State Champ Radio gift guide
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All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Surprising your loved ones with a thoughtful gift is one of the best feelings in the world, but finding the right gift can be exceptionally challenging. For the musicians in your life, your first thought may be to get them Bluetooth earbuds or online music lessons — but an expert says there’s plenty more options.
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Billboard spoke with professional guitarist and educator Alex Mak — who has performed as a musical guest on Late Night With Seth Meyers, served as the guitar chair and programmer for the hit Off-Broadway show Titanique and has recorded guitar for instructional guides such as Yamaha’s Arranging for Contemporary Music — to get insight into the most praise-worthy gifts for the musicians in your life. While his go-to choices included David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars on vinyl or a subscription to Logic Pro, he also listed out a few other picks that are perfect for gifting year-round.
Whether they’re a professional in the industry or just starting out, these gifts are sure wow your loved ones. Keep reading to shop Mak’s picks below.
Best Gifts for Musicians
Amazon
For a budget-friendly gift, Mak recommends this guitar tuner that’s under $25 but is useful for any string instrument.
“For any stringed instrument, a nice clip-on tuner will sort you out no matter where you are or how loud it is,” he says. “The Eclipse is long-lasting, easy to see in bright sunlight and because it’s rechargeable, you won’t have to worry about carrying batteries.”
Best Buy
If they play shows nightly, then help them protect their ears with some quality earplugs that’ll muffle loud sounds as they play their favorite songs. Mak especially likes Sennheiser’s design are “they’re tuned to sound natural, but at a much safer listening level.”
Amazon
Nowadays using a tablet or smartdevice has made things easier for musicians to do everything from record music or even turning the page on sheet music. Help them save time turning the page with this musician-approved digital page turner. Mak even says “Once you get used to this pedal for hands free page turns, you’ll wonder how you survived doing things the old fashioned way!”
Add some style to your loved one’s instrument with a basic yet stylish leather guitar strap. Mak prefers this one as it’s wide width “spreads out your instrument’s weight on your shoulder. It [also] has a nifty lock mechanism to prevent accidents, which I promise will happen otherwise.”
Amazon
Help keep their instrument reamin in-tune with a Shubb Capo that’ll attach to their instrument and keep audio in sounding as pristine as possible. Mak makes sure he keeps one close by when he’s working with vocalists or is in the creative zone.
“They’re one of the simplest ways to get some inspiration and create complementary parts in a recording session,” he tells. “Shubb capos are durable, fast to put on, and they keep things in tune.”
No matter what stage of their career they’re in, this music book will help provide them advice and guidance — especially for those who enjoy picking up a good book when they’re not playing their instrument. The book comes out on Oct. 24, but you can preorder the book now to ensure you get a copy.
This copy is one of Mak’s favorite picks as it has helped to educate professionals and is the most updated version.
“An updated version of the manual that’s educated the likes of Guns N’ Roses’ Duff McKagan, the Passman book is a great read for artists at any stage in their careers. Advice in this industry has a quick expiration date, and with all the changes happening as we speak, current knowledge is your greatest asset.”
You can never go wrong with basics and for artists that would be storage spaces for everything from sheet music to recorded audio. That’s where this portable USB comes in — and it’s on sale! For Mak, he finds that “SSDs are loads faster than hard drives, making them perfect for transferring large files. The T7 Shield is fast and IP65 rated for water and dust resistance.”
Amazon
They can track their performances, practices and more using a portable recorder that Mak describes as “worth their weight in gold.” This design by Portacapture comes with a touchscreen to customize your recording experiences and is compact enough to slip in your bag or purse.
“They’re a huge step up in quality from recording audio with your phone,” he tells. “I use one daily to record practices, performances, videos, lessons — you name it! The Portacapture’s touch screen gives you intuitive access to a full-featured audio interface, no matter where you are.”
Amazon
For friends who record music videos or content for social media, the musician finds that lighting can have an even greater impact than the type of camera you use, which is where this LED light comes in.
“Lighting makes a huge difference in video quality, in my opinion even more than a new camera,” Mak says. “This LED light is perfect for recording videos for social media (and remote meetings). It offers warm and cool lighting tones, and an app for quick adjustments.”
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best gifts for music lovers, gender-neutral gifts and bridal shower gifts
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Gift-giving season can seem never-ending with birthdays and holidays being a year-round constant. This can make finding unique and thoughtful gifts a challenge as you try to outdo the previous year’s pick. The good news? If you have a music lover in your life, then your gifting options are practically endless.
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Your first thought may be to check out AirPod deals or Bose headphones sales, but before you click “add to cart,” dig a little deeper and consider what genre of music they listen to. You’ll be able to tailor the gift exactly to their music interests rather than to music as a whole, while earning their appreciation in the process. To help inspire you, we’ve put together a list of the best gifts for music lovers broken down by genre. Whether they’re a pop enthusiast or country music fan, we’ve got something for everyone.
Keep reading to see our picks for all budgets and interests. If you’re lucky, you may even get a playlist named after you as a thanks.
Best Tech Gifts for Music Lovers
Amazon
For the friend always asking to go to karaoke, bring the sing-along to them with their very own karaoke machine. This model comes with two wireless microphones — perfect for duets — and features a little slot to hold your phone. It’s also Bluetooth compatible to connect to your smart devices.
Amazon
What better gift to give a music lover than music itself? Amazon Music Unlimited is currently offering a promo of three months free when you sign up, which means your friend can have access to on-demand music and podcasts that are ad-free and comes with unlimited skip — and did we mention it’s free?
Once the free trial is over, the subscription price is $10.99/month.
House of Marley
Are they a fan of all things retro and vintage? Splurge and get them a record player created in collaboration with Bob Marley’s family — so you know it’s good. The model features anti-skid technology and can play 33 or 45 RPM records. Plus, the USB port and included cable can convert records into a digital format.
