’Tis officially the season for gift-giving. For us, it’s 31 days of gift giving; for a month, we’ll be providing gift ideas for everyone on your list—from your hard-to-please parents to your ’90s-loving BFF and even your spoiled pet. Filled with creative picks that got our pulses racing, our Unwrapped holiday gift guides will make Christmas shopping a breeze this holiday season.
How well do you know your boyfriend? It’s a question that never really goes away in any relationship, and one that the holidays tend to bring bubbling to the surface, especially when it comes getting him a gift. What does he want? What does he need? Does he want what he doesn’t need? What if he doesn’t like it? The ramifications could be deep. That’s why it’s important to think long and hard about what kind of guy you’re dating. What does he value? Is he the type of person who wants a flashy wallet? Does he appreciate a nuanced cologne? Is he a film geek? Hopefully, the following guide will help you sort some of these crucial questions out on your way to getting your boyfriend the perfect gift.
Check out more Unwrapped gift guides here.
Hyphen, mattress, starting at $475, available at Hyphen.
If your boyfriend's mattress is crazy worn out and stiff, then Hyphen, one of the newer companies to join the mattress revolution kickstarted by Casper, will solve that problem. Hyphen, which is all about providing what they call a "restorative sleep," will ship their super soft mattress in a box, and let him try it out free for 100 days. Instead of memory foam, Hyphen uses a special type of temperature-controlled foam that doesn't suck you in or heat up. He's not the only one that will appreciate this gift.
Townsend's Bluebird Alpine Liqueur, $30, available at Ezra's.
Besides the fact that the bottle and label are themselves works of art, this spiced, festive booze, distilled out of Portland by Thomas and Sons, is ideal for the winter months. Brewed with a mix of herbs and spices that includes fennel and Angelica, this'll work for anyone looking to warm up and chill out.
Noah, Varsity Logo Crewneck, $148, available at Noah NY.
For the man who cares where his clothes come from, Noah's founder Brendon Babenzien makes all his designs right here in NYC, including this classic crew neck. He's also a former designer at Supreme, so street cred is included.
Sonos, Play: 5, $469, available at Sonos.
Sonos is changing the home entertainment game, and the Play:5 is their most innovative, high-fidelity speaker yet. It is widely considered to be the best speaker they've ever produced, and the person who recieves this gift is likely to love you forever.
Jimmy Lion, Squirrel Socks, $12, available at Jimmy Lion.
Squirrels on socks. Enough said.
Saint Laurent, SL 93 sunglasses, $211.80, available at Shade Station.
Technically, these shades from the venerable French fashion house are for women, but this is a post-gender society, people. They're still very dope.
A.P.C., Dallas wallet, $170, available at A.P.C.
Spending $170 on a wallet might seem a little counterintuitive, but this piece from A.P.C., complete with a leather interior, is a minimalist and sophisticated item for the guy who wants to look fresh.
Filmstruck, subscription, $6.99/month, available at Filmstruck.
Finally, a streaming service engineered specifically for the die-hard Truffaut fan you fell in love with. Filmstruck, brought to you by Turner Classic Movies and Criterion, is beautifully designed, and has an impressively curated library of classics, foreign films, art-house gems, and obscure curiosities. Perfect for cinephiles.
Lucky Bastard Company, lip kit, $16, available at Lucky Bastard Company.
Let's be real: This gift would be as much for you as it would be for him. Chapped, dry lips are no fun for anyone, but especially for the person who has to kiss them. This lip kit from Lucky Bastard Company is the solution.
Quip, starter set, $25, available at Quip.
A good electric toothbrush can literally change someone's life, saving them future horrifying visits to the dentist. But they can be expensive. The genius of Quip, a minimalist new company, is that not only does the starter kit—one electric toothbrush and toothpaste—cost only $25 dollars ($40 if you want a metal toothbrush as opposed to a plastic one), but for an additional $10 every three months, they will send you a new kit, containing a fresh brush head, two toothpastes, and a new AAA battery.
Texture, subscription, $125/year, available at Texture.
Stunning in its scope, a subcription to Texture means access to so many magazines, the recipient of this gift won't know what to do with himself. Tablet versions of Sports Illustrated, GQ, National Geographic, The New Yorker, and Esquire—it's all here, and it's overwhelming.
Mister Marvelous cologne, $240, available at Byredo.
This Stockholm-based perfume line has built a cult following thanks to its desire to "translate memory into smells." Mister Marvelous, with notes of bamboo, green lavender, and Neroli flower, is an exotic fragrance for a marvelous man.
Thousand, Heritage Collection Bike Helmet, $80, available at Thousand.
It cannot be overstated how important it is to wear a helmet while biking. It cannot also be overstated how important it is to look good while doing it. This elegant piece from Thousand will have him covered, literally.
Krewe, sunglasses, available at Krewe.
Stirling Barrett created the Krewe line as an homage to his hometown of New Orleans, and like the city itself, these shades are effortlessly cool, full of personaity, and wholly unique.
Check out more of our Unwrapped gift guides here.
