December 2019

‘Tis the season. The TV ads are getting insufferable, there’s tinsel everywhere, and with the Christmas period bearing down, a familiar complaint rears its head: “You’re so difficult to buy for.” You’d swear that Christmas gifts for men were about as hard to find as the lost Ark of the Covenant. We’re here to tell you that it’s just not true. Even in the age of click-and-collect and same-day delivery, when most men just buy what they want, there are countless Christmas gift ideas that will plant you firmly on the good list. With that in mind, we’ve collated the finest festive gifts for men at every price point. 1. A Stylish Notebook Talking over the boss isn’t the only way to dazzle in the meeting room. Stationery that melds eye-catching design with premium details like weighty paper is far better than using Apprentice-style buzzwords and pretending to know what they mean. 2. Patterned Socks Socks are a go-to stocking stuffer for men, but one many continue to get wrong. Sidestep tacky novelty versions this year and instead reach for a printed pair in a classic colorway (ideally one that matches the wearer’s suit). 3. Classic Sunglasses After the financial crash that is Christmas, booking a holiday may seem like a pipe-dream. That doesn’t mean you can’t help prepare for one, though. A pair of shades in a tried and tested shape is an astute choice, and, thankfully, the high street boasts price tags far more forgiving than two weeks in Tenerife. 4. Home Bar Equipment It makes little sense to spend more on the receptacle than the stuff that goes in it. Which is the all-important booze? An affordable cocktail set is more than enough for the amateur barman, and better yet, the change left over from this example should allow you to buy a half-decent bottle of something strong. 5. A Robust Phone Case Upgrading to the latest tech then scrimping on protection is like ordering a new Ferrari and saving £20 on airbags: straight-up dumb. Opt for a sleek case that acts like a second skin, which will safeguard the gear without sacrificing on style. 6. A Beard Care Set Despite what the haters would have you believe, we haven’t yet reached ‘peak beard‘. In fact, we’re nowhere near it. A basic grooming kit should be standard issue for any hirsute gent, so keep your beloved and bearded stocked up for the Yuletide window. 7, An Upgraded Umbrella Too many men take on the elements with a substandard umbrella, turned inside-out by a gust of wind as powerful as a five-year-old’s sneeze. Christmas is the perfect time for an upgrade. Not only is it a gift few men would think to purchase themselves, but it’ll also make for ideal battle armor in advance of the January gloom. 8. Boozy Chocolate Nobody north of 18 should suffer a selection box. And nobody younger should be enjoying gin. So, assuming he is of age – and we certainly hope that’s the case – upgrade the worst Christmas consolation prize with a boozy box of treats that’ll keep him half-full and half-cut. 9. A Snazzy Scarf Anyone with an ounce of fashion sense knows that true style is in the small details. To enable him to keep warm and update his look all at the same time with a handsome scarf. This great-looking example will afford him the opportunity to add a touch of flair to any outfit. 10. A Leather Washbag Airport security sandwich bags are in no way worthy of a man’s toiletries. Instead, a leather Dopp kit is a simple yet effective stowaway for all his grooming essentials, especially when built with multiple compartments to keep wet and dry items separate. 11. Modern Fit Boxers No man undervalues his own crown jewels, so they deserve a home more akin to Buckingham Palace than Her Majesty’s prison service. A pair of premium boxer shorts is fit for a king, especially when crafted from soft, breathable cotton. A right royal treat. 12. A Luxury Tie Whether he’s a greenhorn grad-schemer or a seasoned city boy, no nine-to-five look is complete without a tie. That doesn’t mean you have to settle for boardroom boring, though. Swapping traditional silk for a textured wool design will bring a touch of preppy to his office attire, no matter what his age. 12. A Signature Scent Yes, a man’s nostrils can be picky at the best of times, but the warm reception received by Chanel’s Allure Homme has been nigh on universal since the late ’90s. Comprised of fresh notes like coriander, black pepper, and Venezuelan tonka bean, there’s a good reason why it’s the go-to cologne for countless gents, generation after generation. 13. A Simple Bangle Now that Mr. T no longer the poster boy for men’s jewelry, the market is on the up. However, we’d still pity the fool who attempts to dive in head first. Get him started with a simple bangle that keeps his appendage on point without straying into fancy dress territory. 14. A Cotton Dressing Gown There comes a time in every man’s life when he has to take sleepwear seriously (do you really think Ryan Gosling hits the hay in a pizza-stained T-shirt?) Help him out with a dressing gown that’ll make reading the morning paper all the more enjoyable. 15. Minimalist Sneakers Nobody dislikes Stan Smiths. Nobody. And if there is but an utterance of disappointment come Christmas Day, he’s frankly not deserving of top-shelf white leather minimalism that’ll sit with almost everything in his wardrobe. 16. A Traditional Shaving Set Whether it’s the nine-to-five or just personal preference that commands a fresh face, it shouldn’t be done without the right kit. A proper shaving set includes a double edge razor and a real badger hair shaving brush – the only way to get some foam on those cheeks. 17. An Oxford Shirt Many men fear color, though it needn’t be this way. By imbuing a wearable piece like an Oxford shirt with an enduring shade, there’s a guaranteed