Amazon
The host in your life will most likely appreciate a Bluetooth speaker that’s not only sleek in look, but comes with features such as up to 30 hours of non-stop play on a full battery and 360 degrees of sound.
Best Pop Music Gifts
Test their knowledge of lyrics with a game of Misunderstood Songs. To play, just pull a card and try to identify the song based on incorrect lyrics from popular music.
Amazon
Whether they’re looking for work-from-home items or just love collecting candles, this Harry Styles-inspired candle will help set a cozy mood each time it’s lit. The handmade materials use natural soy and plant-based materials, and has a burn time of up to 45 hours.
Hot Topic
Most pop fans will appreciate an Olivia Rodrigo tote to fill with books, notebooks, lip gloss and more. The images features the singer underneath the title of her latest album, Guts, which will pair nicely with all of their other Rodrigo merch, or course.
Amazon
A member of the BeyHive won’t be able to resist swaddling themselves in this pullover. It features a billboard image of her on a shimmering horse and wearing her classic disco cowboy hat.
Best Hip-Hop Music Gifts
Amazon
The creative in your life can have fun filling out this do-it-yourself journal that’ll have them reflecting on the songs and artists that have shaped their life so far.
Amazon
Bring some unique decor to their space in the form of a 3D headphone light. When lit, it appears as though there are floating headphones in their space and can act as a lamp if they prefer a more stylish piece of lighting. It does require three AAA batteries, which are not included.
Sketchers
Refresh their sneaker collection with a pair of Sketchers by Doja Cat. The new style features an elevated sole and four different shades to choose from, as well as a cushioned interior to help swaddle feet in support and comfort.
Amazon
If your loved one is known for losing their headphones, then gift them a handy headphone stand they can place the accessory on when they’re not listening to music. The design also comes with three charging ports to juice up their smart devices.
Best Rock Music Gifts
Uncommon Goods
Let them rock out while also embracing their crafty side with the help of this guitar pick puncher. It comes in a simple compact design, and is able to punch everything from plastic, paper and more into the shape of a guitar pick.
Amazon
No matter how skilled your family member is at drumming, they can now practice whenever they want — without waking up the entire house. This electric drum set comes with 10 play-along songs and 40 free virtual lessons from Melodics to get them on their rock-star path.
MasterClass
Looking for an MVP-worthy gift? Masterclass offers a range of professional online classes that musicians of all skill levels can take advantage of. Whether they want to learn how to sing, play the guitar or even learn the piano, celebrities such as Usher, Alicia Keys and more will be there to help them along the way.
Free People
You can’t go wrong with a classic band T-shirt — especially of classics such as Metallica. This style comes in three colors and features a graphic of two skulls below the band’s logo.
Best Country Music Gifts
Amazon
Dolly Parton’s Funko Pop! commemorates her pink-themed Backwoods Barbie album; the figurine is set to be released on Nov. 1 (plenty of time before Christmas!). You can preorder it before then to make sure it’s there in time to be added to your loved one’s Parton merch collection.
Wrangler
Lainey Wilson isn’t just a chart-making country singer, the star has also teamed up with Wrangler to release an everyday capsule. This denim button-down is a staple that can be worn with jeans, skirts and even over dresses — and it’s les than $50.
Target
They’ll want to immediately lasso on these trendy cowboy boots, and at less than $40, this gift is both stylish and budget-friendly. The boots come in a two-tone shade with contrast stitching.
Best Latin Music Gifts
WWE Shop
Let them relive when Bad Bunny was a WWE fighter with the official merch from the event. This T-shirt comes with the singer’s bunny graphic and is made from a cotton material for comfort.
Amazon
Help keep their phone protected in style with a Karol G fan-made phone case. It comes with the mermaid graphic and is available in a variety of sizes to customize to their phone.
Rare Beauty
If they’re a beauty lover, make sure to stock them up on Selena Gomez’s makeup and skincare brand — especially this four-pack of the viral liquid blush and highlighter that will have them glowing with excitement.
Best K-Pop Music Gifts
Amazon
Collectors won’t be able to hide their joy when they unwrap this photo card binder. Not only does it come with a clear cover, but the included packs of stickers is perfect for personalizing and decorating each one.
Amazon
This adorable heart-hand neon sign will make the perfect piece of decor in any K-pop fan’s room. It emits a golden and pink hue, and can be mounted to their wall. It doesn’t require any batteries.
Amazon
If they’re a BLACKPINK fan, this bucket hat will allow them to show off their love for the K-pop group while staying on trend. It comes in a cotton material with the K-pop group’s logo and pink crown on the front.
Walmart
Bring BTS into their home in the form of this exclusive Lego set of the K-pop group. It’s inspired by their hit song “Dynamite,” and comes with figurines that represent each member of the group. Your ARMY pal can put it on display or keep it in the box if they’re a collector.
Best Miscellaneous Music Gifts
Amazon
Your loved one can admire their favorite song anytime they like with this glowing song plaque. You can make it even more special by customizing it with a favorite photo of the two of you, so you’ll always be on their mind when they look at it.
Amazon
Avid concertgoers will be thanking you for these cushy heel pads — especially if they tend to only wear Doc Martens. These come in a pack of four, and you can choose between black or different colors to help them blend into their shoes more.
Amazon
The Yuan Dian’s Light-Up Vinyl Record Stand will not only give your friend a place to store their vinyl, but to do so in style. It’s also versatile, with the ability to be mounted to the wall, and lights up to highlight the tunes they’re spinning for the day.
Whether they love writing poetry or are in a band of their own, surprise the songwriter in your life with a special book they can write it all down in. It comes with 110 pages and has a minimalist cover to blend into most spaces.
