The Passive Aggressive Gift Guide: Gift Ideas for Dudes Who Need a Little Help Taking Care of Themselves

Regular readers of SPY will know that we love gift guides. We’ve got gifts for dads, brothers, grandparents, and even gifts for the impossible to shop for man in your life. But what about those guys in your life that need a little help in the grooming or self-care department? Maybe your little brother is growing his first beard, and no one told him he needs to be using a beard brush to keep his new facial hair from looking (and smelling!) gross. Maybe your beloved boyfriend has some nose or ear hair that’s driving you crazy. Maybe you have a perpetually-single guy friend that needs some help with his grooming or dating game. And maybe, just maybe, all non-grooming Christmas gifts for men simply won’t cut it this year due to the gross habits he’s accumulated.

How do you shop for those guys? We know it can be rather hard to shop when you have a message that you want to get across without sounding like a total Grinch. And while we don’t advocate shopping with ulterior motives — there’s no replacement for good old-fashioned communication — sometimes drastic measures are required. Well, do we have the perfect roundup for you.

This roundup focuses on passive-aggressively giving gifts that the men in our lives desperately need. With the best grooming gifts, hygiene, relationships and self-care in mind, these gifts for men will give you the inspiration you need to finally get those hard truths off of your chest.

Keep reading to find the best passive-aggressive gift ideas to support men’s hygiene and self-care practices. Because a little bit of tough love never killed anyone.

1. Flepow Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer

BEST NOSE HAIR TRIMMER

2. Dickies Men’s Dri-tech Moisture Control Crew Socks

BEST SOCKS

Dickies is known for its contributions to the workforce and pop culture as a whole, and their socks are no different. If his feet are sweaty or stinky, these moisture control crew socks will help to minimize both of these issues. With arch compression and support, and ventilated channels for enhanced airflow, these socks are comfortable and durable.

3. The Gentlemen’s Premium Beard Oil

BEST FOR SLOPPY BEARDS

If you have noticed that his beard is losing its “boyish” shine, then The Gentlemen’s Premium Beard Oil could help. This lightweight beard oil is fragrance-free, and it strives to soften and strengthen beard and mustache hair. Also, the Gentlemen’s Premium Beard Oil makes his beard more manageable and less frizzy while eliminating itch and dandruff. For men whose beard isn’t living up to its potential, a good beard oil is one of the best grooming gifts for taming that facial hair.

4. Viking Revolution Luxury Safety Razor Shaving Kit

BEST GROOMING KIT

The “beard-mania” trend happening right now is arguably one of the biggest trends in men’s hygiene. Whether it’s long and bushy or short and patchy, having a beard at any length and showing that you can grow one is a sign of good hygiene and your genes. But, on the other hand, when it becomes too much to manage or when he has more hair on his upper lip than a sea otter — the world’s hairiest animal — then it’s time for a shave. The Viking Revolution Luxury Safety Razor Shaving Kit contains a safety razor with 10 razor blades, safety razor stand, shaving brush, shaving bowl, shaving soap, preshave oil and aftershave balm. This grooming kit has everything your guy needs to look sharp and stay fresh, making it one of the best gifts for men in 2020.

5. L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins

BEST SLIPPERS

Reaching back to the Dickies socks above, one way for socks not to look like a rabid pack of moths had a feast is to wear slippers around the house. As we all know, socks aren’t the sturdiest piece of clothing. The L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins are made from premium sheepskin to keep those tootsies warm on chilly mornings. During the holiday season, these bad boys are so popular that L.L.Bean sells a pair every seven seconds, which is astronomical. We love them so much that we recently named them the Best Slippers of 2020 in this year’s SPY Man Awards. Trust us. These are one of the best gifts for men that money can buy.

6. Lumin Exfoliating Rub for Men

BEST SKINCARE GIFT

If he’s not using an exfoliator as a part of his skincare routine every now and then, then is his face and body truly clean? For the guy with fairly large blackheads and dull skin, this exfoliating rub is made from charcoal and seeks to remove dead skin cells and reduce the appearance of acne scars and dark spots. The SPY team loves Lumin anti-aging products, and the brand’s skin and hair products are some of our favorite gift ideas for men. The Glabridin-rich licorice root featured in the product also helps to alleviate inflamed skin and improve its color. Basically, it’s one of the best grooming gifts for guys who are starting to show the first signs of aging.

7. She Comes First: The Thinking Man’s Guide To Pleasuring a Woman

SHAPE UP OR EELSE

She’s not smiling because you’re there; she’s smiling because you’re finished. Teach him, or yourself, if you’re a straight guy reading this, the art of pleasing women. Real men know that sex isn’t all about them. This classic sex book by Ian Kerner teaches men how to satisfy women by understanding their body and sexual responses. A fun and informational read, this book will help him understand the inner workings of women’s sexual experiences. Yes, it might seem like a kind of mean-spirited gift for your beau, but how long are you willing to settle for mediocre sex?

8. Hanes Men’s 5-Pack Cool Dri Boxer Briefs

BEST REPLACEMENT UNDIES

Nothing kills the mood more than when he has tattered underwear. Women call them granny panties, but men don’t have a name for their ragged, worn out underwear. Sadly, these dudes don’t realize that their gross underwear makes them look like they don’t care about their hygiene or self-image, and that makes a bad impression on anyone they want to be intimate with. Designed with active guys in mind, the Hanes Men’s 5-Pack Cool Dri Boxer Briefs are flexible and comfortable. The stretchy-mesh fabrics lock in moisture, keeping you dry all day.

