Every family has one. The dad who's been wearing the same scratched gas station shades since 2019. The partner who "borrows" your sunglasses and never gives them back. The brother-in-law who's impossible to shop for. Good news: a sunglasses gift solves all three, and it's one of the few presents that gets worn long after the tree comes down.
We built this holiday gift guide around the Nectar frames, hats and stocking stuffers we'd put under our own trees, sorted by who's on your list and what you want to spend.
The short answer: For dad or anyone who's hard to shop for, the Kitty Hawk aviator ($59) or the Chucktown ($55) is the safest sunglasses gift. For her, go with the oversized round Shockoe. For the angler or golfer, the Islamorada. Need a stocking stuffer? The Case Koozie is $15.
The Holiday Sunglasses Gift Guide: Gifts for Dad
Dads are the hardest people on the list and the easiest people to buy sunglasses for. They lose them, sit on them, and leave them on the dashboard all summer. Every style below blocks 100% of UVA and UVB rays, has a hydrophobic lens coating that sheds water and smudges, and is prescription ready if he wears glasses.
Best for: the classic dad
Kitty Hawk $59
Named for the birthplace of flight, the Kitty Hawk is our take on the aviator: a stainless steel frame with silicone nose tips and a slightly oversized lens. It's the pair for the dad who won't wear anything else, and the one he'll actually swap out his old ones for.
- Polarized CR39 lens
- Gold frame with amber, G15 or blue lens
- 136 mm frame width
Best for: the dad who has everything
Chucktown $55
The Chucktown has been Nectar's go-to style since day one, which is why it shares a name with our HQ. It's unisex, fits most face shapes, and the lightweight TR90 frame can take a beating in a cup holder or a tackle bag.
- Polarized polycarbonate lens
- 138 mm frame width (medium to large)
- Colorways from all black to transparent grey with a red mirror lens
Best for: the guy who says nothing fits
Asbury Park $59
Got someone on your list with a big head? The Asbury Park was made for him. At 151 mm wide with a 16 mm bridge, it's the widest frame in this guide, and it ships with a neoprene zipper hard case.
- Polarized polycarbonate lens
- Large to XL fit
- Black and tortoise with G15, or matte black with smoke or blue
Best for: the big gift
Hawksbill $69
Named for one of the best hikes in the Shenandoah, the Hawksbill is a sleek rectangle with softened edges. It's handmade from premium acetate, so the color runs through the material instead of being sprayed on. It looks as good on wear 300 as it does on Christmas morning.
- Handcrafted acetate, stainless steel 3-barrel hinges
- Matte black frame, smoke lens, 136 mm wide
- Flatters round, oval and heart-shaped faces
Gift tipWrap the frames inside a Case Koozie. It doubles as a sunglass case and a can koozie, and a Chucktown plus a Case Koozie ($70) clears the $65 free shipping line.
Sunglasses Gifts for Her
For the wife, girlfriend, mom or sister who owns a dozen pairs and still steals yours. These are the frames with a little more personality, from oversized rounds to statement cat-eyes.
Best for: the pair she's been borrowing
Shockoe $59
Our largest round eye, so it blocks more sun without a wrap. It's unisex, but we've heard plenty of stories about the Shockoe getting borrowed by a significant other and never returned. This year, just buy her her own.
- Largest round frame we make, 140 mm wide
- Dark tortoise with gradient amber, or transparent olive with G15
- Medium frame with a larger lens
Best for: the statement lover
Caladesi $69
Oversized acetate cat-eyes named after one of the few untouched islands on the Gulf Coast. They're showstoppers, and they come in a vegan leather magnetic case, so they feel like a gift before the wrapping paper comes off.
- Handcrafted acetate, CR39 lens
- 143 mm frame width (medium to large)
- Black with smoke lens, or Olive Ridley with G15
Best for: smaller faces and boho style
Greenwich $55
Our smaller round metal frame, named after the coffee shop and record store blocks of Greenwich Village. It's a great pick for anyone who finds most sunglasses swallow their face.
- Polarized CR39 lens
- Small to medium fit, 138 mm frame width
- Gold or black metal with black lens
Best for: the vintage soul
Woodstock $59
A throwback shape that pays homage to the festival it's named after. The Woodstock reads timeless rather than costume, and the black and honey tortoise version with a gradient smoke lens is about as easy to wear as sunglasses get.
- Polarized CR39 lens
- 142 mm frame width
- Brown tortoise, soft touch black, or black and honey tortoise
Christmas Gifts for Golfers, Boaters and Fishermen
If the person you're shopping for spends weekends on a boat, a dock or the back nine, they need two things: glare control and something to keep the sun off their face. Polarized lenses cut the glare bouncing off water and bright fairways, which is why our fishing sunglasses and golf sunglasses lean hard on them. Pair a frame with a performance hat and you've got their spring opener covered before winter's over.
Best for: anglers and boat people
Islamorada $59
Named after the self-described sport fishing capital of the world, the Islamorada is our go-to frame for time on the water. The full wrap blocks light from the sides, and the temple grips keep it planted when the bite is on.
- Polarized polycarbonate, ice blue mirror lens
- Silicone temple grips and internal locking hinge
- Croakie holes on the arms, large to XL fit
Best for: golfers who want a cleaner look
Shenandoah $59
A rectangular frame with a slight wrap that stops rays from sneaking in around the edges, without the full sport look. It's the pair for the golfer who wears the same shades from the first tee to the clubhouse.
- Polarized lens, recycled TR90 frame
- 137 mm frame width, slight wrap
- Black frame with blue, black, green or orange lens
Best for: all-day sun
Day Tripper Hat $35
Lightweight rip stop fabric that's UPF 50+, quick drying, and stain and water resistant. A dark under visor cuts glare under the brim, and the moisture-wicking sweatband handles the hot days.
