Welcome to crunch time. Christmas Eve is this upcoming Monday, and if you’re reading this, it’s probably because you’re running out of time to find something for your pal, brother, boyfriend, or husband. The good news is that it’s not too late, even if you’re shopping for a guy who’s got tastes that are a little more honed in compared to the general dude-public. All picks & suggestions below should be easy-ish to source locally (barring living in the middle of nowhere) or, should ship fast enough to get to you, in time, for a quick wrapping before Sunday. Happy Holidays, and good luck!
Amazon is a hive of busy, busy bees this year. Just make sure that the watch is being fulfilled by Amazon (not some 3rd party without the dependability of Amazon’s shipping apparatus) and the shipping speed you select (if you don’t have prime) gets it to you before the holiday. Meanwhile… who knew Amazon was fulfilling Armogan these days??
Got a cobbler in your city? Drop in and see if they offer gift certificates for shoe shines. Sure, plenty of guys actually like the process of shining their own shoes (it’s a bit like washing a nice car), but every so often it’s nice to just hand em’ over to the pros.
Target’s Goodfellow & Co line continues to improve. And almost everyone has a Target near them. Plus, thanks to Target’s website, you can choose the “pickup” option and not have to stand in line at a regular register. Just give em’ a couple of hours to dig up what you’re after, then duck inside and hit the customer service desk. Avoiding the regular crush of humanity is key. Plus, Target seems committed to fast shipping this year, so if it’s not available at your local big box, it could be on your doorstep in a few days… in a cardboard box. Head here for a review of some of our favorites from this winter’s Goodfellow & Co line.
Ah yes. A trip to the liquor store. Sorta feels like a cop-out, but if you’ve got an imbiber on your list, it’s always appreciated. Especially if you go off the beaten path just a bit. If he drinks gin? Try gifting a bottle of Old Tom style gin by Ransom. If he drinks Scotch? Look for something that’s aged a bit differently (say, in rum casks). If he’s a whiskey guy, try gifting a bottle of perfect-for-the-season Canadian, like Pendleton’s 1910. A little sweet, a little spicy, it fits in perfect around the holidays. Just go in, poke around a bit, and ask questions. Got someone who doesn’t drink alcohol on your list? Try a sixer of good ginger beer. Perfect for parties when you don’t want to be sipping on a coke.
There’s only about 8.5 trillion of these things around now, and many of them are targeted towards guys who appreciate style and actually put some effort into their appearance. The Google shall help you, but it’s tough to go wrong with Bespoke Post. They’re (obviously) a favorite around these parts, and he can opt out if whatever is offered that particular month doesn’t flip his skirt.
“Pamper” and “guys” don’t really go all that well together. But this is about as close as we get. Heritage inspired barber shops are popping up all over the place. So if he doesn’t have a regular barber, or, if he does and said person doesn’t offer shaves, get him a gift certificate to send him to a place that does just that. Ask around though. Last thing you want is to send the recipient to a place that’ll hack his face to bits.
Great for those who live together, but can also be gifted (I think?) across the interwebs depending on the platform. Unless you’re knee deep in family obligations, Christmas day can start to be a bit of a yawner by mid-afternoon. So… get him a movie. Make some cocktails. Curl up on the couch and soak it up. If it streams for free? All the better. Wrap up some favorite cocktail fixings and a bag of popcorn and hit the couch that evening.
What’s his favorite genre? Does he have a favorite set of movies (like the Bond flicks) based on books? Does he have any particular interests (politics, playing the guitar, basketball) that have been written about by legends? Hit your local used book shop, and try to dig up a classic that would fit his tastes. Books are functional art. They look great on the shelf, and re-reading a favorite during these cold and dark months is one hell of a pleasure.
Amazon’s men’s clothing lines are actually not half bad, with some major hits lurking. Sure, sweaters as Christmas presents are super cliche, but a lot of guys won’t spend the cash on themselves to get cashmere. So, here’s your chance. You’ve gotta have Prime to buy it, but that’s kinda the point here, being that we’re all a bit short on time in terms of getting stuff shipped out in time for the holiday.
That is, if he has a bunch of watches. Or maybe a few watches (watch boxes come in various sizes with various amounts of slots/places to store stuff). Shown above is the 12 slot option from Songmics. Just $30. Available on Amazon and ships fast if you have Prime. Faux-Leather clad and available in black or brown, it’ll hold up to a dozen of your watches, as well as fountain pens, rings, knives, and any other small valuables you want to keep safe and organized. The quality exceeds the cost, and honestly it’s just as nice as many of the finer cases found on Amazon.
Go get a gift certificate for dinner out at his favorite spot. Doesn’t have to be something super fancy, just his favorite place that also allows him to wear some of his favorite clothes. Meanwhile, if you’re so inclined, take a selfie of yourself wearing that outfit he’s complimented you on a million times (hint: that means he likes it when you wear that), and wrap those two things up. All too often there has to be a special occasion to get dressed up and head out for a fun night on the town. Doesn’t have to be his birthday or an anniversary this year. It’s just a well thought out Christmas gift, and he can cash it in at a later date.
Need more ideas and want to test the limits of shipping speeds this time of year? Here’s a few more gift guides from us, with more options:
Weekend update: JCF drops the price on those suede boots to under $80 (final sale…
Fall textures. Smoothly suited. Dark and sleek. Etc.
In person with an iconic loafer... in a not so classic shade.
It's autumnal temptation time. Coats. Boots. Blazers. Sweaters. Shoes.
Brooks Brothers also gets in on the "sale's on sale" act.
Sweaters, boots, the occasional suit. It's a 30% off + additional 15% off stacking deal.