Apr15
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I’ve been picking out a Christmas gift for my husband for nine years, and it feels harder every year. My husband, Tommy, buys whatever he wants or needs, so by the time December comes around, his wishlist is pretty short.
So I’ve stopped trying to surprise him with something unique. The gifts he’s loved are the ones he wears, carries, or uses so much that I forget they were even something I gave him. And there are a few items that he’s even bought again himself, which is about the best review I can get from Tommy.
This post has the top gifts I’ve given him over the years. My top 3 picks are first, followed by gifts organized by price point so you can shop your budget. If you need a gift for the husband who has everything, there’s a section for that too, and a few experience ideas for the husband who says he doesn’t want anything.
And yes, there are four Tecovas gifts on this list. I’m aware.
My Top 3 Christmas Gifts for Husbands (The Shortlist)
APL Sneakers. I gave Tommy his first pair last Christmas, and he’s bought himself two more pairs since. When Tommy spends his own money on something I picked out, I know I got it right. (More on these under Splurge.)
Holderness & Bourne Wallace Hoodie. Tommy has this in three colors, and Thomas and Charles even have matching mini hoodies. He calls it “a warm hug on a cold day,” and I call it the only hoodie nice enough to wear to the office. (More under Splurge.)
Tecovas Wallet. I got this for Tommy three years ago, and he still carries it. The leather has only gotten better with wear. (More under $50-$150.)
Best Christmas Gifts for Husbands by Price
Christmas Gifts Under $50
Duck Head Circle Patch Hat (~$40)
This is Tommy’s most-worn hat by far. He even has a picture of himself wearing an almost identical one when he was about 10, so it gets bonus points for nostalgia. It also fits in a stocking if you’re the type to put $40 gifts in stockings.
Bombas Socks (~$18)
Socks aren’t the most exciting thing to unwrap, but they’re practical, and they always get used…so they make the list. Bombas are Tommy’s favorite socks, so I replace them for him every year. I usually throw a few in his stocking, but you could combine them with something else (perhaps the APL sneakers) for a bigger gift.
Changeable Art Frame (~$29)
If your kids bring home as much artwork as mine do, this frame is the best. The front opens up so you can swap in the latest masterpiece, which means dad gets something for his office and you get some of the art out of the house without throwing it away.
Vuori Strato Tech Tee (~$44)
Tommy doesn’t wear T-shirts very often (he’s very much a polo, vest, or sweater kind of guy), but when he does, it’s almost always this one or a Duck Head tee. If your husband is a polo guy like mine, this will make his weekend attire more casual (assuming he’s not on the golf course, that is).
Leather Keychain (~$18)
This gift is a little more on the cliché side, but I gave Tommy a leather keychain that says “World’s Best Dad” with our boys’ initials on it. It’s made with real leather and Tommy loved it. I found ours on Etsy.
Christmas Gifts $50-$150
Vuori Kore Shorts ($68)
Tommy’s not super into athleisure, but if he’s wearing it, it’s always these. And they’re the only shorts he’ll work out in.
Vuori Ponto Performance Pant (~$108)
The Ponto Performance Pants are Tommy’s favorite for lounging. He also runs in them when he gets on a running kick for about 3 months out of the year. I also have a full guide to Tommy’s favorite loungewear brands if you want to look at other options in this category.
Tecovas Wallet (~$75) Top 3 Pick
I got this wallet for Tommy three years ago because I knew he’d like the classic style, and he’s carried it ever since. The leather gets better with wear, so it looks nicer now than it did when he got it.
Tecovas Leather Dopp Kit (~$125)
I got Tommy a leather dopp kit from Tecovas (naturally), and I fully expect him to have it forever. He uses it every time we go to Boone, which is multiple times a month, so it’s been packed and unpacked many times.
LAKE Men’s Pima Sleep Set (~$138)
This one is my Christmas tradition. I’ve given Tommy a pair of LAKE pajamas every Christmas, and they definitely need to be replaced annually with how much he wears them. If you’ve been wanting to start a gift tradition with your husband, pajamas are an easy one to keep up. You can read my Lake review if you want to grab a pair for yourself while you’re shopping (I highly recommend).
