Every year I assemble a Top 10 Manly Gifts for Your Husband, Father, or Man in your Life. It’s immensely popular and throughout the year I meet men all over the country who say to me: “Hey thanks for recommending X on your list, ‘Top 10 Manly Christmas gifts’. My wife got it for me and I love it.”

The goal is to list gifts that he likes, but may not think of or ask for himself. If you need something interesting, different, and approved, check out this list.

Nota bene: In years past, I have recycled some of the most popular gifts, like this here Swiss Army Knife that is perfect for men, but especially for young or teenaged boys. If your son or husband doesn’t have a Swiss Army, get this one for him ASAP. He’ll love it and use it all Christmas morning to open boxes and gifts for everyone.

This year I wanted to change it up with 2 rules:

• I have to own/use it.
• It’s never been on a previous Top List before.

So here we go:

10. Amazon Echo or Show

I purchased an Echo for Joy and thought it was so cool I also got a Show for the kitchen counter. With just her voice, she can call up recipes, measurements, news, etc. But a guy can use it to call up weather, movie times,weather, his calendar appointments for the day, and any sport results or sport times coming up in future.

You can also fact check on it. For example, the other night we were debating how many people died in World War I. So I just said, “Alexa, how many people died in World War I?” and she answered: “17 million people died in World War I including 7 million civilians and 10 million military personnel.” How cool is that? We use it often and it’s great gift.

• The Amazon Echo has no screen just sound (You can play music on it and it sounds GREAT).
• The Amazon Show has a screen that shows images and text of what you ask or request.

9. Whisky Ice Ball Mold

I love scotch and I love the gigantic sphere ice cubes. My father got me these molds and they are easy to use and work great.

They are the #1 Bestseller on Amazon for this type of thing and they are the best. The “cool” thing about these large ice balls is that it melts slower than normal ice so you’re drink is cool but NOT watered down. It’s amazing. Get him some whisky ice ball molds for his stocking for only 9.99 by clicking here.

8. The Roku Premier

I love our Roku. I canceled cable which saves a lot of money. The Roku allows us to watch Amazon Prime content or Netflix. Get rid of cable. Get rid of ads. The Roku plugs into your TV or into your Receiver and streams content.

I like the Roku Premiere which is the most up to date version at only $65. Click here to get it.

7. Resistance Exercise Bands

I used to think you needed heavy weights and weights only, but these bands proved me wrong. I like to stretch with them and to place them under my feet and then do arm exercises.

They stretch and work the muscles well and you can do various muscle groups and angles that you could NEVER do with traditional weights. It’s a great addition to any work out routine. If your guy doesn’t lift, these are a threatening introduction. You will be sore but in a good way. Get the mixed pack for 29.95 – you’ll need different resistance levels for various exercises.

6. Wool Gloves

I’ve worn a pair of these for decades. They are rough and tough but they actually dress up pretty nice with a blazer or peacoat in the winter. You’ll get compliments on them.

Every man needs gloves. These are practical and stylish. At $25, these gloves are awesome.

5. Patagonia — Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover

Sweatshirts and even sweaters are just okay. This pullover is stylish and tough. I’ve been wearing one of these for…decades (am I that old?). Patagonia is a great brand and it’s not going to fray or rip. They are for great skiing, camping, sitting by the fire, or for taking out the trash. I like the one depicted below:

At $200 it is on the expensive side, but I think it’s worth it and it’s a gift that will last for over 10 years. Check out the various color options (I also like black and charcoal) by clicking here.

4. Audio Technica AT-LP60BK Record Player

This is the record player that my family got me 2 years ago. It’s great. We’ve had so much fun with it, from listening our parents old LPs, to searching out and buying new music on vinyl.

The benefit is that we actually sit down in chairs, but on an LP and sit and listen to the record and talk about it. Music is often in the car or on the run. Vinyl makes it an experience again. It’s a cool gift. Get this one for $89 (higher quality than what anyone had in the 70s) and throw in one of his favorite vinyl records from the past.

3. Pomade

The secret to great hair is pomade. Remember George Clooney in Oh Brother Where Art Thou? His hair was legit because his pomade was legit:

Most guys think this is stuff for Presidents or movie stars in the 1950s. Um, yeah? What’s wrong with that? It’s awesome. This is a cheap gift but it makes your hair awesome. Just a dab will do ya! Get the Pomade by Crew (it’s in my hair now) for $34.

2. Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Generation (Works with Amazon Alexa)

We got one in the summer and it’s AMAZING. We save tons of money on electric and heating and we are more comfortable. It actually senses when you are in the house and over time adjusts the power usage and temps to be most comfortable and save money. So if you leave the house every Tuesday for 5 hours at noon, it learns that and adjusts which save a lot of cash.  It also looks super cool on your wall:

It hooks up to your mobile devices and phones. And remember how I recommend Amazon Show or Echo above – this thermastat can be voice controlled via Alexa. It’s a game changer. Start your smart home with Alexa. I had a lot of fun setting it up and watching it adjust and save money week after week (it keeps track of usage and shows you much you’re saving.)

Don’t be scared by the $244 price tag. I promise you’ll save that much easy in your first year using it. Get a Nest Thermostat here.

1. A Grown Man’s Victornox Slicing Knife

If you could just get one gift, get him this one. I know he needs a nice carving knife, because I also know that most men use the old knives that their wives use every day – the ones that your uncle gave you on your wedding day. However, every man needs to learn how to age and prepare meat and this is STEP ONE: A NICE SLICING KNIFE.

My father has a PhD in meat science so he’s passed on some education to me, and this knife is awesome:

• It has over 1,000 5 star reviews. Rave reviews.
• It’s made by Victornox (the people who make the Swiss Army Knife).
• It’s #1 Bestseller in Carving Knives.
• There are better knives but for the price ($43), this is a steal.

Best of all, he can carve Christmas dinner with it. It will be his knife in the kitchen. Get the Victornox 12 inch Slicing Knife (don’t opt for a cheap one!) at amazon.com.

So there it is. If you’re a man and you like this list, subtly forward to this to your loved ones or slyly share it on Facebook. If you’re shopping for the men in your life, any of these are great gifts and I stand by the as someone who proudly uses all of them.

Final personal plug: My third and final novel in my Sword and Serpent Trilogy (about St George and Constantine) came out last week, and is trending as a #1 New Release on Amazon.com.

If your father or son loves battle, war stories, Roman history, gladiatorial games, and saints’ stories, please get him a copy of the first book in the Trilogy: Sword and Serpent by clicking here or the image below.

Happy Advent!
Taylor Marshall