Whether it’s his birthday, your first anniversary, or even your wedding day, coming up with a clever gift for the man in your life can feel next to impossible when few things compare to the love he fills you with. While you want to steer clear of any obvious cliché gifts, you do want to make sure the present you give him speaks to how much you appreciate him.
Rather than scouring every store in your local mall or leaving the gift ideation up to eBay or Amazon, plan ahead with these 7 creative gifts for the man on your list.
1. A good book
Whether he’s more of an outdoorsman or a couch potato, there’s no beating a good book when he’s looking to wind down and disconnect from the stressors of everyday life. Easily taken wherever he goes, a page-flipper is sure to bring him as much joy as it does new perspective.
In need of some inspiration? These bestsellers are bound to leave a lasting impression on the man in your life:
- The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
- Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips
- Underland: A Deep Time Journey by Robert Macfarlane
- The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
2. Printed cherished moments
Have a special moment that exists as an immortalized photograph? Maybe it’s the moment he proposed, the day you exchanged your vows, or that one special picnic where you said, “I love you,” whatever moment is most special to the two of you is worth displaying. A professionally printed canvas or photo plaque is a great way to turn a simple photo into a masterful piece of art that can hang in the living room or stay on his desk at work.
3. Wireless headphones
Help your man get into beast mode the next time he hits the gym, or give him the gift of laser-focus with a pair of noise-canceling wireless headphones. Gone are the days of being chained to a tablet or smartphone to listen to music or podcasts in peace. Bluetooth headphones are among the easiest tech devices to find on the modern market, so it’s a mere matter of deciding which style and sound quality he’ll appreciate most.
4. Travel gear
For the man always on the move, a bit of travel gear will take him wherever his heart desires. From a sleek passport holder to a swanky leather weekender bag, shopping for unique travel gear that are equal parts functional and fashionable is made simple with the right brands in your arsenal. Check out these trusted baggage brands:
- Herschel
- Samsonite
- Delsey
- Tui
- Victorinox
5. Subscription box
Subscription boxes have become some of the most popular gifts to give for birthdays, holidays, and more. Not only does it take the stress out of the actual gift ideation process, but it gives the man in your life something to look forward to every month. Whether he’s a man of many interests or has a one-track mind focused on his favorite hobby, finding the perfect subscription box for him is far easier than you may think.
6. DIY herb garden
If there’s nothing on this earth that makes him happier than spending quality time with mother nature, a DIY herb garden is sure to perk up his days. Not only will be he able to watch his little seedling grow into beautiful flowering plants, but he’ll be able to use those herbs for flavoring in all of his signature dishes. This eco-friendly gift will speak to his green thumb and his affinity for going green for the plant.
7. Cookbook
Though he may just be one review away from being a professional Yelper, can he practice what he preaches? Put the always-hungry man to the test by gifting him a cookbook full of his favorite dine-out meals. Whether it’s East African eats, Japanese comfort food, or Mexican meals, the foodie on your gift list will adore having the tools to make his favorite foods in his very own kitchen. Play to his passion with these amazing cookbooks:
- Oaxaca: Home Cooking from the Heart of Mexico by Bricia Lopez
- The Food of Sichuan by Fuchsia Dunlop
- Bazaar: Vibrant Vegetarian Recipes by Sabrina Ghayour
- Sababa: Fresh, Sunny Flavors from My Israeli Kitchen by Adeena Sussman