48 Valentine’s Day Gifts He’ll Actually Use — and Will Get There on Time

Valentine’s Day is basically here, so if you have a guy who’s expecting a gift, there’s precious little time left to find one. I suggest going with something simple he can use every day, likenice socks, a wallet, fragrances, or skin care. And to help you shop quickly, I found 48 such items that should arrive before February 14 if you order today — some with free shipping, some with paid expedited shipping. (Most are on sale, which makes any extra shipping fees hurt a little less.)

As ever, shipping times vary greatly by location and when the order is placed, so I strongly recommend reviewing shipping times carefully. Here are some general guidelines: While Amazon makes it easy to see when your order will arrive, most of the other retailers listed below have special conditions for preholiday arrival, including added fees for two-day and next-day shipping, in-store pickup, or member status (like Nordstrom’s two-day expedited shipping for Nordy Club members only). Be aware that processing times may play a factor. And if all else fails, remember it’s the thought that counts and there’s nothing wrong with giving a slightly belated gift.

I’ve long been a champion of “boring” gifts, especially for guys who insist they don’t need anything (because they very likely do). A nice T-shirt is a great place to start (including one from the Chris Black starter pack, a best-in-class black tee, and a cropped style for your short king), but there are also our pick for best men’s jeans overall, some top-rated sweatpants, and a J.Crew jacket that’s a step up from basic.

For his dresser drawers, some new underwear and socks. This particular lineup include’s Ludacris’s go-to boxer briefs for an active lifestyle and the old-school pair Lukas Gage can’t live without. I also threw in a pair of merino-wool-blend briefs from Smartwool that are similar to a pair Strategist senior writer Michael Zhao recommended to me (his won’t arrive on time, but the Smartwool ones will). They’re anti-microbial, moisture wicking, temperature regulating … basically everything everyone needs in a pair. There are also socks for a range of tastes and activities.

He doesn’t have to be a true sneakerhead to appreciate a new pair of kicks. This lineup includes Raphael Saadiq’s and Ken Jeong’s favorite pairs, some Strategist picks for the best running and workout shoes, and a few styles that are more fashion than function. I also threw in some versatile indoor-outdoor mules in case his sneaker closet is already full.

When it comes to wallets, the men I know best seem to prefer a classic leather style with the absolute lowest possible profile. These aren’t hard to come by, but they do tend to be utterly boring. I’ve found three options that are a definite step up, including a slim zip-around style with a pop of color and a fancy Mulberry model. I’ve rounded out the selection with some nice getaway bags.

If he hasn’t upgraded to the very best smartwatch, now’s the perfect time to treat him: Our top picks for both iOS and Android users are on sale, as is our favorite fitness-tracking timepiece. There are also a few really lovely not-smart styles to try, plus a small selection of jewelry.

Buying fragrance for someone else is tough, which is why buying gift and sample sets (like the Issey Miyake and Jo Malone picks below) may be better than shelling out for a full-size bottle. If you do want to go the full-bottle route, Leon Bridges’s favorite Aesop fragrance is a great place to start. I’m also very big on the brand’s scent selections (my personal favorite is Hwyl). If he’s a more traditional cologne guy, try a bottle of Obsession (it’s Smokey Robinson’s signature scent, and it’s currently on sale). And if he’s not into sprayable smells at all, try Noto’s Rooted Oil or Aesop’s Reverence lotion, both of which are amazing gender-neutral scents my husband and I can’t live without.

This is a Kiehl’s-heavy lineup, but the brand does make some excellent man-specific and general-use products. And a lot are both currently on sale and will ship quickly, so it had to be done. There’s also a Malin+Goetz sinkside set, plus a nose-hair trimmer.

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The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

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