Holiday Gifts for Men Under $100

Find the perfect present for every great guy in your life

Lois Joy Johnson,

AARP

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Published November 21, 2023

Nora Carol Photography/Getty Images

Ask a woman what she wants for Christmas, and you’ll get a list of beauty products and clothing from here to the moon. Ask a guy and you’ll get a mumbled “nothing” or something about a car vacuum or a charging station for his phone. Bo-ring! But a beauty and style editor/personal shopper like me views holiday gifts as a style challenge instead of a chore. Here are the top 2023 finds for every man in your life.

If he’s …

St. John’s Bay Men’s Flannel Pajama Pants in Black Buffalo; Bombas Men’s Gripper Slipper Fair Isle - Double Cushion in Black; George Men’s Thermal Henley Shirt with Long Sleeves in Varsity Wine; Old Navy SoSoft Sweater for Men in Navy Fair Isle

(Clockwise from bottom left) St. John’s Bay Men’s Flannel Pajama Pants in Black Buffalo; Bombas Men’s Gripper Slipper Fair Isle - Double Cushion in Black; George Men’s Thermal Henley Shirt with Long Sleeves in Varsity Wine; Old Navy SoSoft Sweater for Men in Navy Fair Isle

JCPenney; Bombas; Walmart; Old Navy

1. Casual

He’d rather play board games and cook up a storm instead of going out to dinner and prefers a Netflix binge and toasting s’mores in the fireplace to a party. For him, comfort and a casual lifestyle out-rank all, so theme your gifts accordingly. Perfect options include the Bombas Men’s Gripper Slipper- Fair Isle- Double Cushion in Black or Royal Blue ($48, bombas.com), thick knit booties with a sock-like fit, no-slip grippers on soles, and a pillowy footbed (great for a “shoes-off-at-the-door” home); the Old Navy SoSoft Sweater for Men in Navy Fair Isle or Gray Fair Isle ($25, oldnavy.gap.com), a cotton blend pullover with a cozy fit that dresses up even the most casual old clothes for company; the George Men’s Thermal Henley Shirt with Long Sleeves in Varsity Wine or Dark Navy Heather ($12, walmart.com), a stretch cotton basic to wear solo or layer; and the St. John’s Bay Men’s Flannel Pajama Pants in Black Buffalo or Navy Grey Plaid ($13, jcpenney.com), neutral plaids that team with any tee. Who could ask for anything more?

Under Armour Men’s Rival Fleece 2.0 Team Pants in Carbon Heather/White-090; Russell Athletic Men’s Dri-Power Fleece Hoodie in Black Heather Pullover; Goodfellow & Co Men’s Heavyweight Long Sleeve Button Down Shirt in Blue; Skechers Mens Vapor Foam-Covert Slip On Casual Sneakers from Finish Line in Black

(Clockwise from left) Under Armour Men’s Rival Fleece 2.0 Team Pants in Carbon Heather/White-090; Russell Athletic Men’s Dri-Power Fleece Hoodie in Black Heather Pullover; Goodfellow & Co Men’s Heavyweight Long Sleeve Button Down Shirt in Blue; Skechers Mens Vapor Foam-Covert Slip On Casual Sneakers from Finish Line in Black

Under Armour; Amazon; Target; Macy's

2. Sporty

Whether he’s a dedicated gym-goer, eager new pickleball player or a forever armchair sports fan who never misses a football/basketball/ice hockey game, the gift cues all lead to athleisure wear and layering pieces. He’ll love the Russell Athletic Men’s Dri-Power Fleece Hoodie in Black Heather Pullover or Oxford Pullover ($25, amazon.com), a sweat-wicking version of the universal favorite; the Under Armour Men’s Rival Fleece 2.0 Team Pants in Carbon Heather/White-090 or Black/White-001 ($50, underarmour.com), sweat-wicking fleece pants with pockets and a straight leg shape that’s more pulled-together than standard sweat pants; the Goodfellow & Co Men’s Heavyweight Long Sleeve Button Down Shirt in Blue or Black ($35, target.com), a substantial “shacket” to layer over tees and sweatshirts; and the Skechers Mens Vapor Foam-Covert Slip On Casual Sneakers from Finish Line in Black ($60, macys.com), contoured and cushioned street-wise kicks with an easy on-off heel tab.

Outdoor Voices RecTrek Pant in Evergreen; Uniqlo Men Heattech Cotton Crew-Neck Long-Sleeve T-Shirt (Extra Warm) in 68 Blue; Lands’ End Men’s Down Puffer Vest in Warm Graphite; Huckberry Weekenders Sunglasses in Black w/ Forest Lens; Carhartt Rain Defender Loose Fit Heavyweight Hoodie in New Navy

(Left to right) Outdoor Voices RecTrek Pant in Evergreen; Uniqlo Men Heattech Cotton Crew-Neck Long-Sleeve T-Shirt (Extra Warm) in 68 Blue; Lands’ End Men’s Down Puffer Vest in Warm Graphite; Huckberry Weekenders Sunglasses in Black w/ Forest Lens; Carhartt Rain Defender Loose Fit Heavyweight Hoodie in New Navy

