#AD These items were gifted for inclusion in the guide. All thoughts and opinions are our own.
Christmas Gifts For Men.
Whether it’s your brother, husband, or a friend, we all know that men are notoriously hard to buy for at Christmas. They mention a gadget they like but then buy it themselves three months before. There are only so many bottles of aftershaves you can purchase and not all men have a beard. Beard trimmer, beard oil, beard beads. It’s all about the beard on Google marketplace right now.
Sick of gifting novelty socks?
Now sorry if I have got all dull and old fashioned but I don’t subscribe to the buy yourself lingerie ‘for him’ train of thought. Just like when buying for yourself, the gift you give him should be in line with his personality and style. Yes, you may have to buy an adult male Lego. Not included in our favourite choices below are experience days. Spend time together! One of the best presents I got for my partner was a day at the races. It goes without saying that I make awful bets.
So, what are our choices for the hard-to-buy-man?
#K-Pay Monaco bracelet.
For the man who is difficult to buy for the new range of contactless payment bracelets from K-Pay is the perfect choice. Make safer and faster contactless payments with these stylish yet functional water-resistant wearables. I love that they are no charge, you can send and receive money to and from anyone in the UK and get the same fraud protection as your contactless card. He does not have to be a tech master to set up the bracelet, simply install the Pingit app and connect a bank account. There are a variety of different styles, colours or even a popular key fob if that would suit your man better. With Covid the less you enter your pin and touch keypads the better, or what about when the pubs are back open, and he does not want to take a wallet? Or do you have teenagers – add pocket money to the K-Pay and they have freedom to roam! The Monaco retails for £86. Perfect for all day from sports through to the office, it is simple with a comfortable leather strap and matching anti tarnish metal fittings.
#OPINEL Intempora Knife set.
A knife is a timeless and useful gift for a man who enjoys cooking. It’s important to have the right blades at your fingertips. A single knife or a set can be selected to fit the receiver (and do not forget to include a penny if you are superstitious). A good knife set for me should include anywhere between 3 – 7 knives, as any more than that in a family kitchen is a bit redundant! The high-end Opinel Intempora Trio Set sells for £119.95 and include a Paring Knife, Carving knife and Chef’s knife. The chef’s knife was suitable for a whole host of cutting tasks! Designed by Big-Game they boast a Sandvik 12C27 modified stainless steel blade tempered to 57° Rockwell so will not wear easily. The sharpening angle is 30° (15 degrees per side). The handle is Polymer, has a fibreglass reinforcement and easy pinch grip so make them a comfortable hold. In simple they are harp, well balanced and nicely weighted. P.S. You need nothing more than washing up liquid and water to clean knives effectively.
#Men’s Helme padded jacket.
TOG24 is a clothing brand founded by Donald Ward in West Yorkshire in 1958 and has a reputation for supplying quality, value for money goods. TOG24’s Christmas collection offers a unique blend of stylish gifts for those who love exploring the great outdoors and for those who prefer to stay in and get cosy. The Men’s Helme jacket is a wind resistant and warm men’s padded coat – ideal for Winter when layered up or as a Summer night throw on. Sustainable elements include a synthetic thermal fill made from recycled plastic bottles, and features such as 2 lower zip pockets and an inner collar for added comfort. The jacket retails for £49.99 (on sale) and comes in a range of colours (in a two-block design) and sizes from Small to 4XL. The fabric is lightweight and quilted so it is super soft to the touch. The Helme Mens Padded Jacket design also has elasticated cuffs and toggle adjusters to the hood.
#Spice Pots Curry Night Kit.
