For the vast majority of us, the men on our nice lists are the trickiest people to buy for. Short of stuffing their stockings with socks and chocolate – both of which are still nice to receive, we will concede – it’s tough to locate Christmas gifts for him that aren’t just novelty throwaways.
But if you’ve already wound yourself up into a festive panic, fear not: we’ve done all of the leg-work for you. After searching through all of the offerings of the shop this year, we’ve whittled down a collection of the best buys that are available for 2021, and there’s actually a surprisingly vast range to choose from.
Whether you want to invest in a gadget, stock up on grooming products, wow him with style picks from unexpected sources, or show off your knowledge when it comes to quality tipples, there’s something here that’ll do the trick. And if your budget knows no bounds, you might like to take a look at the big-ticket items like a truly amazing pair of wireless headphones, or a speaker he’ll be using for years.
It could be dad, husband, brother, cousin, a nephew, son or colleague – no matter who you’re shopping for, get ready to impress. Here are ideas that’ll knock his socks off – including the obligatory socks, of course…
GIFTS UNDER £25
Body wash, £25, jamesandjake.com
Everyone loves an upgrade to their everyday shower – call it self-care in a bottle!
Crunchy peanut butter, £10.95, Manilife
After careful investigation, we can confirm that Manilife is the best peanut butter going. No one is going to say no to a tub of this.
The Roasting Tin cookbook, £17.99, Waterstones
Easy but exciting recipes with minimal washing up. What’s not to love?
Crew neck sweatshirt, £25, John Lewis
Choose from a multitude of colours for this practical cotton sweatshirt.
Craft beer subscription, £24 a month, Beer52
Give the gift of (expertly crafted) booze with a beer subscription (which can be cancelled any time).
GIFTS UNDER £50
Socks set, £35.95, Happy Socks
We couldn’t have a gift guide for men without socks now could we? But these really are the jazziest on the market.
Chilly’s reusable bottles are designed to drinks cold for up to 24 hours, or hot for up to 12, plus we love the sleek design.
GIFTS UNDER £100
Johnstons of Elgin scarf, £69, Harvey Nichols
A cosy merino wool scarf in a vibrant yet classic print.
Razor and stand, £90, bolinwebb.com
Elevate his shaving experience with this practical but stylish gift.
Fragrance, from £64, hermes.com
Who doesn’t love a good fragrance for Christmas? Added points if it looks great on the bathroom shelf.
A hip flask for those long winter walks? We say yes.
GIFTS UNDER £200
Apple AirPods Pro, £199.99, John Lewis
Apple fans will love these wireless headphones, perfect for running, commuting or drowning out your nearest and dearest.
Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 portable speaker, £169, John Lewis
Choosing gadgets can be a minefield, but this portable speaker gets consistently great reviews.
Lego collector’s model, £160, argos.co.uk
Lego is for grown-ups too (plus building this is the perfect family activity between Christmas and New Year).
