Christmas Gifts for Brother

Monopoly Deal keeps the property trading and rent-charging of Monopoly but plays in about 15 minutes with a single deck. It's cheap, fits in a pocket, and gets surprisingly competitive.

Worth knowing: It's best with three or more players. The rules have a few quirks, so read them once before the first game.

The wire whisk ball breaks up protein powder with a few shakes, and the leakproof lid holds up to a gym bag. It's the shaker most lifters already trust.

Worth knowing: He may already own one, in which case a second is still handy. Rinse it right after use or it starts to smell.

The Nalgene is nearly indestructible, holds a full quart, and the wide mouth makes it easy to clean and fill with ice. It's been a camping staple for decades.

Worth knowing: It isn't insulated, so cold drinks warm up. Very hot liquids are fine, but the outside will get hot too.

These are inexpensive, light earbuds with good battery life and a small charging case. They're a solid backup pair for the gym or commute, where an expensive pair would be a risk.

Worth knowing: Sound and call quality are fine for the price but can't match premium earbuds. There's no noise cancellation.

A science teacher wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory and has to save Earth. It's funny, fast and full of clever problem-solving, and the 2026 film adaptation brought it a lot of new readers.

Worth knowing: If he's already seen the movie, the twists won't surprise him, though most fans say the book is still worth reading.

Speed Champions sets build detailed, palm-sized models of real cars from brands like Ferrari, Porsche and Ford. They take about an hour and look good on a desk or shelf.

Worth knowing: These are small sets. Pick a car he actually likes, since the lineup changes every year.

The G305 is a fast, light wireless gaming mouse with a precise sensor, and it's been one of the most recommended budget gaming mice for years. A single AA battery lasts a long time.

Worth knowing: It's on the small side for very large hands. It runs on an AA battery with no built-in recharging.

Catan is the board game that got a generation into modern board games: players build roads and settlements and trade resources with each other. It's a great game for the long afternoon after Christmas dinner.

Worth knowing: It needs three or four players for the base game. Games take an hour or more, and luck plays a real part.

The IceFlow keeps drinks cold for hours, has a carry handle, and its flip straw is leak-resistant when closed. It's tough enough to ride in a truck or toss in a gym bag.

Worth knowing: It's for cold drinks only, since hot liquids through a straw aren't safe. The straw parts need a quick brush to stay clean.

The Fire TV Stick plugs into an HDMI port and adds all the major streaming apps with a voice remote. It's a simple way to upgrade a hand-me-down TV.

Worth knowing: Streaming subscriptions are extra. The home screen shows a lot of ads and Amazon content.

The Daylite Plus is a light, comfortable 20-liter pack with a padded laptop or water-reservoir sleeve and plenty of pockets. Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee covers repairs for the life of the pack.

Worth knowing: It's a daypack, so it's too small for overnight trips. The back panel is mesh-covered foam, so it can get warm on hot hikes.

The Smokey Joe is a small version of Weber's classic kettle, big enough for burgers and brats for a few people. It's simple, sturdy and easy to carry to a game or campsite.

Worth knowing: It's charcoal only and takes some practice to control heat. Check whether his apartment allows grills on the balcony.