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Gift Guide

Gift Ideas for Him When You're Stuck

Published September 12, 2026 · Updated October 31, 2026

“Something for him” is one of the most common gift-shopping dead ends there is - broad enough that it barely narrows anything down, specific enough that the usual defaults (socks, a mug, another wallet) start to feel like giving up.

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Top 30 Gifts for Gift ideas for him

  1. Arc Lite1

    Arc Lite

    A compact gas pizza oven that Tom's Guide and T3 praise for fast heat-up and great pizza, a big-ticket Christmas gift for anyone who loves cooking outdoors.

    $399.99Gozney

  2. The Cannes Waffle Knit Robe - Albero3

    The Cannes Waffle Knit Robe - Albero

    CNN Underscored picks this plush waffle-knit robe for the brother who will not compromise on style, even at home.

    $139Dandy Del Mar

  3. The Vermonter | Leather Work Glove | Vermont Glove5

    The Vermonter | Leather Work Glove | Vermont Glove

    Featured in Wirecutter's dad gift guide: hand-stitched goat-leather gloves made in Vermont, built to last for years.

    $115.00Vermont Glove

  4. Theragun PRO | Professional-Grade Percussion Massage for Deep Relief7

    Theragun PRO | Professional-Grade Percussion Massage for Deep Relief

    CNN Underscored picks the Theragun for brothers who train hard; a professional massage gun for post-workout recovery.

    $529.99Therabody

  5. Small Hanging Toiletry Kit | Full Grain Leather Navy Blue9

    Small Hanging Toiletry Kit | Full Grain Leather Navy Blue

    CNN Underscored recommends this leather hanging toiletry kit for brothers who travel; keeps a grooming routine tidy on the road.

    $140.00Leatherology

  6. Game Boy™ 72046 | LEGO® Super Mario™ | Buy online at the Official LEGO® Shop US11

    Game Boy™ 72046 | LEGO® Super Mario™ | Buy online at the Official LEGO® Shop US

    CNN Underscored's nostalgic pick for a brother; a near-scale 421-piece Game Boy that is fun to build and display.

    $59.99LEGO

  7. The Original Cashmere Crewneck Sweater Men's13

    The Original Cashmere Crewneck Sweater Men's

    CNN Underscored's classic winter gift for a brother; a soft everyday cashmere crewneck at a fair price.

    $98.00Naadam

  8. Rover Pack | Classic and Versatile Backpack for Adventures15

    Rover Pack | Classic and Versatile Backpack for Adventures

    CNN Underscored's boyfriend guide recommends this small rucksack with a lifetime warranty for weekend getaways, day hikes and commutes.

    $99.0Topo Designs

  9. Loop Dream™ | Earplugs for Sleeping & Side Sleepers17

    Loop Dream™ | Earplugs for Sleeping & Side Sleepers

    Rolling Stone picks these oval-tipped sleep earplugs for dads kept awake by street noise, a loud cat or plane engines.

    $44.95Loop Earplugs

  10. The Ries Beauty Complete Essential Reusable Travel Size Set19

    The Ries Beauty Complete Essential Reusable Travel Size Set

    CNN Underscored picks this refillable travel set of Ries grooming essentials; a tidy gift for anyone who travels with a bag of toiletries.

    $78Ries

  11. Men's Hiker Quarter Midweight Hiking Socks21

    Men's Hiker Quarter Midweight Hiking Socks

    CNN Underscored picks these cushioned merino hiking socks for dads; they come with a lifetime warranty, so they suit a dad who walks a lot.

    $23.00Darn Tough

  12. Range 30023

    Range 300

    Featured in CNN Underscored's dad guide; a light, rechargeable headlamp for dads who camp, run or do jobs in the dark.

    $39.95BioLite

  13. BONE (GRAY) | Zero Tube 10x25 Waterproof Monocular | Nocs Provisions25

    BONE (GRAY) | Zero Tube 10x25 Waterproof Monocular | Nocs Provisions

    Named in CNN Underscored's dad gift guide; a pocket-sized waterproof monocular for dads who love hiking, birdwatching or match days.

    $179.95Nocs Provisions

  14. Hughes – Framebridge27

    Hughes – Framebridge

    CNN Underscored recommends a Framebridge frame for a first anniversary, to show a favourite photo or a piece of wedding stationery.

