Another year, another Valentine’s Day. While you mightn’t think the man in your life is the Valentine’s Day gift giving kind, there’s a good chance that he’s currently ruminating on what to get you to suitably commemorate the hallmark holiday. As a general rule, unless you and your partner have discussed and explicitly agreed—and pinky sworn!—not to celebrate Valentine’s Day, he’s probably expecting some sort of gift or token come the 14th of February.
When it comes to buying the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for him, common counsel often dictates looking at his hobbies. While that’s a far cry more thoughtful than just lobbing some socks at your significant other’s head and calling it a day, it’s also the cause of many a man having to smile and pretend you’ve gotten it right. If he’s heavily entrenched in some sort of niche (or even non-niche) hobby, don’t bother trying to get him something from within that realm; you’ll almost certainly get it wrong. For example, if he’s into the surprisingly deep world of espresso and expressed interest in a coffee grinder, that nifty little grinder (that also blends spices! How cute!) is not what he’s after. He’s probably after a Niche Zero (yes, that’s a product name). But you don’t know for sure. Neither do we. That’s the point. And if he’s into building PCs from scratch, well, forget about it.
With that in mind, the best gifts for him are those that show him that you generally know him as a person, but wouldn’t begin to attempt to comprehend the vast depths of his big beautiful mind. Or something like that. Ideally, they’re a little—or a lot!—luxurious and work to inject a sense of fun or whimsy into his life (or at least his day).
Without further ado, these are the Valentine’s Day gifts he won’t have to fake a smile over.
1. Morjas The Hybrid Hiker
Multifaceted. Just like him.
Price: $350USD
2. Chanel Le Lift La Crème Main
The bois are sick of pretending to like that tradie hand cream in the name of masculinity. They want cute handbag-friendly sculptural hand creams too.
Price: $285AUD
3. Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner
James Bond has nothing on Sadie Smith.
Price: $21.90AUD
4. Dinosaur Designs Pearl Milk Jug
Remember that espresso guy we mentioned earlier? You can safely gift him this sculptural milk jug.
Price: $135AUD
5. Ferragamo Credit Card Holder
Prevent a George Costanza-esque wallet explosion (not to mention musculoskeletal pain) with this sleek card holder. Plus, Ferragamo’s buttery soft leather remains unmatched.
Price: $475AUD
6. Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
American whiskey from the man who taught Jack Daniels everything he knows.
Price: from $129.99AUD
7. Mismo Mega Tote
A necessary upgrade from his canvas gift-with-purchase monstrosity (and a subtle inveiglement for him to take you for a weekend away).
Price: €665
8. Miansai Valor Quartz Signet Pinky Ring
Kickstart—or add to—his jewellery collection.
Price: $285AUD
9. Maison Crivelli Oud Stallion
Brazen and a little off-putting yet intoxicating and addictive. A lesson in contrasts.
Price: $387AUD
10. Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle
Every guy needs a good kettle. This sculptural one by Stagg looks good on a benchtop and ensures a precise pour thanks to its striking gooseneck spout. It comes in other shades, but men deserve to experience the daily dopamine hit induced by the colour pink too.
Price: $299AUD
11. Ami Paris Wool Ami De Coeur Scarf
Get ahead of the game and arm him for the incoming cold snap well in advance.
Price: $240AUD
12. Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso
Engrave something cute on the back. It’s the horological equivalent of gifting him a tattoo — he’ll appreciate the thoughtful gesture now, and if you break up, he’ll be forced to think of you every time he checks the time. Win win.
Price: $14,300AUD
13. AnZa Concrete Espresso Machine
Caffeine for brutalists.
Price: $1450AUD
14. Eight Fifty Espresso Beetal Bean
And, some coffee to make in it.
Price: $45AUD
15. Derek Rose Silk Classic Fit Boxers
He’ll never go back to Bonds.
Price: $295AUD
16. Alex Mill Garment Dyed Work Jacket
So he can emulate Bill Cunningham.
Price: $500AUD
17. L’Objet Pentagon Spice Jewels (Malachite + 24k Gold S&P Shakers)
The man who has it all just told us he wants these.
Price: approx. $601AUD
18. Loro Piana Weekly Bobby Socks
The ‘no gifting socks’ rule doesn’t apply to Loro Piana’s cashmere socks.
Price: €1500
19. L’objet x Haas Brothers Huggers Box
Look babe, it’s us🥺.
Price: $795USD
20. Rolex: The Impossible Collection (2nd Edition)
Because a Daytona would be pushing it.
Price: $2450AUD
Words by AR Staff
Feature image courtesy of Peter Lindbergh
