36 gifts that prove you know your boyfriend better than he knows himself

Struggling to find the perfect gift for your boo? We’ve got you covered!
Kara Birnbaum / TODAY

At this point, you probably spend more time with your boyfriend than you do alone. You know him well enough to know that when you ask him what he wants to be gifted and he says, "I don't know, I have everything already," there's a real answer buried somewhere in his mind.

Whether he's got picky taste or you just need some inspiration to get your shopping started, we found some of the best gifts out there we know we'll love. Plus, we even spilled the beans on what we're gifting our own beaus this holiday (but hopefully they don't read this before the big day).

Beauty and fashion gifts | Foodie gifts | Unique gifts

Our top picks

Best gifts for boyfriends

Best beauty and fashion gifts for boyfriends

The Shop Beard Cream Leave-In Conditioner

This blend of skin-friendly ingredients — avocado oil, shea butter and aloe leaf juice among them — is a verifiable slam dunk for keeping beards soft and smooth. Appropriately so for this product from The Shop, the line created by NBA superstar LeBron James.

Uniqlo HeatTech Ribbed Beanie

This Shop TODAY award-winning beanie will keep him warm without sacrificing style. It comes in eight different colors and, at less than $15, is affordable enough to get him several without breaking the bank.

"Complex Presents: Sneaker of the Year: The Best Since '85"


Sneakerheads will also appreciate exploring this page-turner coffee table book from Complex. The vibey publication explores sneaker culture from its inception (the release of Nike's first Air Jordans) to its relationship with today's hip-hop scene.

The Landmark Project National Park Type Tee

Associate editor Sierra Hoeger has already ordered this as part of her boyfriend's Christmas present this year. "It's super soft, made out of a thick cotton and polyester fabric blend," she says. "Plus, it features a subtle graphic on the front and a more expansive one on the back, should he want to cover it up with a flannel or wear it as is."

Fireside by Dearfoams Men’s Grafton Clog Slipper

If your S.O. doesn’t already have a pair of go-to slippers for puttering around the house, introduce him to the glory that is Dearfoams shearling clog slipper with an outdoor-ready sole.

Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask

"My boyfriend's recently incorporated doing a clay mask into his Sunday evening routine in an effort to 'be prettier' (even though he's quite pretty as is)," says senior SEO editor Jess Bender. "Kiehl's is one of the few skin care brands he trusts, so this was a no-brainer buy for him. He applies maybe about a tablespoon amount of product max and it takes as little as 10-15 minutes to do, but it's worked absolute wonders with cleaning out his deeply clogged pores and removing excessive oil."

Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater

Made from 100% Mongolian cashmere, according to the brand, this award-winning sweater is soft, warm, lightweight and stylish. Your boyfriend will field all the compliments (until you steal it for yourself).

Status Anxiety Melvin Wallet

"My boyfriend has been talking about needing a new wallet all year long and, after a bit of searching, I think this one would be perfect for him," says associate editor Kamari Stewart. "It's affordable, made with Italian leather, has six card slots and a money pin in the middle, which is a feature of his current wallet that he loves."

Adventurist Classic Backpack

This gift will keep on giving — literally. Not only are these backpacks made with extra padding to protect all your boyfriend’s belongings, but the brand says they’ll donate 25 meals to families in need for each backpack purchased. If you’re not convinced, the brand offers free shipping for the backpack that has seven color options.

Tommy John Men's Second Skin Sleep Pant

Stewart plans on gifting her boyfriend these award-winning pajama pants from Tommy John's second skin line. "Last year, I bought him a three-pack of boxers from this line and he loved them so much, he's since bought at least seven more pairs," she says.

Vuori Meta Pant

These pants are another favorite of Hoeger's boyfriend who says "these joggers strike the perfect balance between business casual and comfortable."

"He loves the fact that he can dress them up or down, pairing them with a button-up for work, or a flannel for more casual occasions," she says.

Nike Air Force 1 Low By You

If you want to take his style into your own hands, design him a pair of Nike Air Force 1s. From the color of the iconic swoosh to the laces and even the tongue of the shoe, this gift will be extra special because it was customized by someone he loves.

Best food gifts for boyfriends

Fly by Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp

If your BF falls into the puts-spice-on-everything camp, then it is a statistical certainty he’ll flip over this crispy chili sauce. Fly by Jing’s vibrant Sichuan chili crisp is totally natural and made in Chengdu with heritage chilis, qingxi gong jiao (aka the province’s famous tribute pepper), and local Sichuan oil. What’s not in the jar is almost as notable: no chemicals, no gluten, no sugars and no GMOs.

“F*ck, That’s Delicious: An Annotated Guide to Eating Well,” by Action Bronson

Your boyfriend’s probably already a fan of the Queens-based rapper’s albums, mixtapes and various Viceland shows. Now he can sink his teeth into Bronson’s “devotional” of his favorite meals and moments throughout his travels around the five boroughs and beyond.

WarShots Drinking Game


Looking for a fun gift? This WarShots Drinking Game brings an adult twist to the classic board game Battleship. Simply fill the provided cups with your desired drink and head to battle!

Chalait Everyday Ceremonial Grade Matcha

If he's trying to cut down on caffeine, gift him with this matcha green tea powder which will replace his usual afternoon coffee pick-me-up. "He really loves their ceremonial grade tins and stocks up on them whenever he can, but I like to save him the effort sometimes and send him surprise deliveries when he starts to run low," said one Shop TODAY editor about gifting this to her beau.

Lodge 12-Inch Iron Skillet

Anyone who has a cast iron skillet can’t get enough of talking about it, let alone using it. Convert your chef-aspiring boyfriend with this heavyweight pre-seasoned pan from Lodge.

