Six Holiday Gift Ideas for the Blackman in Your Life
As the holiday season is here, the question of “what you should get the man in your life” for a present is bound to come across your mind. Men are not as difficult to shop for as one might think. Usually, women fail to do the one thing that could make the process easier: ask him. But if you are the type who wants to do your gift-giving organically, I’ve got you covered. Whether he is the outdoorsman type, the business type, or the blue-collar worker, these gift ideas will make him smile.
Sneaker Life
The Jordan 4 Brick by Brick is a Nike brand shoe done in collaboration with designer Nigel Sylvester. It is considered one of the front-runners for Sneaker of the Year. Photo courtesy of Nike.
All Blackmen take their shoe game seriously. Whether he is the sneaker aficionado or the dress-down loafers type, you can never go wrong with getting a man a good pair of well-fitting, comfortable, and stylish shoes. For sneakers, my go-to person is Marissa Hill of ShadeTV. A former college volleyball player who is now a successful model and the #1 female sneaker personality on YouTube and Snapchat, Marissa knows more about sneakers and style than any person I know. She recommends these three sneakers to put a smile on your man’s face this holiday season.
Jordan 4 x Nigel Sylvester Brick by Brick has been considered one of the candidates for Sneaker of the Year. The design draws inspiration from NYC’s signature red brick buildings, symbolizing the foundation of Sylvester’s BMX career. The shoe features a striking red suede upper that captures attention with its bold, monochromatic aesthetic. A sail-colored midsole adds contrast, while darker red accents on the trim and outsole provide depth and texture, according to the good people at crepprotect.com. It retails for $225.
The K-Swiss x Anwar Carrots Konejo (or his entire K-Swiss Racquet Club collection) is another good choice. Remember when everyone just had the basic all-white K-Swiss? While still a good choice to pair with dark blue jeans, collaborator Anwar Carrots gives you more options for streetwear. His K-Swiss Racquet Club collection is a perfect example of the versatility offered for the modern man. Since he was appointed creative director of the brand’s new Racquet Club (KSRC) premium line, his designs have been a big hit with consumers. Carrot’s KSRC Drop 3 became available on November 28 via the K-Swiss website. The prices are quite consumer-friendly, with the GSTAAD at $130, the Before the Classic at $120, the Classic 66 at $120, and the aforementioned Konejo at $135.
Joe Freshgoods latest designs in collaboration with New Balance is turning heads in the fashion world. The shoes pictured here are part of the 2010 Abzorb collection, inspired by some of America’s largest cities. Photo from New Balance.
New Balance x Joe Fresh Goods 2010 Abzorb collection. A Chicago West Side native, he is now New Balance’s most active collaborator, according to many in the sneaker industry. One of the best griots through sneakers, his 2010 In My Bag collection speaks to every man. Inspired by regional looks in large American cities like Philly, Detroit, Chicago, and New York, this collection is very popular. You also can’t go wrong with choices from his 992 Made in USA collaboration with New Balance, as any of the shoes from this brilliant artist’s collection would be a welcome gift.
For advice on loafers, follow The Style O.G. on YouTube. He offers sound instructions on how to pair loafers with outfits and explains why men need various loafers in their shoe collection. For a classic style that is easy on the budget, look into Beckett Simonon. Made with premium leather, hand-crafted, and built to last for years, these loafers come in a variety of styles and colors. They also do well in the most important part of footwear: comfort. If you want a more luxury brand of loafers, check out Cobbler Union. It has that old-fashioned European style but with a modern look. They also use high-quality materials to craft these incredible shoes that will catch people's eye.
Make Him Feel and Smell Good
Grooming is important not just for health reasons like skincare, but it also tells people who you are before you open your mouth. I can’t tell you how many men blow their chances with women or a potential business deal just because their appearance alone is tacky. It is not just the vision sense that attracts women; having an inviting aroma and smooth skin to the touch activates their senses of desire. If you already got the girl of your dreams or are just looking to attract a temporary partner, check out these products from small Black-owned companies.
If your man wants to or needs to smell good, try getting him some cologne oils from Muslimah Homegirl Fragrances out of Wisconsin. Photo by Jcoydenreports.
Grooming starts in the shower. For me, African Raw Black Soap is one of the best products I’ve ever used to keep my caramel skin looking clean and feeling fresh. While this product is widely available, Hello to Natural offers a high-quality product at an affordable price. The Mississippi-based small business is founded by native Chicagoans Darrell and Mary Johnson. African black soap is traditionally made in West Africa, especially in Ghana, using ash from locally harvested plants and barks such as plantain, cocoa pods, palm leaves, and shea tree bark. Each batch follows time-honored recipes passed down through generations. As you lather and cleanse your skin with this gentle, natural soap, you will immediately feel the difference on your skin compared to commercial soaps that use chemical-laden cleansers. Because it is rich in shea butter, it nourishes skin without leaving it oily. It also helps to relieve the effects of eczema, contact dermatitis, allergies, and rashes; oatmeal-enhanced formulas maximize these benefits. You will also improve the texture of your skin, and it helps prevent razor burn and rashes. The brownish chunks in Raw Black Soap use only the base ingredients—potash, shea butter, and natural oils. For less than $12, it's a great investment.
