The Best Gifts for Husbands (or Long-Term Partners) Will Knock It Out of the Park


There was a time when you could gift the ol’ “hubby” a bottle of whiskey or a nice dinner, and call it a day. But the best gifts for husbands (or long-term boyfriends that are just one tax break shy of a legal union) should go a step further. After all, the modern man contains multitudes, and any tribute to him should feel singular and well thought-out. With an endless array of options at your fingertips, though, you might need some direction. Deep breaths, we’ve got you.

Our advice? Help him lean into the hobbies he spends the most time on, take him up on any of the menswear hints he’s been dropping all year long, or give him permission to explore something sorta impractical that he would usually never think to spend money on—your choice. Whether he’s a man of simple pleasures, or, as highfalutin as they come, we’ve pulled together some thoughtful gifts for husbands of every stripe on all celebratory occasions of the year.

Browse all of our gift guides in one place, and get even more GQ-vetted-and-approved gift ideas by signing up for the GQ Recommends newsletter.


The Best Gifts for Husbands, at a Glance

Knowing what to get the person you know best? Tougher than it looks! Here’s a short-list of some of our favorite picks this year for your very discerning hubby:



Fitness & Outdoor Gifts

Asics

Gel-Nimbus 25 Running Shoe

If he’s been talking about joining a run club (for fitness purposes, of course…), get a pair of these on his feet ASAP. The Gel-Nimbus are one of ASICS’ most beloved trainers and this current edition is perhaps the best yet with a soft knit upper that nestles the foot atop a plushy cushion that’s built for pavement-pounding.

Stanley

Classic Easy-Pour Growler

Whether he’s big on the great outdoors, or more of the “BBQ’ing on the porch” type, there’s nothing better than an ice-cold growler filled with his favorite booze. This one’s made from dishwasher-safe stainless steel and a spill-proof lid to keep the good times rolling (but not leaking out all over his stuff).

Oura

Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon

If he’s into tracking his health stats but wants something stealthier than a Fitbit, the Oura packs arguably more tracking technology (we’re talking 20 different kinds of biometrics) into one minimalistic ring. It connects with 40 different health apps like Apple Health or Strava, plus is HSA/FSA-eligible if you’ve got some funds to use up before the year is through.

Owala

FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

TikTokers may have their Stanley Cup, but this breakout bottle of the year has double-walled insulation to keep drinks cold, with a fun, bird beak-like top that allows for either tilting back, or sipping from an upright position (which is really addictive for some odd reason).

Topo Designs

33L Mountain Utility Tote

Who doesn’t love a Big ‘ol Bag? This roomy, mountain climbing-inspired joint is made from tough recycled nylon, includes a waterproof lining and zip top to keep his stuff dry, all while looking cool and colorblocked as hell.

Patagonia

Isthmus Anorak Pullover

How do you transform recycled nylon fishing nets into into one sick anorak? No idea—we leave that up to the pros at Patagonia, who have streamlined a packable, fast drying, 40+ UPF sun protection number that gets our seal of approval.

Tracksmith

Nor’Easter Jacket

Unlike typical tracksuits and joggers, Tracksmith’s svelte running gear is downright sexy, like this jacket with a sleek, aerodynamic silhouette that’s also warm enough to insulate him from the ghastly wind chill.

The North Face

Base Camp Duffel Bag

There aren’t many famous duffel bags, but The North Face’s popular carry-on definitely qualifies for icon status. Dress it up with this stylish and limited-edition print, or choose a classic black or yellow colorway. He can use it for his next camping trip, then dust it off and bring it to the airport for your next destination wedding.

Yeti

Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler

This is the Rolls Royce of wheeled coolers.

Grooming Gifts

Ralph Lauren

Polo Eau de Toilette

Want him to smell good but not sure where to start scent-wise? You can’t miss with this classic from Ralph. It’s a mainstay on our
hall-of-famer colognes list thanks to the universal appeal of its “versatile woody-aromatic scent.”

Philips Norelco

Bodygroom Series 7000

Body grooming is an art and this multipurpose tool will be his chisel. It’s got two sides for above- or below-the-belt shaving, can be used wet or dry, and doesn’t have an embarassing balls-related name, either.

