Most people group friends in circles.
There’s the core inner circle, radiating to the outer circle who you see sometimes but keep things on a lighthearted surface level, and the people who may as well be in outer space. Conversely, buying gifts for each tier seems to be harder the closer you are to them.
Buying gifts for acquaintances is simple: socks, aftershave, something fancy to eat or drink. But buying gifts for someone you love? Now that’s a challenge.
Broadly speaking, buying gifts for women is fairly easy. Pay attention, take note of the hints (which will likely become more obvious the closer you get to a big event) or note down dress or shoe size when they’re not looking (but keep the receipts just in case).
Men are trickier creatures. If you’ve spent more hours than you can count scouring the internet for the perfect gift but have still come up short, welcome to the only gift guide you’ll need from now on.
On a mission to save you time and brain power, we’ve put together a selection of the nicest gift ideas designed for men of all tastes. We’ve cherry-picked the best, most wonderful ideas that will leave him beaming with joy, whatever the occasion.
Whether he’s passionate about padel, swaps his style with the seasons, is a home decor disciple or just appreciates a drop of something special, we’ve got plenty of ideas to suit.
Whether you’ve budgeted for a little luxury or want to splash out on your personal rockstar, consider this gift guide your cheat sheet to give him the best present ever.
Shop our favourite gifts for men below
MR P. Full-Grain Leather Varsity Jacket
In winter, one can never have too many coats or jackets. If your old man’s collection is in need of a fresh injection, the clean and preppy style of this varsity jacket is just the ticket. Made with panels of full-grain leather, striped trims and a smart two-tone colourway, it’s best in class. Available in sizes XS to 2XL.
Buy now £745.00, Mr Porter
Man City ‘93/94 Away Shirt
Back when the treble was just a twinkle in the eye of then-Barcelona forward, Pep Guardiola, City were the club you’d heard less noise about, if you lived outside of Manchester.
All that changed in the era of Britpop as the swaggering Gallagher brothers became household names, with the breakthrough album Definitely, Maybe, from their band, Oasis. Along with Cigarettes & Alcohol, the mono-brow, and a distinct disdain for the mainstream, the Gallagher brothers were famed for their love of Man City.
From their early days, they were often seen sporting a City shirt, most notably those sponsored by sewing machine and printer company, Brother. Fitting.
Buy now £35.00, Amazon
AirPods Pro 2nd Generation
Apple’s second generation of the iconic AirPods Pro is the ultimate treat for the music-lover in your life. With a brand new chip for better audio quality, double the noise cancellation, higher touch control functionality, and even a speaker that can play an alert when you misplace them, they’re an upgrade that’s worth it.
Buy now £179.00, Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
This impressive new launch from Samsung only gets better the more time you spend with it.
From a sharp and bright display and a whip-fast processor to incredible zoom on the cameras and auto adjust that picks out the finest detail, this may be the most capable handset on the market today. The slightly larger main display and sharper corners make the most of every millimetre so you’re getting as much viewing and browsing space as possible (especially helpful when you’re using multiple apps at once).
The 120hz refresh rate is perfect for streaming shows, scrolling your newsfeed or catching up on the latest headlines, not to mention remote working, especially with the Multi View feature which allows you to see up to three apps at once.
Its range of developed AI features is what makes the Galaxy Z Fold6 soar above the competition, from Live Translate, Chat Assist, Browsing Assist and its much-celebrated Circle to Search innovation (in partnership with Google). This tech is reflected in the elevated RRP, but if you can afford it, it’s the best phone for your pocket. Oh and the folding mechanism? Well, that never gets old.
The phone is powered by a 4400mAh battery but there’s also super fast charging to get your handset back up to full power quicker.
Samsung has once again raised the bar for mobile technology with this device, leaving the competition quaking in its wake.
Was: £1799
Buy now £1399.00, Amazon
Mismo M/S Advance Bag
Returning to its military roots, Mismo's luxury bag takes its design cues from a WWII US Army Aviator kit bag. Pairing practicality with pleasingly minimal aesthetics, the large main compartment is complemented with extra storage in the form of a front sleeve to stash slimline tech, a separate laptop pocket and zipped compartments inside the main body of the bag.
It comes with an adjustable shoulder strap. The perfect wingman for quick adventures.
Available in canvas and nylon options.
Buy now £587.60, Mismo
Monos Metro Duffel
The ultimate travel accessory for jet-setting work trips, this forest green duffel is crafted from water-resistant nylon twill with vegan leather details. With a roomy design intended to keep your daily essentials organised, it also features a laptop sleeve which fits up to 15 inches and some inner side pockets for additional accessories.
