2021 Holiday Gift Guide for Him

4. The socializer

He’s a selfie sender who makes FaceTime a daily do and looks forward to being back in party mode. Make his holiday season a crowd-pleaser with gifts like the L.L.Bean 1912 Sweatshirt, Crewneck, Colorblock in Rosewood/Classic Navy or Sycamore/Classic Navy ($50, llbean.com), an elevated on-trend sweatshirt (available in regular and tall) to pair with jeans or khakis; Remington’s The Virtually Indestructible Haircut & Beard Trimmer ($43, ulta.com) to keep his short-locks and beard neat; and the Calvin Klein Defy Eau de Toilette ($88, ulta.com), a light scent with citrusy bergamot oil, lavender and vetiver that’s sure to get “You smell delicious” comments from all.

(Clockwise from left) Uniqlo Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Jacket in 08 Dark Gray; The North Face Bones Recycled Beanie in Aviator Navy; RockDove Men’s Aiden Wool Lined Full Ridge Clog Slipper in Coffee

Uniqlo; Dick's Sporting Goods; Target

5. The throwback

He plays in a garage band with old high school buddies, lives in sneakers and jeans and has a playlist of 1960s and ’70s tunes going 24/7. Give him gifts with a hint of nostalgia — like the Uniqlo Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Jacket in 03 Gray, 08 Dark Gray or 69 Navy ($30, uniqlo.com/us/en), a sustainable update to his favorite basic layering piece; The North Face Bones Recycled Beanie in Aviator Navy or Asphalt Grey ($26, dickssportinggoods.com), a new-again knit hat; and the RockDove Men’s Aiden Wool Lined Full Ridge Clog Slipper in Coffee, Tan or Slate Gray ($25, target.com), furry clogs to jog his hippie-boho memory.

(Left to right) Goodfellow & Co Men’s Standard Fit Plaid Lightweight Flannel Long-Sleeve Button-Down in Red; John Varvatos XX Indigo Eau de Toilette; Fulllight Tech Upgraded Bluetooth Beanie Hat with Headphones in Light Gray

Target; Ulta Beauty; Amazon

6. The cool man

He has hipster scruff, a black leather jacket and the best dance moves … even at 50-plus! Keep his edge going with gifts that sharpen his trendy image, such as the Fulllight Tech Upgraded Bluetooth Beanie Hat with Headphones in Light Gray, Black or Bright Orange ($32, amazon.com), a techy head warmer; the John Varvatos XX Indigo Eau de Toilette ($74, ulta.com), a subtle, sexy scent with hints of peppermint, vetiver and patchouli; and the Goodfellow & Co Men’s Standard Fit Plaid Lightweight Flannel Long-Sleeve Button-Down in Red or Thundering Gray ($18, target.com), also available in men’s big, big and tall and tall sizes.

(Clockwise from top left) Old Navy Gender-Neutral Rib-Knit Scarf & Beanie Hat Set for Adults in Gray Marl; Uniqlo Men Ultra Light Down Jacket in 58 Dark Green; Goodfellow & Co Thin Trifold Wallet in Brown

Old Navy; Uniqlo; Target

7. The traveler

He’s back on track with a to-do list of jet-bound jaunts and road trips this year. Make every trek a trip with gifts like the Goodfellow & Co Thin Trifold Wallet in Brown ($19, target.com), with room for eight credit cards, ID and bills — with RFID technology to foil digital thieves; the Old Navy Gender-Neutral Rib-Knit Scarf & Beanie Hat Set for Adults in Gray Marl ($25, oldnavy.gap.com), a sporty goes-with-everything duo; and the Uniqlo Men Ultra Light Down Jacket in 58 Dark Green, 68 Blue or 69 Navy ($70, uniqlo.com/us/en), a water-repellent travel piece cut wide for easy layering.