Dermalogica

Daily Milkfoliant

Listen, you cannot guilt-trip a man into exfoliating regularly. He needs to feel the power of exfoliation for himself. Luckily, Dermalogica has crafted a soothingly oat-based “milkfoliant” that works great and looks impressive in the medicine cabinet.

Dermaflash

DERMAPORE+ Pore Extractor and Serum Infuser

You could drag him to a facial, or help him declog those pores at home. This powerful new device uses ultrasonic waves and ionic technology (futuristic!) to extract dirt and oil, then switches to “infuse” mode to start working a serum into those fine lines.

Mat’s Beard Bar

Mat’s Beard Bar Pro V2.0

This beard trimmings cleaner just might save your marriage.

Panasonic

Multishape Ultimate All-In-One Kit

If you’re someone who’s had it with contraptions all over the place in your bathroom, start here. This all-in-one kit allows him to do everything from shape his beard to brush his teeth.

Home & Kitchen Gifts

Boll & Branch

Signature Hemmed Sheet Set

One of the best sheets on Amazon, period, could pass as hotel-quality if you make the bed extra snug like room service would. Unlike a lot of sketchy-looking brands on Amazon, Boll & Branch also checks off all the boxes needed to prove that their materials are organic and practices are fair trade.

Samsonite

Omni PC Hardside Expandable Luggage

Time to replace his dinged-up suitcases before your next big vacation? Surprise him with this carry-on that combines a rugged look he’ll be proud to wheel around the terminal with all the must-haves a roller truly needs (multi-directional wheels, built in TSA locks, and a 10-year warranty).

Our Place

Dream Cooker

The aesthetically-minded folks over at Our Place have perfected a dreamy pressure cooker that looks a whole lot better than an InstantPot, with a completely monochrome design that encapsulates a nearly invisible control panel, and four easy cooking modes that will justify its residency on the countertop.

Beast Health

Mini Blender

If “rise and grind” to him means pulvering fruits and veggies into a morning smoothie, but you don’t have the counterspace for a big hulking Vitamix, start small. This compact blender cup cleverly serves as the drinking vessel itself with a straw cap system that screws right on and gets him out the door.

All-Clad

Pro-Release Nonstick 10-Piece Bakeware Set

For the casual baker who wants to get serious, a decked-out set of nonstick bakeware from All-Clad will help him produce many permutations of loafs and tarts (as you treat yourself to the spoils).

Elevated Craft

The Hybrid Pint Glass

There’s a reason they’re called “ice cold brewskis” not “lukewarm slightly flat brewskis,” which is why your favorite beer and tech enthusiast needs this hybrid glass with a chill-inducing coozie that even comes with its own built-in bottle opener.

LEGO

McLaren P1 Set

At nearly 4,000 pieces, this build is wildly complex, challenging, and a whole lot of fun. Is it a lot of money for a LEGO set? Sure. But remember, the cost of a real McLaren P1 is over $1,000,000, so in that sense, you’ll be scratching that mid-life crisis itch for a lot less dinero.

Baloo

Weighted Comforter

Finally, a weighted blanket that no one will be inclined to hog. This dreamy design is comforter-sized to fit the entire bed, yet weighted in the center so both of you can sleep like a baby wrapped in a gentle hug. Awww!

Breville

Bambino Plus Espresso Maker

The entry-level, dummyproof espresso maker that will make even the biggest coffee novices feel like budding baristas. It’s got the automated programming, sleek design, and small footprint to make it a solid investment for any husband who’s upgrading from pods to pulling shots.

Rooted

Assorted Pothos Box

Dirty Sue

Blue Cheese Olives & Premium Olive Juice

For the dirty martini connoisseur.

Goodee

Recycled Glass Mezcal Set

Pair this hand-blown Oaxacan set with his favorite bottle of mezcal.

Breville

Smoking Gun

Meats? Veggies? Cocktails? He can smoke ‘em all.

Style Gifts

Seiko

Automatic Watch for Men

For the self-identified Watch Guy, this beloved Seiko model pairs a classic stainless steel body with a blue dial that’s almost as handsome as he is.

