By: Rick O’Donnell
No man will turn down a good set of comfortable socks as a gift mid-winter. Hell, for most bachelors out there, it pushes laundry day back a week or two. Yet, the holidays need to be something more than just socks and tie clips. Stuck on what to get the men in your life? Here’s a short list of ideas.
Phillips Hue Smart Light Bulb Kits (https://youtu.be/MaXju2FjdWM?si=hrEjjsXcBmV30TE8)
No one stresses out about life quite like a dad worried about the electric bill. We’ve all been strongly reprimanded about lighting the whole neighborhood after leaving the light on a bit too long. The easy fix? Smart lightbulbs that he can control with his phone. Yes, that might be too much power for one man to hold, but at least he won’t be yelling at you to turn the light off. Not only can you control a light, change the color, and set timers, but you can also program instances as well. For example, if you’re someone who rushes out and continuously forgets to turn off a switch, you can have it set up to shut down automatically when your device disconnects from your home wi-fi. The bulbs last up to fifteen years and have a low output on your electric bill.
A Good Steak
Let’s face it, the man in your life is probably a pain in the backside to shop for, to put it nicely. Most men have a set idea of things they’ve had their eye on all year round. If they want it, they’ll buy it. Either that or they don’t know what they want. Men can be hard to shop for with a typical response of “I don’t know” and a shoulder shrug. Well, here’s something most men won’t shrug off: a good steak. More specifically, if they want a good steak, not much beats a good wagyu cooked to perfection, medium rare. One of the places I look when it comes to these steaks is Wagyu Shop (.com).
There are plenty of price points to meet your needs. If you’re more budget-conscious, depending on the cut, you can get an American wagyu for $79. A good cut of Japanese A5 will run you closer to $100-120. That might sound crazy for a cut of beef when you can get a good steak at the local shop for less, but it’s not the same. Is it really that much better? The short answer is yes. I’ve personally had these steaks for the past 5 years, and it’s a great way to cap off a long 2025. Tender, melts like butter as you slice it, steak with a little salt and pepper. It does, however, make it hard to go back to a normal steak.
Bacon Kits (https://a.co/d/cFWKhSa)
Okay, maybe you’re looking a little more budget-friendly for a brother, or stepdad, no judgment. We won’t tell. However, there’s still some luck. If you have a man in your life who loves a good cookout and is a master on the grill, nothing is quite like a Bacon Kit. Sure, the pig’s belly is sold separately, but has anyone ever been truly disappointed in bacon? Not that soggy hotel breakfast bacon either. I’m talking good, thick, center-cut bacon cut and seasoned right at home. Made your way, who could complain? Everyone’s buying socks or grill tongs. Step outside of the box and get a good bacon kit.
A Rolling Knife Sharpener (https://a.co/d/6EXnHkB)
There’s nothing like a good knife for anyone who has to carve the holiday turkey or ham. No matter how good a knife you get, they can all go dull after a few good uses. So why not fix that with a knife sharpener? It might not be the flash automatic sharpeners, but more often than not, those aren’t getting the quality you want. There’s something very old school about sharpening your own knife that just feels right. Pair that with a well-cooked bird or beef on the holiday, and you’ll probably have a happy guy.
Men are simple. We like our hobbies, and we like our food. If you can find a way to combine the two, then the holiday shopping is so much easier.
This is AWESOME Rick!!! Thanks for the advice!!