Some Gifts for a Man That Aren’t Overly Manly

That man you need to buy a present for has enough socks.

Gender is a construct, and so the gifts you buy for your intended recipient don’t necessarily need to be gendered, either. But the traditional gifts recommended for "men" are always machinery-adjacent, drab in color, and generally the kind of thing your dad would buy for you because it’s "practical." This year, try something different. Here’s some thought-starters.

Okay, this is machinery-adjacent, but very fun and different, so we’ll let it slide.

54 Celsius Drill Bit Candle

Inspired by the mid-19th century Arts and Crafts Movement as led by William Morris, Drillbit Candles celebrate crafts(wo)men and their symbolic toolkit. Where does artwork or ornament start and where does utility end? Designers Lily Lanfermeijer and Joseph Hughes made this set of varying bits to highlight the versatile nature of the classical design. Candles and holder are all sold individually.

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Pair the above with the below, so that the gift you’re giving feels complete.

Studio Simple Candleholders

Set of two concrete candleholders.

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This won’t replace the carefully-constructed Sonos arrangement that pipes Steely Dan throughout the home, but it’s a nice thing to have for the balcony.

Balmuda The Speaker

The high quality acoustics reproduce the vocally-driven and three dimensional sound of a live performance. The lights recreate the visual excitement of a concert. BALMUDA The Speaker is designed to recreate a full sensorial immersion into live music.

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More candles! Scented ones, which are gender neutral, but smell better than the pervasive scent of protein powder that lingers in the kitchen.

Boy Smells Fantôme Trio

All three otherworldly scents from the Fantôme Collection. Bundle + save 10%. This bundle of three individual 8.5oz standard candles includes: NEW! MANDARIN FANTÔME mandarin, pear, cade, musk and birch COPAL FANTÔME copal, nutmeg, charred clove, pine tar, leather, vanilla and akigalawood THÉ FANTÔME palo santo, black tea, gardenia, smoked papyrus, cedarwood and sandalwood

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A sturdy cart that’s good for moving anything that needs to be moved, from large bags of dirt to laundry.

Neighborhood SRL Garden Cart

Trolly made of polypropylene with storage function. Graphic prints are placed on both sides and tire wheels.

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Free the recycling bin from the endless stream of La Croix cans.

Aarke Carbonator 3

Aarke Carbonator 3 is a minimalist sparkling water maker featuring a compact design and top-of-the-line user-friendly engineering. Choose from a range of classic finishes to elevate any countertop.

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Sheepskin slippers are good for general use, but terrycloth slippers are perfect for stepping out of the shower.

Classic Turkish Cotton Slipper

This padded slipper—made from supersoft cotton terry for a cozy feel—has a durable rubber sole so you can keep it on while you run outside to grab the paper.

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There’s nothing sadder than a canvas tote bag that’s mostly empty, flapping around on your shoulder, so this little guy will hold all the essentials.

Carhartt WIP Essentials Small Crossbody Bag

Get the burly construction you expect from the brand on excursions around town with this hands-free bag that keeps your goods securely in reach.

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Kayaking is much easier when the vessel in question folds up into a package small enough to fit in the trunk of the car.

Oru Lake Kayak

The Lake is one of the lightest kayaks on the market. All you need to connect to the water, it assembles in under a minute. It's a stable and beginner-friendly boat that’s great for all ages. Our smallest, most portable kayak with the same durability as our expedition models fits easily in a backseat, trunk, or even a plane for all your adventures.

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Get them a watch and they’ll never be late again, ha ha!

Timex T80 34mm Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch

Our T80 is a throwback to the decade that gave us big hair, big music and big dreams. It also pays homage to our first digital watches, some of the first to hit the market. To honor those early hits, we’re proudly reintroducing the T80 for a whole new generation – a watch that’s both a stylish accessory and a serious timekeeping device. The fun retro design packs a date display, a stopwatch and an alarm into something that looks great no matter where you’re going from here. Rock your T80 on an expansion band, a bracelet or even a strap of your choice – we don’t mind, as long as you rock it.

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Everyone—yes, absolutely everyone—needs a bathrobe. 

Cozy Earth Waffle Robe

Wrap yourself in spa-like luxury with our Waffle Bath Robe. Featuring dual-sided texture, the ultra-absorbent outer waffle weave is balanced out by the inner softness of ribbed terry.

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Think of this not as a tool belt, but just a belt that happens to hold tools, should your recipient need immediate access to a pair of pliers.

Aracde Hardware Belt

Everything you need, nothing that you don't. Built for superior strength and durability, without sacrificing movement. When the job needs to get done, the Hardware belt is the essential tool in your gear kit.

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A chair that goes everywhere, from the park to the beach to the parking lot of a Bob Weir & the Wolf Bros show.

Cliq Riviera Chair

Extra seating at home, sleek comfort on the go. Compact design for portability and space-saving storage. Patented technology for quick and easy set-up. Stain resistant canvas fabric, built for weather and simple to clean.

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Looking for something else? Check out the rest of our holiday gift guides here.

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