What to Get Your Plumber Husband for Christmas

What to Get Your Plumber Husband for Christmas

If you're married to a plumber, you already know two things. He works hard on his body (knees, back and hands), and he's already bought every tool he needs. Ask what he wants and you'll hear "I'm good." So here's how to shop for him anyway, from people who make gear for the trades.

Start with how his days actually go

A plumber's day is crawlspaces, under-sink cabinets, cold basements, wet job sites and a lot of driving between them. The gifts that land make one of those moments better: warmer, drier, easier on the knees, or one less thing to dig for in the van. Keep that in mind and you won't go far wrong.

Gifts that take care of his body

  • Thick kneeling pads or knee pads. Sore knees are one of the most common complaints in the trade. A water-resistant kneeling pad for under-sink work is cheap and gets used daily.
  • Really good boot socks. It sounds like a cliché, but working plumbers say so on forums every year. Get a few pairs of merino or heavy work socks, and check his boot height and shoe size first.
  • Hand cream made for work hands. Water, solvents and cold do a number on knuckles. Pick an unscented one.
  • A massage gun or heat wrap for after the long days. It's a bigger spend, but he'll use it most nights.

Gifts that keep him warm and dry

  • A heavy hoodie for cold mornings. Our Safety Orange Trade Hoodie is a heavy-blend pullover with a lined hood and front pouch, with "Built for the Trades" printed on the back. It comes in Safety Orange or Sport Grey. It's a bright work color, not a rated hi-vis garment.
  • A beanie that fits under his hood. Our Cuffed Jobsite Beanie is a snug knit, made for frozen-pipe calls at 6 a.m.
  • Waterproof work boots or boot dryers. Boots are personal, so only buy them if you know his exact brand and size. Boot dryers are a safer bet and get used every night in winter.
  • Merino base layers if he works in unheated buildings or outside.

Gifts for the truck and the morning coffee

  • A mug that can take the truck. Our Enamel Jobsite Mug holds 12 oz. Hand-wash it, and don't heat anything directly in it.
  • A magnetic or neck flashlight for under sinks and behind water heaters.
  • A small-parts organizer for fittings and fasteners in the van. Ask what he's using now before replacing it.
  • A canvas tote for non-tool stuff (lunch, invoices, a change of clothes). Ours is the Canvas Jobsite Tote. It isn't a tool bag.

What about tools?

Most plumbers will tell you: don't buy tools unless he asked for a specific one. They're loyal to brands, they buy what they need when they need it, and a duplicate pipe wrench is just a heavy paperweight. If you want to go the tool route, here's how:

  • Ask his coworker or boss what he's been complaining about.
  • Look at what's worn out in his truck and replace it with the exact same thing.
  • Get a gift card to the supply house he already uses.

Something he'll wear on site

Plumbers on Reddit say it every December: they always appreciate a shirt that relates to the trade. Pick one he'll actually wear, not one that's a joke for one day.

  • A work tee. Our Trade Tee is heavy cotton in bright orange or sport grey with the Hard Hat Goods logo on the chest. If he goes through shirts fast, the Crew Tee 3-Pack gets you three in his color and size for less per shirt.
  • A hat. The embroidered Trade Cap is low-profile cotton twill with a buckle strap. The Retro Trucker has a structured front and mesh back for summer.
  • Hard hat stickers make an easy stocking stuffer. Our sticker sheet has five on one sheet.

Gift sets if you'd rather not piece it together

Our gear is made to order, and items in a set can arrive in separate packages, so order early in December. Orders over $50 ship free.

The gift plumbers mention most

It isn't a product. Read any plumbers' thread about Christmas gifts and you'll find someone who just wants a day off. If you can swing it, a planned day with no on-call, a good breakfast and nothing to fix around the house might be the best present on this list. Pair it with a warm hoodie and you're set.

See more ideas in our gifts for plumbers collection.