Gifts for the Guys
It seems like every year I spend weeks trying to figure out what to gift Christian. On the one hand he seems to have everything, and on the other he needs so many things that I become overwhelmed with which is the best for a gift. I usually try to get really creative with his gifts giving him things that he has wanted for a long time, things that feel especially personal to him like his monogrammed leather camera strap that he uses everyday, or items that enhance his lifestyle.
If there’s one thing that I’ve learned from living with him, it’s that he loves the little luxuries - waffle knit robes that make us feel like we are living at a luxury hotel, glassware for his whiskey nightcap, and treat-yourself moments like a nice cigar. We go back and forth each year with whether we should go all out with gifts or stick to smaller things. Below is a round up of some of Christian’s favorite gifts he’s received in recent years as well as things that he would love to receive -- all approved by him, our king of luxury comfort.
When I think about buying Christian specifically gifts, I think about investment pieces that will serve him for a long time, rather than something he would buy himself or something that will go out of style or not be able to be used a few years down the line. It comes from my mentality of collecting beautiful things and curating the areas of our life that we carry through years and years, especially as we continue to build a life together. I love looking to things that I love him doing or wearing -- the camel hair AllSaints coat I got him last year, the drone I got him before we traveled to Bali, a nice bike that he will have for years to come. I also love the idea of finding really cool vintage goods that he would never shop for himself, that give me so much joy in finding.
With all that said, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite gifts I’ve given him or that he’s received from friends and family in recent years as well as things that have been on his wishlist over the last few months for a curated list of things to buy for the guy(s) in your life.
Brooklinen Waffle Robe Ever since we got these a few months ago, Christian basically only takes his off to sleep and when he has video calls. His first reaction after putting it on for the first time was something along the lines of, I can’t believe I’ve waited 27 years to get one of these. Truly the easiest pleaser of a gift. Use code MORGANMARIE20 for a discount on your purchase.
Yeti/Rctic Cooler Another gift that Christian received this year for his birthday that he would have never bought for himself but something that we have used and will continue to use for years to come. Yeti is the more well-known of the two, but we have loved our Rctic cooler for road trips, after-work happy hours at the beach, and for just having beers at our disposal on the terrace.
Lee Wybranski Golf Print Christian has been talking about these since he discovered this artist a few months ago, and I have since recommended them to friends, family, and family friends as the perfect gift for any golf-loving guy (which I feel like there are exponentially more of after this year). He does original prints and commissioned works of famous golf courses and tournaments that are perfect for your dad, brother, boyfriend, or best friend.
Monogrammed Mixology Set I’ve never appreciated roadies more than I have this year. Perfect to pair with a weekend upstate, or a weekend getaway in general, I love this on-the-go mixology set to encourage your guy to be the designated bartender wherever you are ;)
lululemon Joggers For an elevated switch-up to the normal sweats, the lululemon joggers are the perfect gift for any guy in your life. Christian got his first pair of these at the beginning of quarantine and has since had to buy more. I should mention that he also influenced me to get a pair for myself and I can vouch for how comfy they are and how great they look on literally everyone.
Pinhook Whiskey One-up the classic Johnny Walker gift that every guy gets for every occasion with a better, craft whiskey made in smaller batches. I have gifted Pinhook to nearly every guy in my life over the past year and it is always a hit. I also love and appreciate how beautiful it looks sitting on the bar cart. Available on most alcohol delivery apps in the New York area.
Bose Sunglasses For some reason Christian has a love for good sunglasses and good headphones but never buys them for himself. He has been talking about the Bose headphones since they came out and continues to say that they would be a great gift to look as good as you feel when you hear your favorite song come on.
Custom Backgammon Board I discovered this company recently and immediately put it at the top of my long-term wishlist (probably for a future wedding registry if I’m being honest…). It’s one of those gifts that you benefit from, because who doesn’t love a game of backgammon by the fire with a great glass of wine (or bourbon!). Another gift that you will have and cherish forever, this company makes custom backgammon boards for the ideal gift.
Misen knives If you’re looking to get your significant other helping you in the kitchen, a sure way to do it is by getting him great knives. Christian’s sister has gotten him Misen knives for a few different occasions and Christian’s excitement is the same each time. He LOVES them and they’re a gift that gives back to you every time you pull them out.
Ember Mug We were recently gifted this from a friend and it quickly became one of those things that I didn’t know that I needed until I got one. This mug keeps your coffee or tea warm for hours and looks good sitting on your counter, and while the price may seem steep, I can’t emphasize how worth every penny this cup is. Christian and I fight over who gets to use it, so needless to say that Santa might be delivering a second one this Christmas.
Jonathan Adler Paraphernalia Container We all have our vices so you might as well make them look beautiful. This is a piece that looks chic wherever it lives, and functions as a place to store the paraphernalia that you don’t want lying around in crumbles on the coffee table.
Kenny Flowers It wouldn’t be a guys gift guide without the best guy attire ever started by my friend Kenny out of Bali after realizing that Hawaiian shirts needed a refresh. There is no shirt as soft or cool as Kenny Flowers shirts and I continue to buy my brother and dad them because they wear them nonstop. An amazing small business to support and the perfect gift for your guy to feel like he’s always on vacation no matter where he is.
Nike Blazers One of those things that I just love on a guy and never gets old. I got Christian a pair of Nike Blazers a year and a half ago and I swoon every time he wears them. They’re the shoe that screams put-together f*ckboy in the most attractive way.
A weekend in the Catskills A silver lining for us this year was the amount of time we got to spend in the Hudson Valley, each weekend presenting new adventures, agendas, and memories. After this year, everyone needs a weekend away, and while we can’t go far, planning a weekend away is something you’ll always remember. If you’re in the New York area, I can’t recommend Scribner’s Lodge enough - it has seriously inspired us to buy a home there in the not-so-distant future - but if you are not NY-based, find a town an hour or more away that you’ve been wanting to visit and plan a weekend there.