‘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 style win that’ll outlive any fleeting, ill-advised trend. A solid logo doesn’t hurt, either.
18. A Compact Cardholder
The advent of contactless payments means two things: brazen pint-buying come Friday, and little need for cold, hard cash. So, downsizing to a simple, cardholder helps keep a man’s accessories game stripped back and stylish.
19. A Premium Cotton T-shirt
The humble white T-shirt is the bread and butter of a man’s wardrobe, so it pays to invest. This year, help him ditch shrinking sleeves and twisted hems by opting for a premium version, cut from 100 percent premium cotton.
20. An Understated Watch
Somewhere along the line, the world of watches got really tricky to navigate (they don’t call them ‘complications’ for nothing). Take things back to basics with a minimalist timepiece that delivers on one thing: straight up style.
21. A Nine-to-Five Satchel
Whether valedictorian or class clown, Ivy League threads are available to all. If the full sweater vest and tartan scarf look are just a little too Hoorah Henry though, opt for a satchel instead. ‘A’ for effort and, better yet, an ‘A’ for the style.
22. A Cool Cologne
Often labeled as one of the best men’s fragrances of all time, Dior’s Eau Sauvage is deserving of the praise. Long-lasting notes of citrus and wood are a classic combination designed to suit most tastes, while 200ml of the good stuff will keep him in stock for months, if not years, to come.
23. Iconic Loafers
Although it started life as a shoe made for Norwegian farmers, the humble loafer has become a must-have footwear style – and with good reason. An added Snaffle detail lifts the iconic design with a single metal bar while also helping nail that difficult smart-casual territory.
24. A Standout Shaver
What’s worse than an unkempt beard? A badly-maintained one, resplendent with scorched patches, uneven hairs, and stray stragglers. Granted, the model names usually sound like sports cars, but that’s because the electric shaver is the Aventador of the grooming world with a head that can flex in all different directions whether wet or dry, long or short.
25. A Party-Ready Speaker
In this day and age, nobody can excuse tinny, crappy music at a party (the house or dinner variety). Every man should aim to give guests to a higher quality of sound, delivering crystal clear music that sets the mood or annoys the neighbors, however, the user sees fit.
26. Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones are the new MiniDisc. Except, they serve a purpose and people actually want them. This year, audiophile heavyweights have stepped up their games with sleek designs complete with monster battery lives and intuitive controls that respond naturally to music-listening habits.
26. A Powerhouse Toothbrush
Unless you want to risk a mouth full of teeth that look like corn kernels, a state-of-the-art toothbrush is essential. Look for one that packs multiple functions into a streamlined, easy-to-use design that wouldn’t look out of place in a man cave’s bathroom.
27. Adult Gaming Gear
Buy a console, lose a boyfriend/brother/husband. Which, depending on how you look at it, is no bad thing. The Xbox One X 1TB is Microsoft’s latest upgrade to the family that 1) doesn’t look like a radiator from the Alien franchise, and 2) offers 40 percent more power than any other console. It was nice knowing you.
28. An All-in-One Frying Pan
There is something worse than the calorie intake of a fried breakfast. And that’s the washing up. The Master Pan Divided Frying Pan minimizes the potential cleaning operation, letting you cook an entire meal with one single implement. Bon appetite.
29. Stainless Steel Knives
In a great line taken from Kill Bill: “You might not be able to fight like a samurai, but you can at least fry like a samurai”. Okay, so it was “die”. But presuming he’s more kitchen dojo than kung fu master, channel the Land Of The Rising Sun with a set of Japanese professional starter knives instead.
30. A Kitchen Masterpiece
Make a breakfast of champions one for the gods. Forget your bog standard bread-burner, this piece of kit cooks toast, eggs, and beans at the same time. Simply add ketchup and a Boxing Day hangover.
Credit: Fashionbeans