We Asked Men What They Actually Want For The Holidays — And Shockingly, They Told Us!

Some folks are easy to shop for. They drop strong hints or create wishlists so people have at least a basic idea of where to start looking for holiday gifting. Other people, more specifically men, rarely make it that simple and finding out what they want is like pulling teeth.
With that in mind, we surveyed guys we know (ages ranging from 24 to 74) to find out what gifts they’re hoping to unwrap this year. From budget-friendly to big ticket splurges, hopefully this list helps you find the perfect present for the fellas in your life who aren’t offering any guidance.
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“I’ve been in the market for a solid pair of headphones after constantly fretting about my earbuds falling out while I hike. I’m going back to the on-ear style and narrowed my search down to a few brands. I used to have a pair of Skullcandy headphones that lasted me a while, so I’m leaning toward trying them again with one of their recent offerings.” — Usman, 38
With a battery life of up to 60 hours, the Skullcandy Icon ANC model is a real crowd-pleaser for anyone looking for a pair of wireless on-ear headphones with noise cancelling capabilities.
“I’ve searched high and low for the perfect water bottle. One that’s big enough and doesn’t leak as I bring it with me on all of my travels.” — Stephen, 45
Orca’s Hydra model promises to keep icy beverages cool for up to 24 hours and has a silicone grip for easy handling on the go.
“I got a fully remote job this year and I’m trying to build out my home office set up. The trackpad and keyboard on my work laptop isn’t ideal, so a wireless keyboard and mouse would really help me.” — Aaron, 34
This Bluetooth-enabled keyboard/mouse combo from Logitech allows you to connect to up to 3 devices and has a row of shortcuts to toggle between your favorite apps.
“I went to a game night where my friend had one of those lights that let you change the colors with your phone. It would be nice to have one of those for my bathroom when I get up in the middle of the night and don’t want to turn on the aggressive overhead lighting.” — Brian, 42
This tiny plug-in option from Enbrighten projects customizable color waves and has sensors to turn on at dusk and off at dawn.
“It’s not exactly something that can be wrapped and left under the tree, but I really want to try one of those home delivery butcher shops. I love a good steak dinner, but I don’t often have time to get to my local butcher to make it at home. I know people who swear by those meat delivery brands.” — Ross, 29
Certified Piedmontese has special holiday-themed boxes including the Frasier Fir, which contains two 10oz. New York strips, four 8oz. flat iron steaks and four packages of 80% lean ground beef (all grass-fed.)
“All I want to wear these days is a matching sweat shirt and sweat pant set, especially when I’m traveling. A sweat suit offers a clean, put-together look and it’s always going to be exponentially more comfortable than just about anything else I can pull out of my closet. Right now, I’m loving the Gap’s vintage soft hoodies and joggers. They come in a bunch of colors that you can mix and match, and they’re great as separates too.” — Noah, 46
Gap customers are hooked on these sweats, with some reviewers even admitting they bought sets in every color.
“I’ve been doing a side hustle of selling 3d prints and been making videos of my models, this gimbal is made for filming with your iPhone to get those cinematic looking smooth shots. Hopefully it goes on sale on the holidays.” — Chris, 44
The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 utilizes ActiveTrack 5.0 for more stable shooting over longer distances and easily accessible joystick controls on the handle.
“I bought a cheapo Nakiri on Amazon a couple years ago. I love it. I’ve secretly wanted an upgrade but can’t really justify it. So if one were to show up as a gift (hint, hint) I wouldn’t mind!” — Ryan, 37
Reviewers love Shun’s all-purpose knife for being comfortable to hold and razor-sharp for maximum precision.
“This might sound boring, but every year I just want the basics: underwear and socks. I usually get myself packs from Costco and Target, but I look forward to trying out fancier brands that I get from my family for Christmas.” — Brett, 40
Mack Weldon’s underwear has amassed a bit of a cult following and their ultra-soft 18-hour Jersey boxer briefs are bestsellers for good reason.
“My job has us back in the office full time, which means I’m in a suit every day. I have like 100 ties to switch up my look and I have been thinking about getting cufflinks to step things up when I have important meetings or events.” — James, 29
This affordable gift set includes silver cufflinks with a matching tie bar.