Jacques Solovière

Mark Zip Boot

We didn’t know it was possible to make a perfect boot, but by god, Jacques Solovière has done it. Crafted from calf leather in a truly evergeen silhoettte, he’ll be rocking these today and years from now in the photos with the grandkids, too.

Fear of God

Black Crewneck Sweatshirt

Congrats to the recent alum of [checks notes] Fear of God State, who will be graduating his style chops with distinction, if Jerry Lorenzo has anything to do with it.

Toga Virilis

SSENSE Exclusive Brown Loafers

The man with Western leanings needs some hirsute leather to go with the look. Help him pony up with these exceptionally handsome loafers embellished with mystical-cowboy hardware.

Oakley

Black Edge Icon Sneakers

Maybe he’s got the Jordans and the Salomons, but does he have the sci-fi sneakers? These futuristic slip-ons from Oakley are the “advanced” option for the dedicated sneakerhead in your life.

Miansai

Thin Geo Ring

Whether naked or monogrammed, a signet ring never misses. This one’s just skinny enough to please any jewelry minimalists, too.

Todd Snyder

Wool Silk-Knit Polo

Todd Snyder, the king of easy menswear, has done it again with this polo-rugby hybrid that comes luxed-up in a tweedlike wool and silk blend fabric. Whether he’s got on Armani slacks, or a pair of classic 501s, he won’t want to take this off.

Todd Snyder

Corduroy Two-Pocket Field Shirt

Pratically perfect for this in-between weather, this shirt jacket in delicate sage is one way to introduce him to his sensitive side.

Abercrombie & Fitch

7-Pack Essential Tees

Time to overhaul his drawer of hole-y undershirts and tees? Abercrombie has had this category covered for years, and now they’ve lined up the ideal starter pack. One tee for every day of the week, in a relaxed fit and a soothingly muted color palette, and all for $100.

Tanner Goods

Utility Bifold

If he’s had his current wallet for as long as you two have been together, then maybe it’s time for an upgrade (to his wallet, not him).

Alex Mill

Frontier Jacket in Recycled Canvas

This jacket has big-time dad energy, and we do mean that as a compliment, naturally.

Filson

Tin Cloth Compact Briefacase

Filson makes some of our favorite briefcases of all, and this one’s slightly smaller than most so it won’t take up too much space in a crowded subway car.

Percival

Waterproof Auxiliary Sherlock Coat

Percival has been making this modern spin on the trenchcoat for over 10 years, and it hasn’t gone out of style one bit. With its water-resistant upper and sleek silhouette, it’ll keep him dry from for the next decade to come.

Gucci

Bee Web Silk Tie

Add a little sprezzatura to his office rotation with Gucci’s signature bee motif in 100% silk.

Tech Gifts

Sony

WH-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Headphones

It’s hard to launch a new pair of over-ear headphones in an already crowded space, but Sony really put their back into it with the best-in-class noise-cancelling technology on this one. Just don’t be too shocked if he has trouble hearing you over one of his playlists of bangers.

DJI

Osmo Pocket 3

Whether he wants to launch a YouTube channel or just better document your travels, the Osmo Pocket 3 is the ultimate easy-to-use creator camera. It’s got a built-in gimbal for smoothly cinematic camera movements and can easily flip between a vertical and horizontal orientation when he wants the full panoramic effect.

Nebula

NEBULA by Anker Mars II Pro 500 ANSI Lumen Portable Projector

The biggest thing standing between him and that tricked-out home theater is a quality projector. This sci-fi looking model is up for the job, with a bright picture, powerful sound, and easy device pairing. We think the 1080P resolution works great for most audiences, but if he’s a true film snob you might want to spring for the 4K version instead.

Pioneer DJ

DJ Rekordbox and Serato DJ Controller

For your hubby who’s added a new entry to his resume—DJ—do the right thing and make sure he’s got the right equipment to chop and screw like a professional. There are a ton of options and specs to consider, but we’ve saved you the Reddit deep dive and furnished this rec for you that’s a very solid beginner controller at a reasonable price.

