THE FIRST-EVER LIVE A LITTLE holiday gift guide is one for the man with a vision. He’s got big dreams, and goals to achieve those dreams. He’s also forever curious, always seeking more knowledge and experiences.
Above all, he knows this: We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.
The holiday gift guide I’ve put together reflects all the interests of a guy who’s always looking to level-up in life. It’s filled with exciting products I’ve worn, used, and discovered over the past year—as well as picks I’ve collected from a few friends.
57 Gifts for the Man Leveling Up His Life
I’ve written tons and tons of gift guides over the years, but this is the first one I’ve ever produced as an independent writer. At BroBible, I helped write and organize their gift guides. At Men’s Health, I had a greater role on gift guide planning—ending my last year there as the lead across all gift guides.
Paid subscribers will gain full access to the list ahead. However, there are a few selects free subscribers can check out.
The gifts ahead range from $20-$1000. All aimed to inspire, garner laughs, and collect stories. Want to get the TL;DR? Scroll to the “Rundown” section and you’ll see all 57 gift ideas in one clean list.
The Best Gift Under $20: NoNormal Coffee Paste
NoNormal Coffee is coffee paste that comes in a tube. I found it covered via Gear Patrol and Bon Appétit. Each tube has about 20 cups of coffee and a shelf life of 12 months. The paste can be consumed via tube, or on toast—kinda like how Australians consume Vegemite. I’ve mixed it in hot water to make a regular cup of coffee. The paste is more concentrated in caffeine than regular coffee. So if you eat it directly, you’ll give yourself a pretty good buzz. Starts at $17 a tube.
Essential LIVE A LITTLE Reading: Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chounard
I came across Yvon Chounard’s half biography/half business book this summer at a local spot called First Light here in Austin. Chounard is, and has always been, counter-cultural. Yet he’s spun his grit, passions, and core beliefs into one of the most successful and environmentally responsible companies the world has ever seen. I find myself coming back to this book several times already in 2025. Each time, flipping to an individual section on chapters “Production Philosophy” or “Marketing”—and more specifically, “Copywriting” and “Advertisement.”
Patagonia is 1/1. There’s no business like it. I use this book to gather inspiration and practical knowledge for how to blaze my own path. It’s a true LIVE A LITTLE essential.
For the 9-5er: Flint and Tinder Oxford Draftsman
I put my Flint and Tinder Classic Oxford through the paces all spring, summer, and fall. I own the Washed Black and White color, but all of them are suitable for 9-5. The shirt isn’t as long as a traditional Oxford, so you can wear it untucked. It also has a gentle amount of stretch that keeps it from feeling stuffy and restrictive when I’m writing at my desk. Did I mention excellent wrinkle-resistance? This shirt hasn’t let me down yet. Priced at $88.
Best Grooming Gift: Highland Glacial Styling Bundle
Most of the year, my hair is medium to long length. Finding a hair product to tame it and show off my texture and waves has been a difficult task. Couple in the fact I’m ingredient-conscious about hair product. Highland was started by two kids in college with similar problems. Their pomade is my most-used product from them, but the styling cream is good for days when I want low hold.
The Glacial Styling Bundle will help level up your look and hair care. $45.
Best Fitness Gift: Huckberry x Timex IRONMAN
One of the very first campaigns I led brand marketing on was the Huckberry x Timex IRONMAN collab this summer. This campaign was over three months in the making, first getting passed to me in July as the marketing and copy lead. I drove creative strategy, developed a flight plan, and rolled out one of my favorite watches. Basically I’m saying I have a sentimental tie to this product.
But that doesn’t negate the fact the Timex IRONMAN is one of the most badass, value-driven watches of all-time. Top features include a 100-lap memory function, interval and countdown timers for training, three customizable alarm settings, and an INDIGLO backlight.
The Huckberry version has an exclusive Sand/Orange/Olive color that pays respect to the challenge of navigating unforgiving terrains. $129.