Etsy
Plant lovers can dress up their air plants in one of these speaker-shaped planters. It’s available in two shades and is made from a biodegradable plastic for sustainability. You can even choose to include an air plant in your order to help grow their plant collection.
Uncommon Goods
You friends can relive all their concerts in a ticket stub diary that also acts as a precious keepsake. Inside are blank pages and special slips to put their tickets in that’ll keep them preserved while allowing your loved one to show off their extensive concert history.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of gender-neutral gifts, coffee-lover gifts and gifts for dog lovers.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Throughout our lives, it’s practically inevitable that someone close to us will move away — whether it’s to a new city, job, school, etc., people come and go in our lives. While it’s a bittersweet moment, going-away gifts for friends not only honor the milestone in their life, but help show your appreciation and love for them — even if you’re sad they’re leaving.
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It can be hard to find the right kind of gift that expresses just what you want to say, but focusing on their hobbies and interests is a great place to start. Yes, you could opt for a gift card, but handpicking things like tarot cards or a porthole drink infuser just further displays how much you know and care about your loved one.
To help inspire you on your gift-giving journey, we put together a list of the best going-away gifts for friends inspired by musicians to help send them off on their next chapter.
Keep reading to shop our gift selections below.
Keys Soulcare
Keys Soulcare Sage + Oat Milk Candle
$39
Starting somewhere new, no matter if it’s a new place or job, can be stressful, which is where Alicia Keys‘ Keys Soulcare’s candle comes in. It’s made with scents of sage and oat to help create calming vibes after a long day allowing your friend to focus on decompressing with each whiff.
Sephora
Fenty Skin Cookies N Clean Whipped Clay Face Mask
$35
Encourage your pal to take some R&R using this clay mask from Rihanna‘s Fenty Skin. It’s designed to help detox the skin using charcoal and salicylic acid that’ll lift dirt and work to purify skin.
Amazon
“Harry Styles: And the Clothes He Wears” by Terry Newman
$24.49 $30.00 18% OFF
Harry Styles fans will appreciate some decor to decorate their new home, and this book is ready to do just that. Not only does it come with a gorgeous cover, but the inside features photos of Styles they can look at and admire whenever they want.
Amazon
Witfox Custom Spotify Plaque
$9.99
Go personal with a customizable frame inspired by Spotify’s music player. Add your pal’s favorite photo of the two of you and top it off with a song that the two of you are always singing together.
Amazon
Funny Taylor Swift Card
$8.99
For Swifties, this Taylor Swift-themed card will earn you a spot on the fridge not just for it’s cover that’s inspired by “Anti-Hero”, but features a blank interior you can customize with a message of your own.
Amazon
Retro Record Coasters
$14.99
Redefine what it means to “put your records on” with this set of record-shaped coasters featuring vintage labels and a record player-shaped coaster holder. It’ll bring style while saving their precious coffee table from drink rings.
Amazon
TOSCANA Piano Cheese Board & Knife Set
$55.16 $75.95 27% OFF
Upgrade the host in your life’s party supplies with a fun piano-shaped cheese and knife board set. The cheese board is made from a bamboo material and features an interior with knives included. h
Amazon
Music Oracles: Creative and Life Inspiration from 50 Musical Icons
$14.61 $16.99 14% OFF
If your friend is always reading their tarot cards, then they may enjoy this musician-themed deck of oracle cards that’ll help advise everything from their life, love, career and more.
Friends NYC
Grateful Dead Bears Candle Holder
$18.99
Bring a pop of color to their space with these adorable Grateful Dead-styled candle holders. They’re versatile enough to sport their candle collection or just kept on display solo.
Cozy Earth
Cozy Earth Bamboo Jogger Pant
$132 $165 20% off% OFF
Keep them comfortable during their move with a pair of bamboo joggers that have earned Oprah’s stamp of approval. Not only are they currently on sale, but the soft bamboo viscose material is temperature-regulating to help keep them comfortable.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best gender-neutral gifts, gifts for dog lovers and the best gifts for Harry Styles fans.
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National CBD Day (August 8) is here and if you’ve been following this website for a while, you’re well aware that we believe in the proper use of cannabis for both healing and relaxing purposes. To help bring your National CBD Day into focus, we’ve put together a handful of gifts and suggestions to try, some of which we’ve had the pleasure of trying ourselves.
For those that are unaware, CBD stands for Cannabidiol, touted for its many therapeutic benefits such as pain relief, inflammation, restlessness, anxiety, and a host of other potential treatments. It can be ingested orally, smoked or vaporized, and even applied topically much like marijuana, the psychoactive version of cannabis that gets you “high” as hemp does not contain THC.
As most might know, CBD won’t get you high but it can be used with marijuana to create varying effects. CBD can also aid in lowering someone’s “high” as well while also building up tolerance.
The origins of National CBD Day start CBD company cbdMD according to National Day Calendar. The company declared August 8 as the day and it has been in existence since 2018. Much of the purpose of the holiday is to raise awareness of CBD and hemp products and to educate those who might be curious about its effects.
Below, we’ve got a list of products we think you should try. All products are listed in alphabetical order.
Alchemy Naturals
“Alchemy Naturals offers an array of delicious gummies tailored for different effects broken into categories such as intimacy and sleep. We’ve tried the relief and de-stress gummies and are happy to report that not only are the gummies tasty but the purported effects took hold. The company does urge that daily use of the products will lead to better results.” – D.L.
Cookies
“Cookies, the brainchild of rapper and entrepreneur Berner, might be known for its high-end marijuana strains, the company has an entire line of CBD products that can be shipped nationally. I’ve used the brand’s Caps product, which is a blend of mushrooms, CBD, and CBN (which aids in sleep) in capsule form. I’ve never used HHC or Delta 8 products so I can’t speak that but I have used the brand’s CBD oil in earlier times.” – D.L.
