Knowing that men are the hardest to shop for, I thought it was best to upload my gift guide featuring “Gift Ideas for Men” first, to help inspire you ahead of all the Black Friday sales. All of these gift ideas have been Ryan-approved and can be gifted together, or on their own!
I grouped these in their own categories in the photo above, but I made sure to diversify the items in terms of cost so you can always mix and match these to curate your own gift set. I go into detail about why Ryan and I like each product below.
My picks for ladies, in-laws, college students, and co-workers will be uploaded throughout the week so be sure to check back. And as always, if you are shopping for anything (or anyone) in particular (for the cook, athlete, neighbor?), please comment below! I want to make sure these are helpful for you guys and I love hearing from you guys 😊
Xo,
Jo
Spotify Gift Card: I don’t know about your man, but mine loves his music and his iPods. If your S.O. doesn’t have a Spotify membership, this is the perfect time to get him the yearly premium package – it’s only $99 and it also gives you access to Hulu (win-win in my book!).
AirPods: You don’t have to be a music lover to love these – I know because as soon as I tried Ryan’s I wanted a pair of my own. No cords, no problems and that’s a life I’m all about. These are great for work, travel, and fun! You can buy them alone or pair them with a nifty carrying case like this.
Charger: I actually might get this for myself because this is THE thinnest charger I have ever seen in my life. It fits in your wallet! I think that makes it worth it in itself. I’m so over the bulky chargers that take up half your pocket (or purse!). Game changer.
Uber Gift Card: Yes, another gift card, but this one is practical and it’s something they’re bound to use. Ryan’s aunt got this for him a few years back and he loved it! He walks to work and if you live in Chicago, you know our winters are no joke, so this gift came into use quick.
Chicago Glasses: I thought these were so cool and unique – the city is etched into the glasses! This is perfect for your S.O., dad, or your father-in-law. Pair it with a bottle of their favorite liquor and voila.
Wallet: I got Ryan this wallet last year and he loves it! The exterior is super soft and it actually fits quite a lot. He uses it daily. As a plus-up, you can pair this with the charger above, or a gift card! Don’t forget to add a dollar in the wallet for good luck (Polish tradition 😊 – makes sure money sticks).
Toiletry Bag: If a man your life doesn’t have one of these then this is the perfect gift for him! Ryan uses his all.the.time. Fill this with some of his favorite products for an added bonus– Ryan’s, which I included in here, is the Clinique face lotion and the only lip balm he’ll use!
Backpack and Duffel Bag: Two items Ryan uses on both a daily and bi-weekly basis. He’s had the backpack for 3-4 years now and it’s still in tip-top condition. His favorite thing about the bag is the laptop sleeve which is lined with a soft material and the fact that it has no zippers to break and so it keeps water out on rainy days. The duffel bag is a great weekender bag. Ryan likes the shoe compartment on the bottom. He actually got this bag for all of his groomsmen as a gift and it was definitely a crowd-pleaser! Spacious, durable and classic.
Carry-On Suitcase: I feel like this is one of those things that unless you buy for them, they won’t get around to buying themselves. It’s a necessity for those that travel often and this one is a great price! As a plus-up, pair this with a travel pillow, toiletry bag, or a shirt packed inside!
Laptop Sleeve: I have one of these for my work computer and love it. Not only does it protect the computer, but it’s so convenient! I put everything in mine – pens, notebooks, my chargers and lip-gloss 😊 – and love this version for guys. We brought this on our recent flight to L.A. and were able to put our carry-on bags overhead and fit what we needed for the flight in this.
Watch Travel Case: I’ve mentioned this before, but Ryan is a watch connoisseur. He loves watches and takes great care of the ones he owns, so I wanted to make sure that he had something to transport his watches safely when we travel. He loves this personalized watch carrier – it has two watch pillows in it, but you can easily fit three of them in here. If you want, you can pair this with a watch as well!
J.Crew Corduroy Pants: I’ll be restocking these this season because Ryan literally wore these to the ground. They’re his favorite pants by far, the gray color specifically because they go with everything. They’re comfortable and durable – his lasted about three years and he wore them at least once a week! It’s 40% off right now using the code “WHYWAIT” at the check-out.
Watch: I got Ryan a watch similar to this one for his birthday a few years ago and it’s become both of our favorites. It’s versatile – you can dress it up or down – sleek and a great price! I love the rose gold contrast against the black watch face and the cognac brown band. This brand has a tone of different styles and colors that I linked here.
J.Crew Coat: This is Ryan’s first winter wearing this parka and I think he’s wondering why he didn’t switch to one sooner. It’s super warm, waterproof and engineered to endure everything from flurries to hiking a mountain. I think Ryan’s favorite part is that it’s made with PrimaLoft filling which is spun from recycled plastic bottles! It’s 40% off right now using the code “WHYWAIT” at the check-out.
Sorrel Boots: Another winter essential that he’ll thank you for – especially if you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter. If Ryan didn’t have a pair of Sorrel’s already, he said these are the ones he’d want. They come in a few colors, are fully-lined and most-importantly, water-proof.
Patagonia Vest: While Ryan doesn’t own this yet, I think it’s in his future, haha! For those living in California, Texas, or Florida, I think this is a great gift since the weather is constantly changing and this allows for easy layering. Patagonia vests are made with a smart weather-resistant layer to adapt to the weather without the bulky feeling. Pair this with a shirt, hat or scarf to plus it up!
