From storage solutions to style to cool gear, here are some of my picks for presents for guys — on Father’s Day, birthdays, and beyond!
New York City is a consumer paradise. A world shopping capital. One of the benefits of living here is the ability to see cool, new, and truly unique gift ideas before they proliferate. I have the added privilege of being in the business of covering style, products, and gear.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been attending brand previews and shopping events dedicated to Father’s Day.
I’d say a big highlight was Bespoke Post’s curation of gift ideas (Bluetooth tape player, anyone?). I picked quite a few from their preview, and no, this round-up isn’t sponsored, and I didn’t get anything for free.
Here are my choices for impressively uncommon gift ideas for the guys in your life — or, heck, even yourself. You deserve it.
11 Unique Gift Ideas for Men
Whether it’s for a birthday or Valentine’s Day, here they are in no particular order. Of course, I’ve included items for price points and lifestyles.
We Are Rewind Bluetooth Cassette Player
I already teased this tape player, but boy, is it special. Nostalgia is big. I know a lot of young guys who never even listened to cassettes and loved their analog nature. Still, this cassette player is equipped with wireless connectivity and excellent sound quality.
I was blown away by how clear both tapes and Bluetooth-powered music sounded on this.
And that retro aluminum case is comfortingly stylish. Personally, I prefer a more classic aesthetic (the sterile Apple look isn’t for me), but I need my modern creature comforts.
Line of Trade Hamilton Cargo Shorts
I know what you’re thinking. What makes this Cargo Short so special? Well, first of all, a nice, clean-lined cargo short is essential for men. They’re handsome, flattering, and versatile.
But do you ever actually use the pockets on your cargo shorts? I don’t.
I like a slim, clean silhouette. Even throwing a wallet into a large front cargo pocket can interrupt that. You look a little less like a cool dad and more like a guy who wears the wrong sandals with the wrong socks.
Line of Trade fixes this problem with one clever detail. The pockets actually go around over the side seam, ensuring everything stays flat. Just don’t throw anything in the slack area of the pocket that goes around the back.
I wear these guys with some chukka boots and a polo for a gentleman explorer vibe.
TASCHEN Harry Benson The Beatles: On the Road 1964-1966
This coffee table book isn’t just for Beatles fans. It’s for fans of music, photography, and contemporary history. Harry Benson is a truly remarkable photographer who managed to capture these gents having fun as well as being vulnerable and intimate.
And yes, the famous hotel pillow fight images and shots with Muhammad Ali are all there, too. As TASCHEN does, it’s a beautifully bound book with vivid imagery throughout. It’s the more accessible coffee table version of their gigantic limited edition.
Okay. I admit. I’m in the TASCHEN family. I interned at their marketing department and art gallery during grad school, then worked for corporate for two years after. I love them.
But that being the case, I get some cool insider info, too. Did you know John Lennon pushed back on Benson’s idea for them to have a pillow fight photoshoot? But, after a few drinks, Paul McCartney whacked Lennon on the back of the head with a pillow.
That’s the cover of the book. And the rest is (art) history.
Wrensilva Standard Record Console
Okay, so you might want to save this gift for someone you really love. Perhaps your dad or yourself or a spouse. It’s an investment. But, if your guy is an audiophile, Wrensilva Record Consoles are the perfect modern record player. I’m not exaggerating.
The Standard also has Bluetooth, SONOS, a mobile jack, and two RCA inputs. In layman’s terms, it’s comprehensive.
The sound fills the room with clarity and layers without eliminating the charming continuous sound wave we love from old records. You can thank the proprietary acoustics for that.
Meanwhile, the timeless, quality hardwood design combines retro with class. It’s the gentleman’s sound system if there ever was one.
Danish Fuel Upcycled Jerry Can Bar Cabinet
What are two things all dads love? World War II and beer — or whiskey. Danish Fuel upcycles World War II surplus gear into man-friendly luxury. This handcrafted bar cabinet will make any guy the coolest bro in his bro crew.
And it’s an actual piece of art. Each is unique, with distinct imperfections from the trenches and an individual tracking ID.
The interior is a chic walnut and can hold four cups, a shaker set, and two bottles. Imagine pulling this out during a camping trip with the guys or even a picnic.
