Whether you have been together for years or just made it official, one thing remains certain: he is going to claim he doesn’t need anything. But secretly, he will appreciate a really good Valentine’s Day gift. Many men in our lives default to what they have always used and loved, from threadbare T-shirts to melted spatulas. (And if that’s you too, we won’t judge if you peek at this list for yourself.)
When thinking of a present for your go-to guy, prioritize the gift of novelty. Introduce him to a new gadget he hasn’t thought of. Show him that it’s OK to cry with a personalized keepsake commemorating your shared history. Introduce a little color into his life if his year has been a bit bleak.
We tapped several guys to hear about the unexpected gifts they got and now couldn’t live without – and we heard from some of the givers, too. From headphones that keep him plugged into his favorite podcast to personalized artwork that tugs at his heartstrings, here is exactly what to get the lucky guy in your life this Valentine’s Day.
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Valentine’s Day gifts for food lovers
If he has a sweet tooth
Levain Classic Tin Gift Set
Everyone enjoys a box of chocolates. But a box of freshly baked cookies is next level – especially when they come with a story. “She got me cookies shipped from Levain Bakery in New York one year,” says Steven Palefsky, a medical physicist. “I loved those cookies when I lived there. They’re chewy and crispy, just how I like them. And they remind me of when I lived in New York.” If your guy has a favorite in another destination, Goldbelly can hook him up with everything from Cuban sandwiches from Versaille Restaurant in Miami, to fresh lobster from McLoons Lobster Shack in Maine.
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If he knows his way around the kitchen
HexClad 4.5qt deep saute pan with tempered glass lid
Robert Hartry, an architectural designer, received this HexClad pan from his partner for Christmas last year. “Its side walls are higher than a normal saute pan, so it makes it very versatile,” says Hartry. “I also love that it’s fairly indestructible. Emily has tried, and this pan has yet to fail.”
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If he likes it hot
Nespresso Travel Mug
Stuck on what to gift him? Notice the hints he drops for things he actually needs but wouldn’t think to get himself, like a 30-oz Nespresso mug that will save him a trip to the cafe. For Jason Berke, a consultant, the best Valentine’s gift he ever got was this “to-go coffee mug that I desperately needed”. He hadn’t even realized he had been dropping hints. “I think I had once said: ‘Ugh, I should just buy a mug and make coffee at home.’ The actual product keeps my coffee very hot so it gets a good rating from me for its one purpose.”
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Valentine’s Day art gifts
If he’s a visual guy
Shutterfly Create Your Own Calendar
Whether you’re looking to remind him of your unmatched good looks or give him an incentive to take his Google Calendar appointments analog for the next year, steal this seductive gift idea stat. “When we first started dating, I made him a sexy calendar,” said Lauren Jeffers, a photographer. “Then I started offering them as a service with my photography. I would take nude photos of people and make them into a calendar.” It can double as a time capsule for you, Jeffers says. “I looked good naked at 20, and now that I’m 36, I have this beautiful calendar and a reminder that I was hot.”
To get in on the creative idea, use a pre-designed or blank calendar template from Shutterfly that allows you to customize font, calendar size, decals and more. Bonus: you don’t need to be a pro photographer. Simply solicit a trusted friend to snap some sultry shots or set your camera to timer. Voilà!
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If you have serious history
Custom ‘Met, Engaged, Married, Live’ map print
Matthew K, an e-commerce manager, recently received this puzzle from his wife to commemorate his first-year anniversary. It depicted exact pinned locations of their first date, their engagement spot, wedding venue, and honeymoon. “I thought it was a cool way to remember our history. It was definitely an interesting way to present our relationship milestones on paper, which happens to be customary for the first anniversary,” says Matthew.
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If he’s a player
Jumbo playing cards
Snyder’s girlfriend got a standard deck of cards and kicked it up a notch for serious sentimental value. “She bedazzled a deck of cards into a ‘52 things I love about you’ gift. She cut out small squares of paper and glued them on to each card and wrote on it,” says Snyder. “She also drew on the cards, then put a keychain around the corner to bind it all together.”
