Man Gift Tips: Beat the Boyfriend Gift Blues

Shopping for a birthday or holiday gift for your significant other can leave you with the gift day blues. There are only so many times that you can give him tickets to a game or a gift card before even he'll start rolling his eyes. This year you can surprise him with something completely unexpected that will make him work a little harder to find you the perfect gift.

Camelback Pack

Is he the type of guy who is always on the go and never seems to know when to slow down? If his idea of heaven is hiking through the woods, swishing down the slopes or camping in the wilderness, he could do with a Camelback pack. Originally designed for use in the military, these bags feature an insulated pack that keeps liquids at the perfect temperature. The Bootlegger, which is one of the newer designs, is even lightweight enough for wearing underneath a jacket or shirt.

Subscription Box

Subscription boxes came a long way in recent years. You can now order a box that lets him get a new gift from you every month or every few months. The Mantry Company, which bills itself as The Modern Man's Pantry, is one of the top picks. He'll receive a selection of meats, sauces and other cooking supplies every month. If he's a kid at heart, consider ordering a subscription box from Loot Crate, Nerd Block or Horror Block. Those boxes come with customized tees, books, toys and other goodies every month. Most companies let you order one box or pay for several months up to one year at a time.

Personalized Decanter Set

A personalized decanter set from Crystalizeonline gives him an excuse to invite his friends over for a guys’ night. Whiskey decanter sets come with one large decanter and four matching glasses with his initial engraved on the front, but you'll also find some more stylish designs. Choose a hand-blown glass set to let him release his inner Don Draper, or go for something a little more modern.

Brunton Hydrogen Reactor

The Brunton Hydrogen Reactor gives him complete control over his surroundings. This fancy generator uses hydrogen power to give him electricity while out in the wild or stuck at home during a storm. It produces enough power to completely charge a tablet, smartphone or other devices, and it works in all weather conditions. This is the year when you surprise your boyfriend with something other than an ordinary gift card. Treat him to his own reactor, a personalized decanter set, a subscription box or a Camelback he can use in the wild.