Escape Artists
“Escape Artists specializes in tinctures and topicals along with pre-rolls and edibles. The topical pain relief creams and tinctures are among the best I’ve experienced since taking flight with cannabis and hemp products some 20 years ago. The relief creams have been especially for my old man knees and the sleep tincture helps aid a good night’s sleep.” – D.L.
Susan’s Own
“Susan’s Own is the cool, chill sister to Blazy Susan, which provides a host of accessories for the cannabis user. Using Colorado hemp, Susan’s Own offers tinctures, gummies, creams, and bath bombs, all of which we’ve sampled in the past and have purchased on our own.” – D.L.
Tonic
“Tonic got its start back in 2017 and combines the power of CBD with adaptogens, which are plant substances, typically herb-based, used for various health reasons. We’ve tried the Zone CBD vape pen that provided the balance of clear-eyed clarity and a positive nudge of energy.” – D.L.
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Photo: Getty
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Father’s Day takes place this weekend and it will be replete with Dads getting gifts of all sorts and a much-needed day of appreciation. But while all the meals, drinks, and trinkets are nice, the Canna-Dads crew might need a little assistance and this guide does just the trick.
Similar to our Canna-Moms guide last month, this Father’s Day we’re focusing on the Canna-Dads who like to toke, ingest, or topically apply their cannabis. As most are aware, cannabis boasts a bevy of uses both therapeutic and recreational. Personally, we’re into the science of cannabis and how it can help with issues like ADHD (D.L. suffers greatly from this condition), and depression (Ditto for D.L.).
No matter your reasons for using cannabis, our Canna-Dads guide has a little something for everyone. Hopefully, you’ll find a new favorite below. We certainly have. Happy Father’s Day!
We’ve listed our featured brands in alphabetical order, not preference. Just FYI.
Alchemy Naturals
Alchemy Natural has a great tagline on its About Us page — “From Mother Nature’s Pharmacy” — and that is an apt descriptor for the brand. They specialize in an array of CBD and THC gummies that address issues regarding sleep, intimacy, stress, and more. Further, the gummies are vegan, gluten-free, and damn tasty. Learn more here.
Autumn Brands
Autumn Brands is based in Santa Barbara County, Calif., and their sprawling farm operation proudly touts the fact they do not spray down their flower with nasty chemicals. The end result is pure, unadulterated flower and tinctures for all to enjoy. Learn more here. (Only available in California)
Betty’s Eddies High Energy
[Image forthcoming]
“Breaking the wall a bit here, I love Betty’s Eddies. They are among the tastiest edibles I’ve had in the cannabis space, if not the best. The fruit chews come in a nice variety but I think the High Energy and their amazing watermelon flavor is primo for a Sativa fan like myself.“- D.L. Learn more here.
Blazy Susan
The name Blazy Susan should explain itself. This is a one-stop shop for all the accessories a true cannabis smoker needs. Not only does the Denver, Colo. brand offer premium rolling papers but also some show-stopping rolling trays too. Learn more here.
Bubby’s Baked Brownie Bites
Bubby’s Baked is all about delivering full-spectrum infusions into their delicious sweet treats. To be clear, these bad boys are perfectly sized for the cannabis neophyte who wants to get into edibles and actually enjoy what they’re eating. We vouch for the Brownie Bites Learn more here.
Caps by Cookies
[Image forthcoming]
Cannabis enthusiasts already know that the brand that Berner built, Cookies, is all about top-shelf flower but they’re also in the CBD game too. The Caps offshoot combines mushrooms (not those kinds), terpenes, and cannabinoids for either daytime or nighttime use. We can guarantee that the nighttime version works. Learn more here.
Elements
[Image forthcoming]
Elements is a cleverly named brand as it incorporates the four elements of nature into its dazzling selection of rolling papers, pipes, and apparel. The rolling papers are especially nice as they’re made with rice paper (which actually isn’t made with rice), making for a smoother toke than most. Learn more here.
Escape Artists
Source: Various / Various
Escape Artists is all about their topical creams for pain relief, pre-rolls, tinctures, and innovative “flights,” which needs to be more of a thing in the industry. The brand is only available in Colorado, Michigan, and Nevada for now. Learn more here.
G Pen
[Image forthcoming]
The great minds behind Grenco Science’s G Pen brand have all the tools for a cannabis gearhead’s dream stash. I’ve been using my G Pen Dash dry herb vaporizer for almost two years and it’s one of the best tools in my collection. Learn more here.
Higher Standards
Higher Standards is for cannabis connoisseurs who expect quality in the tools they use to deliver their medicine along with products to help keep them safe and operational. The brand’s flagship store also specializes in quality apparel. Learn more here.
Highsman
Highsman is the creation of former NFL great, Errick Miron, a longtime advocate of cannabis. After leaving the game of football, Miron leaned into the cannabis world offering premium, effects-based strains, apparel, and more. Learn more here. Only available in Washington State and Oregon.
High Variety
[Image forthcoming]
High Variety is a rising brand in development that we believe is going to blow the lid off this thing in record time. For now, the brand is only available in Arizona and Utah but they take a lot of the guesswork out of shopping with curated strains for certain needs. Learn more here.
Mountaintop Extracts
[Image forthcoming]
New Mexico is called “The Land of Enchantment” for good reason due to its sweeping landscapes and fantastic culture. Mountaintop Extracts, founded in 2012, takes inspiration from the land to deliver a variety of cannabis products from flower to concentrates and everything in between. Learn more here.
PuffCo
Founded in 2013, PuffCo was designed with the idea of delivering extracts not only with efficiency, but also with high style. Seriously, PuffCo’s products look like something out of the future. Learn more here.
Susan’s Own
Susan’s Own is one of our favorite CBD brands and the creams, bath bombs, tincture, and gummies are high quality, just as you would expect out of Colorado. Learn more here.
