What to Get a Man for Christmas Who Has Everything: Gifts Beyond the Obvious

The man who has everything is the hardest person to shop for. He buys what he wants when he wants it, he doesn’t ask for much, and he’s not forthcoming about what he’d like. The problem is that most gift-givers fall into one of two traps: they either buy something generic (a gift card, a bottle of whiskey, a tie) that says “I didn’t know what to get you,” or they buy something he already has (another Bluetooth speaker, another watch, another tool) that says “I don’t actually know you.” The right gift is different. It’s something he wouldn’t buy for himself, something that’s an upgrade to something he uses every day, or something that’s an experience he wouldn’t book on his own.

What to get a man for Christmas who has everything covers gifts for a man who is difficult to shop for because he already has what he needs and wants. The best gifts are consumables, experiences, quality upgrades, and personalized items. The worst are things he already has, things that are too generic, or things that are too personal.

The right Christmas gift for the man who has everything is one that surprises him without being impractical. Here’s what to buy, what to skip, and how to choose.

The Best Gift Categories for the Man Who Has Everything

Consumables

Consumables are the best gifts for the man who has everything because they don’t add clutter and they’re things he wouldn’t buy for himself.

Good picks:

• A quality bottle of whiskey, rum, or tequila ($40 to $80)
• A craft beer sampler or a growler from a local brewery
• A high-quality chocolate or truffle box
• A small bag of fancy coffee beans or a coffee subscription
• A gourmet food basket (cheese, crackers, spreads, and a small bottle of wine)
• A quality olive oil or balsamic vinegar set
• A hot sauce set or a spice set
• A tin of fancy tea

What to skip:

• A bottle of the same whiskey he always drinks
• Anything with nuts (allergy risk)
• Homemade food (unless you’re a great cook)

Experiences

Experiences are the gifts that don’t add clutter and create memories. They’re the best option for the man who has everything.

Good picks:

• A round of golf at a nice course
• A wine tasting or a brewery tour
• A cooking class for two
• A concert or a show
• A weekend trip or a hotel stay
• A driving experience or a track day (for the car enthusiast)
• A fishing charter or a guided fishing trip
• A massage or a spa day (yes, men enjoy spas too)
• A dinner at a nice restaurant

What to skip:

• An experience that requires him to plan it (you plan it)
• An experience that’s too far away
• An experience he’s mentioned he doesn’t enjoy

Quality Upgrades

Quality upgrades are the gifts that replace something he uses every day with a better version. He won’t buy the upgrade for himself, but he’ll appreciate it once he has it.

Good picks:

• A quality leather wallet to replace his worn-out one ($40 to $80)
• A quality belt to replace his everyday one ($30 to $60)
• A quality pair of wool socks to replace his cotton ones ($20 to $30)
• A quality travel mug to replace his disposable one ($25 to $40)
• A quality knife to replace his dull one ($50 to $150)
• A quality pair of slippers to replace his worn-out ones ($30 to $80)
• A quality umbrella to replace his cheap one ($25 to $50)
• A quality tool to replace his cheap one (specify which tool)

What to skip:

• An upgrade he wouldn’t notice (a $50 pen when he uses a $2 pen)
• An upgrade that’s too different from what he’s used to

Personalized and Custom Gifts

Personalized gifts are the ones that show you put thought into it. They’re the most meaningful and the hardest to replicate.

Good picks:

• A custom map of a place that’s meaningful to him (where he grew up, where he met his partner, where he got married)
• A custom piece of art or a framed photo
• A custom engraved item (a wallet, a knife, a flask, or a watch)
• A custom book (a photo book, a story book, or a book about his hobby)
• A custom piece of clothing (a monogrammed shirt, a custom tie)

What to skip:

• A custom gift that’s too cheesy (a “World’s Best Dad” anything)
• A custom gift that takes 6 weeks to make (order early)

Subscription Boxes

Subscription boxes are the gifts that keep giving all year. They’re the perfect gift for the man who has everything because they’re consumable and they’re a surprise every month.

Good picks:

• A coffee subscription (1 to 3 months)
• A whiskey or wine club membership (1 to 3 months)
• A snack box subscription (1 to 3 months)
• A book subscription (1 to 3 months)
• A grooming subscription (1 to 3 months)
• A meat or seafood subscription (1 to 2 months)

What to skip:

• A subscription that requires him to do something (a meal kit that requires cooking)
• A subscription that’s too long (1 to 3 months is enough)

Gifts by His Interests

For the Whiskey Lover

Good picks:

• A quality bottle of whiskey he wouldn’t buy for himself ($50 to $100)
• A set of whiskey glasses (Glencairn, crystal)
• A whiskey stones or a whiskey ball
• A whiskey tasting set or a whiskey club membership
• A book about whiskey

For the Golfer

Good picks:

• A round of golf at a nice course
• A quality golf glove
• A set of golf balls (premium, Titleist, Callaway)
• A golf towel or a divot tool
• A golf training aid

For the Outdoorsman

Good picks:

• A good headlamp (Petzl, Black Diamond)
• A quality water bottle or thermos (Hydro Flask, Stanley)
• A pocket knife or multi-tool (Leatherman, Victorinox)
• A good pair of socks (Darn Tough, Smartwool)
• A hammock (ENO, Grand Trunk)
• A camping stove or a cookset
• A fishing lure set or a new reel

For the Tech Guy

Good picks:

• A quality phone accessory (a wireless charging pad, a magnetic stand)
• A smart home device (a smart thermostat, a smart doorbell)
• A quality pair of headphones (Sony, Bose)
• A portable projector
• A quality Bluetooth speaker (he probably has one, but does he have a good one?)