- UPF 50+ performance rip stop
- Adjustable velcro backstrap
- Sand or Pebble Grey
Best for: the beach lover counting down to summer
South Swell Hat $35
Made from our lightest material, a performance Supplex that's water resistant with UPF 50+ sun protection. It's built for long beach days, which makes it a perfect winter gift for anyone who'd rather be on the sand.
- UPF 50+ Supplex, quick drying
- Mid profile crown, adjustable snapback
- Shell, Powder Blue or Iron Grey
Stocking Stuffers for Men (and Everyone Else) Under $30
The best stocking stuffers are small, useful and a little bit fun. These all fit in a stocking, and the Mystery Pair might be the best white elephant or Secret Santa gift under $25 you'll find. Shop more in our stocking stuffers collection.
Best for: the ultimate stocking stuffer
Case Koozie $15
A sunglass case that doubles as a koozie. Soft neoprene protects the lenses, and when it's time to celebrate, the shades come out and a cold 12 oz can (normal or skinny) goes in.
- Buttery soft neoprene
- Fits standard and skinny 12 oz cans
- Palms, Coastal Camo or Gritty Bark
Best for: white elephant and Secret Santa
Mystery Sunglass Pair $24
One surprise pair, randomly selected from our premium collections. It's the most fun $24 you can put under a tree, and the gift everyone fights over at the white elephant swap.
- One random pair from our premium collections
- Surprise frame and lens color
- Under $25
Best for: the chronic sunglass sitter
Magnetic Hard Case $12
Premium vegan leather with a strong magnetic closure and a fold-flat design, so it protects a pair without adding bulk to a bag or glove box.
- Vegan leather, magnetic closure
- Folds flat for travel
- Dark brown, light brown or beige
Best for: everyday wear
OG Foamy Trucker Hat $27
The tried and true Nectar trucker in Midnight Black. Easy to wear, easy to wrap, and it pairs with any frame on this list.
- Classic foam front trucker
- Midnight Black
- Pairs with any Nectar frame
A few more under $15: the Sticker Variety Pack ($12, three paper stickers and one vinyl for water bottles and coolers) and the Wristband Variety Pack ($10).
Last-Minute Gifts and Gifts for the Desk Job
Running out of time, or shopping for someone who spends more hours in front of a screen than in the sun? These two have you covered.
Best for: the last-minute save
Nectar Gift Card $25 to $100
When you can't guess their style or their size, let them pick. It's the no-stress gift for anyone who loves the beach, the lake or the golf course.
- Available in $25, $50, $75 and $100
- Good on sunglasses, hats and accessories
- Zero guessing on fit
Best for: the remote worker
Cambridge Blue Light Blockers $45
A classic round eye with a slim arm that plays nice with headphones. The lenses filter 45% of high energy blue light, making them a practical gift they won't buy themselves. Curious whether they help? Read do blue light glasses work.
- Filters 45% of high energy blue light
- Transparent grey, blue tortoise or brown tortoise
- Prescription ready
How to Pick a Sunglasses Gift That Actually Fits
The number one reason sunglasses end up in a drawer is fit. Here's how to get it right without spoiling the surprise.
Sneak a look at the pair they already wear. Many frames have their measurements printed on the inside of the arm. The first number is usually the lens width, but total frame width is the number to compare. Nectar lists frame width on every product page, so you can match it.
| Fit | Frame width | Gift picks |
|---|---|---|
| Small to medium | Up to about 138 mm | Greenwich, Luray |
| Medium to large | About 136 to 143 mm | Chucktown, Kitty Hawk, Shockoe, Woodstock, Hawksbill, Caladesi |
| Large to XL | 143 mm and up | Asbury Park (151 mm), Islamorada |
Think about where they'll wear them. Driving, fishing and beach days call for polarized lenses, which cut reflected glare. Our guide to polarized vs. non-polarized sunglasses breaks down the difference, and our face shape guide helps you narrow down a style. If they wear glasses, every frame here is prescription ready; see our prescription glasses.
Order early and bundle. Holiday shipping gets busy, so don't wait until the week of. Orders over $65 ship free: any $59 frame plus a Magnetic Hard Case or Case Koozie gets you there.
FAQs About Buying Sunglasses as a Holiday Gift
What's a good gift for a dad who has everything?
A new pair of polarized sunglasses. Plenty of dads are wearing a pair that's scratched, bent or a few years past its prime. The Kitty Hawk aviator and the Chucktown are our most giftable frames for dad, and both block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
What if I don't know their frame size?
Check the frame width of a pair they already wear and match it to the frame width listed on each Nectar product page. If you can't check, the Chucktown fits the widest range of faces, or a Nectar gift card ($25 to $100) lets them pick their own.
Are Nectar sunglasses polarized?
Most of the frames in this guide are, including the Chucktown, Kitty Hawk, Woodstock, Greenwich, Asbury Park, Shenandoah and Islamorada. Check the Lens section on each product page for the exact lens type before you buy.
What's a good white elephant or Secret Santa gift under $25?
The Nectar Mystery Sunglass Pair ($24) is a surprise pair from our premium collections, so the reveal is half the fun. The Case Koozie ($15) is another crowd favorite because it's a sunglass case and a can koozie in one.
Does Nectar offer free shipping?
Yes, orders over $65 ship free. Pairing any frame with a Case Koozie or Magnetic Hard Case is the easiest way to get there.
Whoever's on your list this year, there's a pair here that'll get worn long after the wrapping paper's gone.
Shop the Holiday Gift Guide
