22 Gifts for Guy Friends – Tested and Approved
If you’ve read any of our past posts on gifts for guys, you know we’ve got the man gift down to a science.
So why dedicate a list specifically for gifts for guy friends?
Let me explain.
I have a friend since middle school who happens to be a guy. I am not a guy.
We’re quite close and have been on many adventures together (always platonically). We’ve seen significant others come and go over the years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that some people get jealous. No matter how hard you try to put them at ease.
The sirens of shopping at L&L have curated this list with that in mind. (With a sprinkling of input from yours truly.)
So take a look at our guy-friend gifts that strike the perfect balance between friendship-level thoughtfulness and zero romantic interest.
Great Gifts Worthy of Our Favorite Guy Friends
1. Create Your Own Reel Viewer
Who wouldn’t want a viewfinder with a picture reel of fun times and the people you love most?
He’ll choose seven pics, use the code to submit them for printing, and within five days, he can view the shenanigans of his life old-school style.
You can opt to give him an extra code for an additional reel, too. Want to make it even more fun? Surprise him by gathering your friends to pick the photos yourselves. Such a unique gift idea!
2. Slim iPad Sleeve with Apple Pencil Holder
Maybe it’s just me, but I think every man looks instantly classier sporting at least one fine leather (or vegan leather) accessory.
If he’s still using that beat-up nylon velcro number to protect his tablet, get him a luxe upgrade with this sleek iPad sleeve.
It accommodates every size out there, from 9.7″ to the latest 12.9″ Pro including the magic keyboard. This sleeve features a looped holder to keep his Apple pencil secure, too. Comes in four classic colors.
He doesn’t have an iPad? How about a fancy wallet instead? Yep. He’s a grown-up now.
3. “Mando” Art Print
by Society 6
If you haven’t watched the Mandalorian yet, I’d like to know what cave you’ve been hiding in. Mainly because I’d like to borrow it.
But seriously, even if you don’t fancy yourself a Star Wars person, watch it; it’s so good.
This print captures our hero perfectly, from the sweeping orange accents to the shading on that glorious beskar steel armor. Comes with a choice of eight frames and five sizes to fit anywhere.
4. Dopp Kit
by Leatherology
Most dudes have a Dopp kit; it’s a must-have for the international playboy. (Or the boy next door.)You can have this one personalized with his initials to make it even more unique if you wish. It’s made from organic cotton canvas with a luxuriously soft leather handle and features a water-resistant interior to combat spills.
5. Geometric Succulent Terrarium Kit
Plants are such a lovely addition to any space, and succulents are perfect for the man who doesn’t always have time to keep up with them.
We thought this geometric planter would look great on any guy’s windowsill! Plus, the feeling of accomplishment he’ll have after his plants flourish is priceless.
6. Cards Against Humanity
If your broski doesn’t already have this game, you’re kind of a lousy friend. But, lucky for you, we’re here to remind you that everyone with questionable morals and a robust sense of humor should have Cards Against Humanity, including your best guy friend.
Take heed – if you don’t already know, this is not a game for children. Or the squeamish.
7. Indoor/Outdoor Tabletop Fireplace
by Wayfair
Remember when indoor mini fountains were a thing, bubbling away all Zen-like over a pile of polished rocks? Well, move over aquatic home decor; tabletop fireplaces seem to be the new thing.
And we think that’s a good thing! Fashionable, sophisticated, and mesmerizing – we’re all about bringing the outdoors in. Also, it would create the perfect date-night ambiance to impress your guy’s latest love interest when she (or he) comes over for some Netflix and chill.
This one comes with rocks, fuel, and a plexiglass safety shield, so it’s ready to assemble and light!
8. National State Parks Pass
by USGS.com
For the outdoorsy guy friend!
If your pal is a nature-lover, this is the perfect practical gift. He and a car full of friends (ok, three friends, but it’s still a great deal) can get into any state park in the country that charges entrance fees per person. Kids 15 and under get in free.
I sense a road trip in his near future! Hopefully, you get to go along and make some memories too.
9. Go Filtering Water Bottle
by LifeStraw
Again with the outdoor gifts! This one filters out parasites, bacteria, chemicals, and more out of water that would otherwise very likely make you sick. It’s a fantastic gift for the avid camper, survivalist, and/or world traveler.
Key example – my husband went to India for work before the time of the dreaded COVID. He was warned by almost everyone there NOT to drink the water (literally, locals and tourists alike), so he bought one of these babies.
Long story short, he got to drink cool and refreshing water on his trip without buying his weight in bottled water. True story.
The included filter can process up to 4000 liters (or about 1,000 gallons) of water, and replacement filters are available.
10. Man Crate Gift Box
by Mancrates
Consider your search for a fantastic gift over. Mancrates has perfected the art of creating masterpiece gift boxes by assembling quality stuff that dudes like in a cool way. Regardless of what he’s into, there’s a crate for it!
11. Custom Bobblehead
Want something a little more personalized? Why not immortalize his likeness with a bobblehead?
Now, it’s tagged as a “romantic” gift (not quite sure why?), but I happen to think it would make an excellent gift for a guy friend, too. So I put it on the list.
Partially because secretly, I’d like a bobblehead made in my likeness, too.
Just choose the hair, eye, and skin pigment that best matches your buddy, and send in a pic. They’ll create a bobblehead for him in your choice of five sizes that he’ll display proudly on his desk.