Best Gift for Laughs: Jack the Bulldog - No Time To Die Edition
In Skyfall, Jack the Bulldog made his big appearance as a willed-down gift from ‘M’ to James Bond. Jack then made a couple more humorous appearances in Spectre and No Time To Die.
This high-quality ceramic is not new in the sense it was just made, but new in the sense of discovery. I hope you enjoy this find as much as I do. A clever gift for any 007 fan. $66
Best Sweater to Gift: Finisterre Barents Sweater
I’ve been on a huge Finisterre kick the last few months. Their brand aesthetic and commitment to making quality, eco-friendly apparel has been such a draw for me. I’ve got this Barents Sweater ordered for myself in the Marled Gray. Made from 80% wool and 20% recycled nylon blend. It’s lean and layer-friendly, which makes it appealing for me to take it on trips. $160.
Best Hat to Gift: Carhartt x '47 Brand
For over half a decade, you haven’t been able to buy the Carhartt MLB hats. They became so rare that some deadstock caps were selling on eBay for $100+. My two favorite hats of the last 6 years are my trusted my Carhartt Kansas City Royals caps; one in brown and the other in navy.
The Carhartt hats finally came back this summer. You can buy the regular ball cap style, but there’s also two types of trucker hats. I recommend checking out the trucker hat with the Carhartt front piece and the mesh back. Did I mention they’ve got NFL teams now? Priced at $40-$42.
Best Watch to Gift Under $250: Seiko 5 Sport SRPE57
I bought my Seiko 5 Sport last fall on a whim. I was at Macy’s picking up a tie for a party, and I spotted this beauty in the watch case and had to have it. There are tons of colors and styles available in the Seiko 5 Sport. I’ve received countless compliments wearing it in 2025. Maybe you can collect some in ‘26? Priced at $236.
Plan a Boat Day: GetMyBoat Rental
For those looking for an experience gift, check out GetMyBoat.com. They’re a platform I’ve used living in Austin that makes it easy to get a boat rental and go wakeboarding. I typically go out with six to nine people for half a day. Nobody ever pays more than $90 a pop. Great deal for the level of fun you can have. Captain comes with it too—so the hack is finding one you like to repeat book with.
Best Bike to Gift Under $650: REI Co-op CTY 1:1 Bike
When it comes to brand, REI Co-op bikes are great value for the money. A friend told me the CTY would be the perfect hybrid bike to start. I got a sweet matte gray model (called “Shale”) and applied a 15% off coupon from my REI rewards membership to make it an even better deal. If you’re looking for a new hobby to take up in the New Year, look into this bike and start hitting the trails. $629.
For the Menswear Collector: Vintage GQ Magazines on eBay
For Tough Tunes: Turtlebox Ranger
The Turtlebox Ranger is essentially a mini version of the Original, and the Original is one of my all-time favorite outdoor speakers. Consider the Ranger your powerhouse to portable tunes: IP-67 waterproof to fresh and salt water, up to 3 full days of battery, and drop- and crush-proof. $220.
For the World Traveler: Matador Packable Laundry Bag
Simple but incredibly useful, this nylon laundry bag is designed to expand up to 30L in volume. When not in use, it packs into itself and measures a compact 5” x 5” x 2.5”. Oh, and it has a cool attachment system that makes it easy to hook onto the back of a door or clip onto a bathroom towel rack. This release was so popular it sold out within the month, but it’s now restocked. Priced at $29.
For the Bob Dylan Fan: Listen to Bob Dylan Mug
An on-the-fly pickup I got while visiting the Bob Dylan Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma. You can buy the mug online, but if you do you have to promise you’ll make a trip to check out the museum. Deal? Deal. $20.
For the Golf Guy: Caddy Classics New Par Tees
If you’re looking for gifts for golfers and don’t want to spend a ton, Caddy Classics are an easy choice. They’re wooden (bamboo) golf tees packaged into spoof cigarette boxes. The boxes are reusable, so you can keep refilling them once you’ve purchased. $20.
