When it comes to holiday shopping, a lot of times I feel like I can zero in on the perfect gift for my mom, my aunts or my BFF. However, when it comes to buying gifts for my dad, my brothers or my boyfriend, I usually just draw a big blank. The whole “gifts for him” area of shopping is not my forte. I mean, I love these dues and I want to get them unique gifts, but I feel like I always default to gift cards. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but sometimes I want my holiday gifts to these guys to be something a little more personal.

I wish I could buy these guys the whole world, but I have pretty limited funds for shopping… Anyone else with me there? That’s why I’ve done some legwork this year to put together a list of twenty gifts for him – all under twenty dollars! The list includes something for a whole array of personality types, so be sure to check out each and every one. You never know – the perfect gift for him may just appear right before your eyes (and cheap at that)! That’s my kind of stress-free holiday shopping.

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For The Bacon Lover

If your guy is at all like Parks and Recreation's Ron Swanson, bacon ranks high on his list of favorite foods. Now, I can't say I have tried this, but for only $4.99 from Think Geek, J&D's BaconPop sounds like it could be a big-time winner. It would be a great treat if you plan to hang out and watch holiday movies with this dude during winter break.

Source: Think Geek

For The Star Wars Fanatic

Star Wars is officially coming back, so depending on his level of fandom, that could be awesome or slightly scary news. Either way, this Han Solo in Carbonite Ice Cube Tray cleverly recreates an iconic moment from the original trilogy. It's available for $5.99 from Think Geek, and you can apparently use it as a chocolate mold as well. Double win.

Source: Think Geek

For The Nostalgic Type

A framed photo is a total easy way to give a meaningful gift. Put in a picture of the two of you or even find an old photograph of value to the guy (A winning championship? Him with his dad?) so that he can take a look at it every day... and think of you! This SONOMA life + style frame is only $6.49 (available at Kohl's). Another idea: if you're artistically inclined, frame a heartfelt drawing that you've made!

Source: Kohl's

For The Constant Borrower

This doesn't need to be like in the movie Say Anything when Lloyd says, "I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen." I'm just saying if there's a guy always "borrowing" them off you, now is the perfect time to solve that little problem. Even if they're just to keep in his car or backpack, he'll always have one if he runs into a jam. If they're a little on the nicer side (like these BIC ones for $6.79 at Staples) he should be able to hold onto them.

Source: Staples

For The Not-So-Clean Driver

I'm thinking this is kind of a two-part gift. Offer to clean out the guy's car (and if it's riddled with food and sports equipment like my brother's car, good luck!) and then leave a little something extra behind, like Febreeze Auto (listed on Amazon for $7.99). It'll make it easy for him to keep your charitable clean lasting as long as possible. Another idea could be a cool license plate frame - there's a bunch on Amazon for under $20.

Source: Febreeze

For The Silly Prankster

Whether you prefer coffee or hot chocolate, most people can always use a mug. This Shark Attack Mug has a little something extra for that guy you know who loves to laugh at a good prank. He'll get a kick out of the surprise shark lurking under the drink surface. It's no joke for you either, because this mug only costs $9.99 from Think Geek.

Source: Think Geek

For The Athletic Early Riser

A reusable water bottle is always in fashion (yay Earth!) and this Nalgene one is pretty cool because it glows in the dark! If your guy has a sports practice early in the morning or late into the night, that glow in the dark feature could help him quickly spot where he set it down. Plus, it's available from Eastern Mountain Sports for only $10.95.

Source: Eastern Mountain Sports

For The Guy Always Rocking Out

He may have splurged on some fancy headphones, but these JVC Gumy Plus headphones (available at Best Buy) are a total steal ($11.49!) and great for him to throw in his backpack or gym bag. Pick out his favorite color and he'll never be without a way to listen to the jams on his iPod or phone ever again.

Source: Best Buy

For The Hungry Chef

Most guys (and people) I know, enjoy pizza. If your guy likes to make his own pizza and load up on his favorite toppings, this Animal House Piranha Pizza Cutter (available for $11.59 at Target) could be the perfect ingredient. Guys, it's a piranha - the most terrifying fish in existence! And now it can cut his pizza! It's a little goofy, but totally useful in the kitchen and a hungry dude would appreciate it.

