Manly gifts for the men in your life

Man-gifting is not easy, and guys probably end up with far too many wallets and cufflinks.

t One of the most frequent questions I get is, “What’s a good gift for my boyfriend/husband/dad/brother/man-in-my-life?” I’ll admit, man-gifting is not easy, and much like us ladies get lots of spa gift cards, guys probably end up with far too many wallets and cufflinks. Here’s a few ideas I’ve had recently that I hope will inspire some new gifts for the men in your life.

Shake it up

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Photo courtesy of Natalie Ghio

t A well-stocked bar or bar cart is a great addition to any home. And someone who knows how to mix up some great drinks is an even better one. If you don’t already have a bar cart, you can usually find great ones at flea markets or check out furniture shops like West Elm and CB2 for some basic designs. Now here’s where it gets interesting. Enlist the help of a local bartender to come over and give your man a lesson on how to mix up some delicious cocktails. Ask the bartender ahead of time what you should stock, the types of glasses and any mixers you’ll need. The lesson makes for a great experience that will pay off for many evenings to come.

Touchdown

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t If your guy is a big football fan, this book is for him.Neil Leifer: Guts & Glorycaptures some of the greatest moments in football from the last 50 years shot by Neil Leifer, one of the best-known sports photographers of all time. The coffee table book is a stunning tribute to the history of the sport and guaranteed to please any sports fan.(Amazon, $65)

Road trip

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t Most men don’t pay much attention to accessories, let alone luggage. A great, timeless, barrel duffel bag like this one from Jack Spade ($198) is one of those things they always wished they had but would never buy for themselves. Check out Herschel Supply Co. for some equally timeless, but less pricey options.

Eyes on style

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t If your man’s a fan of glasses, these ’50s-inspired frames will be a hit. Designed by actor Jason Schwartzman for Lookmatic, the frames and lenses come in a variety of colors for endless customizing possibilities. Sign up for Lookmatic’s email and you’ll get 10 percent off your first purchase. (Lookmatic, $95)

Card Shark

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t I think cards and card games are making a big comeback (at least I’m hoping so). I love this set of black-on-black cards with their beautiful, albeit slightly dark, illustrations. As long as your man isn’t playing poker in a dark basement, these will definitely up his game! Be sure to check out Cool Material for lots of other gift ideas. (Coolmaterial.com, $10)

Fit to Print

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t For the creative man in your life, try out a subscription to Stack. Each month he’ll have the chance to discover a different, independent magazine, hand-selected by Stack’s curators. A unique mix of art, culture, lifestyle and design, every month offers a new surprise!