Retrospekt

Beagle Scouts FC-11 35mm Film Camera

This point-and-shoot film camera will please even the biggest Flickr-heads and fill his nostalgia meter. Released for the 50th anniversary of the “Beagle Scouts” in the Peanuts extended universe, it’s really stinkin’ cute. It also simplifies the act of shooting film with its fixed-focus lens so he can get to capturing memories without worrying about his ISO.

Eight Sleep

Pod 4

For fussy sleepers, this temperature-regulating “pod” cover might just save your marriage. It slips over your mattress, giving each person the ability to cool or warm either side of the bed to the perfect Goldilocks temp, plus tracks your sleep metrics (so you’ll know exactly how many hours you’re getting in the REM cycle).

Therabody

Theragun Sense

If he has a body in 2024, he probably could benefit from this massage gun which can be used on post-workout sore muscles or aches and pains from his desk job.

Fender

Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster HSS Pack

It’s never too late to make those garage band dreams a reality.

Meta

Quest 3 Breakthrough Mixed Reality

The new Meta Quest 3 is the ultimate trump card gift for any gamer on your list: the VR will be transportative in even the most familiar spaces, and its advanced comfort and passthrough features mean you can easily grab a quick bite without taking your headset.

Nintendo

Switch OLED Model White

The beloved Nintendo Switch now comes with a vivid 7″ OLED screen and enhanced audio for leveling up their next Mario Kart sesh.

Gifts Under $100

Frank Herbert

Dune Saga 6-Book Boxed Set

While he’s waiting for Denis Villeneuve to get the next Dune movie to the silver screen, he can immerse himself in the original source material—Frank Herbert’s genre-defining six book series. Plus, the complete box set will look epic on his shelf.

Emily St. Jame and Noel Murray

“LOST: Back to the Island: The Complete Critical Companion to The Classic TV Series”

Remember our collective obsession with analyzing LOST? He does. In this new companion book, two veteran LOST recappers investigate the show’s success and enduring impact through essays, episode breakdowns, and cultural analysis. Time for a rewatch?

Yuval Noah Harari

“Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI”

Yuval Noah Harari, author of blockbuster convo-starter Sapiens is back with another wild thinker; this time investigating how information networks have shaped human life from the Stone Age to AI. If he loves learning from the past and debating the future, let him sink his teeth into this one.

Lululemon

ABC Warpstreme Pull-On Pant

“Anti-ball crushing” is a phrase no one should have to think about in relation to their husband, but we’re sure he’d come around to Lululemon’s wildly popular ABC line. Why not get him their latest in the collection, with a sharp, tapered leg and a super comfy fabric?

Abercrombie & Fitch

Philadelphia Eagles Crew Sweater

As it turns out, he doesn’t need to look like a goofball every Sunday in a huge polyester jersey! Grab one of these so he can rep his team, while you enjoy the handsomely oversized-yet-cropped fit and charming, vintage-inspired lettering.

Dada

The Pedro Tribute Ashtray

Sometimes a gift just needs to make him smile, ya know? The kooky folks at New York design shop Coming Soon now carry this cheeky chrome ashtray designed in homage to the chairs of influential artist and designer, Pedro Friedeberg.

Nike

MoMA Nike Everyday Socks

The ongoing merch collab between MoMA and Nike elevates the lazy stocking stuffer gift (another pack of socks) to a veritable grail. Is it basically just a Nike sock in a cool colorway, with a new logo mashup? Yes. Are we still going to buy them? Absolutely.

Byredo

Bibliotheque Candle

A little luxury that conjures up the scent of a well-stocked library with notes of leather, patchouli, and plum.

Craighill

Headphone Stand

Now that he has the swanky headphones, he’ll need somewhere fancy to put them when they’re not on his head.

Cometeer

Mixed Roast Box

He’s not one to get into fancy coffee makers, but Cometeer might just turn him into a java snob. Grab one of these frozen pods, dilute it with water, and he’ll be buzzing all day.

The Criterion Channel

Subscription

If he calls movies “films” then this is a no-brainer.

Next Move

Azul Board Game

A beautifully designed game that he can’t get (that) competitive with.

Framebridge

Gift Frame

Whether it’s a napkin from your first date night, or postcard from your first vacation, Framebridge can make it gallery wall-worthy.



Source link

About The Author

Scroll to Top