Neal’s favorite things + gifts for all the men in your life – Jess Keys

Squat Wedge:

Probably something he doesn’t realize he needs if he has an at-home gym. A great way to dial-up the intensity on lower body workouts.

Jump Rope:

Jumping rope is an awesome workout, wherever you are. It will improve your cardio, legs and general athleticism. This one is super thin and easy to pack and adjust, so it’s great for small spaces and travel.

Legends Enzo LS Tee:

I wear long sleeves to do a lot in the gym. These shirts are the best. If he likes the gym, he’ll love these! End of story.

Fitness Bands:

Most do more home workouts these days, but these bands are great wherever you are – home, travel, the park, or in the gym bag.

Equilibria Relief Cream: 

The best CBD products in the game. I use the relief cream daily and it especially helps with my sore rotator cuffs and Achilles. Would be great for any dads or uncles with arthritis or back pain, too. Use code JESSKEYS for 15% off your first purchase.

Athlean-X online workouts: 

Jeff Cavaliere is one of my favorite online trainers. I have purchased a few of his programs that I follow to structure my gym workouts. Highly recommend for any guy who likes working out, or wants to start a workout program. He also has an at-home program if that’s more his style.

Cord Keepers:

Practical, yet stylish. A great stocking stuffer to keep his cords organized while traveling.

Yeti Backpack Cooler: 

Absolutely worth the splurge! I bought this ahead of our van camping trip four summers ago. It served as a second fridge on the road and it has been a constant companion at the beach, long weekends, picnics, camping trips, and more ever since. Keeps things way colder than a regular cooler and you can’t beat the ease of the backpack straps. Great for any guy who enjoys the outdoors in any capacity–even if it’s just drinking beers on the beach.

686 Everywhere Pants:

I just discovered these do-everything pants by 686 and I immediately bought a second pair.  Water-resistant and has lots of thoughtful pockets for a hike, but stylish enough for travel, errands, or the bar.

Cuts joggers 

These joggers are awesome, especially for the frequent traveler. They’re casual, but still sharp and stylish–super comfortable, and the best part? They’re wrinkle resistant. These are my go-to for the plane, but I also wear them a lot to work from home. (I like pairing them with the cuts polo for zoom meetings.)

Portable solar camping stakes: 

A really cool, useful gift for any avid camper!

Dopp Kit:

Have loved this brand forever. I just upgraded my old version after many years of beating it to hell (I travel a lot for work) and this one is just as great.

UE Boom 3 Portable Speaker: 

Nothing worse than being on vacation or trip without a good speaker! (Okay, there are worse things, but it’s not ideal.) Great battery life, easy to pack for travel, incredible sound.

Delsey Suitcase:

There is a brown, masculine version of the carry-on every blogger you know has. (Including my #1.) And I have it and love it. It fits enough clothes for 10 days in Europe, and is also v stylish.

Goodr lightweight glasses for working out/vacation:

Tons of styles. The best cheap glasses you can you. Super lightweight, polarized, tough, but inexpensive so you don’t care if you lose them or break them.

National Parks Pass:

Good for all national parks in the US, this is an awesome experience gift for him to open that will spark a much bigger adventure! Plus, it helps support and give back to our national parks.

Danner Hiking Shoes: 

I bought these three summers ago and have loved ’em ever since. Super comfortable, no rubbing, and great for navigating rocky trails. As far as hiking shoes go, I think this is about as stylish as they come. A great buy for any guy who lives the outdoors or is looking to do more hiking/camping.

Yeti Tumbler:

My go-to water cup at home, and also excellent for drinks on the road–from camping, to tropical vacations. (This has been clutch for warm weather trips where your drinks usually get warm in 5 seconds!) Your iced drinks stay iced all day, and your hot drinks stay hot for a long time!

Garment bag duffel:

So, I just got the version from Halfday (the Instagram ads got the best of me) and I think it’s pretty awesome, but found out after the fact that Mark and Graham also makes one that’s a bit sharper (and you can monogram it, which makes it an even sweeter gift). I love the two-in-one garment/duffel aspect because it makes it great for overnight work trips or weekend trips where you want to bring a couple nice shirts but also fits enough for a couple pairs of shoes, jeans, etc–all the essentials.

Travel Leather Watch Holder:

A gift any watch guy will love. I think the two watch size is ideal for travel and keeping his favorite watches safe, but it also comes in a 6 and 8 watch version that would be really great for his desk, dresser, etc.