“I’m excited that my son is getting to an age where I can introduce him to video games. I could use another controller for my Xbox. There’s one I have my eye on that lights up while you play. I’ll be happy with anything but that looks really cool.” — Wahib, 41
PowerA is one of the most trusted brands for gaming accessories and their Fusion Pro wireless controller offers up to 30 hours of gameplay on a single charge.
“People who go to raves know there’s some very unique kinds clothes you see people wearing. For me, my favorites are shirts made of breathable material and the jerseys people wear representing their favorite artists. I especially love finding shirts that show off some of my other favorite hobbies, like that I’m a huge Star Wars nerd. I would love to get a nice button down or a jersey that shows off some of my favorite characters or franchises. Something I could get excited about when putting on, and might even attract conversation from other people I run into who are also fans of whatever’s on the shirt.” — Josh, 25
Reviewers say this cotton “Star Wars” Vader jersey isn’t too heavy or lightweight and the reference to the iconic movie character is bound to inspire conversation with other fans.
“I’m cooking more at home — and making more of a mess. I like the design of Hedley & Bennett aprons and hope they can help keep my clothes clean while I use every utensil in the kitchen.” — Christian, 44
Each Hedley & Bennett Essential apron is handcrafted and tested for durability and mobility.
“The item I want is an external multi-media player that can plug into my current laptop. Media storage has changed many times over the years from CD-ROM, zip disks, DVD-RW and SmartCards just to name a few. Those items contain so many memories of my family that I would love to have saved on my current computer. Being able to do that and relive those memories this holiday season would be a wonderful gift for me.” — Russell, 53
This budget-friendly option is easy to travel with and also has the ability to burn CDs and DVDs.
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“I don’t have a need for a lot of things, but I love getting texts of pictures of my grandkids. As much as I like looking at them on my phone, it would be nice to hang some of them up in my house. I’m hoping my kids might read this and know to give me framed photos to put up on the walls.” — Michael, 74
There’s a huge selection of custom photo printing options from Printique, but the photo tiles can be arranged and then easily switched around on your wall as needed without using a hammer and nails. They’re available in six size options for various space needs.
“I have one of those cheaper record players but recently learned that they can actually be bad for the vinyl, so I’m ready for an upgrade. Online research led me to this Electrohome option, which will be really awesome if I get it because I’ll have an excuse to bust out my old high school CD collection as well.” — Jack, 36
The Electrohome Kingston 7-in-1 record player has a turntable, CD player, AM/FM radio, Bluetooth as well as AUX and USB ports. It also comes with a remote control. Get it in three natural colors including black, walnut and cherry.
“I got really into puzzles and model-building again back in 2020 and it continues to be the hobby that helps me relax and tune out the world. I’ve done a few of the bigger Lego sets and enjoyed the challenge. There are newer offerings, like this pixelated Mario and Yoshi set, which have parts that move. That’s what I’m hoping to do in that slow week between Christmas and New Year’s.” — Marcin, 41
The Nintendo x Lego Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi is 1,215 pieces and has a crank at the base to animate the model.
“I’ve been wanting a projector for a while now and there’s one by NexiGo that seems to be one of the better options out there. The picture quality and portability on it seem perfect for everything I need, from hosting a movie night to projecting on a wall or canvas for art projects.” — Francisco, 37
Customers love the crisp and clean images from NexiGo’s PJ40 projector and are impressed by its surprisingly powerful built-in speakers. Clip the on-page coupon for an extra $40 savings at checkout.
“More than anything, I really need new luggage. I’m trying to avoid checking bags at all cost when I travel, so I’m looking for a durable carry-on. I have been trying to cram all of my clothes into a backpack, but it doesn’t do the trick for trips longer than a weekend.” — Jesse, 41
The Monos Carry-On Pro meets the requirements for most major airlines and is worth every penny for a frequent traveler.
“Growing up in Ventersdorp, South Africa on a farm I’d watch my father make our favorite sausages during the holidays and now that i have a family of my own i’d like to do the same.” — Jean-Claude, 31
With nearly 4,000 5-star reviews, STX’s Turboforce 3000 is a solid choice for a home cook in search of a grinder that’s easy to use for making sausages and beyond. Another bonus: It’s meant for easy cleaning! This one comes with a foot pedal but there’s also a design that comes without it if that’s not a must-have for you and you want to spend slightly less.