Picture it. You're wrapped in warmth, your person’s arms around you, and their scent leaves an intoxicating trail that makes you feel safe and loved. The only thing that’s better than being hugged by someone who smells incredible is knowing you put someone on to what became their signature scent.
And with the holiday season around the corner, the gift of a signature scent is much more than just a bottle. In reality, fragrances are, perhaps, one of the most thoughtful gifts one can receive, as they can elicit memories, project personality, and lean into a mood. Fragrances are really like chips: you can’t have just one.
Gift giving during the holiday season doesn’t have to be stressful, especially when it comes to something as personal as colognes. With so many options that suit different personalities and styles, finding the perfect scent for your special someone is much easier than you think.
Read on to see some potential stocking stuffers that are sure to delight your man this December.
Yves Saint Laurent MYSLF Eau de Parfum
Travel size, $38; Full Size Starting at $165
A 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner, YSL MYSLF celebrates individuality through contrast. The blend of sweet orange blossom with the warm, boozy accord of vanilla bourbon results in a smooth, complex, and tantalizing aroma that evolves beautifully throughout the day. MYSLF is a scent that feels intimate and confident, embodying the layers of a man’s expression.
Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Elixir
Starting at $132
Launched in 2023, Le Male is deep, magnetic, and bold. This scent oozes as much sensuality as the man-shaped bottle itself, keeping in line with other JPG creations. Lavender and mint introduce a cool freshness that gives way to a surprising base of honey, tonka bean, and tobacco. The blend is unique, addictive, and impossible to forget.
Armani Stronger with You Intensely Eau de Parfum
Starting at $105
This flanker turns up the volume of Stronger with You’s warm spicy notes without losing the OG’s signature chestnut accord. Vibrant and warm-bodied, it offers a balance of sweet and strong that draws people in. It’s perfect for the man who embodied passion and power, leaving an impression that lingers.
Prada Paradigme Eau de Parfum
Travel Size, $37; Full Size Starting at $136
Paradigme opens with the brightness of calabrian bergamot before melting into the woodiness of Peru balsam. The scent is both fresh and grounded, polished yet effortless. With long-lasting projection, this cologne is good enough for everyday use, and perfect for the man who can stand out without the need to shout.
Versace Eros Eau de Parfum
Travel Size, $37; Full Size Starting at $139
Versace Eros captures the essence of desire with cool mint, orange blossom, and woody vanilla. The result is both a refreshing and sensual scent that brings warmth to the Mediterranean-inspired bottle. With love in mind, it evokes a passion and confidence as timeless as the Greek god it’s named after.
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme Eau de Toilette
Travel Size, $38; Full Size Starting at $106
Light Blue is a fragrance that can be worn year-round, thanks to a fresh and approachable scent. Equal parts masculine and seductive with notes of Sicilian lemon, rosemary, and patchouli, you may find your man reaching for this gentle yet vibrant scent more often than not. (And you might, too!)
Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Intense Eau de Parfum
Starting at $132
A pairing of vanilla, lavender, and vetiver provides a sweet, smoky, and understated blend that’s far from basic, offering a modern twist on the classic’s sophisticated blend. Housed in a pink-and-black version of Valentino’s recognizable rockstud bottle, Born in Roma Intense carries edgy rebellion that you may end up spritzing on yourself when he’s not looking.
Rabanne 1 Million Eau de Toilette
Starting at $122
Cinnamon and amber notes ignite the senses with a spiciness that turns heads, while leather and patchouli add to its depth. The definition of confident luxury, 1 Million is practically tailor-made for hot dates out and hot nights in, coming with a versatility that allows the wearer to choose their own adventure during these upcoming cold months.
Kilian Angels Share Eau de Parfum
Travel Size, $50; Full Size Starting at $275
Sippin’ cognac by the fire while apple pie bakes in the kitchen—if you can envision that scent, you can envision Angel’s Share. It unfolds with layers of oak and vanilla, resulting in a unisex smell that’s downright boozy, sultry, and irresistible. It’s not only a compliment magnet; Beyoncé reportedly frequents it. If it’s good enough for the queen, it’s good enough for your king.
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum
Travel Size, $75: Full Size Starting at $195
A modern classic, Tobacco Vanille is the perfect balance of smoky and sweet, blending rich tobacco leaf with tonka bean, cocoa, and sweet wood sap, to name a few notes. The velvety scent feels warm, enveloping, and seductive. It’s ideal for decadent nights out: think black-tie events or a romantic dinner. This cologne captures the confidence and power needed to make a lasting impression.
Hugo Boss HB Boss Bottled Beyond Eau de Parfum
Travel Size, $36; Full Size Starting at $125
Sorry, ladies, this cologne is definitely not one you can steal for yourself. A refined yet rugged profile encapsulates Boss Bottled Beyond, providing a scent that is masculine, bold, and unfussy, without being too overpowering. A spicy ginger note adds a bite, and supple leather adds another level of dimension.