The Ultimate Gift List for Husbands: Written by Mr. Hutchinson
Back by popular demand (kinda) is another Men’s Gift Guide for y’all. It’s intriguing to me how little my taste changes and how loyal I am to the stuff I buy, wear, and use. With that said, look back at the others I wrote because I feel they hold up.
Grooming Gifts
A couple years ago I switched to a safety razor for shaving. It seems like more of a ritual and an event when I clean up around my facial hair and shave my neck. It’s also very cost effective with razors costing $.10 a blade. As I’ve said in the past, if you can grow good facial hair, you should not shave it off. I haven’t been clean shaven for over 20 years, but need to at least shave my neck. Mrs. Hutch likes me a little grizzly.
Here is a good setup with all you need to shave like your grandfather:
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Double Edge Safety Razor Blades
Shaving Stand + Shave Soap Bowl
Thayers Witch Hazel Facial Mist Toner–They discontinued my favorite aftershave which smelled like a barbershop in 1960, so I’ve been using this Thayers unscented toner.
Styptic Pencil–This little styptic stick stops a nick from bleeding immediately. There is a learning curve with a safety razor, and you’d rather not look like a 14-year old that just shaved for the first time.
Michael Malul KTORET Black Tie Cologne–To avoid comments from the all-natural type, I’m aware that covering yourself in fragrance can be disruptive. I’ve switched to a lot of natural products. When it comes to cologne, I don’t care. I have always worn it. This scent is what I smell like these days. They market this as a dressy or formal scent. It’s very suitable for an office setting. It’s quite strong so a little goes a long way and it lasts all day. This cologne, WD-40, Hoppe’s No. 9, gun oil, and cigars are the best manly scents ever.
Bravo Sierra Deoderant, Citrus + Cedarwood–I think the deodorant market has been the hardest hit by inflation. $12-$18 for what I consider a basic good. Please reach out to your local congressman because this must stop. This smells good but doesn’t help the sweatier dudes all that much. It’s 2 for $28 on Amazon so you might need to take out a loan to make sure you don’t smell BO in your house. Worth it.
Clothing
Brooks Brothers Dress Shirts–I don’t have much clothing advice this year. I buy all my dress shirts from Charles Tyrwitt or Brooks Brothers, and my t-shirts come from either Fresh Clean Threads or the merch table after concerts. Polo Ralph Lauren is my default lately for polos, sweaters, dress pants, and suits.
Men’s Swim Trunks–I do have a couple of recent finds that I’ve upgraded to. These retro styled swim trunks are the right length. Not quite Tom Selleck in the 80’s, starring as Magnum PI short, but pretty short. They are decently high quality for the price. There’s a floral print for your wilder side, and a seersucker version to pair with a linen shirt if you want that Nantucket old money look.
Men’s Polarized Sunglasses–These sunglasses are also quite retro. These are in the $50 range, and the quality is top notch, so you won’t feel as bad when you sit on them and break them.
Ralph Lauren Dress Socks–I switched to Ralph Lauren for both dress socks and crew socks. They stay up. There’s nothing worse than your socks sliding down your calves, all bunched up at your ankle. All hunched over pulling on socks–ridiculous. Can anyone else relate or is it just me?
Garment Duffel Weekender Bag–found this garment duffel, which is perfect for the 3-day business conference, or weekend wedding where you need to pack a suit. It’s carry-on size as well, so you can avoid the baggage claim.
Watches
I’ve always loved watches, and I’ve never understood the allure of a smart watch. Seriously, my phone is distracting enough. I don’t need it vibrating on my wrist all day when someone starts an unnecessary group text. I like to buy them as gifts to mark a specific date in time or event. I have them from vacations, career milestones, and anniversaries. I’ve gifted them as 40th birthday and graduation gifts. They are reminders every time I check the time. Save this section for something special or add it to the cart for Christmas.
A guy can go a little crazy when it comes to cost in this category, so I chose three that are very reasonably priced without sacrificing quality–a field watch for beating up a bit on the weekend, a couple dress watches, and a sportier model.
Vaer Field Watch–Vaer is an American micro brand. I like that. They have a lot of great models, but this field watch is a great starting point.
Tissot Classic Dress Watch–Tissot is one of my favorite brands. It’s affordable, kind of entry level luxury, but has the Swiss made history and quality.
SEIKO Automatic Dress Watch–I also really like the SEIKO Presage models for dress watches. The dials have unique colors and patterns. I dig the green, brown, and red dials, but the black leather with silver dial is for everyone.
Timex Waterbury–this little banger of a timepiece is a Timex Waterbury. I found a deal on Amazon for around $125 and thought, why not? I get more compliments on this cheap watch than any other watch I own. I had a dude wearing a $10k watch in the airport ask me about it, and he immediately looked it up and put it in his Amazon cart. It punches way above its weight for style and finish.
Outdoor Cooking Gifts
I still love my smoker best, but I jumped on the Blackstone band wagon a couple of years ago. It’s super versatile, I can cook a lot of food fast, and clean-up is quick. Here’s everything a guy needs.
Blackstone Griddle–first of all, if you don’t have one, you can find them very inexpensively at Walmart. I got a smaller 27” model on sale for $200 (in hindsight I should have went for the bigger model.) Check the deals and watch Amazon as well.
Blackstone Griddle Accessories
Blackstone Egg Ring/Omelet Ring Kit
Cigar + Pipe Gifts
I’m not trying to create bad habits here, but after you’ve prepared a fantastic meal on the smoker or Blackstone, you should relax with a cigar. There is something about the ritual of smoking a good cigar. I’ve made it a tradition to have a smoke with my sons when my younger of the two is back from college. We’ll also light one up when shooting clays, or around a camp fire when camping. Keep it classy–don’t smoke in your car, at the beach, or the state fair. Maybe put on a velvet smoking jacket, and play some Sinatra on vinyl.
Mayflower Cigars are my go-to. They run deals on the sample packs quite often.
Here are some cigar accessories to wrap up under the tree as well:
Pipe Set–you could also go the pipe route. It’s less of a commitment, and it looks cool, like some ancient kind of man.
Workout Gear
For my workout gear this time around, I’m showing my age. I still want to lift heavy and often, but my joints have been barking, and I need some support. I’ve also added a lot of supplementation over the years (it’s probably all a farce except for creatine).
Bigger Leaner Stronger by Michael Matthews–start with this book if you’re just getting started in the gym or if you like the nerd science of building some muscle.
Himalayan Shilajit Gummies
Music Gifts
My kids upgraded my vinyl player a few years ago. I’ve mentioned in past posts that I like to buy epic records. The girls often spin classical music during school as well. A couple suggestions for music:
The Turnpike Troubadours–they are the best county band in the world
The Red Clay Strays–my favorite new band
Sturgill Simpson–his blue grass albums are reinterpretations of a huge amount of his catalogue.
Stocking Stuffers
Here’s a list of stocking stuffers, because he doesn’t need to know I recommended a $400 watch.
Flavored toothpicks–looks tough sticking out of your mouth, and freshens breath
Stain remover cloths–we are the messier gender
Handkerchiefs–all men should have one in their pocket at all times
Nice pens–fine tip fountain pens for those with bad penmanship; easier than refilling a nice one
Key Chain–leather is nicer than the plastic one from the dealership
Hand cream–cracked hands in the winter are the worst
Mini hot sauces–for the office, car, lunch bag, or in a tiny holster on your belt
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Thank you so much for a classy real man’s gift list. Well done sir.