The Flower Shop
The Flower Shop is a dispensary overseen company Greta Brandt and has the aim of providing cannabis with women consumers in mind. The LadyLike lineup of vape cartridges and edibles in packaging stands out. Learn more here. Only available in Arizona and Utah.
Veritas
[Image forthcoming]
Colorado once again has a winner in the cannabis space with Veritas, a brand that offers premium cuts of flower, potent pre-rolls, apparel, and an accessories line that shouldn’t be missed. Learn more here.
VESSEL
[Image forthcoming]
We’ve never seen anything quite like VESSEL in a cannabis brand, and their premium dry herb and vaporizer products are stylish as they are effective. The brand also has an innovative Helix system that keeps the tokes cool and smooth. They also offer accessories that look and feel far more expensive than the asking price. Learn more here.
Vibations
Vibations is a cannabis and energy drink dry mix meant to be added to water and provide a boost of superfruit-charged energy. Sounds like it’s time to mix up a glass. Learn more here. Only available in Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico.
Vibes
Berner’s sprawling Cookies empire extends into the world of rolling papers and apparel. With the focus on flower from the rapper and businessman’s powerhouse brand, it’s only natural for him to get papers to the people. Learn more here.
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All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
The best men’s cologne comes down to what you yourself love — whether it’s a deep, earthy scent or a light, refreshing smell, it’s all about personal preference. The cologne will become your signature scent if you love it — and if not, then the hunt for a new scent begins. Cologne can also act as a thoughtful gift, and, as Father’s Day approaches, you may even be considering gifting a bottle to the father figure in your life.
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Shopping for the best men’s cologne and perfume sets to surprise that special someone, family member or even your best friend with can be a little tricky, but that’s where we come in. We’ve done the research and scoured the reviews to find a nice mix of men’s colognes to help you sweep them off their feet with intoxicatingly good scents. No matter what your budget is, we’ve put together a nice mix of scents to browse through.
The best part? Cologne is giftable anytime of the year. Whether you’re just looking for Father’s Day gift ideas or a bottle for yourself, there’s a scent out there for everyone.
Keep scrolling to see a roundup of the 10 great men’s colognes you can gift anytime of the year.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best gender-neutral gifts, graduation gifts and astrology-themed gifts.
Sephora
Maison Margiela – “Replica” Jazz Club (1 fl oz)
$85
Maison Margiela’s bottle of Jazz Club will transport you back to the age of smoky cigar-filled clubs mixed with notes of tobacco leaf, lemon and pink pepper, neroli oil, rum and vanilla. The bottle was even inspired by old apothecary jars to complete its vintage feel.
Nordstrom
Maison Francis Kurkdijan – Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum (1.2 fl oz)
$195
For the outdoorsy types, consider Baccarat Rouge, which is made with notes of jasmine, saffron, cedarwood and ambergris. The scent aims to be a light, sophisticated and poetic while lying on your skin like “an amber, floral and woody breeze,” as the brand describes.
Amazon
Nautica Voyage Eau De Toilette for Men (3.3 fl oz)
$20.28
Nautica’s Boyage Eau De Toilette for Men is considered a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon with almost 75,000 five-star reviews — and we can see why. It’s made to be a more romantic men’s cologne, featuring scents inspired by a salty sea breeze, coastal herbs and woods.
Amazon
Dolce & Gabbana The One for Men Eau de Parfum Spray (3.3 fl oz)
$68.04 $75.00 9% OFF
Give him the designer treatment with a bottle of Dolce & Gabbana cologne — and it’s currently on sale! Aromas you can expect are top notes of grapefruit, coriander and basil, and base notes of cedarwood, amber and tobacco, making it ideal for nights out together.
Amazon
Happy by Clinique for Men Cologne (3.4 fl oz)
$34.33 $75.00 54% OFF
Clinique’s Happy for Men Cologne is the refreshing scent that’ll get his day started on the right note. It’s not only labeled as an Amazon Choice, but comes with scents of citrus lemon, mandarin and grapefruit he can spritz on for a day in the office or summer road trips to the bay. Plus, you can snag it for over 50 percent off!
Boy Smells
Boy Smells – Woodphoria (65 mL)
$98
This gender-neutral cologne by Boy Smells comes in a convenient travel-size bottle for a mid-day scent refresh that’ll leave him smelling of fig, coconut and jasmine petals mixed with sandalwood, cedarwood and musks.
Nordstrom
Jo Malone – Wood Sage & Sea Salt (1 fl oz)
$80
Get ready to bury your nose in him, as this Jo Malone cologne smells as intoxicatingly good as it sounds. Not only does it come in a chic bottle for display, but will leave him smelling of a salty sea shore.
Amazon
Chanel – Bleu De By for Men Eau De Parfum Spray (5 fl oz)
$184
This Chanel cologne has been around since 2010 and won’t be leaving anytime soon. It’s a classic scent that covers a little bit of everything from woodsy scents to citrus notes and even spicy aromas. No matter what he’s into, this will certainly have his nose perking with interest.
Amazon
Calvin Klein – Eternity for Men Eau de Toilette (1.6 fl oz)
$65.00 $80.00 19% OFF
Calvin Klein’s Eternity for Men is another Amazon Choice for its captivating scents of fresh bergamot and mandarin paired with earthy florals and rain-drenched moss. It’ll make a nice aroma to start his day off refreshed and ready to take on the work week.
Amazon
Curve Men’s Cologne Fragrance Spray (6.8 fl oz)
$28.38 $34.40 18% OFF
For a wallet-friendly pick with designer-inspired smells, consider snagging this bottle of Curve cologne. It features soothing yet woodsy scents of lavender, cardamom and sandalwood he can sport day or night.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Graduation season has arrived! The last few years have been challenging for all students, so it makes sense that the class of 2023 has so much to celebrate. When it comes to gift options, you can’t really go wrong with gift cards or a maybe a streaming subscription, but if you’ve been searching for a wider variety of thoughtful, affordable or splurge-worthy gifts, we’ve put together a list of over a two dozen of the best gifts for high school, college grads and more.