9. Dove Men+Care Deodorant Stick

BEST DEODORANT

He yawns to put his arm around you, and as soon as he lifts them up, you smell it. Body odor is a sign of him either not wearing enough or wearing the wrong deodorant. Dove Men+Care Deodorant is one of the best antiperspirant deodorants, and it leaves an extra fresh smell that’s sure to make you not scrunch up your face and start asking the mental question, “What is that smell?” Best part of all is that this comes in a 2-pack, so he’ll never have an excuse.

10. Lumin Intensive Repair Face Mask

BEST FACE MASK

Although the term “face mask” has taken on a whole new life in 2020, we still have love for the OG face masks we were using prior to 2020. You know, the revitalizing, face-repairing magic workers that sit on your face for 10ish minutes as you binge The Real Housewives of New Jersey for the third time. Guys are a little late to the game when it comes to face masks, but boy, do they need them. Support his face mask future and keep his skin hydrated with our favorite face mask pick of the year: Lumin’s Intensive Repair Face Mask. It will make him feel like he’s at the spa even when he’s just sitting on the couch, making it not only a passive-aggressive Christmas gift for men but one he’ll actually appreciate.

11. AquaSonic Black Series Ultra Whitening Toothbrush

BEST FOR BAD BREATH

Stained teeth can happen over time, and a touch of bad breath, too. But there are also ways to fix these issues if it’s becoming too much for you. The AquaSonic Black Series Ultra Whitening Toothbrush is a smart toothbrush that has 40,000 vibrations per minute. This toothbrush comes equipped with four different brushing modes and a smart vibrating timer that lets him know when to change his brushing position. Also included are eight Dupont brush heads that last four months each.

12. Bite Toothpaste

BEST TOOTHPASTE

While we’re on the topic of bad breath, note that a new toothbrush ain’t the only thing that’s going to conquer his atrocious oral hygiene issues. Potentially, it’s his toothpaste that’s the issue. To make brushing more exciting, gift him Bite’s vegan-friendly, solid toothpaste bites and make his breath smell a bit better. Considering these don’t come in a regular toothbrush tube, these are an excellent zero-waste product that won’t damage our world’s oceans or landfills. The bites naturally and effectively whiten teeth, keep breath smelling fresh and even fight sensitivity. Best part of all? Each vile comes with a four-month supply and when it runs out, a refill will be sent automatically. No wonder Bite made it in our top spot for the Best Toothpaste in our 2020 SPY Man Awards.

13. Harry’s Dry Scalp 2 in 1 Shampoo & Conditioner

BEST FOR DANDRUFF

Alright, for the most part, we hate any kind of 2-in-1 grooming product for dudes. Fewer steps don’t always mean you’re affectively cleaning yourself, and all dudes should know that at this point. Harry’s Dry Scalp 2 in 1 Shampoo & Conditioner is the sole exception in terms of a 2-in-1 we can actually get behind because of its impressive dandruff-killing qualities. Lots of dudes suffer from a dry scalp, but we can assure you that Harry’s will bring that issue to an end. So, fewer flakes on his shirt — and that’s something we all know he needs. Like a couple of other items in this list, we love this product so much, we named it the Best Dandruff Product in our 2020 SPY Man Awards. Have him try it out just once and you’ll both know why.

14. The Dating Playbook For Men

FOR THE ALWAYS-SINGLE GUY

Under the best of circumstances, the world of dating can be intimidating. Throw in a global pandemic and it gets even more complicated. Help out your single guy-friends with this book by Andrew Ferebee. This relationship book comes with useful information that interprets the role of dating in terms of numbers. Dating isn’t always easy, but if your friend needs a way to figure out why he’s still struggling to get a date, give him this.

15. Fruit of the Loom Men’s Stay Tucked Crew T-Shirt

BEST UNDERSHIRTS

Fruit of the Loom is known for its men’s underwear. Whether you wear them as is or under your favorite hoodie, these undershirts won’t ride up and will keep him covered. The stay tucked crew t-shirt has a classic fit and is machine washable. They’re also tag-free, which helps with the annoying itching that t-shirts with tags can cause.

16. RUGGED & DAPPER Daily Face Wash and Scrub Cleanser

BEST FACE WASH

This brand makes some of the best grooming gifts for guys. This 3-in-1 face wash, exfoliator and toner is perfect for the guy who doesn’t have a skincare routine, which, if that’s the case in 2020, wow. Anyway, this cleanser deep cleans, removes dirt, and eliminates breakouts. It also strips the skin of other impurities without drying it out.

17. Meridian Grooming Manscaping Kit

BELOW THE BELT GROOMING

Yes, men should tend to this area, too. It’s a crucial part of hygiene and self-care, yet one that most guys overlook. If your men’s business is sweaty, smelly or tangled in overgrown hair, then he’ll thank you for this great grooming kit from Meridian. Meridian’s manscaping trimmer is a work of art and offers a pinch-free experience. And while we were skeptical of the brand’s deodorant for your balls, we were impressed after trying it out. Even in the skinniest of jeans, Meridian helps guys stay fresh all day long.

18. Pavilia Men’s Plush Fleece Robe

BEST BATHROBE

Not just for lounging and eating your favorite cereal while watching Saturday morning cartoons, the best bathrobes for men add an element of comfort and leisure to whatever you’re doing. If your man is working too hard, give him the gift of relaxation and self-care with a new bathrobe. A robe is arguably one of the main articles of clothing that exude the essence of self-care. The Pavilia Men’s Plush Fleece Robe is soft and absorbent, perfect after he steps out of the shower on a lazy Sunday. It also comes in a plethora of colors for a rather stylish yet relaxed look.

65+ Gift Ideas for Men in 2020