Buy now £215.00, Monos
Dr. Martens 1460 Faux Fur Lined Grizzly Leather Lace Up Boots
A stylish choice for any age, cult footwear brand Dr Martens is a forever favourite. This cherry red leather pair offer a nice alternative to black and come lined with faux fur to keep feet nice and toasty.
Buy now £180.00, Dr. Martens
Russell & Bromley Aldwych Smart Chelsea Boot
You can’t go wrong with a classic Chelsea boot. Enter: Russell & Bromley’s Aldwych, the perfect finisher for any suit or shirt-and-trousers-combo. In the men’s footwear expert’s signature style, these both look and feel expensive – and this rich brown shade would work best with earthy tones or neutrals.
Buy now £245.00, Russell & Bromley
Ralph Lauren Kipton Mixologist Box Gift Set
Money no object? If you're looking for the best gift your barfly will probably get this Christmas, Ralph Lauren has the key. Housed in a beautiful leather-clad box and lined with tartan, this mixology cocktail kit is packed with preppy bar essentials including a cut crystal decanter, glassware, silver-plated brass jigger, a bottle opener and even a bowl for nuts. A showcase piece to wow guests at happy hour.
Buy now £4165.00, Ralph Lauren
Les Mills - The Essentials
Whether for convenience, to dodge the cold commute to the gym or to supplement other training, Les Mills’ home workout equipment can prove a hit gift this winter.
The Essentials bundle is what it says on the tin, coming with two sets of weights (1kg and 2.5kg) as well as a handled resistance band and offering up all you need for a whole variety of home workouts, from targeted strength and conditioning to full-body routines.
Most importantly, you get a three-month membership to Les Mills+ Premium thrown in, which means access to training plans and follow-along workouts using your new gear to last through into the New Year.
Buy now £149.00, Les Mills
Redbreast 18-Year-Old Irish Whiskey
Ireland's premier whisky producer Irish Distillers has launched a new 18-year-old to its Redbreast portfolio - and it's here to stay.
Matured in oloroso sherry butts and ex-bourbon barrels, it's the final stint in cream sherry casks that puts the cherry on top. The nose packs a fruity and candied hit, while a sip draws in oaky notes and ripened autumnal fruits. It is best savoured neat or with a drop of water to ease those spicy notes.
In short? Christmas pud in a bottle.
Buy now £185.00, The Whisky Exchange
Hibiki Japanese Harmony Suntory Whisky, 70cl
From Japan's House of Suntory comes this award-winning whiskey. More delicate than Scotch, Hibiki is crafted from a blend of whiskies that range in age and cask. The revered spirit is poured into a faceted bottle inspired by the 24 Sekki Seasons of Japan and reinforces the sense of balance and harmony that the name Hibiki means.
Was: £85
Buy now £73.95, Amazon
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne, with Cooler, 75cl
There’s nothing more frustrating than showing up to the function with a bottle of Champagne, only to have to wait an hour or so for it to be perfectly chilled before popping. Treat the party host in your life to a Veuve Clicquot cooler set this Christmas so that they can take the summer by storm, when it finally rolls around.
Buy now £70.00, John Lewis
Barcraft automatic electric corkscrew with foil cutter
Spare his blushes trying to wrench the cork off a bottle of red with this electric version that does the graft for you. Simply push down the soft body onto the offending seal, push down and it will quickly drill and release the cork for you. Less time wrestling with bottles leaves more time to enjoy them as the producers intended.
Buy now £22.99, The Bottle Club
Dr. Barbara Sturm Glow Kit
Has he audibly begun complaining about the state of his visage? Time to crack out the big guns with Dr. Barbara Sturm and her seven-step collection of minis designed to put a sparkle back in his eye and gleam in his skin. Containing luxe skincare and treatments like a face mask, hyaluronic serum and niacinamide, the set is a straightforward way to revitalise weathered complexions.
Buy now £185.00, Mr Porter
Dries Van Noten Vanille Camouflage refillable eau de parfum 100ml
More of an objet d’art than an aftershave, Dries Van Noten’s bottles are designed with the house’s trademark whimsical look – and the benefits go beyond aesthetics alone. Each and every formula is designed with the idea of clashing contrasts in mind making them feel unique compared with others on the market.
Vanille Camouflage, for example, starts as one of the greenest fragrances I’ve smelt – almost like freshly mown grass – before settling to a softly sweet mix of woody bourbon pods and creamy vanilla. Perfect for those who like something off the beaten track.