8. The handy guy

He’s great at building a fire pit and caulking the tub, and knows his way around Home Depot like a fashionista knows a mall. But when it comes to clothes, he’s all thumbs. Give him a few things he’d never buy on his own — like the Old Navy Thermal-Knit Long-Sleeve T-Shirt 3-Pack for Men in Deep Blue, Dark Green, Butterscotch ($50, oldnavy.gap.com), a seasonal update of his tees; L.L.Bean Men’s Wicked Good Slippers, Venetian in Carbon Navy/Saddle or Chocolate Brown ($79, llbean.com), shearling-lined suede slippers with a rubber traction sole for relaxing evenings; and the Duke Cannon Supple Co Prescott Proper Cologne ($25, ulta.com), a clean, citrus and mossy scent that’s as down-to-earth as he is.

(Left to right) L.L.Bean Men’s Athletic Sweats, Quarter-Zip Pullover in Navy Fair Isle; Fireside by Dearfoams Melbourne Moccasin Slippers in Dark Brown; Old Navy Matching Plaid Flannel Pajama Set for Men in Red & Green Tartan

L.L.Bean; DSW; Old Navy

9. The home-happy guy

He loves the quiet of winter when stormy weather and freezing temperatures encourage his love of reading and cooking. Don’t give him a DIY hot sauce kit or the latest best seller … just some comfy basics to hang out in — like the Old Navy Matching Plaid Flannel Pajama Set for Men in Red & Green Tartan or Blue/Red Plaid ($40, oldnavy.gap.com), because who says no to new PJs? Add the Fireside by Dearfoams Melbourne Moccasin Slippers in Dark Brown ($80, dsw.com), another soother; and the L.L.Bean Men’s Athletic Sweats, Quarter-Zip Pullover in Navy Fair Isle ($70, llbean.com), a retro and trendy topper to pair with sweatpants or jeans by the fire.

(Left to right) Everlane The Forever Sneaker in Toasted Coconut; L.L.Bean Men’s Organic Cotton Sweater, Turtleneck in Vintage Indigo; Every Man Jack Men’s Sandalwood Cologne

Everlane; L.L.Bean; Target

10. The do-gooder

Volunteer is practically his middle name, and winter weekends mean helping at a local food pantry or animal shelter. He’ll love anything that’s environment friendly. Give him sustainable, clean, green gifts like Every Man Jack Men’s Sandalwood Cologne ($24, target.com), an amber, vetiver and vanilla mix that’s minus parabens, phthalates, dyes — and also cruelty-free; Everlane’s The Forever Sneaker in Corduroy Dark Sage or Toasted Coconut ($65, everlane.com), made from sustainably sourced materials; and the L.L.Bean Men’s Organic Cotton Sweater, Turtleneck in Vintage Indigo or Dark Cinder ($79, llbean.com), a waffle knit with raglan sleeves and soft lived-in color.

(Clockwise from left) Old Navy Dynamic Fleece 2-in-1 Puffer Zip Hoodie for Men in Black Jack; Blind Barber Bryce Harper Beard Balm; Hot Feet Thermal Socks, 2 pack in Solid Denim Heather/Dark Navy

Old Navy; Ulta Beauty; Amazon

11. The sports enthusiast

He loves nothing better than watching his favorite teams on TV … or at the game in person. A gym membership with health spa isn’t in the cards, so give him gifts that make neighborhood bike rides, frosty days and stadium seating swell — like Hot Feet Thermal Socks, 2 pack in Solid Denim Heather/Dark Navy ($17, amazon.com) for toasty tootsies; the Old Navy Dynamic Fleece 2-in-1 Puffer Zip Hoodie for Men in Olive Camouflage or Black Jack ($70, oldnavy.gap.com), a one-piece hoodie that looks like layers; and the Blind Barber Bryce Harper Beard Balm ($14, ulta.com), a skin-and-scruff soother with botanical oils and butters and a light coconut/vanilla scent created with the famous MVP baseball player.

Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman's Wakeup.