Source: Target

For The Accident-Prone Superhero

Did the guy in your life love The Avengers? Has this same guy maybe once lost an important school or work file because he didn't back it up? Well never fear, because with these Marvel-inspired USB flash drives (which range from $9.99 to $14.99 from Office Max), he'll be able to harness the superpower of backing files all year long.

Source: Office Max

For The Social Media Addict

It's important to keep those fingers from freezing, but gloves and iPhone screens don't easily go hand in hand. The solution is these knit gloves with fingertips that make touchscreen navigation possible. They're only $14 from Urban Outfitters, so now this guy can text away (and tweet about how awesome his new gloves from you are!).

Source: Urban Outfitters

For The Standout Gamer

My brothers would always go to their friends to play Xbox and somehow end up bringing the wrong controllers home. Prevent this again by purchasing a custom skin available at GelaSkins. A skin for an Xbox controller or for a variety of phone models (including the iPhone and BlackBerry) is just $14.95. Upload a special design or one of his favorite pictures and design a skin that will not only prevent scratches, but help him stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Source: GelaSkins

For The Keeper Of The Keys

Key chains are great because you can find them almost anywhere and they can represent a whole array of interests and personalities. Plus, he always has his keys, so you know it's something he'll see daily. You can find key chains for relatively low prices, but there are options too if you want to splurge a little. A Danforth Pewter key chain runs between $14.95 and $16.95, and there are sports ones, instruments and other activities your guy might be into.

Source: Danforth Pewter

For The On-The-Go Guy

Yes, you can see the time on your phone, I know. But as a watch wearer myself, there is still a lot of perks of having one on your wrist. If your school is tough on phones or your guy likes to go out running, it's a little extra convenience to have the time right there. This Casio Illuminator Chronograph Digital Watch is only $15 from Kohl's and he'll be sure to take the time (get it?) to thank you.

Source: Kohl's

For The Word Slinger

If the guy in your life aspires to write and aces everything in English class, a cool journal could be the way to go. Check out the literary inspired hardcover journals for $16 from Out of Print (like The Great Gatsby one pictured!). Thanks to you, he'll be inspired to pen the next great novel in no time.

Source: Out Of Print

For The Smooth Operator

You may think - shaving cream, really? But my boyfriend has told me this is a "cool" gift, plus there are ones beyond the grocery store you can splurge on. Think about how much care you take with your skin - this is the chance for the frequent shaver to keep his skin feeling great. The For Men Maca Root Shave Cream is a top-selling men's product at The Body Shop, costs $16, and has some great customer reviews to boot.

Source: The Body Shop

For The Middle Earth Fan

Peter Jackson's The Hobbit is one of the most anticipated movies of the holiday season, so if the guy in your life is a Tolkien fan, The Annotated Hobbit could be perfect. It costs less than $18 (buy it here from Barnes & Noble!) and contains all sorts of cool stuff, from illustrations to character info.

Source: Barnes & Noble

For The Organized Planner

My brother has a dry erase board in his room and literally organizes his whole life on it (if only I were so disciplined!). This Umbra Dry Erase Talk Board ($19.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond) is a fun decoration that can go from bedroom to dorm to office, and can be used for him to write important reminders or a way for you to share fun notes with this guy throughout the year.

Source: Bed Bath & Beyond

For The Hat Wearer

Most guys I know have a single hat they have worn so long it has kind of morphed color. I'm not saying you need to replace that hat altogether, but it's nice to offer up another option. In addition to showing team support, hats are just great to wear when it's sunny. Lids has a selection of hats for $19.99 so browse around to find one perfect for the guy on your list.

Source: Lids

For The Wannabe DJ

Is this guy always trying to take over the music selection wherever you go? Now he can share his love of tunes with everyone by hooking his iPod up to this iHome Portable Stereo Speaker System. It's available at Barnes & Noble for $19.99, and the gray color should match the decor of wherever he decides to bring them and get the music blaring.

Source: Barnes & Noble

Is buying gifts for the guys in your life something that you struggle with? What do you think of our suggestions here? Let us know in the comments!

Debate Club: What Do You Think About Gift Giving in Relationships?

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