The Best Non-Cheesy Valentine’s Day Gifts for Him
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If ever there were a holiday where your normally thoughtful gift-giving should level up even further, it’s Valentine’s Day. Hot on the heels of Christmas, you should be giving one of the best non-cheesy Valentine’s Day gifts for him, and it’s never too early (or too late?) to start your shopping to get things right. When we think of gifts that count, we think of ones with a personal touch, ones he might not (or definitely won’t) buy for himself. Whether he’s into the best men’s watches or happens to be a craft beer enthusiast, gifting with intention is easier than you might think.
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Make no mistake, there are gifts every guy comes to expect at a certain point in his life, but Valentine’s Day is an optimal time to shake things up and gift something a little different. We’re not quite talking about what you might call “bedroom-centric gifts,” though. There’s a time and a place for that, but let’s focus first on every day gift ideas that go above and beyond. The best non-cheesy Valentine’s Day gifts for him are a welcome change of pace, so here are some favorites to add to your cart now.
1. Wellen Seawool Fisherman Sweater
BEST GIFT FOR THE STYLE AFICIONADO
There’s a multitude of gifts you could pick up for the stylish man in your life, but why not look ever so slightly outside his rotation of reliable sweaters made to wear to the office? Yes, there’s a time and a place for a crisp V-neck sweater, but for all those other times (Valentine’s date night included), going ever so slightly rugged and classic is a welcome style move. This fisherman sweater calls to mind Hemingway’s iconic looks, and it’s made with repurposed plastic bottles and oyster shells. How’s that for a non-cheesy Valentine’s Day gift for him?
Buy: Wellen Seawool Fisherman Sweater $148.00
2. Bespoke Post Weekender Box
BEST GIFT FOR THE TRAVEL ENTHUSIAST
Now, here’s a gift that really does go above and beyond. At its core, yes, it’s a well-made, dependable and highly useful weekender bag fit for winter getaways. But it can also be a great bundle gift when you team it with a trip you’ve planned for the two of you, or when you package it with, well, any of the other stylish offerings (from shirts to chinos and sweaters) available at Bespoke Post. Better still, it’s an even better deal if you sign up for Bespoke Post’s monthly lineup of subscription boxes. We’re fans, and we think he’ll feel the same way.
Buy: Bespoke Post Weekender Box $45.00
3. Snake River Farms First Class Filet Pack
BEST GIFT FOR THE GOURMAND
There’s plenty you can do when buying gifts for the gourmand, especially one who enjoys a premium cut of steak. But again, that’s not something you’re going to buy every single day. What’s the best solution? Gifting some incredible cuts of filet from Snake River Farms, a gift that can also turn into an experience, like grilling up a delicious steak at home instead of spending some dough on an expensive dinner out). Sustainable American Wagyu beef is unlike anything you’ve ever tried, so it could turn into a “gift” for yourself, too.
Buy: Snake River Farms First Class Filet $375.00
4. Little Building Co. DIY Frank Lloyd Wright House Architectural Model
BEST GIFT FOR THE DESIGN ENTHUSIAST
One might say that everyone can appreciate the visually engaging design aesthetic of the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright, but he holds a special place in the hearts of design enthusiasts everywhere. If that fits the description of someone you know, then this handsome and elegant DIY model house (a 1:100 scale model of Frank Lloyd Wright’s first Usonian house) is the perfect gift. Plus, the DIY process is a pretty neat way to pass time on a cold winter’s weekend.
Buy: Little Building Co. DIY Frank Lloyd Wright House Architectural Model $198.00
5. Shinola Runwell Watch
BEST GIFT FOR THE WATCH COLLECTOR
If you know someone obsessed with the art, style and design of an iconic timepiece, perhaps he’s already familiar with Shinola. If not, well, what better way to introduce him to one of the best accessible watch brands on the market than with the Detroit-based company’s flagship timepiece? It’s almost impossible not to love the Runwell, with its retro-meets-modern dial design, its ability to be dressed up or down, and an agreeable price tag that’s not wildly expensive. It’s thoughtfully designed and delivered in a handsome wooden box, making it a perfectly thoughtful gift for the watch fan in your life.
Buy: Shinola Runwell Watch $595.00
6. Meet Me In The Bathroom By Lizzy Goodman
BEST GIFT FOR THE MUSIC FANATIC
Voracious readers and fans of early-aughts rock ‘n’ roll will find it virtually impossible to put down journalist Lizzy Goodman’s exhaustive 600-plus-page oral history of the music scene in New York at the turn of this century. Sure, this volume has been on the market since 2017, but it seems music fans continue to discover its salacious stories, vivid memories and game-changing music every year. And if you happen to know someone who absolutely loves the band behind the book’s title — that’d be NYC-founded five-piece The Strokes — then this is simply a must-own, must-read hardcover gift.
Buy: Meet Me in the Bathroom $25.58 (orig. $27.99) 9% OFF
7. GORUCK MACV-1 Boots
BEST GIFT FOR THE RUGGED OUTDOORSMAN
It can be tricky shopping for the guy who spends a lot of time outdoors, seeing as he’s probably pretty well-outfitted for day trips, hikes, yard work and, well, just about anything. But we’d wager he doesn’t have a pair of boots quite like these. For starters, they’re ridiculously well-made and absurdly reliable in adverse conditions. They’re based on Jungle Boots worn by Special Forces in Vietnam, and in this day and age, that makes them tough as heck. Of note, they’re crafted with a Challenge Leather upper finished off with 1000D CORDURA and 2″ nylon webbing. Translation: They’re nearly indestructible.
Buy: GORUCK MACV-1 Boots $160.00
8. WP Standard Passport Wallet
BEST HEIRLOOM-WORTHY GIFT
Gifts that last, gifts that won’t fall apart at the first sign of stress, are always a solid bet on Valentine’s Day, even more so when you consider that they’re a metaphor for the best relationships (see what we did there?). Any way you look at it, this handsome leather wallet is ideal for the globetrotting man, with space for a passport that will (hopefully) prove more useful this year and beyond. In the meantime, it can serve as a daily wallet and notebook holder, with years of great memories on the horizon.
Buy: WP Standard Passport Wallet $58.00
9. GrowlerWerks uKeg Go Growler
BEST GIFT FOR THE CRAFT BEER LOVER
You could argue that the best gift for the craft beer lover is a six-pack of his favorite craft beer (and we wouldn’t say no to some new suds, either), but this rugged growler knocks out a few different gift categories, if you will. It’s a great way to dispense cold beer on the go, at parties or tailgates or winter weekend cabin trips. It can also be used at home and refilled at your favorite brewery, so it’s a destination gift as well. Go on, pour up another round from this well-designed growler and let the good times roll.
Buy: GrowlerWerks uKeg Go Growler $95.97
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