At a birthday party last month at a club a few blocks from a friend’s home, I asked how we would carry all the gifts back at the end of the night. She asked what kind of gifts people would bring a sixty-year-old woman. To which I answered wine and Yankee Candles, of course.  At a certain point, people become impossible to buy for.  And gifts can become predictable or mundane.

A grown-ass man just goes out and buys what he not only needs but wants. So what do you buy for the man who has everything? Guys don’t  wear ties as much and Isotoner slippers from Kroger won’t pass muster.  Nice gifts are thoughtful, fine, and a lasting pleasure.  And I am often asked for gift ideas. Here are 10 great gift ideas for him!

Pass the smell test with Perfumed Talc
Yardley Powder is my new obsession. A staple of gentlemen for over 250 years, this talc powder keeps armpits and undercarriages soft and dry throughout the day, which is especially important in the warm climate. And talc is imperative for guys who go sockless. There are three talc scents for men. A distinct fragrance for men, Yardley Gold blends sandalwood, mint, rosemary, rose, geranium, patchouli, spices, and musk in an attractive metal shaker.  Yardley can be hard to find at your local drug store but it is available on Amazon at a reasonable price and arrives bubble-wrapped. “Enjoy this premium perfumed talc, crafted with a blend of spicy notes and citrus accents for the classic English gentleman.”  At a pocketbook friendly price, it’s a great stocking stuffer or a gift for a co-worker.  $9.

It’s smart to give a Book
Books make great gifts and are fun to shop for.  Lots of rabbit holes to go down.  But be cautious, I wouldn’t buy a 400-page epic for a guy who hasn’t read since Lord of the Flies in high school. Books with big photos are nice as are topics like cocktail recipes. Whether on the coffee table or next to the toilet, there is a book about everything. Ideas include the Astros, hunting, travel, art, the Civil War, and so on. $15 & up.

Put him in Cuffs
Cufflinks are tricky–they are not for everyone. If not for the businessman in your life, a natty dresser, or the impending groom, this is a gift that can land at the bottom of a drawer and go into a garage sale after death. But for the aforementioned short list, it can be very appreciated. Cufflinks range from a few bucks into the thousands. How about a pair of hand blown Murano glass cufflinks which are colorful and one-of-a-kind?  When I wear a pair of cufflinks that were a gift, I think of the gifter!  $35 & up.

You’re golden with Silver Bullion
We live in uncertain times. But one thing that has been constant throughout the history of man, precious metals are valuable. Whether your recipient is a devoted silver stacker or just a guy who’s tough to buy for, silver bullion makes a great gift. Silver can be purchased from reputable metals dealers online in various denominations and shapes. Fine silver is also marked .999, opposed to Sterling which is .925 pure. One Troy Ounce silver rounds look like silver dollars and look like classic coins or can be fashioned into cartoon characters, historical figures, and even wild animals. $40

Chill out with a Yeti Tumbler
The Yeti tumbler craze changed my life. Wallet, keys, cell phone, and now Yeti are things I never leave without. And with cold water available all day at my fingertips, I stay hydrated and refreshed where ever I go. Yeti drinkware comes in a variety of sizes and colors. I personally carry a black 35 ounce armless Tumbler with an added Tumbler Straw Lid ($10) and a Rambler Tumbler Handle ($10). And Yeti cups can be personalized. Give the gift of health, hydration, and eerily cold beverages!  $42.

Wrap up a Bath Robe
Face it, robes make great gifts. The sizes are easy to guess and it is the type of thing, like underwear, that men don’t replace often. Since Covid, many hotels have removed robes from their rooms; I will pack a thin robe, like satin or lightweight cotton. Thin robes are nice to have all year in the south. Moneywise, robes can run the spectrum from low cost satin to velvet with a quilted lapel, Hugh Hefner style, which can be quite high. $50 +/-

Nothing fits like a Glove
Nothing fits like a glove, which makes gloves a perfect gift ideas for him, a notion which has kept gloves high upon the traditional list of gifts for him. Personally, I keep a pair of gloves in my glove box and they always come in handy whether on a chilly day or for help in gripping a heavy object. Again, steer clear of the glove rack at the grocery store and aim a bit higher than Isotoner. And speaking of the grocery store, I often wear gloves while shopping to keep from touching all the germy surfaces.  $52 +

The Eyes have it
Every guy loves sunglasses, especially nice ones. Sunglasses can also be one of those items for men like underwear.  Glasses wear out and get scuffed up in the glove box and are an overlooked part of the to buy list. The Rayban Aviator was originally designed for American pilots in 1937 and is since recognized as an international symbol of style and practicality. Quality sunglasses are knocked off like crazy, so make sure to buy the real thing.  $112 +/-

Hang a gift for a lifetime
A friend and client’s cat died last month–she used the pet portrait that I did to announce the passing on social media. Whether a painting from me or another artist, art makes a better than imagined gift. Like a book, artwork can be tailored to the personal interests of that special man on your list and can include sports themes, animals, or even something more artsy fartsy. Tastes can be quite subjective. But for most guys, a nice picture can really class up the place! A custom painting, like from an artist like myself, can range from $80 to $1000, or more. Choose wisely and the picture will hang and be cherished for a lifetime. And like a book, the artwork can be inscribed; just turn the picture to the back and include your own personal verso message with date that will be there forever.  $80 +/-

Though there are many retailers for these gift ideas for him, I have included convenient Amazon links. So click your list away.