The Holiday Gift Guide for Young Men

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Over the years, our gift guide for gentlemen have targeted the established gentleman, but this year we also want to consider  the aspiring young gentleman who is still growing up and finding himself in this complicated world.

Be it a son, a grandson, a nephew or a protege, it’s often difficult to think back on our teenage years and reflect on items we wished someone had given us.

Certainly, as stylish men, we would be very grateful to receive a tie from Fort Belvedere or perhaps a lovely desk ornament. However, for those younger men between 12 and 20, gifts of that nature can be lost in popularity game where particular electronics or sports apparel are what they really dream of.

This is why we’ve decided to curate a short list of items that the young men in your life would be proud to receive, but also ones you can be proud to give. We hope you enjoy this list as much as they’ll enjoy these gifts.

Under $50

Koss Porta Pro Headphones
Koss Porta Pro Headphones

Koss Porta Pro Headphones – $49

For some reason it seems every boy wants a pair of Beats by Dre headphones or some gaudy, glow-in-the-dark pair they saw on TV. It’s when they put them on that they realize they’re a waste of money. Show them a pair that real audiophiles would use. These headphones from Koss have a vintage-cool look, but they also have a superior sound compared to many of the most expensive brands. This is a perfect pick. Click here to get a set or click here to read our headphones guide to read our headphones guide.

Dressing the Man by Alan Flusser
Dressing the Man by Alan Flusser

Dressing the Man – $35

Trying to get some boys out of athletic wear and jeans is like pulling teeth. For other boys, style is everything. Regardless of what group your teen fits into, Dressing The Man is one book every young man should own. At some point, they will want or need to dress up. Dressing the Man is a perfect way to help guide them on the foundations of classic men’s style. Click here to get a copy.

Keyway Wooden Phone Case
Keyway Wooden Phone Case

Keyway Wooden Phone Case – $19

Preppy and practical, these hardwood cases are beautiful and come in a wide range of designs. Perfect for the preppy teen, they will add some style to their phone and help protect it if it falls. Click here to get him one.

Ecvision Beech Wood Alarm Clock with Nightlight
Ecvision Beech Wood Alarm Clock with Nightlight

Ecvision Beech Wood Alarm Clock with Nightlight – $13

Unlike those plastic, glowing alarm clocks, this beech wood clock has a glowing nightlight that accentuates the style in their bedroom. A great stocking stuffer, it takes up less room on the nightstand and looks better than just about everything else on the market. Click here to get one.

Under $100

Timbuk2 Q Backpack
Timbuk2 Q Backpack

Timbuk2 Q Backpack – $98

Functional, stylish and sophisticated, these backpacks were designed for frequent flyers but are now trending amongst teenagers. Designed in San Francisco, they are sleek and slim, yet manage to hold everything a young man could need. The best feature is the many organizational compartments and that they come in a variety of styles for every possible use. For an age group a bit too young to appreciate a briefcase, this comes highly recommended. Click here to get it.

Marmot Trestles Sleeping Bag
Marmot Trestles Sleeping Bag

Marmot Trestles Sleeping Bag – $95

Whether they use it for camping under the stars, sleepovers at friends or on Christmas Eve as they try to stay awake waiting for Santa, every boy needs a sleeping bag. This one from Marmot is stylish and completely practical. It’s cozy warm for cold nights and will last many years to come. Click here to buy it.

Ray Ban Wayfarers – $80-100

For a fun gift that doesn’t need batteries, consider the ever-classic Wayfarer by Ray Ban. This sporty frame looks good on all ages, comes in three sizes, and a rainbow of colors and finishes to suit any young man. There are few faces that this frame doesn’t suit! Click here to take a look.

Under $500

xBox One Console and Controller
xBox One Console and Controller

xBox One – $399

As much as we try and get our kids to play outdoors, sometimes it feels like a futile attempt, especially in the brisk winter months. The great part about the newly released xBox One is that unlike its predecessor, you can now play xBox 360 games on it so the hundreds of dollars you spent last year aren’t going to waste. The graphics are exceptional, and even us parents will enjoy watching Netflix and the many other apps available on the platform. Oh, and it’s a great way to bond with your not-so-talkative teen. Trust me, I have one of my own. Click here to get one.

Solid Red Cashmere Scarf 180 x 30 cm - Fort Belvedere
Solid Red Cashmere Scarf 180 x 30 cm – Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere Scarf – $195

A cashmere scarf might not be a Xbox, but it is a wardrobe staple he can keep and wear for years to come. It is suitable for all ages and is available in solids as well as several classic patterns. It’s elegant and sophisticated, and it is sure to impress. Click here to get him one today.

Laguiole Pocket Knife
Laguiole Pocket Knife

Laguiole en Aubrac Pocket Knife – $167

I once heard someone say every boy needed a pocket knife. I remember getting a classic Swiss Army one when I turned thirteen and used it countless times for all sorts of things. Swiss Army may be a well-known make, but these French knives from Laguiole are exceptionally beautiful and something he can treasure for years to come. The best part is that with great care of it, he can turn around and hand it down to his son many years from now. Click here to get it.

Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker Telescope
Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker Telescope

Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker Telescope – $134

Firefighter, Cowboy, Astronaut. Three of the main dream jobs almost every boy seems to have. Consider a telescope to challenge his mind and help him reach for the stars. Not only will it offer many evenings of fun and wonder, but it’s an awesome way to bond with him outdoors and get him away from the smartphone, tablet, and video games. Click here to buy one.

Leather Head football Handsome Dan 092512002
Leather Head football, Handsome Dan

Handsome Dan Leather Head Football – $130

Many boys love football, but few have a Handsome Dan. This vintage-style leather football is as beautiful as it is functional. After hours of playing catch or touch football, this is a prized memory that can sit proudly in his future office or bedroom as he grows up. Click here to get one today.

Under $1000

Junghans Max Bill Watch
Junghans Max Bill Watch

Junghans Max Bill Watch – $1,030

Every young watch enthusiast has to start somewhere and while they may admire the Patek or Rolex on your wrist, they aren’t exactly starter watches. This is why we’ve selected the Junghans Max Bill watch as a great start to their future collection. Timeless and elegant, it can be paired with a suit or jeans and a t-shirt for summer hangouts with friends. It’s just pricey enough that they’ll want to take care of it and regard it as special. Click here to get one today.

Apple MacBook Air 11” – $814

In this day and age, it’s almost a requirement for every high school student to have a laptop. MacBooks from Apple easy to use, designed to foster creativity and able to sync easily across multiple devices. Apple also has really great parental control options available. Click here to get one.

Google Nexus 6P Smartphone
Google Nexus 6P Smartphone

Google Nexus 6P Smartphone – $629

A top of the line camera, great selection of apps and easy parental management make the Google Nexus 6P our top smartphone pick for teenagers. It has everything they want and the comfort you need to be able to monitor their activity and ensure appropriate use. This is one item worth buying off their list. Click here to buy one.

Conclusion

Teenagers and young men can be hard to buy for, regardless of what they’re into. This is why we’ve tried to curate a list of gifts to develop their style, encourage their mind, and help them pursue their interests. For gifts geared towards gentlemen, check out this holiday gift guide. If you need something for the lady in your life, click here.

What are some of the best gifts you remember getting as a young boy? Any tips or tricks to buying for young men?

Reader Comments

  1. There are some great gifts on the list. I’d recommend the pocket knife, awesome wooden phone case, and the beautiful football. But the easiest choice for anyone buying a gift for a young guy is the game system. You really can’t go wrong with that! Thanks J.A.

  2. I really enjoyed this article. The list is fair and well sorted. I found some things I want for myself

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