Buy now £260.00, Selfridges
Le Labo Tonka 25 50ml
Le Labo describes Tonka 25 EDP as “evoking the smell of warm skin” – and the brand couldn’t be more right. When you first spritz, you get the top notes of sweet vanilla and woody cedar. Then it settles to a powdery musk which is so subtle it feels as if it's your natural scent, making it perfect for guys who like their aftershaves understated. And, like all of the brand’s sprays, the scent sticks from morning to night.
Was: £170
Buy now £170.00, Fenwick
Cuisinart indoor pizza oven
Best for: all-weather pizza
No gas, no wood pellets, no garden - no problem. Make pizza your way quickly and easily with Cuisinart's pizza oven which is designed for indoor use.
The electric device, which can also be used to bake bread, make cookies and grill meats and veggies, boasts a rapid heat-up time (we're talking 400°C in less than 10mins) and comes with all the accessories to help you turn out delicious personalised pizzas in minutes - including a pizza peel to slide it in and out of the blazing temperatures like a pro.
The oven comes with a 12-inch pizza stone for making wood-fired style thin and crispy creations and there's a deep pan dish for crafting speciality pies too. Set up is a doddle and it comes with a timer so you don't have to pace by the viewing window to see when your masterpieces are ready (which is rather fun anyway).
Far tastier than a takeaway, and nowhere near the cost either this is a superb kitchen appliance for any home that appreciates a hot slice. Family pizza night will never be the same again.
Buy now £247.95, John Lewis
Marshall Willen Bluetooth Speaker
A baby speaker with big boy sound, Marshall has somehow managed to squeeze the best of its audio wizardry into this tiny speaker which can be clipped onto bags or objects for 17+ hours of playback. It’s waterproof, it’s dustproof - heck, it’s lifeproof.
Buy now £101.20, Amazon
Fy! Vintage Photography Collection Sophia Loren
Wet your whistle in good company with the eternally glamorous Sophia Loren, ready to join you whatever the hour.
The snap, taken in the actress’s Rome house on January 1, 1963, offers a sense of refined hedonism that’ll look right at home by your drinks cabinet. Best paired with a black frame, although, as with all Fy! prints, oak and white colours are also available.
Find more jewels in Fy!’s Vintage Photography Collection.
Buy now £13.00, Fy!
Aspinal of London Golf Scorecard Holder
Whether they’re a pro golfer or a fairweather player, if one thing’s for sure, every sportsman needs to keep track of the score - and what better way to take note than using Aspinal’s leather scorecard holder? With the option for luxury gift wrap and personalisation, this 100 per cent leather design with silk lining is a thoughtful gift for any lover of the sport.
Buy now £63.00, Aspinal of London
Global Knives 3 Piece Knife Set, 40th Anniversary Limited Edition
Global has been at the cutting edge (sorry) of cookware for four decades, a landmark it's celebrating with this limited edition anniversary set. Featuring two cook's knives and a Kiritsuke knife, they're made for the at-home chef with restaurant-level ambition. Japanese steel at its absolute finest.
Buy now £175.90, Amazon
Addison Ross burgundy striped large lacquered ottoman tray
Addison Ross's striped and lacquered tray makes a stylish piece of homeware in any room. It’s available in a selection of shades, but this burgundy leans into the ‘unexpected red’ theory we’ve been loving so much. The base is covered in velvet to ensure no surfaces suffer accidental scratching.
Buy now £196.00, Addison Ross
Everyman cinema vouchers
A gift card may save your skin as an 11th hour gift, but let's be honest: it's not always the most exciting thing to 'unwrap'. Well, unless you're a huge cinema buff and the voucher in question is for a branch of Everyman.
The equivalent of turning left on an aircraft, Everyman nails the cinema experience at a time when numbers at rival venues are on the decline. With comfy seats, legroom galore and a drinks and dining menu that spans next level movie snacks to a full-on dinner, gifting a voucher is second only to buying them a membership.
Available via post or email from £30 and up.
Buy now £30.00, Everyman
Supper with Charlie Bigham
Fun, unfussy food bursting with flavour is what you can expect from this cookbook by Charlie Bigham. There are more than 100 recipes to flip through, with dessert options on the menu too. If you're forever struggling with ideas of what to make for dinner, this straightforward book offers plenty of inspiration for thought.
Buy now £14.00, Amazon
Dogs Trust ‘Sponsor A Dog’
A gift guaranteed to pull at the heartstrings, this charity-supporting idea helps the Dogs Trust look after the hounds in their care until they find a forever home. Sponsors will get updates on their dog three times a year with photos, postcards, stickers and a fridge magnet.
The Trust has seen admissions spike in recent months, meaning they have more pups to look after than ever. Sponsoring a dog or puppy means they'll get the love and attention that man's best friend truly deserves.
Buy now £1.00, Dogs Trust