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From meaningful keepsakes to must-have gadgets, see our roundup of great gift ideas below.
Amazon
2023 New Graduation Gift Money Holder, DIY Double-Layer Cash Holders with 25 Holes
$13.99 $14.99 7% OFF
Cold, hard cash is a welcomed gift for most (if not all) graduates. This money holder includes more than 25 slots that you can fill up with bills.
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Amazon
Joycuff Graduation Bracelet $11.87 $15.97
Joycuff has snagged over 26,000 positive customer reviews at Amazon, and this personalized cuff is among the fan favorites! The budget-friendly, grad bracelet features an uplifting message and it arrives in a cute little gift box.
Uncommon Goods
The 10-Year Plan Deck
$10
“Life is what happens when you’re making plans,” but it doesn’t hurt to write your goals down anyway. This unique card deck inspires graduates (and anyone, really) to formulate a life plan for the next decade. The deck includes a guidebook, 30 prompts and a journal to track you progress.
Walmart
Beats Studio Buds
$169.95
Beats Studio Buds are now available in a transparent design, in addition to ebony black/gold and ivory. The popular earbuds deliver immersive sound for listening to music but also taking calls and more. The battery lasts for up to 36 hours (27 hours in the case and nine hours outside of the case).
Amazon
Apple iPad (9th Generation): with A13 Bionic chip, 10.2-inch Retina Display, 64GB, Wi-Fi, 12MP front/8MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life – Silver
$269.99 $329.00 18% OFF
For the new grad who could use a tablet or notebook. This ninth generation iPad is on sale for less than $300. The device is equipped with a 10.2-inch retina display with an ultra-wide front camera, A13 Bionic chip and a battery that lasts all day for reading, browsing the web, watching videos, streaming music and more.
Personalization Mall
This personalized frame is perfect for commemorating academic achievements. The glass frame features reverse-laser engraving; it measures 8 x 11 inches document and a 4-inch x 6-inch photo — and it’s on sale for $23. Find more frames here.
Best Buy
Sony ZV-1 20.1 Megapixel Digital Camera
$749.99
For the grad who could use a professional camera, Sony’s ZV-1 20.1 megapixel digital camera is perfect for dedicated vloggers and novices. The 4K digital camera captures video and photo, fast-action optical speed and 44x digital zoom. The camera has high-speed, continuous shooting capabilities with 20.1 MP sensor and up to 24 fps of continuous shooting and a three-inch LDC screen.
Coach
Coach Venturer Bag in Signature Canvas
$349 $698 50% off% OFF
You can’t go wrong with a sturdy weekend bag. Designed to keep you organized for short and longer trips, this Coach duffle bag features a removable shoulder strap with ample space inside and a convenient side pocket. Click here for a selection of affordable duffle bags.
Sephora
Replica by the Fireplace
$85
Looking for an affordable cologne? Maison Margiela’s Replica is a unisex fragrance with a large fan following. The “By the Fire” scent features spicy and woody notes of clove oil, chestnut, pink pepper, orange flower and vanilla layered above a woody base.
Nordstrom
Versace Bright Crystal Perfume
$from $32
Have more room in the fragrance budget? Versace’s Bright Crystal Perfume has earned hundreds of positive customer reviews for its fresh and floral scent. Bright Crystal perfume serves up a lovely fruity and floral fragrance featuring pomegranate, lotus flower, peony, vegetal amber, acajou and musk.
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Nordstrom
Cap & Gown Cufflinks
$60
Looking for a gift that’ll go with a cap and gown? Try these silver cuff links shaped like tiny grad caps.
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Amazon
A new adventure begins! Gift a graduate with a motivational bracelet that comes with an inspirational card to help motivate them through this new chapter.
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LJ Jewelry
LeahJessica Hand Cut Name Necklace $175 $
Looking for a more expensive piece of jewelry? Try a personalized necklace like the one featured above LeahJessica Jewelry. The Southern California-based jewelry brand carries necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets and other pieces that are perfect for gifting, no matter the occasion. The LJ Hand Cut Name Necklace can be made in rose gold, sterling silver, 14k yellow, white or rose gold and measures approximately 7mm.
Polaroid
Polaroid Go Instant Camera
$89.99 $99.99 10% off% OFF
Life is all about capturing memories, and who doesn’t love a picture-perfect selfie? The pint-sized Polaroid Go instant camera measures 5.9-inches tall and 3.33-inches wide, making it small enough to slip right into a pocket or bag. This pocket-sized camera is available in white, black or red.
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Target
The Bucket List Journal $33.99
It’s never too soon to start checking off that bucket list! This gift-worthy keepsake allows you to keep your adventures in one place. The Bucket List Journal has enough space to document 20 bucket list experiences and it comes packaged in a mini keepsake bag with a foil-printed mini pencil.
Papier
Happy Stripes Wellness Journal
$35
Regardless of whether you’re graduating, retiring or just getting started, finding joy is a key component to happiness. Gift a lucky grad with a wellness journal covered in “happy stripes.”
Marshall Major IV Bluetooth Headphones
$139.99 $149.99 7% off% OFF
For long commutes, studying, working or gaming, headphones make a great gift, and you can usually find a decent pair on sale like these Marshall Major IV Bluetooth headphones, or Beats Solo 3 Wireless Headphones ($129). Both are designed to immerse listeners in rich sound, plus they’re durable and foldable and provide up to 80 hours of battery life.
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Amazon
Crosley Voyager Vintage Portable Turntable $79.95
Vinyl records are still a popular form of music media, so if you know a grad who could use a record player, this vintage-style Crosley Bluetooth turntable is a thoughtful gift item that can be treasured for years to come. It’s also available in a bunch of different colors. See more record players and turntables here.
