Lifestyle

I Asked 10 Guys What They Actually Want for the Holidays From Their S.O.

Some of the responses are actually kind of surprising. …

While it may have made me legit LOL at my desk in my very quiet office (oops), it also comes as no surprise that “I have no clue what to get my boyfriend,” is one of the top-ranking search queries in Google when you type in “best gifts for boyfriends,” and other related key terms. I personally think that males are much more difficult to shop for than females in general, but when you’re on the hunt to find the best gift for your boyfriend (especially if he’s a newer fling) the task of finding the right one that feels either somewhat sentimental or useful without screaming “stage five clinger” becomes even more daunting. Sure, you can opt for one of the guy-gifting gold standards like a nice watch, some fancy socks and new underwear, or the latest AirPods drop, but who’s to say that his Aunt Judy or Grandpa Joe won’t be gifting him with the same generic thing?

Frankly, even if you’ve been dating your guy (or are even married) for ages, it’s still not exactly easy to foretell what he actually wants. I mean, we all know that the ubiquitous “anything, babe” response is definitely not helpful. Rather than continuing my endless Google searching for non-basic gift ideas for male S.O.’s, I decided to just get to the bottom of it, and ask real guys (they’re mostly 20 to 30 somethings) what they’d want to receive as a gift from their girlfriend or partner. Full disclosure: my own boyfriend is even on the list, so that’s one less holiday anxiety trigger to worry about.

While I expected a slew of NSFW replies (and for the record, I wasn’t against this — I was genuinely looking for honest answers, people) to flood my inbox from the men I probed for replies, I was more or less surprised to find only one sex-related answer. Indeed, it turns out men actually do possess some capitalistic desires — and despite the clichéd “I don’t want anything,” remark — have quite a few coveted items on their holiday wish lists. So, if you need some inspiration for what to get your guy for the holidays, I’ve compiled some real-life advice from ten different men below. You’re welcome.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

BonVivo.

Luxe Espresso Maker

“It would be nice to boil a couple of fresh cups of joe and sit with my (non-existent) lady on my front porch and sip some coffee in the morning.”

Buy: BonVivo Espresso Maker $49.99

– James Schiff, E-Commerce Editor at SPY.com

Hotels.com.

Weekend Getaway

“I prefer receiving tickets to an event, a fun dinner out or a long weekend getaway over an item that’s just going to collect dust. To me, the perfect gifts are those that create lasting memories.”

Palm Springs Hotel $250

buy it

– Robby Nova, Marketing Director & Psychologist

Amazon Basics.

Tech Accessories

“More apple headphone adapters, gift cards to Porsche Driving Experience booze and iPhone chargers.”

Buy: Headphone Audio Splitter $10.87

– Matt Ambrose, Managing Director, Red Light PR

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

A Staycation

“The last few months of the year are always the busiest time for me at work so all I want for Christmas is some R&R. I’m dropping some not-so-subtle hints for my partner to treat me to a staycation or to get me an at-home massage from a service like Soothe.”

Mr. & Mrs. Smith $200

buy it

– Tim Chan, Market & Lifestyle Editor at Rolling Stone

WatchBox.

Luxury Watch

“A watch from WatchBox, but that could be out of her price range, so maybe a really nice pair of jeans or shoes that I definitely wouldn’t buy for myself.”

Rolex Explorer Watch $6650

buy it

– Caleb Anderson, Publicist & Writer

Amazon.

Video Games

“Video games.”

Buy: NBA Video Game $35

– Josh Miramontes, Celebrity Hair Stylist

Amazon.

Bath Products

“I think my favorite girlfriend gifts are always bath or personal care products because I don’t know how to shop for that stuff myself.”

Buy: Spa Life Gift Set $25.99

– Corey Smith, Vintage Seller

Space NK.

Cologne

“Byredo perfume, Aesop soaps, Calvin Klein briefs and lots of socks.”

Byredo Bibliothèque Eau de Parfum $302

buy it

– David Donald Sutherland, Visual Artist

Ordro.

VHS Camera

“A girlfriend once got me a nice VHS camera, and it was probably the best gift I ever received. But she knew also knew that work is my life so….”

Buy: VHS Camera $259.99

– Cameron Holland, Videographer & Photographer

IntelliSkin.

Intelliskin Performance Shirt

“Ideally I’d want her to surprise me with a fun night together somewhere or a staycation. But I also really want the Intelli-Skin V-tee. It keeps my posture great and back straight during workouts, making sure back pain doesn’t get in the way of a hard session.”

