Men in their 40s, 50s and beyond aren't always easy to shop for, especially when you're racking your brain for a Valentine's Day gift. The good news: No matter if you want to spend a little or a lot, you've got more options than you might think. Whether his thing is tech or food, travel or tinkering, this is the year you can move beyond gag gifts and hacky sentimental nothings to something he'll truly appreciate.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
Price: $25 from Amazon
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In the world of insulated mugs, there's Yeti and there's everything else. This baby is double-wall vacuum-sealed for keeping scalding hot or freezing cold drinks at their proper temperature for what seems like an eternity. A sweat-proof exterior ensures sweaty hands won't turn into frostbitten fingers if he's sipping out in the wilderness, too.
Price: $24 from Amazon
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If he's been thinking of cutting the cord but doesn't quite know how to divorce the cable company, nudge your Valentine in the right direction with a Roku Express. It offers smooth streaming with a simple and intuitive remote and an interface that turns your TV into a subscription-free portal to Netflix, Hulu and more.
Related: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and 18 Other Streaming Sites Compared: Which Is Best for You?
Price: $40 from Amazon
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Your man can travel with a regular old toiletries bag, but why not help him step up his game with a refined and masculine dopp kit? Each kit is fitted with heavy-duty zippers and a waterproof lining. Two silicone bottles are included.
Price: $10 from Amazon
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By the time he reaches his 40s, he may need a refresher on why he fell in love with you in the first place. "All About Us" is just that. Packed with questions about everything from dreams and plans to sex and daily life, it can remind him of those little things that make your relationship yours and yours alone.
Price: $108 from Amazon
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This upgrade on the regular Instax Mini will charm him with a vintage design and advanced features like macro mode, double exposures and high-performance flash. But it's still perfect for snapping instant photos of his sweetie.
Price: $93 from Amazon
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An understated leather backpack holds plenty of timeless appeal. This one includes a laptop compartment, thickly padded straps, and a quick-access pocket in the front. It's also backed by a five-year warranty.
Price: $39 from Walmart
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This adorable fridge is the perfect place for him to stow a few drinks or snacks in a bedroom, garage, office or any other place where he wants his own stash. It plugs into a standard home outlet and comes in four colors, including cheerful red and aqua.
Price: $60 from Amazon
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A multitool is handy to have for any quick-fix situation your favorite handyman will face, and it will take up next to no space in his glove compartment or center console. This one has 14 tools, including a knife, pliers, a screwdriver, and a wirecutter.
Price: $169 from Walmart
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AirPods aren't the cheapest wireless headphones out there, but devotees say the sound quality is great, the comfort is top-notch, and the charging case is ultra-convenient. They also seamlessly integrate with iPhones and have built-in Siri.
Price: $79 from L.L.Bean
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These best-selling slippers will last him through many years of cold weather. Made of premium sheepskin with soft shearling lining and a memory foam footbed, they're the ultimate in comfort, but a rugged outsole means they're fine for quick trips outside, too.
Price: $37 from Amazon
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If your man is in his 40s or older, there's a good chance that "Star Wars" was a big part of his youth. Gifts related to the greatest sci-fi franchise in history aren't hard to come by, but few can measure up against a waffle maker than burns Darth Vader's visage onto his breakfast.
Price: $70 from Brooks Brothers
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This classic wardrobe staple is constructed from American-grown Supima cotton in Brooks Brothers' North Carolina workrooms. Available in solids, stripes, and checks, it comes in four fits and can be monogrammed for the lucky recipient for a more thoughtful touch.
Price: $58 from Amazon
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If sweet nothings aren't his cup of tea, perhaps his stomach is the key to his heart — particularly if he's a committed carnivore. With varieties like elk, buffalo and venison, this bouquet will deliver everything some flowers or chocolates never could.
Price: $25 from Amazon
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Bring the drive-through to him this Valentine's Day with a morning sandwich maker. The dishwasher-safe set takes your own fresh ingredients — like eggs, English muffins, ham, bagels, sausage, or whatever else he craves — and turns them into a portable breakfast of champions.
Price: $414 from Amazon
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Keep tabs on his heart with the latest version of the Apple Watch, which has an ECG app, adds a larger screen with an always-on display, a compass, and plenty more. But if they don't have to have the latest model, the Series 3 remains an excellent option for half the price.