Unstructured Faherty Blazer:

Post-pandemic, business attire is just more casual–whether that be for client meetings or dinners, and this unstructured blazer strikes that perfect balance of not-too-stuffy, but still professional. Don’t get me wrong, I wear it a ton out of the office too. So much that I got another color. It’s often my go-to for trips because it’s lightweight and due to the unstructured nature, travels really well. It’s one of my absolute favorite wardrobe staples. (Runs TTS, I wear medium).

Bonobos Flannel-lined Chinos: 

Fabulous quality and the perfect pant for winter. These chinos are super versatile–he can wear them to work with loafers, wear the to the bar with boots–they’re great for added warmth, but won’t make him overheat. Really, all Bonobos pants (and shirts…and sweaters…and coats..) are awesome. A fantastic brand.  I find them to be TTS.

Mark and Graham Tech Folio: 

A stylish way to stay organized on the go. Monogram it for him! (All of their tech accessories are really awesome, by the way.)

Catch-All Charger Station:

At $30 on Amazon Prime, this is a great budget-friendly gift for anyone. Your work husband, your brother––perfect for his desk, and he’ll always have you to thank for fully-charged earbuds, phone, iPad, and Apple Watch!

Cognac leather catch-all:

A gift I have loved having in my office. It’s a great catch-all for loose ends: my wallet, watch, rings, etc all live here when I’m not wearing them. 

Timex Watch:

Timex released this vintage-inspired GMT last year, and I am a huge fan.  Stylish, versatile, and a lot of bang for your buck.

Shotski:

We all know that guy in our life who would flip opening a monogrammed shotski. Fun dad, uncle, brother–whoever. Looks great hung above the home bar in between uses, too.

Corkcicle Cigar Glass:

Any guy who enjoys a nice cigar with his whiskey will appreciate this glass!

Lodge cast iron skillet:

I’m a stickler for the classics and every kitchen needs a cast iron skillet. The best way, in my opinion, to cook a steak. (And also bacon!) Pair it with some Minos Prime steaks (if you’re local, or maybe a gift certificate to a local butcher if you’re not) and that is a most excellent gift.

Spice House spice set: 

Jess buys this brand of spice mixes and they are all lights out. They make several sets that would make a great gift for any guy who lives to grill or cook.

Toaster Grilled Cheese Bags:

For your brother who just moved into his first apartment and can barely boil water. All you do is stick bread and cheese in one of these, pop it down into the toaster, and out comes the perfectly toasted grilled cheese!

Goldbelly delivery: 

Goldbelly is the coolest company that allows you to ship your favorite hometown restaurants to loved ones all over the country. Of course, Jess and I are partial to sending Lou Malnatis, but they have so many restaurants to choose from. Phillies from Philly, Bagels from NYC, Lobster Rolls from the East Coast–wherever. One of the easiest gifts I can think of!

A Man and His Kitchen:

I’m a big fan of WM Brown (especially his magazine). I love his “A Man and his Watch” book, but this one is next on my list. Would be a great buy for any man who likes to cook (or wants to work on his skills in the kitchen).

“Build his Bar” idea: 

Nice whiskey tumblers paired with a bottle or two of great whiskey make an incredible, zero fail gift for men of any age. (Tip: don’t forget the booze part, or the glassware is far less exciting.) We have a couple nice Waterford glasses we received for our wedding I love drinking whiskey out of, but we also have these affordable ones from Crate & Barrel if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly. Even better, if he’s into vintage stuff–is to find him a great vintage set. (Etsy is great for this!) Pair it with some great booze–I always recommend Noble Oak, Basil Haydens or if you really want to spoil him–Blanton’s, if you can get your hands on some. (This is also an excellent thing to get a guy you just started dating!) 

Winestyr Membership:

An awesome, novice-friendly wine club. (We know because we belong to it and we know very little about wine.) They work only with small vineyards that produce small-batch wines you can’t find at your normal liquor store. You can get choose the frequency, red, white, or a mix of both. Such a great gift for any wine lover.

TC Whiskey Cocktail Cherries: 

Truly the best cocktail cherries in the game. (Sometimes Jess just eats them straight from the jar with a spoon.) Support a fantastic Midwestern brand & small business working hard to create magic.  Their entire online shop is awesome, and if you ever visit in person, tell Chris and the boys we sent you!

DIY Pickled Veggie Kit 

For the Bloody Mary enthusiast. What’s a good bloody without pickled veggies? This DIY is fun to open, and a fun activity to do together.

Cigar holder: 

A great gift for any guy who loves cigars. Keeps cigars fresh and great for a trip, long weekend, bachelor parties, etc! (Would also make a great budget-friendly groomsmen gift!)