Best Boots to Gift: Blundstone 585 Antique Brown
The most-worn boot, and quite possibly the most worn shoe of mine in 2025. Now on year four wearing them, my Blundstone boots are perfectly formed to my feet. So damn comfortable and tough. Versatile as heck—and yes, I’ll wear them in the summer with shorts too. $220
Read more: The Style Code of Cormac McCarthy.
Best Backpack to Gift: Peak Design Travel Backpack
Travel is such a big part of LIVE A LITTLE, and I don’t go on any flight without my Peak Design Travel Backpack. Quite literally, I’ve used that bag for about four years now and still going.
In an interview with Carter Davis Johnson, I manifested I’d collaborate with Peak Design on a LIVE A LITTLE edition Travel Backpack. Time will tell when that unfolds, but for now, you can’t go wrong with the OG model. $240.
Best USA-Made Gift: Soft Goods Classic Thermal
Founded in Detroit by Josh York, Soft Goods is an apparel brand committed to craftsmanship in the USA. I got their Classic Thermal recently and have been insanely impressed. It’s looking to become a workhorse for me all winter. A solid gift idea for any menswear guy—or any guy who appreciates American-made products. $128.
For the Denim Enthusiast: imogene + willie
When watchmaker and founder of Weiss Watch Company, Cameron Weiss, gave me the products he can’t live without, he mentioned imogene + willie denim. “I love things that last, including my imogene and willie jeans,” said Cameron. He specifically likes the Barton pair.
For the Minimalist: Unimatic U4 Classic UC4
Unimatic is an Italian brand I became familiar with through Huckberry. The Milan-based watchmaker has an minimalist, utilitarian aesthetic. That’s thanks to the design-savvy of co-founders Giovanni Moro and Simone Nunziato, both trained industrial designers at the Politecnico Di Milano university. My favorite line from Unimatic is the Classic series, and more specifically this UC4 Italian dive watch. $655.
Read more: 23 Watches That Will Never Go Out of Style
Best Investment Gift for Work: Saddleback Briefcase
My favorite Gear Check recommendation from director Joshua Caldwell was his Saddleback briefcase. “I have three of these because the quality is so great,” he says.
For the Clean-Shaven Gent: Joey Falcone’s Shaving Kit
The very first person I interviewed for Gear Check was Joey Falcone. His shaving kit starts with a straight razor—a single blade kamisori. “It looks like a sword and is super sharp, so you have to go slow; but it’s a really good razor,” he says.
“I use a Simpson Trafalgar T3 for the brush and Proraso for the shaving cream.”
Most Comfortable Sweats to Gift: PROOF PatinaTech
I’m super bullish on PROOF PatinaTech. The sweats are so damn comfortable and easy to move in. You can’t go wrong with any of the colors in the collection, but I especially like the neutral brown color, in the crewneck version. $128.
For the Guy Who Needs Permission to Fail: Falling in Art Beachwood Easel Painting Set
One of the most random purchases I bought in 2025 was this $40 art easel kit on Amazon. It came with a paint and brushes too. I like to dabble in abstract art with it. No boundaries. No rules I have to follow. It’s a great gift for anyone who is looking for, or could use, permission to fail—and have fun doing it. $40
The Gear Bag I Use Daily: Evergoods Civic Access Pouch
Based in Montana, Evergoods is one of my favorite gear brands. I’ve been using this Civic Access Pouch for work and for travel here living in Austin. I store my charging cords in it, along with my work mouse and other small goods.
The pouch is tough and weather-resistant thanks to a 420-denier nylon and a polyurethan coating. As far as design configuration, there’s tons of pocket space and compartments. I love how the open-shell design lets the pouch sit upright when fully opened. Priced at $75.
Best Collectible Gift: The North Face x Bialetti Moka Set
Released last month in Europe, The North Face x Bialetti Moka coffee maker set caught my attention from a post last week on TNF’s Instagram, when they announced the collab had landed on U.S. retail sites.