Calpak
Calpak Luka Laptop Bags
$108
Another nod to the grad who’s going places! Calpak’s Luka Laptop Bag is equipped with padded shoulder straps, multiple compartments, heavy-duty zippers and a luggage sleeve. The bag is available in over a dozen colors including watermelon, khaki, green apple, celery, winter sky, dijon, matte black, chocolate, rose quartz and oatmeal.
Etsy
Personalized Vintage Suitcase
$287.88
Know anyone who needs a nice luggage set? This vintage, personalized suitcase from Etsy includes a matching hat box. The set is available in a handful of colors including pink, blue, green, plaid and floral.
Nixon
Nixon Sentry Chrono Watch
$350
Smart watches are great, but there’s nothing like a classic timepiece. Nixon’s Sentry Chrono watch features a 45mm dial, stainless steel case and double-lock clasp. The watch is available in gunmetal, matte black/gold, gold/blue-sunray, all gold, and all gold/black.
Amazon
MyPupSocks Personalized Graduation 2023 Blanket, 30×40
$16.99
Personalized gifts are the absolute best! This graduation blanket is available in 30 different colors and designs and in five different sizes. The blanket pictured above measures 30 inches x 40 inches.
Best Buy
Sonos Era 300 Speaker
$449
Gift a grad with rich, immersive sound in the form of a 9.85 pound speaker. Sonos Era 300 offers up wall-to-wall sound without taking up too much space. Available in black or white, Era 300 can power through all of your favorite playlists with ease. It’s equipped with dual woofers, four tweeters and compatible with Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal and Amazon Music. If you’re shopping for a handheld, portable bluetooth speaker, try the Marshall Emberton.
Amazon
Graduation Party Decorations – 2PCs Signature Board for Class of 2023
$12.99 $20.00 35% OFF
The nice thing about this graduation board is that it works as a party favor, a personalized grad gift or a fun alternative to the typical graduation book. The board measures 11 inches x 17 inches and at less than $15, you’ll have room in the budget for a second gift.
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Amazon
I Graduated Can I Go Back To Bed Now T-Shirt Graduation T-Shirt
$19.95
It’s not easy crossing the finish line. Gift your grad with a funny T-shirt that expresses just how it feels to pass all of your classes and walk the graduation stage. This cotton tee is available in 10 different colors and in sizes ranging from S-3X Large.
New Balance
New Balance Unisex 580
$129.99
A fresh pair of kicks for the graduate! New Balance‘s Unisex 580’s features an OG design with a modern upgrade. The retro-style shoe is available in blue and black.
Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs Medium Tote Bag
$195
The Tote Bag by Marc Jacobs has an adjustable strap providing convenient carrying capabilities for the roomy canvas tote that folds flat for easy storage or travel. This tote is available at MarcJacobs.com, Nordstrom, Amazon and other retailers.
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Masterclass
Masterclass $15/month $
Yes, it might seem odd to gift classes to a new graduate, but this isn’t your average course! Choose from over 150 classes in categories that include music, wellness, sports & gaming, writing, science & tech, business, arts and entertainment. Mariah Carey, John Legend, Questlove, Christina Aguilera, Gordon Ramsay, Gloria Steinem, Hillary Clinton, Bill Nye, and Lewis Hamilton are some of the popular Masterclass courses available.
Amazon
Apple 2023 MacBook Pro Laptop M2 Pro chip with 10‑core CPU and 16‑core GPU: 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage. Works with iPhone/iPad; Space Gray
$1,935.50
For the post-grad in need of a new computer, MacBooks are among the best. This 2023 model is equipped with a 14.2-inch display screen and the Apple-designed M2 Pro chip offering a faster and more improved CPU, GPU and machine learning performance.
Amazon
Google Pixel 7-5G Android Phone – Unlocked Smartphone with Wide Angle Lens and 24-Hour Battery – 128GB – Snow
$559.99 $599.00 7% OFF
If you happen to know a grad who needs a new smartphone, Google Pixel 7 is worth every penny.
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Walmart
Sony PS5
$489.55
Speaking of gaming, perhaps you know someone who wants a new Playstation? There’s no denying that the PS5 is still one of the hottest consoles on the market. Find more PS5 retailers here and click here to shop TVs on sale.
Amazon
Dowinx Gaming Chair Type LS-6689
$248.18 $289.99 14% OFF
Having the right equipment can vastly improve your game. This gaming chair makes a nice graduation gift for gamers and it’s one of the more affordable, and highly-rated options that you’ll find at Amazon. It features an ergonomic design with an adjustable, swivel seat and a weight capacity of 350 pounds. Find more gaming gift ideas and deal at Amazon’s Gaming Week hub.
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All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.Shopping for a PlayStation 5 for Christmas? Getting your hands on a coveted PS5 console doesn’t have to cost a fortune — even during the holidays.
According to a new report, Sony’s PS5 is one of the hottest Christmas gifts for 2022, and finding one for the $499 retail price can be a little stressful, despite the growing number of retailers that sell the hard-to-get game console.
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Thankfully, there are a few different retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart that have PS5 consoles available right now, while others — including GameStop — are out of stock but could be restocking before the new year.
To make your search easier, we put together a list of a few places where you can purchase a PS5 online. PS5 consoles can run you anywhere from the current $500 list price up to $1,200. Keep reading for more details, links and pricing information.
Amazon
PS5 consoles restocks tend to sell out extremely fast at Amazon (and everywhere else, to be honest). For gamers who have been waiting to snag a console for $500 (or $549.99 for the Horizon Forbidden bundle), Amazon is offering customers an option to sign up for a chance to buy a PS5 at the regular retail price. The newest wave of invites were sent to qualifying customers starting on Monday (Dec. 12). Click here to request an invitation.