Nunorm Shine Eraser
Don’t let the fact this shine eraser is technically a cosmetics piece scare you away. This isn’t necessarily for the gender-bendy guy. I was invited to the product launch of this brand last year, not really thinking much about it.
Then, the day before a big board meeting, I messed up my face during an impromptu lacrosse game. This shine eraser completely saved me. Just a few dabs on my swollen red cheekbone, and I was presentable.
Even more, the packaging is excellent. Not glam. Not intimidating. It’s very everyman and looks like it might hold matches or mints.
Marcellin Codex Cocktail Smoker Top
Another gift that’ll impress you is that this smoker top provides aromatic flavor to your drinks. It also provides quite the show for your guests — a literal smoke show, if you will.
You’ll just load the filter with your wood chips (try different types of wood for different aromatics and flavors), smoke it, and then put it on top of your glass.
I’ve always loved a hickory smoked old-fashioned myself.
Grant Stone Traveler
This Grant Stone penny loafer is for every kind of guy and any kind of style. I’ve never seen a loafer balance elegance with a down-to-earth aesthetic as well as this. I have it in cognac.
The look is misleadingly simple. However, it combines American-style loafer characteristics with sleek European ones. The saddle is flat and without beef rolls. It has a classy silhouette minus all of the overly sharp turns of an Italian loafer.
Plus, it’s Goodyear-welted and made from either water-resistant calf suede or full-grain leather.
I’ve put my Travelers through a lot more than they deserve (including mud and rain). They’ve always come out the other side intact.
Loftie Loftie Smart Alarm Clock
Do you know the best way to wake up? By keeping your window open and letting the sun slowly ease into your room. Of course, those of us with schedules don’t always have this luxury.
However, this smart alarm clock from Loftie Loftie is so much better than that jarring iPhone alarm.
The alarm goes off in two phases. First, there’s a soft, customizable sound that slowly fades. This lulls you out of sleep. Then, a proper alarm goes off nine minutes later for a more natural entrance into the waking world.
This clock also provides relaxing or energizing soundscapes, like a white noise machine.
And, of course, a Bluetooth speaker is built into its modern, slick, and effervescent construction.
Hudson Whiskey Bright Lights, Big Bourbon
As with watches, I like a bourbon with a story. Long before countless trendy craft distilleries were trying to be the next Kentucky, there was Hudson Whiskey.
Was their whiskey great? It was arguably a bit youthful. But, boy, a lot has changed.
I had the privilege of being invited to their Tuthilltown distillery two hours outside Manhattan. I learned that in 2017, proper Scotsmen added this fledgling to their portfolio.
This bourbon is bold. So, it’s polarizing. However, the mostly New York corn formula (the rest being malted barley) is truly distinct. And I’ve never tasted something so enjoyably grain-forward.
All that to say, whether you love it or not, this uniquely Northeastern bourbon is unlike any other.
I think there are two ways to approach this spirit. First, think of it as the bourbon equivalent of a distinct table wine. Second, if you love stories behind whiskey, think of it as a chapter in this distillery’s fast-moving story.
Line of Trade Weekender XL Duffel
In my opinion, the most annoying and unwieldy things to pack are shoes. They’re weirdly shaped, they never make efficient use of the space they’re in, and you always need them.
This large Weekender Duffel from Line of Trade cleverly solves this problem by incorporating a collapsible shoe garage into its construction.
It sits underneath the main compartment. This means your dirty shoes won’t contaminate anything, and everything in the top compartment can sit flush against its topography. Brilliant.
It’s also just a good-looking bag, designed to look like a modern version of a stone mason’s tool bag. It boasts a sturdy metal frame that allows it to sit up and ensure everything stays in place.
It’s as much a piece of gear as it is a stylish duffel.
Conclusion: Memorable Gifts
There are two ways to ensure your present is memorable.
One, get him something he’ll use every day that will bring ease or style to his life.
Or, get him something he truly can’t get anywhere else. I’m thinking about the Bluetooth tape player or the record console.
I can guarantee that I had a blast using all of these cool potential presents, so much so that I ended up gifting many of them to myself. Now, if you excuse me, I have to take a sip of my smoked Hudson bourbon.
Which of these gift ideas was your favorite? Tell us in the comments!
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