A Gift Problem Nobody Talks About
Let’s face it, men over 50 are difficult to shop for. By the time a man reaches the age of 50 or 60, they usually go out and get what they want or need. Case in point, when someone asks me for gift suggestions, my usual reply is, “I don’t need anything.”
Now that isn’t always true, but I really don’t buy much for myself, and number two, when I do, I do just buy it.
However, I’ve gotten a few things over the years that I didn’t think I needed that turned out to be exactly what I needed. It was usually something I wasn’t thinking about, but turned out to be pretty cool. Such as a telescope one year, and upgraded clothing most years. And that’s how you buy for a man who has everything he needs: An upgrade to what he already owns and enjoys.
Well, we did our best to come up with gifts for Men Over 50 who seem to have everything. We tried to come up with items under $300. Hopefully, you’ll find an item that the man in your life ends up enjoying. And hey, that goes for the reader who is looking for a gift for himself as well.
1. Baxter of California Deluxe Gift Set | ~$40
Baxter of California makes clean, no-nonsense grooming products that do the job. Once results are seen, this will be used for years. Even for the man who usually doesn't use product. The Baxter gift set includes face wash, moisturizer, shave gel, and pomade. And the packaging is masculine without overdoing it. So it looks great on a shelf.
2. Leather Watch Roll ~ $60
This gift is for the man who has two or three watches and doesn't really have a place to keep them. A well-made leather watch roll protects watches during travel and looks pretty sharp on top of a dresser or nightstand. Top brands include Barrington, Glennie, and Wolf in this price range. And I can attest to the fact that this is something I've often thought of buying, but never got around to it.
3. Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle ~$180
This is for the coffee drinker in your life. It might take a little longer to make your coffee, but it's worth it. The Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle is a precision pour-over kettle with variable temperature control and a gooseneck spout that looks really cool on a kitchen counter. It's a conversation starter for sure.
4. Leatherman Signal Multi-Tool ~ $150
Coming in multiple colors, the Leatherman Signal is a 19-in-1 Multi-tool for Outdoors, Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Survival, and basically anything that needs done around the house. It's both durable and lightweight, and perfect for the guy who likes to spend time in the great outdoors. Plus, it's made in the goo 'ol USA.
5. Leather Cigar Travel Case + Xikar Xi1 Cutter ~$65
The Leather Cigar Travel Case one is strictly for the dedicated or some time cigar smoker. This quality leather humidor will keep cigars fresh while traveling, whether it's vacation or keeping it in the golf club bag. And the Xikar Xi1 completes the gift. It's the everyday cigar cutter that most cigar smokers recommend.
6. Cocktail Kingdom Home Bar Tool Set ~ $140
Most bar sets are made of cheap stainless steel bought from big box stores. The Cocktail Kingdom Home Bar Tool Set is not. It's cocktail tools that professionals use because the are the top. It comes with a mixing glass, Koriko cobbler shaker, bar spoon, and jigger for precise pouring. This is a great kit to go with the Glencairn whiskey glasses.
7. Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones ~$280
This is the most expensive gift on the list, but also the best, in my humble opinion. The Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones are an audiophiles dream. You find a better sound quality out of noise-cancelling headphones in this price range. The battery lasts 30 hours, and they fold flat for travel. This is for the man who flies, works from a home office, or just wants to listen to music without interruption. It's a great gift for the guy who is still using earbuds or wired headphones. They go on sale regularly, which means you can often get them comfortably under $280.
The Right Gift is often an Improvement
By the time a man reaches 50, he owns everything he wants and really doesn’t need more things. Instead, he needs better ones. The items on the list were picked because most likely things like cocktail bar kits and headphones were bought a long time ago, and most likely they were cheap. So he will appreciate a well-made product that will last for years. But it does matter that you know what he likes. You probably don’t want to buy the cigar cutter for a guy who hates cigars.
As with thoughtful gifts, it can lead to better skin care, like the Baxter of California gift set, or better coffee. It can open the door to a deeper appreciation of what he has, and maybe a new hobby.
For more ideas, check out our post on hobbies for men over 50 and great-looking watches for under $300.