Nuts.com Box of Winter Wonderland


He'll love this box filled with sweet and savory treats that come wrapped in a wintery nut-themed decor. Inside, he'll find an assortment that includes peppermint malt balls, dried apricot, roasted and salted almonds, dark chocolate-covered espresso beans and more.

Instant Pot Vortex 4-in-1 Mini Air Fryer


If he hasn't hopped on the air fryer trend already, it's about time for your boyfriend to step into the magical air frying world. This mini air fryer comes in four stylish colors and has four functionalities: air fry, bake, roast and reheat.

Our Place Always Pan 2.0

Our Place’s Always Pan is truly a gift for everyone. The ceramic coating allows for easy cleanup and its handle acts as a perfect resting spot for your messy spoons and spatulas. With two easy pouring spouts on two sides of the pan, your kitchen has no excuse to be messy.

Olympia Provisions Game Day Grilling Pack


Keep tailgate season alive right in the backyard with more than two pounds of delectable sausage and charcuterie from a Portland, Oregon-based company called Olympia Provisions. Bless his grill (and your dinner plans) with 100% pork bratwurst, foot-long frankfurters, applewood-smoked kielbasa, garlic- and chili-spiked soppressata and spicy chorizo Navarre.

Cuisinart Portable Grill


This very well may be the neatest little travel grill in existence. Cuisinart’s red gas grill is compact and easy to tote around for picnics, camping trips and day hikes. The design features a porcelain grate for grilling, plus foldable legs and a handle to make it more portable.

Global Classic Chef’s Knife

With high praise from professional chefs, bestselling cookbook authors and other food-industry pros, Global’s G-2 is basically the best all-around knife out there. Made in Japan from rust-resistant stainless steel, the G-2 has a razor-sharp 8-inch blade that can handle everything from delicately slicing tomatoes to quartering a whole chicken.

Katz's Delicatessen Pastrami Tour


For the boyfriend who wants to "have what she's having" or simply can't pass up a sandwich every time he passes a deli, gift him with this pastrami tour from Katz's Delicatessen. With sliced, whole and pastrami hash, he'll have enough pastrami to make over eight sandwiches. "I got this care package for him one Christmas and he almost cried," said one Shop TODAY editor.

Best unique gifts for boyfriends

ThxToms LED Flashlight Gloves

If he's always working on a project of some kind, he'll appreciate these gloves that have LED lights built into the thumb and pointer fingers. We think this gift is a win-win: he gets a clearer view of what he's working on and you don't have to worry about holding the flashlight anymore.

Perfect Pushup Rotating Pushup Handles


If he's all about getting his workout in, these rotating pushup handles are an small space-friendly way to get the most out of his efforts. According to the brand, they're designed to reduce joint strain and engage more of his muscles. The handles are loved by Amazon reviewers for their easy assembly, range of motion and sturdiness.

Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Hammock


Whether your boyfriend prefers to go camping or glamping, this hammock is a must-have item for his backpack. With more than 10 color options, the hammock is customizable, compact and comfy according to the brand.

Boost Your Spirits Cocktail Class

Date night just got a whole lot more fun with this cocktail class, where you both can learn how to make three new cocktails to have on your menu forever. Through this virtual class, not only will you learn how to make classic concoctions, but the history behind them as well, meaning you’ll have facts to whip out next time you host.

Luxury Safety Razor Shaving Kit


Is your boyfriend more than passionate about his facial hair? This luxury shaving kit will provide him with all the tools he needs to keep his face looking fresh and sharp, including a safety razor with 10 razor blades, shaving soap, pre-shave oil, aftershave balm and more.

Abco Tech Indoor Golf Putting Green

When snow and ice on the ground prevent him from making a much-needed tee time, gift him with this indoor putting green. It has an auto-ball return so he can sharpen his skills as long as he likes without breaking his stride.

New York Times Custom Baseball Book

Got a baseball fan in your life? This leather-bound book compiles articles from The New York Times sports pages to capture the story of baseball. It makes for an ideal coffee-table-staple-slash-conversation-starter for your favorite sports lover.

Cozy Earth Ribbed Terry Bath Towels

We hate to make assumptions...but there’s a good chance your dude’s towel situation is in need of a revamp. Go all in with this luxurious set from Cozy Earth. Stewart has been using them for the better part of two years and says they're worth the investment: "They maintain their quality no matter how much I wash them."

Casetify Iron Man Helmet Collectible Earbuds Case with Stand

If he's a big Marvel fan, he'll love this AirPods case in the shape of Iron Man's helmet. It has a carabiner so he can wear it on his belt loops or keep it on his keys while he's on the go. And when he's back home, he can prop it on the included display stand.

MasterClass Annual Membership


If they're eager to dive into gardening or want to brush up on their skateboarding skills, MasterClass has a course for every kind of learner.

Auto-Technica Bluetooth Stereo Turntable


This stereo set combines the technologies of both modern and vintage music into one great gadget that allows you to indulge in both. With a turntable that can play vinyls and the ability to connect your phone via Bluetooth, listening to their favorite tunes just got easier.

"It's pretty foolproof to use, lightweight enough to transport and its Bluetooth capabilities allows us to easily connect it to our stereo system and soundbar for at-home date night jam sessions," said one Shop TODAY editor.

Lego "Harry Potter" The Burrow

"Harry Potter" fans will immediately recognize The Burrow as the home of the Weasley family. Lego brought the fictional place to life with this 2,405-piece set that any super fan will be excited about. Stewart says her boyfriend has been asking about this for months and she's planning on gifting it to him this Christmas.

Don't forget to check out Shop TODAY's other gifts guides for everyone on your list including your girlfriend, husband, wife, mom, dad, in-laws and everyone in between.