Discovering a signature scent is a deeply personal experience, and although that's what makes it so special, it's also what makes it challenging to give cologne as a gift. Sure, receiving a full-sized bottle of cologne for men is a wonderful but rather limiting gift idea. As our beauty editor, I'd argue these cologne gift sets are an even better surprise for the holiday season and special occasions like anniversaries, birthdays, and Father's Day. Many come in mini discovery sets, allowing your giftee to enjoy a full range of scents without putting serious strain on your wallet. No, really – the most affordable cologne gift set on this list costs just under-$25!
The majority of my cologne gift set recommendations are between $50 and $250, ensuring your giftee can enjoy new scents without breaking your budget. If your loved one has been especially wonderful and your budget allows it, I threw in some luxury beauty gift ideas from Krigler, the go-to fragrance house of JFK and Ernest Hemmingway.
Speaking of noted public figures, for any Kylo Ren fans out there, Adam Driver is the new face of Burberry Hero, and their holiday gift set includes a full-sized bottle and travel-friendly spray bottle for under $150.
Regardless of which cologne gift set you order for your loved one, encourage them to live their best life while donning their new present. Research from Harvard shows there is a connection between scent and memories. And while you're at it — don't be shy and treat yourself to a self-care gift by exploring our other fragrance content, including my Best Tested perfumes for women and cheap perfumes, along with cheap colognes.
1Best of Clean Beauty
Henry Rose by Michelle Pfeiffer is a game-changing unisex line of fragrances made from clean ingredients. Her brand teamed up with the Environmental Working Group and Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute to ensure every scent prioritizes health and safety.
The Discovery Set is a fantastic way to introduce your loved one to the brand without splurging for a full-sized bottle. There are six fragrances in each stocking stuff, including Char, Flora Carnivora, Jake's House, Queens & Monsters, Torn, and Windows Down.
2Best Overall
My best overall cologne gift set idea is this all-inclusive bundle from Every Man Jack. Beyond the impressive price point — hello, 50% off sale! — this kit is available in two scents: sandalwood, which has an earthy and woodsy aroma, and sea salt for a clean and fresh vibe.
In addition to a bottle of cologne, there are enough grooming products to round out their routine and ensure they smell like either sandalwood or sea salt throughout the day. There's a body wash, 2-in-1 shampoo and body bar, hand and body lotion, deodorant, 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, and SPF 30 mineral face lotion.
3Best Budget Buy
Boy Smells candles get plenty of hype, but their unisex perfumes deserve some love, too. The KUSH collection is a staple among Boy Smells enthusiasts — and your favorite guy will be equally enamored by these green, bright, and intoxicating scents.
This gift set includes three unique takes on earthy scents, including CASHMERE KUSH, COWBOY KUSH, and ITALIAN KUSH. CASHMERE combines cashmere woods and amber with powdery musk and tulips. COWBOY combines suede, saffron, and patchouli, while ITALIAN is a bright blend of citrus, basil, and cypress for a touch of sunshine.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4For the Mysterious One
Gucci knows how to executive provocative creations. Ahem, the NSFW Spring 2003 campaign with models Adam Senn and Carmen Kass immediately comes to mind. The brand bottled up a sexy, woody, aromatic cologne for men with spicy notes that are designed to provoke our senses.
The carefree 70s scent opens up with chili pepper and rose, while faint notes of salt and vinegar add a surprising complexity. There's also orange blossom absolute, neroli, and French lavender, while patchouli and cedarwood add some much-needed sensuality to the cologne. It is mysterious and accentuates the scent's richness and sensuality.
5Best Fresh and Spicy Scent
Lovebomb is an icon in the vast world of perfumes, so it's no wonder Viktor&Rolf successfully created one of the best cologne gifts in the game.
Spicebomb Night Vision is infused with fresh, green notes and fiery black spices, such as black chili and black pepper, for an addictive blend. It's an addictive scent with sensual, warm notes of tonka bean absolute and woody notes.
6Best for Travelers
Be the gifting champion of your favorite dude's life with Burberry Hero, a woody cologne that blends pine needles, benzoin, and cedarwood oils into a winter-appropriate scent.
Hero is so beguiling that Star Wars actor Adam Driver is the current face of Burrberry's new cologne, so if you know any Kylo Ren fans, they're going to be extra hyped to smell like Driver.
There's a full-sized bottle of cologne and a travel-friendly mini spray bottle they can stash in their gym locker or in their dopp bag for any last-minute trips.
Pro tip: If you only have $50 to spend, order the travel-sized duo instead.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7Most Ulta Reviews
Meet the Prada cologne so good, your loved one needs a full-sized bottle at home and two travel-sized spray bottles for on-the-go touchups and travels. Best of all, this gift set comes in an aesthetically pleasing Prada gift box, so you can forgo wrapping paper or a gift bag.
The warm and spicy cologne has seductive notes of amber, fresh patchouli, and coumarin, which contains cinnamon. No wonder more than 1,000 Ulta shoppers praise this gift set.
8Best French Fragrances
It would be an understatement to say that I'm a huge Parfums de Marly fan. I previously named Delina as my best overall perfume for women, but I also savor spritzing on Safnad during colder months. All of their scents are incredibly delightful and take wearers (and those lucky enough to get close to them) along a wonderful scent journey.
I was first introduced to the spicy, blood orange top notes of Kalan and Layton, a wood, vanilla, pepper, and patchouli base, years ago, and they remain memorable. The quad also includes Percival, a bright citrus and aromatic scent, along with Pegasus, a non-basic vanilla with amber and sandalwood base notes.
9For the One Who Loves Variety
We all know someone who is indecisive, so gifting them this six-piece gift set from D.S. & Durga is a wonderful way to help them have some variety when discovering their new signature scent.
The box set includes popular fragrances, like I Don't Know What, which was designed to be layered over any aroma, including body oils. It also helps breathe life into old colognes your loved one has moved on from using.
Pistachio, which features the ingredient in its top, middle, and base notes, and Debaser, which contains fig leaf and coconut — yum!
As for Jazmin Yucatan, it's got me dreaming of Mexico, while Radio Bombay evokes the warmth and beauty of Mumbai. Lastly, there's Cowboy Grass, an ambery herb-focused scent inspired by Westerns.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
10Best Long-Lasting Scent
For anyone lucky enough to splurge on a cologne gift set, I encourage you to look into Krigler. The brand, a favorite of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemmingway, has several enticing options, but I highly recommend America One 31, a favorite of JFK. It's a fresh and spicy blend of bergamot, cumin, mandarin, cedar, neroli, and black pepper. This gift set also includes a chic Krigler candle and skin-softening bar soap.
I wear Krigler's Mediterranean Peach, a fruity floral with woody notes, and can attest these scents are incredibly potent and long-lasting. I can confidently spritz on their perfume in the morning, and the aroma lingers until I shower after work.
The all
The 15 best hot air brushes for your easiest at
The best moisturisers 2023 for every skin type and budget
The best retinol serums to fight ageing and improve skin texture
The best hot cloth cleanser to steam and clean your pores
The best vitamin C moisturisers for radiant skin
7 best moisturisers for combination skin that are perfect for any budget
The best shampoo for red hair to keep those locks fiery
Best hydrating cleansers for a splash of moisture everyday
The best shampoo for stripping hair colour without damage