Holiday Gifts for Men Who Dress Sharp: Feather Bow Ties & Lapel Pin Sets

December fills the calendar fast: the office party, a cousin's black-tie gala, New Year's Eve, and at least one long family dinner where somebody always asks who dressed up. For the man who actually enjoys that part, the best gift is something he'll wear that same month. A feather bow tie with a matching lapel pin does exactly that. It turns a dark suit he already owns into a holiday outfit, and it's the piece people ask about across the table.

This guide is built around the occasions on his calendar. Find the night he's most likely to dress for, and you'll find the set.

Why a feather bow tie works as a holiday gift

Ties and socks get unwrapped and forgotten. A feather bow tie gets worn, because December is the one month when men are expected to dress up more than usual. Each Mandujour set is handcrafted with natural feathers on the front and a silk backing, paired with a matching feather lapel pin, and finished with an adjustable neck strap for a perfect fit. It arrives in a hand-branded wooden gift box, so there's no scrambling for wrapping paper.

Because the feathers are natural, no two pieces look exactly alike. That makes it feel personal without needing a monogram.

If you want the broader case for a feather bow tie as a gift any time of year, start with our guide to picking a feather bow tie as a present. Below, we stay focused on the holidays.

For the black-tie gala: keep it dark and deep

A formal gala is the one night when a bold color can feel out of step. The move is texture instead of color. The Black Goose Feather Bow Tie & Lapel Pin Set reads as a classic black bow tie from across the room. Up close, the feathers carry a soft sheen that satin can't match. It sits right with a tuxedo, a white shirt and black shoes, and it won't break any dress code.

Best for: the man who owns a tuxedo, or the one who rents one every year and wants something of his own to bring.

For the holiday party: let a little color in

Office parties and friends' holiday get-togethers are where he can have fun. Two sets fit the season without trying too hard.

The Cardinal Red Macaw Feather Bow Tie & Lapel Pin Set is the most festive pick on this list. Against a navy or charcoal suit, the red does the holiday work on its own, so the rest of the outfit can stay simple: a white shirt, no patterned pocket square.

For a warmer, quieter take, the Golden Eggnog Feather Bow Tie & Lapel Pin Set brings soft gold tones that catch the light under string lights and candles. It pairs well with a brown, camel or deep green jacket.

Best for: the guy who shows up to every party, and the one who always gets talked into the ugly-sweater contest but would rather win best dressed.

For the family dinner: warm, earthy and easy to wear

Holiday dinners at home call for something a notch below formal. A sport coat, maybe no jacket at all by dessert. Earth tones fit that setting best.

The Black & Brown Turkey Feather Bow Tie & Lapel Pin Set has barred browns and charcoal edges that look natural with tweed, flannel and corduroy. If he'd like a hint of seasonal color, the Burgundy & Gray Turkey Feather Bow Tie & Lapel Pin Set adds a wash of wine red against cool gray. It works from Thanksgiving straight through to the last dinner of the year.

For a closer look at how these color families compare and how to style them, see our turkey feather bow tie buyer's guide.

Best for: the dad, grandfather or father-in-law who still wears a jacket to dinner and deserves a little credit for it.

For New Year's Eve: crisp contrast for the countdown

New Year's Eve is part formal, part party, and usually photographed from every angle. Contrast photographs well, so think black and white.

The White Snow Goose Feather Bow Tie & Lapel Pin Set is a standout against a black dinner jacket or midnight navy suit. It's clean and bright, and it suits a winter night. For something with more energy, the Black & White Dot Feather Bow Tie & Lapel Pin Set keeps the formal palette but adds a natural dotted pattern that looks good on a crowded dance floor.

Best for: the host, the guy who plans the reservation, and anyone who'll be in the midnight photo.

For the gift exchange or stocking: the set that fits anywhere

If you're drawing names at work or filling a stocking and don't know his wardrobe well, play it safe. The Black Goose and Burgundy & Gray sets are the two easiest to wear with whatever he already owns. Black goes with everything formal. Burgundy and gray sit comfortably with navy, charcoal and brown. The wooden gift box makes the hand-off simple, whether it's under a tree or across a conference table.

Quick tips before you buy

• Match the night, not the man. Think about where he'll wear it first. The right set for a gala is different from the right set for a family dinner.
• Let the bow tie lead. With a feather bow tie and matching lapel pin, keep the shirt plain and skip a busy pocket square.
• Give it early. If the gift is for a specific party, hand it over beforehand so he can wear it that night.
• Two sets, two occasions. A dark set for formal nights and a warm or colorful set for parties covers the whole season.

Find his holiday set

Whether he's headed to a gala, a party or a family table, a feather bow tie and lapel pin set gives him something new to wear this season and a reason to dress up for it. Browse feather bow tie and lapel pin gift sets to find the one that fits his calendar.