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If he’s got a roster
Custom family trading card
Jacqueline Hopmeyer, a marketing director, gifted her husband this custom trading card as “a super cute Father’s Day present that could double as a holiday gift”. You can customize the sport, number of children, hair color, jersey and more. It’s set in transparent acrylic that stands upright on its own, ready to display proudly on his shelf. “He was so moved by this,” she says.
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If he’s your favorite travel buddy
Uncommon Goods Our Adventure Map Art
There’s something inherently sweet about a keepsake piece of art that honors your shared adventures – and lives off your Instagram grid. “She’s super creative, so she drew a book of all the places we’ve been and all the places we’ll go, like two stick figures in front of the Eiffel Tower,” says Oli Wiesel, a chief strategy officer. For a show-stopping piece of art, commission artists John and Rachel Stewart to immortalize your travels on a piece of map art featuring up to 15 locations set atop a mountainous landscape.
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If he’s got big feelings
Stofinity 60 Mini Love Notes With Envelopes
“There was a time when we were doing long distance, and she wrote me a bunch of little notes to open up whenever I missed her or felt happy,” says Josh Mosseri, a customer support manager. The good news? You don’t need to live states away to take part in the sentimental gift. Simply grab this comprehensive gift set that includes 45 pre-written notes, 15 blank cards and a red gift box to ensure the waterworks keep coming year-round.
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If he’s the sentimental type
Art Feelings Hall Personalized Keychain
Want to be on his mind? Make yourself a part of his little daily rituals, like grabbing his keys in the morning. Customize the leather keychain to include the cutest photo of you two, and we promise, he’ll never lose his keys again. “It was a very good surprise,” says Ali Elbaz, a programmer. “She thinks about things I would never normally think about.” Engrave it with anything from your shared initials to your anniversary date. No matter what you choose, it’s bound to help him feel connected to you throughout the day.
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Valentine’s Day home gifts
If he loves to lounge
Plufl Human Dog Bed
Whether he’s a family man or a dog dad, the Plufl human-sized dog bed is about to take center stage in his living space. Not only does it feature deep bolsters and orthopedic foam to support his joints and give his pup a soft place to rest, but it’s a breeze to store when not in use.
“I didn’t expect to love this human doggy bed as much as I do, but honestly, it’s become one of my favorite spots in the house,” says Amir A, a software developer. “My dog curls up in it, my kids join him, and half the time I end up climbing in there with them too. It’s so comfortable that I’ve actually fallen asleep in it a few times. This bed was supposed to be for the dog, but now we’re basically sharing it.”
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If he has the keys to your heart
Word Silhouette Key Hook Rack
Often, the most romantic gifts are the most practical, especially when it can benefit both of you. “I always leave my keys in my pocket and when she needs them she can’t find them,” says Weisel. “It’s a key holder that says ‘Keys.’ It’s right in our entrance and has kept the peace.”
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If he’s sleep-deprived
Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs
Chantal Stafford-Abbott, a model, considers these viral reusable earplugs the ultimate gift for a guy who might need a little extra shuteye in less-than-quiet circumstances. “They actually work, you don’t have to buy loads from the pharmacy, and they come in the cutest little case,” she says. Four tip sizes in a comfortable, flexible silicone material ensure he finds the perfect fit, and there are no batteries to charge or replace.
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If he’s the life of the party
Target Darts Corona Vision Dartboard Lighting System
If you know a guy trying to recreate his favorite watering hole at home, there’s a gift for that. When they were just dating, Matthew’s then girlfriend gifted him this ringlight for his dartboard to increase visibility and up his game. “It gives you that professional at-home setup, illuminating your space if you’re playing in the dark,” says Matthew.
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If he’s a dog lover
Onsoyours Original Bulldog Plush with Football
When Mosseri and his partner were long-distance, the absence of his beloved bulldog hurt almost as much as her absence. In recognition of that, she gifted him a stuffed animal that looked just like the one he had loved throughout his childhood. It helped ease the burden of being in a “long-distance relationship with my dog”, he said. “It’s tough to leave your dog.” Fusing both sports and dogs (who doesn’t love both?), this sweet pup helps him feel close to his furry friend whether he’s on the couch or an ocean away.
