads this post! Hint, hint!!!