Price: $90 from Target
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An electric razor might be more efficient, but doing things the old-fashioned way is definitely more romantic. Treat your favorite holdout with this complete shave system, a favorite among reviewers for keeping razor bumps at bay.
Price: $38 from Amazon
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You may be his first love, but golf is a close second. https://blog.cheapism.com/golf-bag-essentials/ This 3-by-9-foot three-hole green has a non-skid backing that makes it perfect for rolling out in the living room, the hallway or anywhere else for impromptu putting practice.
Price: $48 from Amazon
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Spice things up on your own time this Valentine's Day in terms of romance, but spice things up in the kitchen with a kit that allows him to craft seven bottles of his very own hot sauces. Easy-to-follow recipes are included.
Price: $70 from Amazon
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This 27-ounce French press could be the bridge between hobby and obsession for the coffee connoisseur you're shopping for this Valentine's Day. True coffee lovers know that no system creates a more authentic brew than a French press, and this imported stoneware model can even handle loose tea.
Price: $100 from Target
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A perfect turntable for that romantic, old-school soul who's getting into vinyl, this turntable is as functional as it is sleek. Features include a 45 adapter, pre-amp and adjustable skate control. It even connects via Bluetooth to wireless speakers.
Price: $60 from Amazon
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Fancy men need fancy things, and this posh collection of neckties is fancy if nothing else. Made from 100% luxury Italian microfiber, the fabric looks, feels and behaves like silk, but it's far more practical in terms of resistance to staining and wrinkling.
Price: $79 from Amazon
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This rugged shirt with a flannel lining, brass snaps and triple stitching is perfect for warding off the chilly weather. It includes chest and side pockets. Choose from three colors and 13 sizes, including talls, all the way up to 5XL.
Price: $56 from Amazon
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Gift a traveler a little extra convenience with this Wrangler carry-on. An integrated cup holder also functions as a phone holder, and there's a USB port for quick charging, too. The expandable interior is fully lined.
Price: $40 from Target
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Wine tends to get all the love on Valentine's Day, but what could be more romantic than brewing beer with your favorite drinking buddy? This kit has everything you need to make four gallons of small-batch brew. Barley is included, as are carbonation drops, cleanser, booster, and hopped malt extract.
Price: $98 from Walmart
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Indulge his love of grilling with this cast iron, charcoal-fueled outdoor accessory that may just prompt the thankful recipient to make you your beloved s'mores on Valentine's night.
Price: $99 from Amazon
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Big sound can come in a very small package: The Bose SoundLink Micro Speaker is under 4 inches square. Users can loop the attached strap onto their bag and pair the speaker with a phone, tablet, or other Bluetooth-enabled device for music wherever they go. It's waterproof and works with Siri and Google Assistant.
Price: $66 from Amazon
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If he's due for a bit of a bar upgrade, this classy decanter set will fit the bill. It's made from hand-blown glass and includes four etched whiskey glasses in a mahogany frame. A gold stopper tops off the set.
Price: $100 from Amazon
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Your favorite coffee lover will never again suffer the indignity of sipping a cold cup of joe. The Ember will bring it to the perfect temperature and keep it there, even sending a message to their smartphone when it's ready.
Price: $13 from Amazon
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Get reacquainted with your favorite partner in crime with "The Big Activity Book For Couples." Games and quizzes based on your relationship will let you walk down memory lane and might bring you closer than you've ever been. If you're feeling frisky, dole out prizes for correctly answered quizzes.
Price: $35 from Amazon
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This cardigan from Amazon's Goodthreads brand is a little bit retro and a lot stylish, with a shawl collar, front pockets and ribbing at the waist and wrists. Made of 100% cotton, it comes in more than a dozen solid colors, and pleased owners say it's plenty thick as a polished layer on cooler days.
Price: $40 from Amazon
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Sweet treats like Bottle Caps and Laffy Taffy are more than just nostalgic novelties — they're a direct connection to his childhood. Wow your middle-aged man with a retro gift crate like no other, and if he's not a child of the '70s, fear not: There are boxes for every decade from the '60s to the '90s.
Price: $120 from Amazon
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If he's like most men, he's acquired quite a few gadgets that need nightly charging. Help him stay tidy and organized with this wireless charging dock, made for his iPhone and Apple Watch. An additional USB port in the back can charge up another device like a tablet or external battery.