The kit comes with a TNF yellow Moka Express pot, two metal cups, two spoons, a tin, and a bag of coffee. The spoons are super unique, with the little hand pointing on the end, and the slogan “Never Stop Exploring” on the handle. It’s available on TNF’s website, but also on REI. Maybe I can get it through REI and find a way to use one of my member coupons towards it. $220
A Buy-It-for-Life Gym Bag: KNKG Gym Duffel Bag
Pronounced “King Kong,” these gym bags feature a divider system to break up all your workout gear. In one divider, you can keep a water bottle, while in the others you can store pre-workout powder, a weight belt, jump rope, etc. KNKG bags are a pretty penny, but in a world where all gym bags are the same, KNKG is at least going for a buy-it-for-life product—and doing it well. $300.
Best New Biography to Gift: Devouring Time by Todd Goddard
When I was in Charleston, I pulled up the publication site of the city-based Garden & Gun magazine. It’s a great regional publication. Similar to how Texas Monthly holds high prestige here in Austin.
I read a story on Garden & Gun about two new biographies by southern writers: one biography on Jim Harrison and the other on Peter Matthiessen. The Jim Harrison book by Todd Goddard caught my attention, and I immediately went to make a purchase. I’m two chapters in at the time of this writing, and already enjoying the deep dive on the life of one of America’s most interesting writers.
Keep Calm and Cooler On: Rugged Road Ultralight-25 Can
I learned about Rugged Road through Huckberry this year. They’re wicked cool, super lightweight, and have some additional features I was impressed to see. One of those features is the cooler models come with a snack rack to hold food—like a Publix chicken tender sub.
I find this brand as a strong competitor to RTIC’s lightweight cooler model. Rugged Road designs there cooler’s to float upright in water, even when full. This Ultralight 25-Can model is a great starter to grab. And yes, it actually did float when I tried it in Austin this summer. $250.
Best IYKYK Gift: Gnuhr Sling 2 v2.0 DCF
I interviewed some awesome people in 2025. Brandon Scott Herrell, co-founder of Earth\Studies, recommended to me these Akila shades.
“Like all of Gnuhr’s designs, this bag is weirdly attractive and singular for how simple it actually is,” he says. “I wear it under my jacket when I fly to cheat a few extra liters of stowage—stuff like headphones, hand sanitizer, and dried mango.”
For the Gadget Guy: MountainLamp
Based in Bönen, Germany, the MountainLamp is a 3D ambient light that features 10 replicas of iconic peaks in the world. It’s made from wood and fully dimmable. There’s even a way to custom order your own summit. It’s available on Kickstarter now for about $70. Just select the Early Bird 1x MountainLamp option to get that price.
For the Guy with High Taste: Snow Peak Titanium Water Bottle
A Gear Check recommendation from Dominic Scalise, writer of IYKYK: “Wildly expensive, but once you handle this, you’ll be like, ‘Dammit, I need one.’”
Best Prep Style Gift Under $100: Lands’ End Rugby Shirts
Lands’ End is right on time for the ivy revival. These classic patterns and rich colors on their rugbys is peak prep. I remember owning an LE rugby early in my college years. I wore it all the time during fall. Got tons of complements. They’re super price-friendly, especially since LE offers discounts codes often that can be applied. Priced at $80
For the Guy with High Arches: Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4
I found these bad boys this summer at REI when I was shopping for a sneaker to take to Denver. Yes, I know these are trail shoes. But really they’re comfortable enough (and rugged enough) for me to wear daily I’ve even been wearing them to work.
If you have a high arch and wide foot, then I suggest you check out Topo Athletic. This shoe has been an awesome one for me. $155.
For the Adventurer: Ombraz Refugio
Ombraz shades have been a personal favorite of mine for years. This summer, they released the Refugio—and Italian-made set of armless wraparound shades that channel retro sport style.
Whenever I’m doing a water activity, like boating or floating the river, I bring my Ombraz. The armless design with the nylon cord fastens snug to my head. They never fall off. Plus, when not in use, I can lower them down and let rest around my neck. $195.