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Valentine’s Day tech gifts
If his wallet has seen better days
Ridge Wallet
If his wallet is currently disintegrating in his pocket, with cash and cards peeking out from under its frayed edges, it’s time to upgrade him to the Ridge, made of near-indestructible materials and RFID-blocking technology that defies chip readers. “I had been complaining about my slim wallet for a while, so my wife got me the top-of-the-line one with an AirTag attachment so I never lose it,” says Jamie Gewurz, a financial planning associate.
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If he likes to stay locked in
Apple AirPods Pro 3 Wireless Earbuds
He’s got to tune out the world somehow. Let him do it in style with Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 earbuds, which pair effective noise-cancellation with crisp sound quality. “I listen to music and podcasts all the time. When I’m engaged in a project at work, they help me lock in,” says James Anderson, a structural engineer. They can also double as hearing aids and allow live translation when paired to newer iPhones.
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If he tracks his health metrics
Amazfit Bip 6 smartwatch
For a guy who values fitness but doesn’t want all the distractions of an Apple Watch, this Amazfit smartwatch is a smart alternative. “It’s really good quality and has a lot of features you don’t need to pay monthly for, unlike other smartwatches,” says Reza T, an IT specialist. That includes GPS run tracking, more than 140 workout modes, AI fitness coaching and more.
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If he’s a self-professed carnivore
Meater Pro Duo Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer
Jennifer Orleans got her grill-enthusiast brother this heavy-duty wireless smart meat thermometer, and there is so much your favorite carnivore is going to love about it, too. “He likes how it enables a perfect cook every time,” says Orleans, a project manager. “He can go inside and will get a notification on his phone when it’s ready.”
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Valentine’s Day tool gifts
If he’s Mr Fix-It
Leatherman Wave Plus Multi-Tool
With 18 built-in tools from scissors to pliers, any guy with a knack for DIY projects will start to consider this Leatherman multitool an extension of his hand. “I got it for my brother for Christmas,” says Elizabeth Tomaras, a quality manager. “He’s always outdoors for work and even for play, and I knew he had [a multitool] but definitely not as nice as this one. I don’t think he would necessarily spend that much on a tool for himself. He likes its sleek design and that there are so many options. It’s not just the basic model.”
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If you love him, but not his mess
DeWalt Tstak II Tool Box
“Ash once got me a toolbox that I desperately needed because my tools were all over the place,” says Ariel Schor, a chef. “Inside were all my favorite candies and chocolate bars. It was super basic, but overall, that’s a pretty sweet gift.” He’ll appreciate the candy vessel for its stackable design, durable latches and numerous compartments for easy organization.
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Valentine’s Day style gifts
If he’s got taste
Scotch & Soda The 40th Anniversary Souvenir Bomber Jacket
Shopping for your guy without his knowledge can be tough, especially if he’s rather picky. Go with a brand he knows. “Scotch & Soda makes the best fit and funky patterns,” says Elbaz. “She got me a bomber jacket and a bunch of T-shirts.”
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If he insists he doesn’t need new underwear
Saxx Stretch Cotton Boxer Briefs
Noticing his underwear could use a little TLC? Run this thoughtful errand for him with this pack of three supportive cotton-blend pairs. “A classic gift Jamie has gotten for me, and something no guy actually buys for himself, is Saxx underwear,” says Lukas Snyder, a trader. “I get all of my underwear over the holidays, and only from the women in my life.”
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If he likes to keep it comfortable
Crocs clogs
Crocs are a lot cooler now than they once were, making them a practical gift for someone hard to shop for. “When they first came out, I thought they were ugly and I didn’t get the hype,” says Shawn Thicke, a children’s musician and performer. “As I performed for more and more kids, they started showing me their Crocs and some even told me I should get some. Funny enough, a parent let me try theirs and I was immediately sold. They were so comfy.
“My sister remembered how much I enjoyed them, so she surprised me with a pair. I now wear them all the time! I love them. So comfy! I even wear them to gigs.”