Customized apron: 

Okay I will admit I don’t personally need an apron, but I know a lot of guys out there love to cook, and I think this is a really cute gift for dads, grandpas, etc–you can get matching kid versions! (Jess has matching aprons with my MIL, mom, and June, and I think it’s just as cute of a gift for the guys!) Use JESSHOLIDAY24 for 20% off most Minted gifts plus free shipping! 

Cocktail smoking kit: 

This cool little kit from Etsy is perfect for any guy who loves a smoky cocktail–now he can create it at home with this torch and wooden stave made from a vintage Bourbon barrel! My sister got this for me one year and it’s a lot of fun.

Mino’s Prime Steaks: 

If you’ve followed us for a while, you know we have been huge proponents of Mino and his crew. A true pandemic success story, Mino and a few colleagues worked in a top tier Chicago steak house and started their small business out of necessity when Covid hit.

The concept is simple – steak house cuts at wholesale prices….hand delivered fresh to your door the next day (all of Chicagoland).

What’s not to love?? We have used Mino for special occasions at home, meal planning, stocking the freezer, and of course the holidays!

Trust me, his fantastic filets or a bone in rib-eye does indeed make a fantastic gift. Especially for the guy that has everything!

Cigar Torch:

More cigar ideas, I know–but can you have too many? A nice cigar torch is a clutch gift, especially this one that has a little rest!

Cup Board Pro Cutting Board:

A practical gift for any guy who loves to be in the kitchen. The little trough you can scrape scraps into makes for easy clean-up, and easily traps juices when carving meat.

Weber Genesis E-335 Grill: 

A splurge gift for sure, but if you’ve been looking to upgrade your grill, we just upgraded to a Weber E-335 this year and I can’t recommend it enough. An incredible all-purpose grill. A night and day difference from our starter grill.

Cooks so evenly, super easy to get a great sear, lots of prep/serving space on the side table area, user-friendly and ideal for both experienced grillers and total newbies. Jess loves that it has an extra side burner you can use for boiling, sauteeing, etc anything you’re cooking to accompany your grilled items. It’s basically an outdoor replacement for your kitchen.

TempSpike Plus: 

A truly amazing meat thermometer. Don’t bother with the others, just get this one. Incredibly accurate, syncs with your iPhone. Allows you to cook the perfect anything, all the time. On the grill, in the oven, on the stove. He’ll never overcook anything ever again.

Grill Rescue Grill Grate Cleaner: 

You probably know by now that grill brushes aren’t great. (The wires can break off and get lodged in your food.) I rolled my eyes at the instagram ads until I bought this thing. But this grill cleaner was invented by a fireman, made of the same material as firemens’ suits. It’s legit. Every grillmaster needs this upgrade.

Perv bird apron: 

Listen, your weird but lovable brother-in-law/Uncle/cousin/best friend is dying for you to buy this for them.

Creative Thinking Journal:

Carla Llanos “Oysters” Print: 

OK I admit, this was a Jess pick. She loves this artist, but I love oysters, and I love this print.

Aura Frame:

Many of you told Jess the Aura Frame is one of the best gifts you’ve ever given dads and grandpas. It’s a sharp looking digital frame you can easily load new photos onto from afar, so he always has new photos of his loved ones to look at.

His favorite sports team NYT hardcover book:

A really cook gift idea for any sports fan–it’s a compilation of all media coverage of his favorite sports team over the years! They have a ton of options for different teams/sports.

Photo Art Frame:

I have a version of this with photos of June hanging in my office and it’s one of my favorite gifts Jess has given me! Use JESSHOLIDAY24 for 20% off most Minted gifts plus free shipping! 

Custom leather bookmark

I love the idea of this nice leather bookmark to go along with a few new books! An inexpensive, but very thoughtful gift.

Minted custom photo puzzle: 

Perfect for the puzzle-loving Grandpa who loves looking at pictures of the people he loves. Use JESSHOLIDAY24 for 20% off most Minted gifts plus free shipping! 

A copy of Drunk: 

As the Amazon description says, an “‘entertaining and enlightening’ deep dive into the alcohol-soaked origins of civilization—and the evolutionary roots of humanity’s appetite for intoxication.” A highly interesting and entertaining read. Would make a great gift.

Some great sunglasses: 

Ray-Ban has always been my go-to brand of choice, and you can never go wrong gifting a pair of classic aviators! (You can read about all our favorite pairs here).

If your guy wants something a little bit out of the box though, check out the long-standing Italian brand, Persol. These Steve McQueen inspired shades were one of the few gifts I bought for myself this year. They’re are a bit over the top but…so am I.

