Gifts for the Coolest Guy You Know

Part deux!

It’s John Jannuzzi again, with the second (and final) installment of men’s gift ideas. You can visit part I here:

Gifts for Every Man, From the Himbos to Softboys

The best thing about tech and gadget gifts is that they’ll get used often, and a practical gift is a great gift. Every year I give somebody this polaroid lab printer — you place your phone on it and out comes perfectly colored polaroids, which themselves are great gifts. I never leave the house without the Jabra Wireless Headphones either, which offer incredible durability and sound (these were on my list for myself last year).

My globetrotting brother once asked for this airplane adapter to use his wireless headphones at 30,000 feet. Whenever I’m in the air, I wish I’d gotten one for myself. Maybe this year! With audio, if you want to go a little nostalgic, tons of functioning iPod classics are available on eBay (not Bluetooth compatible, mind you).

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For his workspace, I love these desk blotters with a charging pad on the side, I have one at home that is a lifesaver. Then there’s this midcentury retro clock, an extension cord that isn’t hideous, a classic fountain pen, this space age gadget that turns your phone into a telescope and box to keep all his wires hidden and organized. The grippy phone case, bent towards burgeoning influencers filming themselves, is an excellent hack for the gym or kitchen.

Every man could also use a wine key, a tabletop lighter, and a nicely upgraded bluetooth speaker. For Boomer dads, don’t underestimate the power of this gizmo that scans film negatives into your phone with ease, either.

I’m here to say that food gifts are woefully underrated. I’ve had some up-close and personal experience with many of these items, and I recommend them with gusto. 

For ice cream hounds, try a subscription to Jeni’s. Other sweet teeth might enjoy some addictive Moose Munch popcorn, an absolutely decadent 7-layer caramel cake, Royal Riviera pears, or some of Tom Bannister’s famous granola. Oh, and don’t forget salty yet sweet chocolate-covered pretzels. Heaven!

On the savory side, it gets juicier. Grillmaster types would love some beautifully-marbled Wagyu steaks or some of Garden & Gun’s favorite bacon from the South.

If your guy watches Hot Ones, you can test his resolve with hot honey, sriracha peanuts, a luxurious hot sauce sampler, or the Big Night “Hot to Go” box. Otherwise, you can always go Italian with a Rubirosa pasta sampler, some of Graza’s highly addictive drizzle, or these dollar-sign pasta noodles (money where your mouth is, etc.).

And cheese from the Vermont Country Store. Duh.

My newsletter, Browser History, has even more ideas. If you have any questions (men are tough to shop for!), you can reach me in The Love List’s chat (I’m there!) or leave a comment below. Just don’t dilly dally; shipping deadlines for most retailers are Wednesday.