The Best New Gifts For DC Men

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.