A $50 budget is the sweet spot for Christmas gifts for men. It's enough to buy something genuinely good, but not so much that the gift feels like an obligation. The trick is choosing something he'll use, not something that sits in a drawer.
This list is honest. We make swimwear and underwear, and two of our products are on it, because they fit the budget and make good gifts. The other ten have nothing to do with us. They're the kind of practical, well-made things most men are happy to unwrap. Where we give a price, it's a typical range you'll see across many stores, not a quote. Prices vary widely by brand and retailer.
How to choose a gift under $50
Before you start, ask three quick questions:
- What does he do on weekends? Travel, the gym, cooking, reading, the beach? Buy for the life he actually lives.
- What does he replace often? Socks, underwear, a water bottle he keeps losing. Upgrading an everyday item is one of the safest gifts there is.
- Does he have a trip coming up? A winter getaway or a summer plan makes travel gifts personal.
1. A swim brief for his next trip
Mandate Swim Brief, $39.99. If he has a beach, pool or cruise trip on the calendar, a swim brief is a gift he'll pack. Ours is a low-rise men's swim brief with a contoured pouch and a flat waistband, in bold red or classic black, sizes S, M and L.
Not sure about his size? Check the tag on underwear he already wears, or see our size guide. Black is the safe first choice; red is for the man who likes to stand out. Our red vs black guide helps you pick. Shop the Mandate Swim Brief
2. Everyday underwear he'll actually wear
Mandate Signature Boxer Brief, $29.99. Underwear is one of the most useful gifts a man can get, and one he rarely buys for himself. Ours is a black boxer brief with a supportive contour and a flat waistband, in sizes S to XL. It's everyday underwear, not swimwear.
Wondering which cut he prefers? Our guide to boxer briefs vs trunks explains the difference, and our holiday underwear gifts page has more ideas. Shop the Signature Boxer Brief
3. A good beach or pool towel
Typically $20–$50. A big, generous towel in a simple stripe or solid color is a gift he'll use on every trip and at every pool. Pair it with a swim brief and you've built a beach kit.
4. A pair of sunglasses
Typically $15–$50 for everyday, non-designer pairs. A classic shape in black or tortoiseshell suits almost everyone. If you know his face shape or the styles he already wears, use that as your guide.
5. A hat for sunny days
Typically $15–$40. A bucket hat, a baseball cap or a packable sun hat is easy to wrap and easy to wear. Choose a neutral color so it goes with everything.
6. A toiletry bag
Typically $15–$45. Most men travel with a battered old bag, or a plastic one. A neat toiletry bag is a small upgrade he'll notice every time he packs.
7. Slides or pool sandals
Typically $20–$50. Slides are what he'll wear from the room to the pool, around the house and on the beach. Get his shoe size right and choose a simple color.
8. A reusable water bottle
Typically $20–$45. Useful at the gym, the office, on a hike or on a plane. Pick one in a color he likes, and consider a size that fits a car cup holder.
9. Packing cubes
Typically $15–$35 for a set. For the man who travels often, packing cubes make a suitcase easier to organize. They're the kind of gift people don't think to buy for themselves.
10. A book or travel guide for his trip
Typically $15–$30. A guidebook for the place he's going next, a novel set there, or a book by an author he already loves. Add a note inside the cover and it becomes personal.
11. Good socks
Typically $15–$30 for a few pairs. Socks get a bad reputation as a gift, but a few good pairs in colors he'll wear are always welcome, especially as a stocking stuffer.
12. A grooming kit
Typically $15–$45. A shaving set, a beard care kit or a simple skincare set he wouldn't buy for himself. Check what he already uses before you choose, so you don't double up.
Stocking stuffers under $25
Some of the ideas above fit comfortably in a stocking at the lower end of their typical ranges:
- A few pairs of good socks
- A cap or bucket hat
- A small grooming item
- A paperback for his trip
Gift ideas by the kind of man he is
| If he… | Try | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Has a beach or pool trip coming up | Mandate Swim Brief | $39.99 |
| Needs basics but never buys them | Mandate Signature Boxer Brief | $29.99 |
| Travels often | Packing cubes or a toiletry bag | $15–$45 |
| Lives at the gym | A reusable water bottle | $20–$45 |
| Loves the beach | A beach towel, slides or a hat | $15–$50 |
| Reads on vacation | A book or travel guide | $15–$30 |
| Takes care of his look | A grooming kit | $15–$45 |
Build a gift set under $50
You don't need one big present. Two smaller ones can feel more thoughtful:
- Beach starter: a Mandate Swim Brief ($39.99) plus a cap from the lower end of its typical range.
- Everyday upgrade: a Signature Boxer Brief ($29.99) plus a few pairs of good socks.
- Travel kit: packing cubes plus a paperback for the flight.
Add up the actual prices you find before you commit, so you stay under budget.
If you can stretch your budget
If you can go a little past $50, two of our swim brief sets are worth knowing about:
- Swim Brief Duo, $69.98: two Mandate Swim Briefs, $10 less than buying two. Red and black is the classic pairing.
- Swim Brief Trio, $99.97: three briefs, $20 less than buying three, for a week away or a cruise.
For a full guide to swimwear gifts at every price, read our holiday gift guide for men. To see all our gifts side by side, visit our gifts for him page. Shopping for a partner or friend? Our best gifts for gay men guide has ideas by relationship.
A note on wrapping and timing
Small gifts are easy to wrap, and a handwritten card adds more than any extra dollar spent. Whatever you buy and wherever you buy it, check the retailer's delivery information at checkout before you order.
Mandate ships from California. Without a discount code, orders over $99 ship free, and orders to Israel ship free over $60.
The short version
- A $50 budget is plenty for a gift he'll use: think travel, grooming and everyday upgrades.
- From our shop, the Mandate Swim Brief ($39.99) and the Signature Boxer Brief ($29.99) both fit the budget.
- Ten other ideas: a beach towel, sunglasses, a hat, a toiletry bag, slides, a water bottle, packing cubes, a book, socks and a grooming kit.
- Prices for generic gifts vary widely; the ranges here are typical, not quotes.
- See all our gifts on the gifts for him page, or shop men's swim briefs.
Shop the brief
Mandate Swim Brief
$39.99
A low-rise brief with a contoured pouch and a flat logo waistband, in red or black, sizes S to L.
Shop the swim brief
Swim Brief Duo
$69.98 for 2
$10 less than two singles. Red and black, or two of one color, in one size.
Shop the Duo
Swim Brief Trio
$99.97 for 3
$20 less than three singles, and over $99, so it ships free without a discount code.
Shop the TrioShips from California. Without a discount code, orders over $99 ship free, and orders to Israel ship free over $60.
FAQ
What are good Christmas gifts for men under $50?
Practical things he'll use: a swim brief for his next trip, good underwear, a beach towel, sunglasses, a hat, a toiletry bag, slides, a water bottle, packing cubes, a book, socks or a grooming kit.
Which Mandate gifts are under $50?
Two: the Mandate Swim Brief at $39.99, in red or black, and the Signature Boxer Brief at $29.99, in black.
Is underwear a good Christmas gift for a man?
Yes. It's useful, it's something many men rarely buy for themselves, and a good pair gets worn every week. Check his size on a pair he already owns before you buy.
What are good stocking stuffers for men?
Good socks, a cap or bucket hat, a small grooming item or a paperback for his next trip. Many of these sit at the lower end of a $50 budget.
How do I find out his size without asking?
Check the tag on underwear or swimwear he already wears, or lay a brief flat and measure across the waistband, then compare it with the brand's size guide.