– Charlie Gillig, Director of Legal Technology at NSLA

A version of this story was originally published in Nov 2019.

What do you think about this post? Drop a comment below and don’t forget to share..

Tweet LinkedIn PinShares0

Artist Spotlight

Shawn Mendes Gets Real About Mental Health in Eye Opening New Documentary

Shawn Mendes opens up about his mental health in his recent documentary, he takes that honesty to a whole new level. From the time he was a teenager becoming famous, to dealing with the huge pressures of being a global star, Mendes has talked openly about how it affects his mental well-being. Through his personal stories, fans get an even closer look at his journey, which is filled with ups and downs as he searches for genuine happiness. In his 2020 Netflix documentary, *Shawn Mendes: In Wonder*, the singer of hits like “Stitches” shares a touching portrait of his life at the height of his career.

Despite all his success, he expresses a desire for simpler times. “I’m so grateful. I love these performances and I’ve never had more fun,” he shares. “But at the same time, I just want to spend time with my parents, watch movies, drive around, lie on a soccer field, and hang out with my friends. I miss that right now. It’s pretty intense.” Even when he was at the top, Mendes craved the little joys that many people take for granted. The pressure to keep performing, creating, and looking perfect weighed on him, and he continued to discuss this in the years following the documentary.

Check out this article: Heartbreak Reignites as New Footage of Mo3’s Fatal Shooting Emerges Following Yella Beezy’s Arrest

Flash forward to 2022, Mendes opened up again in a heartfelt social media post. At just 23 years old, with millions of fans and chart-topping songs, he shared that he was still battling feelings of self-doubt and anxiety. “Right now, I feel like a 23-year-old who’s either soaring high or sinking low,” he wrote. “Maybe that’s just what it’s like to be in your 20s, or maybe that’s just me.” His honesty struck a chord with fans who saw him as highly successful. Mendes admitted that despite his accomplishments, he often felt like he wasn’t doing enough. “The truth is, even with so much success, I still feel like I’m failing. I focus too much on what I don’t have and forget to appreciate what I do. I feel overwhelmed.”

Mendes’ willingness to talk about his mental health emphasizes that being famous doesn’t protect anyone from the stress of both personal and public expectations. His experience is not only a reflection of his own struggles but also offers hope to many fans who might feel the same way. In an industry that often emphasizes perfection, Mendes is changing the conversation by embracing being real and true to himself. What makes his story so inspiring is that it’s not just about his challenges but also his growth. Mendes is learning to handle his feelings, stay true to who he is, and understand that success doesn’t always lead to happiness.

Check out this article: Lil Durk Assures Fans He’s “Coming Home Soon” in Emotional Message Amid Legal Battle

His readiness to share his story, no matter how complicated it may be, makes him relatable to his supporters. Through his documentary and candidness, Mendes encourages an important discussion about mental health in music. He’s showing that being vulnerable isn’t a weakness but a strength, a message that will likely inspire many others to be kinder to themselves. Though Shawn Mendes is a global superstar, at the end of the day, he’s just a young man trying to figure things out, just like everyone else. In his honesty, he’s discovered a connection with people.

Tweet LinkedIn PinShares0

Lifestyle

Bobbi Althoff Claps Back, Shuts Down Rumors of Sleeping with Interview Guests

Bobbi Althoff is currently one of the biggest names in the podcast and media space. Her rapid rise to fame has been a bit polarizing, with some people not appreciating how quickly she has ascended the ranks. Despite this, Althoff remains a heavily discussed figure on social media, especially for her interviews with rappers. However, her success has unfortunately come with a wave of misogynistic accusations.

A common criticism Althoff faces is the baseless claim that she “slept her way to the top,” particularly after her interview with Drake. Even Ryan Garcia perpetuated this erroneous rumor. Previously, Althoff had not addressed these trolls, but on Wednesday, she decided to put a hater in their place. According to TMZ, Althoff took to her Instagram to call out the false accusations.

In her Instagram story, Althoff made it clear that she does not sleep around and has never slept with any of her interview guests. She expressed frustration over the constant accusations whenever she posts about interviewing a man. Additionally, she addressed rumors about her personal life, stating that social media only shows what she allows it to. With this, Althoff aimed to silence the rumors once and for all.

What do you think of Bobbi Althoff’s response? Do you believe this will put an end to such comments, or will the ignorance persist? Share your thoughts in the comments below. For more updates on your favorite artists and their upcoming projects, stay tuned to Honk Magazine.