12. Old-Fashioned Shaving Kit
by TheBodyTools
My dad has always used a brush and bowl shaving kit. His longtime friends in his office knew that, so when he retired, they gave him a really fancy shaving kit complete with an engraved gold-plated razor.
Now, I’m not proposing that you give your male friend a gold-plated razor (unless you’re going in on a gift with a few of your friends and can split the bill), but I do think a bona fide shaving kit makes a fantastic gift. He’d probably never buy one for himself – but he’ll end up using it all the time.
13. Vertical Chess Board
I gave this chessboard to the hubs for Christmas, and I can tell you firsthand that the pictures don’t do it justice – it’s even more gorgeous in person.
Bonus: if your guy friend lives with roommates, friends, or family, he’ll have a perpetual chess match on his hands. Make a move, walk away, and wait for your opponent to match it.
Not looking to spend that kind of dough? There are plenty of other vertical chess sets out there.
14. Personalized Poker Set
He’s not a chess fan? Not a problem. A beautifully personalized fancy poker set is a great alternative.
This leatherette poker set features 5 dice, 2 packs of cards, and 100 chips divided into four groups of 25 (red, green, black, and blue). Select from six design patterns and your choice of three color options.
If he doesn’t already host an organized poker night, this set is a great reason to make it happen. It’s classy enough to make a great Christmas gift or graduation gift, too.
15. The Ultimate Bar Book
Set your guy up for success when he’s trying to impress a date with his bartending skills!
The bible of all things bar-related, this book features everything from tips on how to properly stock a bar to drink aesthetics and decor. It also features over 1,000 cocktail recipes for every kind of adult beverage ever.
16. Williams Sonoma Encore Bar Tool Set
Ok, so thanks to you, he’s got the chops, but he’s still just an average drink-mixin’ Joe without a beautiful set of bar tools. Williams Sonoma makes ’em classy, too.
This set comes with a bottle opener, double-insulated cocktail shaker, strainer, ice tongs, swizzle spoon, and a double-sided jigger. All presented on a shiny silver stand.
No one needs to know it’s dishwasher safe but you and him. We’re trying to impress, here, remember?
17. Gift Subscription to GQ
by No products found.
No products found.Everyone needs some incentive to get their face out of a screen these days, and a magazine subscription is always a good option. Especially if it features articles on the latest man-fashion, great interviews with interesting celebrities, reviews on stuff guys want to buy, and lots more.
It’s the perfect birthday gift (or just because gift) for your guy friend who already has everything else!
18. Wall Mounted Phone Charging Station
by Etsy: HenyoStuffs
For the guy who’s constantly losing his s&!t, I give you the wall-mounted phone charging station. Before he knows it, it’ll become second nature to use it as soon as he walks in the door, no matter where he chooses to put it.
Imagine – a place for everything and everything in its’ place! What a concept. It looks really chic, too.
19. Bamboo Kitchen Compost Bin
by Pottery Barn
If your pal is a cookin’ kinda guy but you’re pretty sure he’s got every kitchen gadget ever, this is one gift he’ll use all the time but would never think to buy for himself.
It holds four quarts of potato peels, onion paper, eggshells, and any other compostable food waste that’s more useful in the flowerbed than the trash. It’s also pretty attractive on the kitchen counter.
Made from sustainably sourced materials.
20. Hunt A Killer Subscription
Bring out his inner sleuth with this compelling game of mystery and murder! The mystery expands throughout six boxes, each containing clues and physical evidence to help along the way. Finally, in the last box, it’s time to wrap up the case and catch the killer.
You can gift him a monthly membership or single-box experiences with everything he’ll need to solve the mystery in one package.
The game is best played with a group, so pick a dark and stormy night, gather your crew, and help him get started on launching his career as a detective.
21. Pour Over Coffee Maker
by Bodum
Problem: He needs coffee to get through the workday but doesn’t want to deal with co-workers at the communal coffee makers. Also, he doesn’t have room for a bulky coffee maker on his desk.
Solution: An elegant pour-over coffee maker for solo brewing.
It comes with a stainless steel filter (no need for paper), a removable silicone cuff for hand protection, and a borosilicate glass carafe. The perfect gift to encourage his caffeine addiction.
Comes in four sizes and colors.
22. Night Sky Almanac
When used appropriately, this almanac has the potential to make him the godfather of date night. A man to be envied by his friends and coveted by beautiful women. A man who knows about astronomy.
He’ll need to pack a picnic complete with wine, an oversized throw blanket, and the 2021 Night Sky Almanac. Then, take his current lady (or gentleman) of interest on a super romantic date in the most intimate of locations: the backyard. There, they’ll spend an evening gazing at the stars and contemplating the vastness of the universe.
He’ll also totally impress them with his space knowledge.
Tell him I said, “You’re welcome.”
Friends Fo’ Lyfe
Throughout our almost lifelong friendship, my closest guy friend has taught me a lot about some valuable stuff, including but not limited to:
- Handling insecurity.
- Not taking any crap from dudes.
- Picking myself up when I’m down.
- Shamelessly laughing at potty humor in mixed company.
- Shamelessly perpetrating potty humor in mixed company.
All from an honest, unfiltered guy’s perspective.
I hope you’re fortunate enough to have a true blue friend of the opposite sex, too. If so, I hope we’ve managed to give you some great gift ideas that’ll show him how appreciated he is.
Happy shopping! Don’t forget the utterly unsentimental card.
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