Movember is under way, and somewhere a guy is six days into the scratchy stage of growing a beard. Some men are raising money for men's health, some just want to see what happens. Either way, the first few weeks are the hardest. It itches, it looks patchy, and everybody has an opinion. A small gift right now can be the thing that keeps him going.
Give the beard something to grow into
Our pick for this month is the HGB Viking Rune Beard Beads ($19.99). It's a kit of 24 Norse-inspired rune beads in antique silver and antique bronze, each one stamped with a different rune. Right now, his beard is probably too short to braid. That's the point. The beads give him a finish line: keep growing until there's enough to braid, then bead it.
They also make a good conversation gift. He can look up what each rune stands for and pick the ones that fit him, or wear one bead at the end of a braid and save the rest for later. At under $20, they're easy to tuck into a stocking or a Movember care package.
Help him through the itchy weeks
If you'd like to build a bigger gift around the beads, a few basics help a new beard look like it's on purpose:
- HGB Beard Oil Classic ($29.90) softens the hair and calms the itch that makes most guys quit in week two.
- HGB Boar Bristle Beard Brush ($24) spreads the oil and trains the hair to lie in one direction.
- HGB Beard Balm, Triumph ($34) adds a little hold once the beard gets long enough to go its own way.
- HGB Grooming Shears, 6.5 in ($38) let him tidy the neckline and stray hairs without giving up on the length.
How to give it
Give it early in the month, not at the end. A note that says "see you at the first braid" turns a $20 gift into a bit of a challenge, and it gives him a reason to stick it out through November. If he's growing for a Movember fundraiser, pair the gift with a donation to his page. It means more to him than one more product would.
Whether he finishes the month with a full beard or just a strong start, the beads will be waiting when the braid is ready.