Gifts for Him That Aren't Another Tie

Every year it's the same conversation. "What does he want?" "I don't know, he says he doesn't need anything." And somehow, we end up back in the tie aisle.

Here's what I've learned shopping for the men in my life: they don't want more stuff. They want a better version of something they already use every day. That's where every gift on this list comes from.

A leather valet tray is the gift he didn't know he needed. It sits on the dresser and catches his keys, wallet and watch at the end of the day, so the morning hunt is over. It looks handsome, too, which is a nice bonus for whoever shares that dresser.

For the man who cooks, even a little, a cast iron skillet will outlive us all. It gets better every year, and it makes a Saturday morning breakfast feel like an event. If he's more of a grill guy, a good grill tool set in a carrying case beats the mismatched tongs he's using now.

A quarter-zip pullover is the gift that gets worn the most. It's polished enough for dinner out and comfortable enough for the couch. Add a leather dopp kit for the man who travels for work, and his bathroom bag will finally look like it belongs to a grown-up.

And for the one with the coffee habit, an insulated travel mug that keeps coffee hot through his whole commute gets used every single day.

None of these will end up in a drawer. That's the whole point.