Spikeball: 

Spikeball is an awesome game for anyone who likes to be active and loves friendly competition–from teenagers to fit grandpas. It’s an affordable gift your whole family can get in on, and a good outdoor activity. We’ve given this as a gift to Jess’ nephews and play this on the beach with my cousins every summer.

Shave Tonic:

My favorite aftershave. Spray it on immediately after shaving to soothe your face and prevent razor burn. To put it plainly, I can’t believe there are men that live without this.

Fischersund Solid cologne/perfume:

This Icelandic brand I found at local Oak Park shop, Gem Home, makes the most incredible androgynous scents. (Jess note: Technically it’s called perfume. Is it for men or women? Who is to say?)

I bought the #23 (Leathery, smokey, woodsy) and  the ÚTILYKT scent (think bright citrus, freshly cut grass, salty breeze) and I wear them together. (Jess’ additional note: They smell SO GOOD. OMG. For lack of a better description, the sexiest scent ever.)

Personalized crossword puzzle: 

For the crossword lover. You can customize 6 clues (i.e. “the middle name of your favorite grandchild!”) to customize and they’ll fit them into the crossword. Comes with an answer key and a practice worksheet page to work through, as well as the final product page they can write the final answers into and frame.

Barbour faux fur lined utility gloves: 

You’ve likely picked up on the fact that I’m a fan of Barbour if you’ve been following for any amount of time. If you’re searching for some warm gloves,  I would personally love to receive these faux fur lined lambskin version.

Faherty pullover: 

If you’ve been looking for a “nice clothing item he’ll actually wear” to get him this year, look no further–buy this. Aside from being insanely soft, I think it’s unique because it’s more versatile than your average pullover. Nice enough to wear for Thanksgiving, or a casual day at the office. Or you can wear it camping. Or to the lake. Or to the bar with the lads. FYI, if it doesn’t go on sale for BF, don’t buy it yet–Jess will have a code next week!! 

Marine Layer Vest: 

Not a lame puffer vest. It’s super light and thin, but super warm. Sharp but casual. Perfectly packable. My favorite vest.

Baxter of California Comb: 

I know it will surprise no one that I love my hair comb…but seriously, this comb is the best. For any guy that puts effort into his hair (you know who you are), this is the best stocking stuffer. It’s also sold on Amazon, so it’s great as a last-minute gift, too.

Bombas Socks:

Their modern rib socks are the ideal weight and I like them in various lengths depending on the season/occasion. Not too thin, not too thick, they’re great to dress up or down, with loafers, sneakers, or boots, any season. Always a nice stocking stuffer. I also love theirhiking socks for the outdoorsy men in your life.

New Bombas customers can use code JESSKEYS21 for 21% off and returning customers can use JESSKEYS15 for 15% off! 

Sean Connery James Bond print 

Sean Connery is my favorite Bond, and I love this print of him in particular. Will look great in any office or man cave.

Kindle + Books:

Jess got me a Kindle two years ago and I have to admit, I love it a lot more than I thought I would. Even better? Pre-load it with a couple great reads for him to start–I recommend any of the following for any guy: Boys in the Boat, Endurance, Shoe Dog, Grit, and The Chris Farley Show.

Most men don’t read enough for fun (myself included). Help change that.

Faherty Legend Sweater Shirt: 

Big, big Faherty fan over here. It’s pricey, but worth it. Their stuff is so soft and quality is unparalleled. This legend shirt is, as the name would suggest–legendary. So warm and soft. An absolute staple in any guy’s winter wardrobe. Runs TTS. (I wear M.)

History by Mail:

The perfect thing for any guy who loves history but is really hard to buy for. Jess got this for me a few years ago and I loved it! (And I want it again!)

Seiko Dive Watch: 

Affordable, sharp, and probably the most versatile watch I own. It’s a sport (diver) watch made by Seiko. A go-to brand of mine, especially on vacation. This thing is indestructible and I love that it’s so easy to swap watch bands–Amazon has a ton of really affordable options, like this one.

Levi’s Jeans: 

Levi’s have been my go-to jeans for years and years. I have a few washes of the 510’s and they are my favorite skinny cut. However, I also recommend the 511’s if your guy doesn’t prefer his jeans quite as slim cut. (It’s a great style for dads, too.)

WM Brown Project Magazine: 

Matt Hranek is one of my absolute favorite follows on Instagram. He embodies eating, drinking, dressing, and traveling well and never takes himself too seriously. He’s a CondeNast writer by trade and a subscription to his magazine is the perfect gift for the stylish man in your life.