New Year Gifts for Your Boyfriend

A first trip together is remembered forever: two days skiing, a Christmas-market city or a cabin with a fireplace. A weekend in a hotel with breakfast runs $300–600. Hand him an envelope with dates and a route; he'll appreciate that it's all planned.

A scratch-off date book hides 50 date ideas, from “dinner from one country” to “board-game night.” It costs $20–30. Scratch one a week and “what are we doing this weekend?” disappears for a whole year.

A star map of the sky over your city on the night of your first date is a gift guys rarely get and long remember. A 12×16 print in a black frame costs $40–70. Go minimalist with no hearts and he'll actually hang it.

A couple's hand-casting kit, alginate and plaster, turns your hands into a shelf sculpture in one evening. Kits cost $35–60. Better for a couple that's been together a while; work fast, since alginate sets in 2–3 minutes.

If he games in the evenings or used to, a console is a dream gift. A Nintendo Switch 2 costs about $500; a PlayStation 5 runs $600–650. If he already has one, a year of PlayStation Plus or Game Pass is cheaper. Add a second controller so you can play together.

For a guy into travel and gadgets, a drone captures shots you can't get from the ground. The DJI Mini 4K weighs under 249 g and costs about $300; the Fly More bundle with three batteries is about $380–450, and US availability varies. Check the local drone rules first.

For the subway, the gym or gaming: noise-canceling headphones. Sony WH-CH720N (or the newer WH-CH730N) cost from about $100 and run 35 hours; with an iPhone, AirPods 4 at $179 are easier. Find out what he uses now and what bugs him.

If his headphones sit between the keyboard and a mug, an aluminum or wooden stand tidies the desk and saves the ear pads. Stands cost $20–40; models with a USB hub charge a phone too. A neat add-on to headphones.

Phone, watch and earbuds mean three chargers every night. A 3-in-1 MagSafe or Qi2 wireless station from Anker or Belkin charges them all for $60–120. Check that his phone supports MagSafe or Qi2 or the magnet won't hold.

Works out, runs or just wants steps and messages on his wrist? A Garmin Forerunner 165 or Galaxy Watch costs $250–300; with an iPhone, an Apple Watch is simpler. Check compatibility with his phone first.

Phone dead by evening and he still has plans? A compact 10,000 mAh Anker or Xiaomi power bank with USB-C costs $20–30 and charges a phone twice. For a laptop, look for 20,000 mAh with 65 W Power Delivery.

After the gym, a run or soccer, a massage gun eases tight muscles in 5–10 minutes. The Hypervolt Go 2 costs about $130 and the Theragun Mini about $200. The mini sizes fit easily in a gym bag.

For a cyclist or soccer player, a pocket electric pump like the Xiaomi Mijia 1S inflates tires and balls in minutes and stops at the set pressure. About $40–60, and it fits a backpack. Make sure it has Presta adapters.

If his commute is short, an electric scooter saves time and ride-share money. The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Lite Gen 2 covers about 15 miles per charge for $350–450. Add a helmet; that's not optional.

A backpack for work with a laptop on weekdays and weekend trips. Models from Peak Design, Bellroy or Osprey with a 15–16 inch laptop sleeve cost $80–180. Look for water-resistant fabric and a back pocket for documents.

Guys often skip a hat in winter because they're “not cold.” A thin merino beanie or touchscreen gloves look sharp and keep him warm. A merino beanie costs $25–45. Stick to neutral colors: black, charcoal, olive.

A board game is a reason to gather friends or spend an evening for two without phones. Codenames Duet costs $25–30 for two; Catan or Ticket to Ride for a group $40–55. Pick something matching how many people usually come over.

A foosball table is the center of any party at a competitive guy's place. Compact 36–48 inch models cost $150–300; tabletop minis $40–80. Measure the room: players need about 20 inches on each side.

An RC car isn't a toy when it's a 1:16 four-wheel-drive truggy that tears through snow and mud. WLtoys or Traxxas models cost $80–200. Get a spare battery, since one lasts 15–20 minutes.

A book works when you know his interests: a biography of his favorite athlete or musician, nonfiction about space, the comic series he's been talking about. Usually $15–35. Write a few lines inside the cover to make it personal.

For a guy who reads on the go or before bed, an e-reader is lighter than any paperback and lasts weeks per charge. The Kindle Paperwhite (2024) costs about $160, often less on sale. Add a case.

A pillow printed with your shared meme or inside joke is a little thing that'll make him laugh every time he sits on the couch. A 16×16 inch custom pillow costs $20–35. Pick a joke only the two of you get.

A terry bathrobe embroidered with something like “King of the Couch” or his nickname is a joke he'll wear every morning. Embroidered cotton robes cost $45–70. Check the size against his hoodie.

A runaway alarm clock on wheels like Clocky is for the guy who snoozes five alarms in a row. It costs $40–50 and makes him get up to catch it. Funny for a week, and it genuinely works.

A Newton's cradle or a levitating top on the desk is something he'll fiddle with on every call. Metal versions cost $20–40. A good add-on to the main gift for a guy who works at a computer.

If he already wears a watch or bracelet, a sterling chain bracelet or leather with a steel clasp adds style without fuss. Sterling costs $60–150, leather $20–40. Size it to his wrist plus about half an inch.

A first grown-up watch is a gift he'll remember. A steel Casio Edifice costs $100–200; an automatic Seiko 5 Sports about $250–350. Notice his style: sporty or classic, metal or leather.

A heavyweight cotton hoodie is something he'll live in all winter. Quality ones from Champion Reverse Weave or Carhartt cost $60–100. Match the size to his favorite hoodie and stick to a basic color.

A wooden AirPods case engraved with his initials or a date is a small but personal add-on. It costs $20–35. Check his model first: AirPods 4, Pro 2 and Pro 3 cases differ.

An experience outlasts any object: go-karts, paintball, indoor skydiving or an escape room. Vouchers cost $80–200. Book for two and you've got another date on the calendar.

A themed box around his hobby: for a coffee lover, fresh-roasted beans, a mug and socks; for a craft-beer fan, two or three styles (if he drinks) and a glass. Ready-made boxes cost $40–80, but one you assemble feels more personal. Four or five items make it look full.

A travel mug keeps coffee hot on the way to work or class. A 12–16 oz Stanley or Zojirushi costs $25–40. Look for a lid that won't leak in a backpack and a size that fits a car cup holder.

A box of his favorite treats, from craft chocolate to jerky and nuts, is a simple, nice extra under the tree, $25–45. Fill it with what he actually eats, not a supermarket holiday set.

A box of passion fruit, mango, lychee and dragon fruit makes the table festive and gives you something new to try together, about $50–80. Time delivery for the exact date so it's ripe.

Socks with a print that makes him laugh, pizza, cats or his favorite game, are a small thing he'll actually wear. Sets cost $15–30. Best as an add-on to the main gift.