It’s no secret that men can be tough nuts to crack when it comes to buying presents. If you don’t know what to ask for this Christmas, or if there’s a man in your life that you want to surprise with a thoughtful gift that they didn’t even know they wanted, read on for some inspiration.

1. A Safety Razor From Merkur

Few men actually enjoy shaving, but having the right equipment might make the process a little bit more tolerable. If you want to shave in comfort and style, consider picking up a safety razor from a well-known brand like Merkur. Safety razors are elegant tools that can introduce just the right amount of thrill to anybody’s bathroom routine. In deft hands, though, safety razors offer a closer and more comfortable shave than most of the alternatives, including those hideously expensive electric shavers.

2. A Custom Tailored Suit

If you’re about to wear out your third pair of sweatpants this year, it might be time to upgrade your wardrobe. Note: if you’re shopping for a man, a tailored suit isn’t something you can surprise him with, since he’ll need to be measured for it, but it’s a decidedly manly gift that’s sure to impress him. Even if he doesn’t have a great many social occasions to wear it, the knowledge that he has the option to dress up might actually make him more likely to look for an excuse to do so.

3. Handkerchiefs

Every day carry (EDC) items are those items that no man can do without whenever he leaves the house. His wallet is the most obvious one, but what about a pen? How about a notebook for when inspiration strikes? An unsung hero in the EDC world is the handkerchief. Experience might tell you that most men won’t go out of their way to buy a handkerchief for themselves, but getting a pack of crisp, white hankies as a gift might be a most welcome surprise this holiday season.

4. A Pocketknife

Another great EDC item to consider is a pocketknife. You’ll be amazed at how many situations there are where having a small blade close at hand could come in handy. For a little added functionality, consider a Leatherman or a Swiss Army Knife.

5. A Bottle of Whiskey

Few men are going to admit to enjoying the occasional Cosmo or Appletini, so if you want to make him feel like he’s earned the Man Card in his wallet, pick him up a bottle of whiskey. If you want something a little more distinctive than Wild Turkey, some great choices to consider include Templeton Rye, a famous prohibition-era rye whiskey, and the ultra-smooth, distinctively flavored Davy Crockett’s Salty Caramel Flavored Whiskey.

6. A New Pair of Headphones

They say music is a universal language, so if you want to help improve your man’s vocabulary, consider upgrading his headphones. While the most talked-about headphones recently have been Dr. Dre’s Beats, there are a ton of other well-reviewed models out there if you’re looking for something a little different. If you want to spend the extra cash, you can’t go wrong with a headset from Harman Kardon, Etymotic or Sennheiser.

7. A Video Game Console

We’d be remiss if we didn’t put video games on this list, wouldn’t we? Granted, the console war is in full swing and tempers have never run hotter between Sony and Microsoft fanboys. With Nintendo doing its own thing, the question really comes down to the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4. Make sure you know your man’s preferences before you click the ‘Buy’ button.

8. Tools

Nothing says “manly” like a new tool, right? If the man in your life does a lot of intense work in the great outdoors, such as septic tank pumping in Syracuse or felling trees with his bare hands, he might appreciate having a few extra tools around. With a little bit of searching, you can probably find a great toolset for around-the-house repairs.

9. A New Watch

If there’s a man in your life who’s been wearing the same busted-up watch for a few years now, it might be time for an upgrade. The Pebble Smartwatch is one of the most successful Kickstarter projects ever, and the gadget that’s been hailed as one of the top tech gifts of 2013. Its distinctive design features an e-paper display and the ability to run all kinds of helpful apps.

10. A Beer Brewing Kit

If beer isn’t a manly beverage, we don’t know what is. If you know a beer aficionado, why not challenge him to brew something all his own? Beer brewing kits are a perennial favorite when it comes to manly gift ideas, and for good reason: they combine the refreshing qualities of beer with a dose of the DIY spirit.

-Guest post by Courtney Gordner. Courtney is a journalist/blogger with a passion for…everything! Read more from her on her own blog, www.talkviral.com