For the Reader

Good picks:

• A book by his favorite author or on a topic he’s interested in
• A Kindle or an e-reader
• An Audible subscription (3 to 6 months)
• A quality bookmark or a book light
• A bookstore gift card ($50 to $100)

For the Foodie

Good picks:

• A quality bottle of wine or a craft beer set
• A gourmet food basket
• A high-end cookware piece (Le Creuset, Staub, if he loves to cook)
• A quality olive oil or balsamic vinegar set
• A cooking class for two
• A dinner at a nice restaurant

How to Choose a Gift for the Man Who Has Everything

Think about what he wouldn’t buy for himself. The best gifts are the things he wants but won’t spend money on. A $80 bottle of whiskey he’d never justify. A quality pair of socks he’d never think to upgrade. A round of golf he’d never book for himself.

Pay attention to what he complains about. If he complains about his wallet being worn out, get a quality replacement. If he complains about his coffee, get a coffee subscription. If he complains about his slippers, get a quality pair. His complaints are your gift guide.

Choose consumables and experiences over stuff. The man who has everything doesn’t need more stuff. He needs things he can consume (whiskey, chocolate, coffee) and experiences he can enjoy (golf, dinner, a weekend trip).

Don’t buy something he already has. If he already has a Bluetooth speaker, don’t get another one. If he already has a watch, don’t get another one. Pay attention.

Include a handwritten note. A card with a personal message is as important as the gift. Don’t skip it.

What to Skip Entirely

A generic gift card. A $50 Amazon gift card says “I didn’t know what to get you.” If you’re going to get a gift card, make it specific (a golf course, a restaurant, a bookstore).

Something he already has. If he already has a Bluetooth speaker, a watch, or a wallet, don’t get another one. Pay attention.

Something too personal. No skincare, no cologne, no clothing that requires knowing his exact size and style. Stick to things that are universally safe.

Something that feels like a regift. If you’re giving him something you got for free or something you don’t want, he’ll know. Skip it.

Gag gifts. A novelty gift is funny for 10 seconds and then it’s trash. Skip it.

A tie. A tie is the most generic gift for a man. Skip it unless he specifically collects ties.

FAQ

What should I get a man for Christmas who has everything? Get him consumables (a quality bottle of whiskey, a gourmet food basket, a coffee subscription), experiences (a round of golf, a dinner at a nice restaurant, a weekend trip), quality upgrades (a leather wallet, a quality pair of socks, a quality travel mug), or personalized items (a custom map, an engraved item). Choose things he wouldn’t buy for himself.

How much should I spend on a man who has everything? $50 to $150 is typical. Choose quality over quantity. One $80 bottle of whiskey he’ll love beats five $15 items he’ll forget. If the budget allows, a $150+ splurge (a weekend trip, a round of golf at a premium course, a high-end cookware piece) is appropriate.

What should I avoid buying a man who has everything? Avoid a generic gift card, something he already has, something too personal (skincare, cologne), something that feels like a regift, gag gifts, and a tie. Choose consumables, experiences, quality upgrades, or personalized items.

Are experiences good gifts for a man who has everything? Yes. Experiences are the best gifts for the man who has everything because they don’t add clutter and create memories. A round of golf, a wine tasting, a cooking class, a concert, a weekend trip, or a dinner at a nice restaurant. Plan it yourself, don’t make him plan it.

What are good stocking stuffers for a man who has everything? Good stocking stuffers include a quality pair of socks, a good pen, a phone cable, a small notebook, a $10 to $25 gift card, a phone grip, a small bottle of his favorite drink, and a quality chocolate bar. These are all under $25 and universally useful.

How do I know what a man who has everything wants for Christmas? Pay attention to what he complains about (his wallet is worn out, his coffee is bad, his slippers are flat). Think about what he wouldn’t buy for himself. Ask his partner or friends. Don’t overthink it. The best gifts for the man who has everything are consumables and experiences.

Should I buy a subscription box for a man who has everything? Yes. A subscription box (coffee, whiskey, snacks, books) is a great gift for the man who has everything because it’s consumable, it’s a surprise every month, and it doesn’t add clutter. Choose a 1 to 3 month subscription.

References

• Good Housekeeping. “50 Best-Selling Christmas Gifts on Amazon Under $50.” https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/gift-ideas/g34330062/amazon-christmas-gifts/
• NY Magazine The Strategist. “Best Gifts for Men.” https://nymag.com/strategist/tag/gifts-for-men/
• CNN Underscored. “Best Gifts for Men.” https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/gifts/best-gifts-for-men/