Men’s Gifts Under $50
1. Flip-top Growler
Why: Beer tastes better when it’s bottled down the street.
Where: $15 for a growler, $12 to $14 per fill at Right Proper Brewing Company in DC.
2. Beer-pairings Calendar
Why: A passion for brews looks a lot better in calendar form versus bottle-cap collection.
Where: $20 at etsy.com/shop/redcruiser.
3. Engraved Cedar Coasters
Why: Maybe, just maybe, he’ll stop destroying his coffee table—the water stains are painful to look at—if he has hip coasters.
Where: $39.50 at Curated in Alexandria.
4. Dry Bag
Why: It’s useful on weekend hikes, on rafting trips, and in Metro-to-office downpours.
Where: $35 at Filson in DC.
5. Walnut Planter
Why: Bring the outdoors into his cubicle with this Maryland-made planter in walnut.
Where: $48 at foxwoodco.com.
6. Dining-table Tennis
Why: His tiny Shaw studio can fit only one table. Help it function for work, meals, and play.
Where: $35 at Restoration Hardware.
7. Area-code Rocks Glasses
Why: He’s one of the few, the proud—the born and raised in this town (with a phone number to match).
Where: $12 each at Politics and Prose in DC.
Men’s Gifts Under $200
1. Studebaker Three-speed Stereo Turntable
Why: Because playing things on vinyl is cooler than playing them on Spotify.
Where: $100 at nordstrom.com.
2. School Sweater
Why: He’s an alum now—time to step up his game-day gear. Available in 69 school styles.
Where: $85 to $95 at hillflint.com.
3. “Nomad” French-Terry Sweatpants
Why: Because it is possible to brunch stylishly in sweatpants.
Where: $98 at bonobos.com.
4. Fox Card Wallet
Why: It’s slimmer than the brick he’s currently carrying—and a lot more colorful.
Where: $55 at smathersandbranson.com.
5. “Madison” Sunglasses
Why: Two showrooms for Warby Parker—and its buy-one, give-one program—offer stylish eyewear for DC’s philanthropic crowd.
Where: $95 at Warby Parker.
6. Bocce-ball Set
Why: Because he loves the game but hates matching league T-shirts (and sharing his beer stash).
Where: $150 at Crate & Barrel.
Men’s Gifts Over $200
1. Red Wing “Iron Ranger” Boots
Why: He’s never spent this much on shoes, but he’ll wear these forever.
Where: $320 at clubmonaco.com.
2. Daniel Wellington “Dapper Sheffield” Watch
Why: Because simple timepieces say the most. And you look like Nerdy McNerdster in that Apple Watch.
Where: $285 at A Mano in Georgetown.
3. “Metropolitan” Slim Briefcase
Why: So you no longer have to be that guy with the backpack on Metro.
Where: $495 at Coach.
4. “Undefeated” N-3B Parka
Why: The brand behind the military’s bomber and field jackets stepped up its fashion game without cutting quality.
Where: $375 at alphaindustries.com.
5. Breville Barista Espresso Machine
Why: Morning coffee has become an arms race. This is its nuclear missile.
Where: $600 at Sur la Table.
6. For Whom the Bell Tolls By Ernest Hemingway
Why: E-books may be king, but they don’t come in gorgeous first editions.
Where: $2,000 at the Great Republic in DC.
This article appears in our December 2015 issue of Washingtonian.
Hillary writes about interiors, real estate, arts, and culture. She is the former digital media editor of The New Republic, and her work has also been published in Glamour, The New York Times Book Review, and The Washington Post, among others. You can follow her on Instagram @hillarylouisekelly or on Pinterest @hlkelly.
Sarah is the Editor-in-Chief of Washingtonian Bride & Groom, and writes about weddings, fashion, and shopping. Her work has also appeared in Refinery29, Bethesda Magazine, and Washington City Paper, among others. She is a Georgetown University graduate, lives in Columbia Heights, and you can find her on Instagram at @washbridegroom and @sarahzlot.
Caroline Cunningham joined Washingtonian in 2014 after moving to the DC area from Cincinnati, where she interned and freelanced for Cincinnati Magazine and worked in content marketing. She currently resides in College Park.