PS5 Console (Amazon) $from $610
Unfortunately, the invite-only option doesn’t guarantee that you will secure the console, as not all requests will be granted. However, exclusive offers allow Amazon to ensure that as many “genuine customers as possible” can buy an item that is in high-demand. If you are selected to purchase, you will receive an email when the PS5 is available. For those who don’t want to go that route, there are other PS5 consoles available on Amazon, but they’re usually marked up above the list price.
Playstation – 5 Console – God of War Ragnarök Bundle (Best Buy) $559.99
Best Buy sold out of the PS5 consoles but the God of War Ragnarok PS5 bundle ($559.99) is available for in-store pickup. The bundle is expected to sell out soon, so you’ll have to act fast to get your hands on one. The digital bundle is $459.99 and also in high demand.
Walmart launched a members-only PS5 restock back in February, and it sold out within hours, which means the price went right back up. On the plus side, you can currently find a PS5 console at Walmart for less than $700.
PS5 Console (Walmart) $668.30
When restocks sell out, PS5 consoles can cost hundreds more than you would usually pay. Because there are no regular-priced PS5s at Best Buy and other retailers, we searched for some of the cheaper options. Stock X, for example, has consoles for around $577 and up, which is a bit less than on some of the other websites. Ebay is another resource for PS5 consoles for $550 and up.
PS5 Console (StockX) $577
If you’re comfortable with high price points, Daily Steals has a PS5 with an extra controller for $1,043.99 and QVC has a PS5 available for $829.
Bundles are another way to ensure that you get a console — and maybe even save a little on the back end. Walmart has several bundles, such as this PS5 Disc Version Console with gaming headset bundle ($859), or this Sony PlayStation 5 Disc Version Console with Pro Gamer Starter Pack Bundle ($719).
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Over-the-ear headphones have a way of helping you sink even deeper into your favorite tunes, and 2022 has been a great year for music fans.
SZA, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Drake and Beyoncé are some of the artists who have blessed the music world with new albums this year, and with holiday sales heating up, now would be a great time to find headphones at a discount.
To make the search a little easier, we’ve rounded up seven of the best over-the-ear, noise-canceling headphones on the market. The list includes options from Best Buy, Amazon and other major retailers who are offering last-minute holiday sales on select brands and fast and free shipping in many cases.
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Below, find headphones from Sony, Apple, JBL, Bose and other top brands starting at $59.99 and up. For more product recommendations, be sure to check out our roundup of the best wired headphones and our Ultimate Gift Guide.
JBL
JBL Live 660NC Headphones
$99.99 $199.99 50% off% OFF
Enhance your soundscape with JBL Live 660NC headphones. These affordable headphones are equipped with 40mm drivers delivering JBL’s signature, booming sound while adaptive noise cancelling and smart ambient technologies lets you choose which sounds to let in and which to keep out. These headphones feature voice assistant capabilities (with a tap on the ear cup) and up to 50 hours of uninterrupted listening time. If you want a cheaper JBL design, the Live 460NC headphones are on sale for $64.99 (regular $129.99).
Amazon
Soundcore by Anker Life Q30 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
$59.99 $79.99 25% OFF
Soundcore by Anker Life Q30 headphones are one of the better, over-ear options that you can find for under $80 — and they’re even cheaper for the holidays. The Life Q30 headphones, on sale for just $59.99 at Amazon, are equipped with active noise cancellation, multiple sound modes and up to 40 hours of playtime.
Marshall
Marshall Major IV Over-Ear Headphones
$149.99
Major sound at a great price. Marshall’s Major IV Over-Ear Headphones provide unrivaled sound quality with custom tuned, dynamic drivers and a whopping 80+ hours of listening time – that’s three solid days of battery life before you need to charge them again. You can even fold the Major IV for easy storage and they’e available in brown or black colorways. Purchase the Major IV headphones online at Marshall.com and SSENSE and on sale for $99 at Amazon.
Best Buy
Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones
$249 $329 24% off% OFF
Bose 45 wireless, noise cancelling, headphones are currently discounted $80. These top-rated headphones provide up to 24 hours of playtime (they charge via USB in up to two-and-a-half hours, while a 15-minute charge gives you up to three hours of juice) and plush ear cushions make it easy to wear them for hours at a time. Bose 45 headphones have six external microphone and are available in several colors including midnight blue, triple black, eclipse grey and white smoke.
Best Buy
Sony WH-100XM5 Noise Cancelling Headphones
$349.99 $399.99 13% off% OFF
“Sony’s best headphones yet!” Save $50 on Sony’s WH-1000XM5, noise-cancelling headphones. Available in black or silver, these top-of-the-line headphones provide crystal clear sound by way of four microphones and the battery lasts up to 30 hours on a single charge making them great for travel but you can, of course, use them at the office, home, school and the gym.
Amazon
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
$449.00 $549.00 18% OFF
Apple’s AirPods Max are basically like a larger version of the AirPods, but you can get them in cool colors like sky blue, space gray, green, pink and silver. AirPods Max discounts rarely drop below $50, so if you want to score an even deeper discount, renewed headphones are priced at around $415 and up at Amazon and $240+ on Ebay.
Amazon
Focal Bathys Over-Ear Hi-Fi Bluetooth Wireless Headphones with Active Noise Cancelation
$799.00
For audiophiles who don’t mind splurging, Focal offers a wide selection of high-end, high-fidelity headphones such as the Bathys over-the-ear headphones. These $800 headphones blend active noise cancellation with hi-fi sound providing a truly dynamic listening experience that can last for up to 30 hours at a time. Bathy’s feature an aluminum-magnesium M-shaped dome (made in France) along with wired and Bluetooth connectivity. Click here for more Focal headphones and speakers.