Outdoor Voices; Uniqlo; Lands' End; Huckberry; Carhartt

3. Outdoorsy

Whether his idea of bliss is taking a long walk to check out the foliage, sitting around the backyard fire pit and gabbing with neighbors or working up a sweat shoveling snow, give him practical outdoorsy gifts. The best now are the Uniqlo Men Heattech Cotton Crew-Neck Long-Sleeve T-Shirt (Extra Warm) in 68 Blue or 57 Olive ($20, uniqlo.com), double lined and insulated to retain body heat and keep him toasty; the Outdoor Voices RecTrek Pant in Evergreen or Space ($98, outdoorvoices.com), a weather-resistant high-tech alternative to chinos with a relaxed fit and elastic waist; the Carhartt Rain Defender Loose Fit Heavyweight Hoodie in New Navy ($65, carhartt.com), a water-repellent weather-cheater with a kangaroo hand-warmer pocket; and the Lands’ End Men’s Down Puffer Vest in Warm Graphite or Deep Balsam ($100, landsend.com), a comfy indoor/outdoor add-on with a water-resistant outer shell and pockets for cold hands. And to keep his peepers protected, grab the Huckberry Weekenders Sunglasses in Black w/ Forest or Gloss Black/Forest Lens ($39, huckberry.com), which are 100 percent UVA/UVB resistant and have polarized lenses to ward off glare.

(Left to right) J. Crew Seaboard Soft Knit Shirt in Sam Houndstooth Blue Na; Gap Factory Cozy Smartphone Gloves in Charcoal Gray; L.L. Bean Men’s Premium Double L Polo, Long-Sleeve Without Pocket in Atlantic Blue; Banana Republic Factory Cozy Crew-Neck Sweater in Brown

J. Crew; Gap Factory; L.L. Bean; Banana Republic Factory

4. Working

Whether he’s working from home, has a part-time gig or is still an energetic 9-to-5er, looking businesslike and feeling well-groomed is always an advantage. Most men now aim for a balance of comfort and professional appearance — even more so when their workday is spent on a computer screen or behind a desk. Give him some polish from the waist up with the J. Crew Seaboard Soft Knit Shirt in Sam Houndstooth Blue Na or Twill Olive Dark Moss ($98, jcrew.com), which feels like a sweater but looks like a shirt stretch knit; the L.L. Bean Men’s Premium Double L Polo, Long-Sleeve Without Pocket in Atlantic Blue, Classic Navy or Mariner Blue Heather ($50, llbean.com), with a collar for authority and a range of blues that flatter all skin tones; the Gap Factory Cozy Smartphone Gloves in Charcoal Gray or Black ($13, gapfactory.com), with elasticized cuffs to block wind and rain; and the Banana Republic Factory Cozy Crew-Neck Sweater in Brown or Medium Gray ($25, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com), an upscale classic with raglan sleeves to layer over button-downs or slip under a blazer (and it’s machine washable too!).

Teva ReEmber in Cashew; The ReNew Transit Messenger in Kalamata; UpWest Cozy Up Waffle Crewneck Tee in Casual New Olive; Wellen Bolinas Recycled Cotton Crewneck Sweater in Natural

(Clockwise from bottom left) Teva ReEmber in Cashew; Everlane The ReNew Transit Messenger in Kalamata; UpWest Cozy Up Waffle Crewneck Tee in Casual New Olive; Wellen Bolinas Recycled Cotton Crewneck Sweater in Natural

Teva; Everlane; UpWest; Huckberry

5. Green

Whether he’s a full-speed vegan with a shelter dog and organic vegetable garden, or a guy who prefers eco-friendly clothes to help the planet, encourage his green thinking with gifts that are in sync. Give him the Teva ReEmber in Cashew, Dark Olive or Dark Shadow ($80, teva.com), water-repellent vegan slip-ons with recycled rubber soles and a convertible fold-down mule/slipper heel; the UpWest Cozy Up Waffle Crewneck Tee in Casual New Olive or Paving Stone ($38, upwest.com), a textured new staple made from mindful materials; the Wellen Bolinas Recycled Cotton Crewneck Sweater in Natural ($98, huckberry.com), a soft ribbed knit pullover in a fatigue-fighting off-white tint; and Everlane's The ReNew Transit Messenger in Kalamata or Black ($57, everlane.com) a multi-pocket bag with padded laptop pocket and adjustable straps-all made from recycled materials.

Gap Men Turtleneck T-Shirt in True Black; Sonoma Goods for Life Men’s Quarter-Zip Sweater in Midnight Black; Bonobos Everyday Lightweight Flannel Shirt in Charcoal Houndstooth; Polo Ralph Lauren Touch Quilted Field Glove in Black

(Left to right) Gap Men Turtleneck T-Shirt in True Black; Bonobos Everyday Lightweight Flannel Shirt in Charcoal Houndstooth; Sonoma Goods for Life Men’s Quarter-Zip Sweater in Midnight Black; Polo Ralph Lauren Touch Quilted Field Glove in Black

Gap; Bonobos; Kohl's; Bloomingdale's

6. Cool

Whether he’s a laid-back vintage jeans and leather jacket type or a polished dude who pairs his stubble with dark-wash denim and a blazer, the preference for updated basics in edgy black and dark neutrals leads the way to a successful gift. He’ll grin to get the Sonoma Goods for Life Men’s Quarter-Zip Sweater in Midnight Black ($24, kohls.com) knowing zip sweaters are trending now; the Gap Men Turtleneck T-Shirt in True Black ($39, gap.com), the breakout winter alternative to white tees; the Bonobos Everyday Lightweight Flannel Shirt in Charcoal Houndstooth ($99, bonobos.com), a soft brushed twill button down designed to be untucked; and the Polo Ralph Lauren Touch Quilted Field Glove in Black or Hunter Navy ($82, bloomingdales.com), with fabric tops and leather palms that are fashionable not flashy and perfect for driving.

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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.