The Ultimate Men's Holiday Shopping Gift Guide 2022 - Gentlemen's Edition

One of the hardest things to do during the holidays is finding gifts for that special man in your life. He works hard, is a good provider and the protector of you and your family. You feel he deserves the best and you want to get him something unique that he'll truly love; not something he'll have to pretend to like. 

So, the team and I spent the last few months scouring the internet, reading blogs and speaking with real men in real life (not on social media) to discover what's important to them. Whether your man is into hunting, fishing, shooting, sports, fitness, tactical gear or all of the above...there's something on our list for him.

NOTE: The links to third party companies provided in the article below are not affiliate links of any kind. We receive no compensation from the third party companies if you use any of these links. I wanted to keep this as authentic as possible. And yes, I actually own and use everything on the list below. Enjoy!

1. Button Down

There's nothing more refined than a man in a crisp, white button-down shirt...that actually fits him. It can completely change the look of any outfit. The classic, white button-down must be a staple of any gentlemen's closet. And one of the best in the world is made by Buttercloth. The fit, feel and finish of these shirts it truly second to none. The second a man puts one of these shirts on, he quickly realizes what all the hype is about. Although they have many prints and patterns to choose from, we highly recommend the classic white. Click here to learn more and shop. https://buttercloth.com/collections/shirt-all/products/cloud-drive-in-icy-cotton

2. Jeans

Every man needs a great pair of jeans. The right jeans can work in almost any situation. Whether it's taking the kids to soccer, grabbing a drink with friends or dinner at that new restaurant in town, the right pair of jeans can take care of you in all of the above. However, being ready and prepared for anything in any of these situations is paramount. The 221B Asset Jeans are the only jeans on the market today that give you all the features you need to keep you ready for anything. And most importantly, they provide unmatched comfort at a price that cannot be beat. Click here to read what real men in the real world have to say about these 5 star rated jeans. https://www.221btactical.com/collections/jeans/products/best-tactical-jeans

3. Watch

A true gentleman can always tell you what time it is. And in today's day and age of cold smart watches, there's something to be said for man with a classic, traditional watch. Gone are the days were a "Rolex" makes you look like you're somebody. Truth it, this generation wouldn't notice a Rolex if you put one in front of their face. I found that most woman questioned preferred a traditional watch with character that made a statement over smart watches or luxury bling. So if you're looking for a watch which exudes character and confidence (without breaking the bank) Luminox has you covered. These watches has withstood the test of time and come in a variety of sharp styles. Perfect for work, play and anything in between. Click here to check them out. https://luminox.com/

4. Wallet

Something women always notice is the kind of wallet a man has when he goes to pay for something. And let's face it, we've all see the guy on line at the coffee shop or grocery store with the velcro wallet, stuffed to the max and falling apart at the seems. Don't be that guy (and don't let your man be that guy). A sleek and stylish wallet is a staple for every man. Make it one that also has purpose and function and you have yourself a true must-have. The Extremus Tactical Wallet checks all the boxes and then some. A slim, minimalist design, RFID blocking technology, aluminum, carbon fiber and the ability to hold up to 15 cards and cash. Once you use it for a week, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. Click here to check it out. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R6YMD6S/?tag=thesoldprojects-20#aw-udpv3-customer-reviews_feature_div

5. Sunglasses

Sunglasses aren't just to look cool like Tom Cruise in Top Gun Maverick. They actually serve an important role in protecting your eyes from the sun's harmful rays. So if you're going to have to wear sunglasses, you might as well look good doing it. Not to mention the fact that a sharp pair of sunglasses might be the first thing people notice when they first see you. There are tons of different styles and options to choose from. But in the end, you can never go wrong with the classics. And if you're looking for a stylish pair of men's sunglasses that are built to last, look no further that JC Steele Eyewear. They offer all the classic styles that are sure to turn heads. But more importantly, they built to last. These are quite possibly the most well-built sunglasses I have ever owned. Check them out for yourself here. https://jcsteeleeyewear.com/?fbclid=PAAaZpyF2NJ0pQZvEG1Z7vGYb_zYed4ykEpGsA7uAXNDCxHDHbrQLxyC_oUgw

6. Everyday Bag

Most men are always on the move. Between work, fitness, family, friends and life in general, sometimes if feels like you literally never stop except to sleep. As my businesses grew and life got busier, I quickly realized why busy moms and many women in general carry purses. I keep finding myself looking for certain things or leaving things behind because I simply couldn't carry in my pockets. And I hate having things in my pockets. Often times I'd leave things in my car that I needed in my office and would have to stop what I was doing to go get it. In the end, I realized that I needed a way to carry all my essentials for daily life with me when I left the house in the morning. But I didn't want to just throw it all in a black hole of a bag and have to dig for things when I needed them. I wanted something that would keep all my gear neat and organized. And in the end, finding such a bag greatly improved my performance and efficiency.

