Christmas Gifts for Brother and Brother-in-Law: 18 Ideas He'll Use

A note before the list: we make Tribute, the group video maker, and Storybook, and they're the first two picks. The rest come from other brands, and we earn nothing from those links.

What are the best Christmas gifts for brother and brother-in-law?

Brothers are hard to buy for because they say "don't get me anything" and mean it. The trick is to skip the novelty mug and pick something tied to how he spends a Saturday. Spending more doesn't help as much as you'd think: in a study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Flynn and Adams found that givers expect pricier gifts to be appreciated more, but recipients' appreciation didn't depend on the price.

1. Tribute group video (our pick, we make this)

Picture your older brother at Christmas dinner, watching a video where his kids, his college friends, your parents and his old soccer coach each tell one story about him. Tribute is a group video maker that turns messages from friends and family into one surprise video. It works by inviting everyone to record a short clip from their phone; Tribute compiles the clips, music and photos into a finished video you share or play together.

You start it, share one link and people record when it suits them, with no app or account needed. It fits families spread across time zones. Over 8 million videos have been sent on Tribute, and it holds 4.9 stars from 7,000+ reviews.

• Look for: A prompt that gets stories, like "What's your best memory with him?", and a deadline a week or two before Christmas, since collecting videos takes time
• Price: Free to start a draft; from $35 when you publish (final video up to 30 minutes), $99 with Concierge editing, $149 with Concierge plus a 7-inch Video Book (as of October 2026)

Best for: The brother who has everything, or a brother-in-law you want to welcome into the family.

Why it works: Unlike a gift card, it can't be bought, only made by the people who love him.

👉 Start a Tribute

2. Storybook video book (our pick, we make this)

Storybook is a hardcover video book by Tribute that plays a film when it's opened. You build the film online from old home videos and photos: the backyard wrestling, the bad haircut, the road trip where the car broke down. One sibling makes it, so you don't have to rally anyone.

• Look for: Digitized home videos; even five or six clips tell a story
• Price: 5-inch $49, 7-inch $88, 10-inch $129, with free US shipping (as of October 2026)

Best for: Brothers who grew up sharing a room.

Why it works: He'll laugh at the haircut, then play it for his own kids.

What are good Christmas present ideas for a brother who cooks?

Food gifts are safe because they get used, and they don't add clutter to a house that already has too much. These five range from a stocking stuffer to a pizza oven the family splits.

3. Burlap & Barrel Salt & Peppercorn Medley

Burlap & Barrel's Salt & Peppercorn Medley comes in a 3.3 oz grinder-top jar. The brand pitches it as your new salt and pepper, in the kitchen and at the table.

• Look for: A brother who grills or cooks steak
• Price: $9.99 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Brother-in-law stocking stuffers.

Why it works: Under $10 and he'll use it on every meal.

4. Fly By Jing Original Sichuan Chili Crisp (2-pack)

Fly By Jing's Original Sichuan Chili Crisp is made in Chengdu. The brand describes it as hot, spicy, crispy, numbing and savory, but not off-the-charts spicy.

• Look for: The 2-pack so he can keep one and share the other
• Price: $30 (as of October 2026)

Best for: The brother who puts hot sauce on everything.

Why it works: It upgrades eggs, rice and leftovers without any effort on his part.

5. Fishwife Smoked Salmon (3-pack)

Three tins of Fishwife's Smoked Salmon, which the brand calls its butteriest salmon yet. It goes on toast, into pasta or straight onto a cracker.

• Look for: A brother who builds snack boards for the game
• Price: $33 (as of October 2026)

Best for: The brother-in-law who's always in charge of appetizers.

Why it works: Tinned fish looks fancy and takes zero cooking.

6. Brightland Ardor Chili Olive Oil

Ardor is Brightland's chili-flavored olive oil. The brand calls it bold but composed, warming rather than fiery, with a finish of gentle smoke and spice.

• Look for: A brother who makes pizza or roasts vegetables
• Price: $40 (as of October 2026)

Best for: The home chef with a good knife and nothing nice to drizzle.

Why it works: It's a step up from the grocery store bottle he'd never splurge on.

7. Ooni Koda 2 Gas Powered Pizza Oven

The Koda 2 is Ooni's second-generation gas pizza oven, built on the Koda 12. Ooni says its tapered flame burner makes professional-level results achievable by anyone.

• Look for: A patio, a propane tank and siblings willing to split the cost
• Price: $499 (as of October 2026)

Best for: A group gift from all the siblings.

Why it works: You'll all get invited to pizza night, so everyone wins.

Which gifts work for a tech or gamer brother?

Tech gifts land when they fix something he complains about. Check his phone and console first.

8. Apple AirTag

An AirTag on his keys or luggage shows up in Apple's Find My. Apple says the current version has its loudest speaker yet and an expanded Precision Finding range.

• Look for: An iPhone; AirTag works with Apple devices
• Price: $29, or $99 for a 4-pack (as of October 2026)

Best for: The brother who flies home for the holidays and checks a bag.

Why it works: He'll know where his suitcase is before the airline does.

9. Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim)

Anker's MagGo Power Bank holds 10,000mAh, charges over USB-C at up to 30W and is 0.58 inches thick.

• Look for: The compatibility list on Anker's page so it fits his phone
• Price: $79.86 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Brothers who travel, camp or coach.