New to the business scene is Regina Cobb, owner of Muslimah Homegirl Fragrances. What isn’t new is that fragrances are a turn-on for women. Cobb offers a variety of aphrodisiac smells that you can apply for a first date, business meeting, or everyday wear. She offers 20 different body oils for men in this new startup business that is available here. My personal favorites are Egyptian Musk and 1 Million Gold Oud. A fantastic value deal, you can get five scents for $20 plus $7.50 for shipping.
Pick Tics for Sporting Events and Concerts
So what your man’s favorite team hasn’t been to a championship game in 30 years. The man is committed. And this year is going to be “their year!” You might as well get him a two- or four-pack ticket set to see his team in person with his friends or you. Even if you are only there in the physical and are probably reading a book as the game goes on. It is the thought that counts. It is also a good way to get him from sitting in front of the TV all afternoon. You might even get a meal out of it, ladies, if his team, by miracle, wins the game and he is in a great mood.
The fact that NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB ticket prices are through the roof will show him how much you really care. If you want to really impress him, many franchises have packets that include things like free parking, access to exclusive stadium clubs, and other perks. Take the time to check his team’s website and give him a thrill he won’t soon forget.
Perhaps he moves to the rhythm of his preferred musical group. Just like women will travel all over the country to see New Edition in concert for the 367th time, your guy might want to check out Jay-Z, Bruno Mars, or Megan Thee Stallion live. Check and see which artists are coming to your town and pick up a pair of tickets for him well in advance. Live music stimulates the senses like no other sound. A night at a concert will allow him to relax and enjoy himself. If you are looking for a deal on tickets, be sure to try StubHub or TickPick.
Reading is Fundamental
If there is one myth that we need to shatter, it is the one that Blackmen don’t read. We do read, as long as the material is something we are interested in. It doesn’t matter if it is fiction or non-fiction; a good book on a cold winter’s night is a great way to relax, be entertained, or obtain knowledge. One of the best books to come out this year was written by Jason Wilson. “The Man the Moment Demands” speaks to every Blackman on the planet as we navigate this thing called life. Wilson offers advice, from a spiritual and healthy place, on how to deal with an impending divorce, raising your children, finances, and a variety of other topics in this 240-page book that is more like a modern-day reference guide than a book.
Looking for a good novel? Check out “Boomtown” by Nic Stone. It is an adult thriller about two missing erotic dancers from a notorious gentlemen's club in Atlanta and the woman who is committed to finding them. The book will definitely take you through the peaks and valleys of the underworld in Atlanta, where the line between friend and foe is blurred at best.
The Power of Power Tools
Yes, we know, we know, he said he was going to fix that drawer that keeps falling out, the leak under the sink, and finally hang that portrait of the Obamas on the living room wall. “I’ll get right to it” is the standard answer for saying in three months. However, what if you could make that job easier? Perhaps it might cut down the time the task at hand takes to get done. All men like things that make loud noises, move fast, and allow them to use as little physical energy as humanly possible.
The DeWalt power drill set is what he needs to finally build that vanity of yours, which has been sitting in the box that you both keep tripping over in the bedroom. Great for drilling holes through drywall, plaster, and other surfaces, this drill makes life easier when you are trying to hang an 85-inch television in the mancave or attach a snake to clear out a stubborn drain clog. If you would rather not get the complete set for the drill, try just a power screwdriver. The Craftsman 4V Max is sold at Ace Hardware and makes screwing (no pun intended) easier and faster. It comes with various bits that can be stored right on the device, which saves time and energy.
Liquid Spirits
Taster’s Club offers monthly subscriptions for our man’s favorite spirit. Photo courtesy of Taster’s Club.
He had a long day at work, and the children have worked his final nerve. The man just wants to sit down and have a nice drink in the comfort of his favorite chair in front of the television. Make it easy and fun for him. There is nothing like a craft beer that he can have and show off to the fellas when they visit. A one-year subscription to a Beer of the Month club might be the gift that he can look forward to every month from you. If you want to add something more to it, get him a personalized bottle opener that features his favorite sports team.
Are you looking to elevate the experience? Give a premium liquor subscription this holiday season—the perfect adventure for every level. Discover luxurious hidden gems and exclusive batches through Taster’s Club. They offer monthly subscriptions for scotch, vodka, tequila, rum and other spirits. He will have a different bottle delivered right to his home every month. For something extra, add some specialty glasses to the mix, exclusive for the drink of his choice. As always, make sure any drinking is done responsibly. Happy Holidays!