Let’s face it: Guys are hard to buy for. If they want something, they’ll generally buy it for themselves. So unless you’re buying something extra super special (think a watch or nice leather jacket), it’s easy to get stumped. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t good gift ideas hiding in plain sight. It just requires an extra dose of thoughtfulness and adherence to one simple rule.
The key to getting guys gifts they’ll love and actually use is to make them useful—but not something they’d normally buy for themselves. Cologne, decor, and especially grooming products are at the top of that list. But in order to make a great gift, it should also be reflective of him as a person. Whether it’s tied to his favorite scent or perhaps his body or hair type, tailoring your gift to his needs gives any gift that thoughtful touch that puts it over the top. Here, we’ve gathered our top O + A gift ideas for every type of guy.
For Guys Who Prefer Clean Living
Maybe he’s the kind of guy who passes on processed food. Maybe he always checks the label before he buys. Or maybe he’s got reactive skin. No matter what their reason for taking a better-for-you route, use that to your advantage in finding him a fantastic gift that matches his lifestyle.
One area he may not have applied this outlook is to his grooming products, which is where you (and we) come in. Every Oars + Alps product is made with carefully selected, clean ingredients. You won’t find any harsh sulfates, hormone-mimicking preservatives, or harmful phthalates. Once he tries them, he’ll understand the difference from the brands he’s used to picking up off the drugstore shelf.
If he’s a beginner to the idea of skincare, try starting with our Everyday Essentials Kit. It includes our bestselling grooming staples, like shampoo and body wash, that feature gentle, effective ingredients that his skin will love.
If he’s choosy, give him a gift card so he can use the Build Your Own Kit tool to assemble his own lineup of ingredients derived from nature.
For Guys Who Travel + Are On The Move
Whether he’s a big traveler or just gets up and out early in the morning, he’ll appreciate things that actually make his life and travels easier. But you need not buy him another suitcase or passport holder. Instead, try giving him something he can easily pack—and better yet something to help him look, smell, and feel fresh all day.
Our Travel Kit includes travel grooming essentials in TSA-approved bottles that will fit into any dopp kit. It even comes with a transparent, water-resistant bag that will help him get through security quickly and easily.
For Guys Who Are Skincare Beginners
A great place to start is with our Face Essentials Gift Kit because he’ll notice a difference right away. It has everything he needs to look and feel fresh in an easy 3-step routine, from the exfoliating Solid Face Wash to the Wake Up Eye Stick and Face + Eye Cream. Plus it comes in a beautiful, sturdy box with a magnetic closure - no wrapping required.
Does he have rough, chapped skin and hands? Give him our Dry Skin Repair Kit that will help deeply hydrate his skin and help him feel more comfortable in the dry winter months.
For Guys With Hair
Shampoo and conditioner might not be on your standard gift list, but they can be a fun stocking stuffer and, if you play it right, a welcome changeup in his everyday routine.
If he has oily hair that’s harder to style, give him our Invigorating Shampoo + Conditioner. It has Tea Tree Oil that naturally breaks down hair’s sebum so it can be washed away. Plus it smells refreshing and tingles while it works—an extra perk to get him going in the morning.
If you know a guy who often itches his head or who occasionally has flakes on his shoulders, he likely has hair that’s dry and prone to breaking. Our gentle Hydrating Shampoo + Conditioner with Kelp and Algae Extracts nourish and hydrate every strand for healthier looking hair that will help him keep that unwanted dryness at bay.
For Guys Who Like Luxe Gifts
Whiskey and wallets are go-to gifts for guys who enjoy the finer things in life. But if you’re looking for something extra special and don’t want to spend more than $100, try giving him our Ultimate Oarsman Kit. It has our top full-size products: Face + Eye Cream, Aluminum-Free Deodorant, Solid Face Wash, Wake Up Eye Stick, and Shine-Free Lip Balm, plus our water-resistant Travel Bag to keep everything organized. It’s the extra-special gift every guy would love to unwrap—and will use well into the new year.
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