Why it works: Slim enough for a jacket pocket, so it goes everywhere.

10. JLab JBuds Lux ANC Headphones

JLab's JBuds Lux ANC are over-ear wireless headphones with hybrid noise canceling, 70 hours of playtime, Spatial Audio and a foldable design.

• Look for: Over-ear if he wears them on flights or trains
• Price: $84.99 (as of October 2026)

Best for: The commuter brother.

Why it works: Seventy hours of battery means he forgets they need charging.

11. Field Notes Original Kraft Memo Book 3-Pack

Three pocket-size, 48-page Field Notes memo books in graph, ruled or plain paper. The first ones were made by hand as a holiday gift for friends.

• Look for: Graph for the engineer brother, ruled for everyone else
• Price: $12.95 (as of October 2026)

Best for: A brother-in-law gift guide staple: useful, small, no guessing sizes.

Why it works: Every guy with a truck or a toolbox has a use for one.

What are good gifts for an older brother or brother-in-law at home?

Christmas presents for older brothers can lean practical and comfortable. These four pass the "will he use it next week" test.

12. Ridge Wallet in Gunmetal

Ridge describes its Gunmetal aluminum wallet as slim, strong-built and RFID-blocking.

• Look for: Aluminum for everyday; titanium versions cost more
• Price: $95 (as of October 2026)

Best for: The brother whose wallet is held together by habit.

Why it works: It's an upgrade he'd never make for himself.

13. Brooklinen Super-Plush Slippers

Brooklinen makes these Super-Plush Slippers from the same zero-twist 100% Aegean Turkish cotton as its towels and robes.

• Look for: His shoe size, asked through his partner so it stays a surprise
• Price: $69 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Weekend mornings with coffee.

Why it works: Comfort gifts are the ones older brothers love and never mention.

14. Loop Dream

Loop Dream earplugs are built for sleep, including side-sleeping. Loop pitches them for muffling a snoring partner.

• Look for: A brother with a new baby, a loud street or a partner who snores
• Price: $44.95 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Light sleepers.

Why it works: Better sleep beats any gadget.

15. Solo Stove Mesa XL Tabletop Fire Pit

The Mesa XL is Solo Stove's smokeless, portable tabletop fire pit for patios and small gatherings.

• Look for: A sturdy outdoor table to set it on
• Price: $99.99 (as of October 2026)

Best for: The brother who hosts after the kids go to bed.

Why it works: It turns a cold patio into the best seat at the party.

What are good gifts for a teenage brother?

Gifts for a teenage brother should be cool to him, not to you. These three pass. Our stocking stuffers list has more under $25.

16. Exploding Kittens: Original Edition

Exploding Kittens is the card game where you try not to draw the Exploding Kitten, using skip, attack, shuffle and defuse cards to be the last one standing.

• Look for: The Original Edition first
• Price: $19.99 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Brothers who'd rather beat you at something than talk.

Why it works: A game is a way to hang out without calling it hanging out.

17. Crocs Classic Clog

The Classic Clog is light and flexible and holds up to 26 Jibbitz charms, according to Crocs.

• Look for: A few charms tied to his team or games
• Price: $49.99, on sale for $39.99 when we checked (as of October 2026)

Best for: The younger brother who lives in slides.

Why it works: The charms let him make them his own.

18. Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler, 40 oz

Stanley's 40 oz Quencher is a travel tumbler with a straw for all-day hydration, part of Stanley's Holiday Collection.

• Look for: A dark color that hides scuffs
• Price: $50 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Brothers of any age who live at the gym or on a job site.

Why it works: It holds enough to get through a full shift or practice.

How do you pick Christmas gifts for a brother and sister-in-law together?

If your brother has a partner, one shared gift often beats two small ones. The Ooni, the fire pit or a group video from the family all work for a couple. Compared to two separate gifts, a shared one also skips the question of who got the better present.

Shoppers planned to spend $627.93 each on gifts for family and friends in the National Retail Federation's 2025 holiday survey, and siblings often get squeezed. Pooling money for one bigger gift helps.

Add a card that says "Merry Christmas, brother, and family" and you've covered the whole household. For more ideas, see our Christmas gift ideas and the Christmas ideas hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you get a brother who says he wants nothing?

Get him something made, not bought: a Tribute group video from family and friends, or a Storybook of your childhood videos. Pair it with a small useful item like chili crisp or an AirTag.

What are good Christmas presents for a brother-in-law?

Food and practical gear are the safest: a salt and pepper medley, Fishwife tins, a Field Notes pack or a Ridge wallet. They don't require knowing his size or taste in clothes.

How much should you spend on a brother for Christmas?

There's no set number; agree on a range with your siblings, or pool money for one bigger gift. Research suggests the price matters less to the recipient than givers think.

What is a good gift for a brother who lives far away?

Ship something that travels well, like chili crisp or tinned fish, and start a Tribute so the family can send video messages from wherever they are.

What are good gifts for a teenage brother?

Exploding Kittens, Crocs with a few charms and a Stanley Quencher are teen-approved picks under $50. Earbuds or a power bank work if your budget is higher.

What is a good group gift from siblings to a brother?

An Ooni pizza oven or Solo Stove fire pit split between siblings, or a Tribute group video where everyone records a story. The video costs from $35 for the whole group.

👉 Start a Tribute and get the whole family in one video for him.