Trying to get Christmas gift ideas out of KPW is like pulling teeth. He doesn’t want anything expect maybe the chance to sleep in on the weekend. He also appreciates experiential gifts (we’ve taken a cocktail making class and done a weekend away), but that isn’t exact 2020-friendly. I’ve worked hard to help him come up with his list for this year.
- We just had an attic built in our garage and we need a slightly taller ladder so we can actually put our things up on the attic platform. Sure hope he doesn’t expect this to be wrapped 😉
- Pre-pandemic KPW wore a suit and tie to work every day. At the moment, his current office style is joggers and a pullover so I’m thinking his closet might appreciate a few additional pairs. I love these, these and these.
- No suits means no fancy work shoes. KPW’s dream is to be able to wear sneakers to work every day and it seems at the moment, his wish has become a reality (at least temporarily). He has mentioned that these are great and he wouldn’t mind if they showed up under the tree.
- I can’t remember when KPW started to enjoy bourbon, but it happened and I have loved trying to find unique bottles or related things to gift him for various holidays. Accessories are also great – cherries, glasses, shakers. Oh my.
- Have you ever heard of Man Crates? Not sure where I heard about them, but I am fascinated by this idea. So. Many. Options. I think KPW would love this one and this one.
- All of the Zoom calls and the shift in meeting format has KPW using two different sets of air pods on rotation. He swears he doesn’t need a new pair, but I think he would really enjoy the latest noise-canceling version.
- The digital age of sports media has resulted in a few slam dunk gifts (more below) and ESPN+ is on KPW’s sort list of digital access he would love to have. (Tip: you can link it with Hulu + Disney+ for a great discount). I consider this gifting an experience without the actual leaving the house element.
- Thanks to Auntie B, KPW will be getting this book for Christmas. Please don’t tell him. She shared a ton of other great ideas too.
- A ‘together’ gift is KPW’s favorite way to ask for something because he doesn’t have to come up with the idea. However, he is the one who asked for another set of our favorite Lands’ End sheets for our bed. He gets really hot when he sleeps and he loves our one set some much, he tries to get them washed and put back on instead of putting on our other old set.
- I tried to get him to come up with 10 ideas but he ran out of steam at nine. I’ll try again next year.
While we ran out of steam on ideas for this year, I did want to share a few past favorites from the last few years.
- He has these Maui Jim sunglasses and loves them.
- There was definite eye-rolling when I suggested that he add a Patagonia Vest & Puffer Coat to his list a few years ago. Then he got them…and promptly apologized. They have been great staples in his closet.
- I consider these Cole Han Boots (currently on super sale) the unexpected Christmas win of 2019. I found them when I was searching for a ‘casual yet dressy but not dress shoe’ option for him.
- It doesn’t get much more classic and timeless than the navy blazer. KPW has gotten great use out of this J. Crew Sport Coat.
- As previously mentioned, KPW has gotten numerous different digital media subscriptions for presents over the years. Fun fact: I got him XM Radio in 2007 for his birthday – including the special-installed receiver so he could get additional radio stations – long before this came ‘standard’ on cars. Currently (and not surprisingly, because he reads A LOT), his favorite media subscription is The Athletic.
- Every year, I make KPW an ‘outtakes’ calendar from MPix. I find a funny picture of the babies from each of the previous months – doing silly or ridiculous things. He takes it to his office and I think it is secretly his favorite gift every year.
- When brainstorming past gifts, we simultaneously remembered the Burberry Cologne he got a few years ago and immediately added it to the list.
- It’s probably unfair to just link to the ‘men’s section at Lululemon‘ but when in doubt, this is an easy go-to gift. KPW loves the joggers and long-sleeved shirts.
- KPW doesn’t consider himself particularly handy but he has collected a few ‘handy’ tools over the past few years to help us tackle small projects around the house. Enter our Shop Vac. It has saved our bacon more than once. We are both grateful for this gift.
- While it seems silly to consider suits in 2020, I know that there will be a point in the not-so-distant future where KPW will need them again. A few of his favorites are from Banana Republic. They are often 50% around this time of year.
My summary of this exercise? Find categories of things the guy in your life is interested in (sports, grilling, the outdoors, etc.) and find a way to celebrate that. And when all else fails, a pair of joggers from Lululemon or a Patagonia vest will always do the trick. Good luck!
xo,
KNW
PS: I will happily accept other suggestions or ideas in the comments. I’m always trying to keep track