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Sweater (~$125)
I gave this to my brother-in-law a few years ago and he still wears it. It’s well made and doesn’t cost what cashmere usually does.
Duck Head Pullover (~$100)
Tommy has so many Duck Head pullovers that I don’t even know which one is his favorite. He wears them all, so you really can’t go wrong with any color. If you want to see what else he owns from the brand, I rounded up Tommy’s full Duck Head picks.
Storyworth ($99)
This is one of my favorite gifts I’ve ever given my dad, and since he recently passed away, it’s even more special. My dad was a very sentimental guy, and so is my husband, so if yours is too, this can’t be beat. He gets a question by email every week, writes back, and at the end of the year his answers are printed in a hardcover book. It turns his memories into a family heirloom, and you’ll learn a lot about him along the way.
Splurge Christmas Gifts for Husbands ($150+)
APL Jogger Sneakers (~$200+) Top 3 Pick
I got Tommy a pair of these for Christmas last year, and he’s since bought himself two more pairs in different colorways because he loves the style and how comfortable they are.
Holderness & Bourne Wallace Hoodie (~$198) Top 3 Pick
Tommy owns the Wallace Hoodie Sweater in three colors and wears all of them. He calls it “a warm hug on a cold day,” and I call it the only hoodie that’s nice enough to wear to the office. Thomas and Charles have the mini versions too, so this one is a family favorite at our house.
Ember Travel Mug 2 (~$200)
If your husband already carries a travel mug, this is the upgrade. You set the temperature in the app, and it keeps his coffee hot, so the last sip is as warm as the first. I never take coffee on the go, but I’ve had the regular mug for years and can’t drink out of anything else. I’m getting Tommy the travel mug this year (don’t tell!).
Theragun (~$199+)
This one ends up being a gift for the whole family. We use ours more than we’d like to admit. Somehow the kids always find us when we’re using it, and my six-year-old has become a pro at getting the hard-to-reach spots for me. Tommy always uses it after a round of golf, when he’s complaining about his shoulders. We have the Prime and the Mini and they’re equally powerful, so unless you want all the bells and whistles of the Prime, save money and do the Mini.
Skylight Frame (~$160+)
I’ve given this to my husband, my parents, my in-laws and myself. We all love it. You email photos to a unique address, and they pop up on the frame instantly. For a husband who spends a lot of time at the office, it’s an easy way to send him pictures of the kids during the day.
Smathers & Branson Needlepoint Belt (~$165)
Tommy’s been wearing Smathers & Branson since college, shortly after the brand started. His mom actually makes his needlepoint belts, which is impressive and not something I’d ask most people to take on. If you don’t want to go that route (fair), Smathers & Branson is the shortcut: same classic preppy look, no cross-stitch skills required. Tommy also has their sunglass chums, and nothing from them has worn out or snagged.
Weber Genesis S-435 Gas Grill (~$1,500)
If you’re shopping for a husband who likes to cook (specifically, one who likes to grill), this is the big one. We have the Weber Genesis S-435 and it’s great since we like to prep meat in large batches, but we also have a smaller Weber grill in Boone. The Kamado Joe, Big Green Egg, and Traeger are all great alternatives if he’s into smoking meat. Tommy isn’t, so a gas grill made more sense for us.
Tecovas Weekender Bag (~$645)
Like the dopp kit, Tommy uses this every time we go to Boone and for every golf trip, so it gets a lot of use. It’s roomy but not massive, so it’s the right size for a few days away.
Tecovas Briefcase (~$495)
This was the most recent Christmas gift I got Tommy, and he uses it every single day. So yes, if you’re keeping count, that makes four Tecovas gifts I’ve given him. It is pricey, but given he uses it daily, the cost per use is really paying off. Note: This sold out fairly early in the holiday season last year, so if you want it, buy it quickly.
Christmas Gifts for the Husband Who Has Everything
If you’ve read this far, you already know Tommy is the husband who has everything, so I’ve mostly given up on finding a new category of gifts for him. What works better is the nicer version of something he already uses, or an experience he’d never book for himself.