Price: $60 from Amazon
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Help your man find his inner Lebowski with a bathrobe fit for a king. Long, hooded, warm and microfleece-cozy, it comes with oversized pockets for all-day lounging.
Price: $100 from Amazon
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Amateur mixologists can perfect their craft with the Perfect Drink Pro, an app-connected smart scale and cocktail shaker that take all the guesswork out of making their favorite drinks. There are more than 400 recipes, and there's no need to measure — just start pouring until you hear the ding.
Price: Starting at $38 from Lands' End
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Give him a stylish way to layer up and stay warm with this durable knit pullover, versatile enough for both dressier and casual occasions. It's made of 100% combed cotton and comes in two fits: relaxed and slim.
Price: $164 from Macy's
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Why should women get all the jewelry on Valentine's Day? This stylish, versatile leather bracelet features black diamonds and rhodium plating with stainless steel and resin details.
Price: $199 from Walmart
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Capture the heart of your favorite gamer by gifting them a little childhood nostalgia. Add this console to the game room or basement for hours of coin-free fun. It plugs right into any standard wall outlet and stands just under 4 feet high.
Price: $26 from Amazon
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If he's a globe-trotter, he'll love recording his travels on this colorful scratch-off map, available in two sizes. All he'll need is a coin and some space on the wall to show off his favorite trips — especially the ones to secluded romantic getaways.
Price: $59 from Amazon
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A little funky and a lot nerdy in the very best sense, this retro stainless-steel Casio comes complete with a built-in calculator. Other features include a light-up display and the ability to store five alarms.
Price: $50 from Eddie Bauer
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Help him through that awkward transition from winter to spring with this popular, packable vest. It has a wind- and water-resistant nylon shell and a high neck for added warmth.
Price: $40 from Macy's
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Fuse his love of the links with another kind of links with this whimsical gift. These 1-inch golf-bag cufflinks are made from rhodium-plated brass and perfect for the avid player, whether he's a pro or a happy duffer.
Price: $60 from Brooks Brothers
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By the time he reaches his 40s, a man should know that accessories make the outfit. This gift set comes packed with 24 high-class embossed collar stays, two handmade lapel flowers, and two French cuff knots. Each set is made with hand-selected items.
Price: $28 from Amazon
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Keep his coffee piping hot — and we mean piping — with this 20-ounce Zojirushi travel mug. Devotees say temperature retention is the main reason they'll never go back to cheaper travel mugs. It also has a convenient flip-top lid with a safety lock that keeps it from spilling after it's tossed in a bag.
Price: $35 from Amazon
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Whether it's an outdoor patio, a home office, or a rec room, a classic ring toss board is a simple, addictive way to pass the time. The board is crafted from long-lasting rubberwood and comes with a dozen rings.
Price: $190 from Amazon
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This luxurious weekender made with genuine cowhide leather could easily become his new go-to bag for short trips. It includes a durable cotton lining, premium zippers, bronze hardware, and double stitching on the handles and shoulder straps meant to stand up to years of abuse.
Price: $31 from Amazon
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Add some mystery to your romance — particularly if your man is a Dan Brown fan — with an encryption machine that delivers love notes, but only to those in the know. Not only is it a great hiding place for secret messages to your Valentine, but it's fun to display as a decoration when it's not being deciphered.
Price: $50 from Amazon
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Whether he complains of an aching neck, back or legs, this compact massager is up to the task of relief. It has four kneading nodes, a heating function, an automatic shutoff, and more.
Price: $159 from Amazon
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If he thinks all wool blankets are itchy, he hasn't tried a Pendleton. And that's just the tip of the iceberg: They're also great at keeping you the perfect temperature, whether that's in a tent or in a drafty bedroom, and are durable enough for a lifetime of use. Bonus: They're made in the U.S.
Price: $23 from Amazon
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Socks as a gift? They won't sneer if they're these Vermont-made wool-blend socks, ready for anything you throw at them. All Darn Tough socks are also guaranteed for life.
Price: $35 from Walmart
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If he's an avid weather watcher, he can stay informed with this wireless weather station, which lets users monitor conditions both inside and out. The bright LCD display makes essential info including temperature, humidity, and precipitation easy to read, too.