Of course, for me, a purse wouldn't cut it. I wanted a solid looking bag that would work for a multitude of situations; work, gym, day trips, games, the range, travel, etc. If you're looking for such a bag, look no further than the Hondo Bag by 221B. It offers a ton of storage, loads of pockets for incredible organization, converts from a briefcase to a shoulder bag to a backpack and even has the ability to carry bulletproof panels for ballistic protection. It just might be the ultimate everyday-bag for men on the planet. Click here to check it out. https://www.221btactical.com/collections/patrol-bags/products/hondo-bag-20

7. Vehicle First Aid Medical Kit

One of the best gifts you can give is the gift of preparedness. This one is kind of a no-brainer. However, sadly, most men do not have any kind of first aid or medical gear with them in their vehicle. A med-kit could easily come in handy for any minor nicks or cuts you or someone in your family may sustain. But where they really have a benefit is when someone suffers some sort of traumatic injury. Having the proper gear to stop bleeding, like a tourniquet, could literally help save someone's life. So yeah, having a little kit to take care of that hangnail is nice. But having the first aid gear at hand in your vehicle that could save a life; that's a real man. Here's my absolute favorite for my truck. It attaches right to the sun visor, looks great and allows me to carry everything I need. And as with all the gear I carry, it's built to last. Click here to check it out. https://fieldcraftsurvival.com/mobility-04-01-modular-visor-panel-drivers-side-configuration

8. Work Gloves

If your man is anything like me, they are alway working with their hands. Whether it's around the house on a project, in the yard or working on one of the cars, you alway want to protect your hands. Your hands are your livelihood. Without them, it would be very hard to earn a living and take care of your family. A solid pair of work gloves that are made to actually protect your hands (not just look cool) are priceless. When it comes to gloves, you want them to be able to protect your hands from cuts, scrapes, impacts and fluids. But you also want a pair of gloves that you can actually still work in. Oh, and it's nice to still be able to use your phone while they're on. When it comes to gloves, nobody even comes close to 221B Tactical. And when you're talking about work gloves, the conversation starts and ends with their Diesel Gloves 2.0 Elite. The second you put them on, you quickly realize that you've never truly worn a real pair of gloves specifically made to protect your hands while still allowing you to work. Check them out here and read the reviews. https://www.221btactical.com/products/diesel-work-gloves-2-0-elite-cut-and-fluid-resistant

9. Sauce

Speaking of grilling meat, what's your man's favorite thing to grill? We all know men love to grill. But just throwing meat on the grill doesn't cut it a lot of the time. If you're truly looking to take your culinary grilling magic to the next level, you need to start before the meat even hits the grates (or griddle if you're like me). A great marinade followed by consistent basting can completely transform an incredible cut of meat. But be careful. Once you start marinating and basting your meats, you'll never go back. I haven't. 

The sauces I use 99% of the time are literally some of the best I've ever tried in my life. They provide a deep, consistent flavor that simply can't be matched. If you're man is serious about his meat, look no further than sauces by The Flip Flop Guy. Check them out here. You will not regret it. https://www.theflipflopguy.co/shop/

10. Knife

Every man needs a trusted, solid pocket knife. I've carried a pocket knife on me since I was a kid in Boy Scouts and I can't tell you how many times it has come in handy. A few times, I truly can't imagine what I would have done had I not had my knife on me. If I don't have it clipped inside my pocket I will at least have it in my truck/car or in my everyday bag (see #6). Of course there's the element of protection carrying a knife offers, but I typically carry something else for those purposes. 

With a knife, I look for something well built, a strong blade that won't rust, feels good in my hand, is light and offers a extra features for emergency situations. Things like a window-punch or a seatbelt cutter are such things. And of course, a solid pocket clip so you don't end up losing your knife.

There are a zillion knives out there so I like to keep it simple and cover the bases mentioned above. And if that's what you too are looking for, look no further than The Vantage Tool by 221B Tactical. I have one of these in every one of my vehicles, in my EDC bag and pretty much every room in my house. And once you get one, you will too. It's that good. Click here to check it out and learn more. https://www.221btactical.com/collections/all-accessories/products/vantage-edc-tactical-tool