    $75Framebridge

  15. 50 Must-Read Books 1000-Piece Puzzle | Ridley's Games29

    50 Must-Read Books 1000-Piece Puzzle | Ridley's Games

    A 1000-piece jigsaw of a bookshelf of classics, picked by CNN Underscored for readers who like a screen-free evening (for christmas-gift-ideas and book-gift-ide

    $24.99Ridley's Games

  1. ER20XS | High Fidelity Earplugs - Standard2

    ER20XS | High Fidelity Earplugs - Standard

    Reusable earplugs made for musicians that cut loudness evenly so music still sounds natural, a thoughtful gift for anyone who plays or goes to gigs (for stockin

    $24.99Etymotic

  2. Buy PENDLETON CHESS AND CHECKERS SET for USD 37.50 | Pendleton4

    Buy PENDLETON CHESS AND CHECKERS SET for USD 37.50 | Pendleton

    Wirecutter's dad gift guide pick: a canvas roll-up board with reversible pieces for chess or checkers that slips into a bag.

    $37.50Pendleton

  3. Leaf Twig Razor & Thorn Razor | Single Edge Razor Single Blade Razor6

    Leaf Twig Razor & Thorn Razor | Single Edge Razor Single Blade Razor

    CNN Underscored includes this single-edge razor bundle in its grooming gift picks; a reusable razor for someone who wants a closer, less wasteful shave.

    $59.00Leaf Shave

  4. Dime - Green8

    Dime - Green

    CNN Underscored picks this keyring-sized multi-tool for brothers; ten handy tools that fit in a pocket.

    $34.99Gerber

  5. Soap Discovery Gift Set – 4 Soap Bars for Men10

    Soap Discovery Gift Set – 4 Soap Bars for Men

    Featured by CNN Underscored in its grooming gifts; four different men's bar soaps so he can find his favourite scent.

    $40.00Marlowe

  6. Backbone Pro Wireless Mobile Gaming Controller | Backbone12

    Backbone Pro Wireless Mobile Gaming Controller | Backbone

    A CNN Underscored brother pick; a pro-grade phone controller for gaming on the go.

    $169.99Backbone

  7. Men's OOahh Black Slide Sandal14

    Men's OOahh Black Slide Sandal

    CNN Underscored's boyfriend guide includes these recovery slides as a comfortable pick for after workouts or long days on his feet.

    $59.95OOFOS

  8. Tech Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater | Mack Weldon16

    Tech Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater | Mack Weldon

    Cup of Jo suggests a pine green cashmere sweater for dad that he can toss in the wash, so it is luxe without being fussy.

    $218.00Mack Weldon

  9. Kalastyle Swedish Dream Gnome Soap Swedish Pine | Boston General Store18

    Kalastyle Swedish Dream Gnome Soap Swedish Pine | Boston General Store

    A small stocking-filler bar of classic Swedish pine soap, which Cup of Jo recommends for dads who like a woodsy scent.

    $12.00Boston General Store

  10. Firelight Flask® 75020

    Firelight Flask® 750

    CNN Underscored's dad guide picks this steel flask; a well-made gift for a dad who enjoys a dram by the campfire or on the trail.

    $129.00High Camp Flasks

  11. Chef Collection Skillets22

    Chef Collection Skillets

    CNN Underscored recommends this Lodge skillet; a durable, affordable pan for a dad who loves cooking steaks or breakfasts.

    $19.90Lodge

  12. Vintage Gino Tin Refreshing Formula for All Skin Types24

    Vintage Gino Tin Refreshing Formula for All Skin Types

    CNN Underscored lists this retro tinned Italian shaving set for dads who like a proper wet shave; a good stocking-sized grooming gift.

    $32Proraso

  13. A5 Snap Journal | Full Grain Leather, Timeless Journal Design, Leatherology Black Onyx26

    A5 Snap Journal | Full Grain Leather, Timeless Journal Design, Leatherology Black Onyx

    CNN Underscored lists it for a first anniversary: a full grain leather journal that suits paper-themed gifting and can be personalised with initials.

    $100Leatherology

  14. Get Closer Conversation Game: Table Talk - Table Talk28

    Get Closer Conversation Game: Table Talk - Table Talk

    CNN Underscored picks this deck of conversation prompts for getting to know friends better; a card game for couples that turns a night in into a proper catch up

    $20Intelligent Change

  15. Folding Treadmill with Incline | Strol 2S Pro30

    Folding Treadmill with Incline | Strol 2S Pro

    CNN Underscored and Stuff both feature this folding walking treadmill; fits under a desk for someone who wants more steps without a gym.

    $549.99Urevo

Broad doesn't have to mean generic

Even without knowing every detail of someone's taste, there's usually something you do know - a hobby, a habit, a thing he's mentioned once. Starting there beats reaching for whatever's safest and most forgettable.

For something more significant, don't cover it alone

If a few of you are getting something together rather than separately, a group pot means everyone chips in toward one gift worth giving, rather than several smaller ones that don't add up to much.

Ready to actually find something?

Browse gift ideas for him