The upgrades are already on this list:
- A better coffee mug: the Ember Travel Mug 2
- A better hoodie: the Holderness & Bourne Wallace Hoodie
- A better wallet: the Tecovas Wallet
- A better pair of sneakers: APL Jogger Sneakers
- A better belt: a Smathers & Branson needlepoint belt
Experience Gifts for the Husband Who Doesn’t Want More Stuff
If your husband says he doesn’t want anything, skip the wrapped gift altogether and plan something instead. Tommy doesn’t drink much, so brewery tours and bourbon tastings aren’t on our list, but if your husband does, those are popular choices. You could give him a six-pack of craft beer or a mini bourbon flight with a card for him to open.
Dinner and a show. Book a nice dinner and tickets to something you wouldn’t normally see, like a comedy show or something unique like a magic show. It feels like a real date night, and he doesn’t have to plan it. Plus, you get a night out too. Bonus points if it’s something nostalgic, like a concert from your first date. (Our first date was a Garth Brooks concert.)
A holiday sleigh or carriage ride. Some mountain towns do horse-drawn sleigh or carriage rides that end with dinner, and it’s about as Christmasy as a gift gets. You could gift it early before Christmas, or it’s something fun to do in the week between Christmas and New Year’s. They do this in Blowing Rock at Chetola Resort and I’m tempted to do it with my family this year!
A class you take together. A sushi-making class would be fun (and tasty), or try something more hands-on like a knife-skills class. Either way, you get a few hours out of the house together.
Tickets to a game. If he follows a team (pro, college, or even minor league), get tickets to a home game and make a day of it. My husband is a huge App State fan, so I should really try to get him football tickets. They’re impossible to get ever since they beat Michigan State.
FAQ: Christmas Gifts for Husbands
What is a good Christmas gift for a husband?
An upgrade to something he already uses every day, like a leather wallet or a better pair of sneakers. For most husbands over 40, practical gifts get far more use than novelty ones, and my top three above are the easiest place to start.
What is the best Christmas gift for a husband?
For Tommy, it’s APL sneakers. I gave him one pair last Christmas and he’s bought two more for himself.
What’s a Christmas gift for a husband who has everything?
Upgrade something he already owns, or plan an experience he wouldn’t book for himself. A cashmere sweater or a needlepoint belt works for the first, and dinner and a concert work for the second.
What’s a Christmas gift for a husband who doesn’t want anything?
Skip the stuff and give him an experience. Tickets to a game or a class you take together won’t add clutter to the house, and he doesn’t have to find a place to put it.
What are Christmas gifts for a husband who likes to cook?
If he grills, a new grill is the big splurge (we have the Weber Genesis S-435). For a smaller budget, a set of good grill rubs or an upgraded knife is something he’ll use all the time.
Shop at a Glance
| Under $50 | $50-$150 | Splurge $150+ |
|---|---|---|
| Duck Head Hat (~$40) | Vuori Kore Shorts ($68) | APL Sneakers (~$200+) |
| Bombas Socks (~$18) | Vuori Ponto Pant (~$108) | H&B Wallace Hoodie (~$198) |
| Changeable Art Frame (~$29) | Tecovas Wallet (~$75) | Ember Travel Mug 2 (~$200) |
| Vuori Strato Tech Tee (~$44) | Tecovas Dopp Kit (~$125) | Theragun (~$199+) |
| Leather Keychain (~$18) | LAKE Pima Sleep Set (~$138) | Skylight Frame (~$160+) |
| Quince Cashmere Sweater (~$125) | S&B Needlepoint Belt (~$165) | |
| Duck Head Pullover (~$100) | Weber Genesis S-435 (~$1,500) | |
| Storyworth ($99) | Tecovas Weekender (~$645) | |
| Tecovas Briefcase (~$495) |
Final Thoughts on the Best Christmas Gift for Your Husband
After nine Christmases with Tommy, these are the gifts that have stuck around, and most of them would work for his birthday or Father’s Day. Save this one for the next time you’re stuck on a Christmas gift for your husband.
Other Gift Guides You Might Like:
- 2026 Holiday Hub: Gifts for everyone on your list
- Gift guide for parents and in-laws
- Gift guide for women over 40
- Father’s Day gift guide
- Gifts for new moms
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