Takeout’s may still be open, but families are spending more time in their own kitchen so consider this perfect spice gift for foodies and curry lovers. For a seasoned cook or a newbie looking for inspiration in the kitchen, the Spice Pots Curry Night Kit makes a useful, beautifully packaged, and eco-friendly gift. Support small businesses this year and get the perfect stocking filler for £14.95. The curry kit has 4 curry spices and an 8-recipe booklet including Prawn Korma, Goan Beef Curry and Chicken Korma. Recipes can be on the table in 30 minutes and they only use widely available ingredients to make your meal planning simple. Each 40g tin contains 8 servings which means this Curry Night Kit can be used to make at least 8 family meals. The spices can be kept for 12 months from opening, and their packaging is 100% recyclable. I am feeling hungry!
#AnySharp Pro.
If you are investing in quality knives, then this little gadget will fit perfectly into a stocking. Used by many of the World’s leading chefs it’s a great device that is quick to use, with instant results. It even sharpens serrated knives. The AnySharp Pro is safe and easy to use, just 3 to 4 light strokes with a little pressure and your knife is restored in a matter of seconds. The optimum angle to sharpen a good quality steel knife is 20 degrees. Crafted from a premium metal body the extensive colour range will suit any kitchen and is available to buy online from Amazon for just £14.99 and comes with a 10 year warranty! I like that the PowerGrip suction cup attaches securely to any flat surface keeping your sharpener safely in place without the potential of any accidents. It fits in the drawer easily at 60mm diameter and 60mm high.
#The Arran Luxury Hamper Box.
If he does not fancy cooking but still loves food, then a premade hamper is just an all-round winner of a Christmas gift. Bradford Bakers offer a range of high-quality products from hampers, baskets to gift sets. Bradfords is still a family owned and operated online business with Helen Bradford, her daughter, and their skilled bakery staff who still to this day make traditional hand-crafted products passed down since 1924. I think I may be sending some of their cupcakes to myself this festive season. The Arran Luxury Hamper Box retails for a very reasonable £24.50 and contains: A truckle of Mature Cheese and Herbs, a box of English Breakfast Tea, a can of Baxters Lentil and Bacon Soup, Sticky Toffee Biscuits and Scottish Oatcakes as well as jars of Granny Bradford’s Best Pickle and Hot Tomato Chutney. A gift card lets you add a personal touch with every order. Presented in a gift tray with bow you do not have to worry about wrapping (and I really like that the contents did not arrive in any way squashed!) This has my grandad’s name on it since he has been shielding, these tasty treats will be bound to bring a smile to his face! P.s I like this company still does telephone orders for those that may not have the internet.
#White Noise Sound Pebble.
Time to relax with The White Noise Sound Pebble. Having trouble sleeping? There are plenty of apps around that will give you a choice of soothing sounds, but that require you to keep your smartphone charged and accessible. This device offers six sounds, from a crackling fire or rainforest to ocean waves or rain. It is rechargeable and battery-powered so there are minimal wires. The White Noise Sound Pebble gives a lengthy 6-8 hours of playtime and the charging time takes 4 hours. I love the minimalist Pebble design and the easy navigation buttons.
#Artland Mixology Decanters.
We have talked food, now why not drink? Now who out of us does not love receiving a bottle of their finest tipple at Christmas? It does get a bit boring though, so why not level up and deliver that gin, or whisky in one of Artland’s AMAZING mixology decanters. For £28.95 I think I may steal this gift for myself! Step away from the old-fashioned heavy decanter and bring a smile with the blast back to the chemistry lab 100cl beaker. Made from borosilicate, these contemporary decanters are decorated with the name of the spirit on the front, and on the reverse are precise measurements (ounces and millilitres in increments of 200 ml), to help make accurate pours. Mouth blown and handmade by skilled craftsmen the spill-proof design makes pouring and storing effortless. I also love that the beaker arrives carefully held in a unique reusable wooden crate gift box.
#Essential Bath Essence.
Warm up winter nights with a hot bath. Slow Ageing Essentials offer natural energy-renewing skincare made with 100% pure steam-distilled essential oils. Slow ageing is the philosophy. Their holistic approach to total wellbeing combines antioxidant-rich, circulation stimulating products with Skin’ergy massage and the practises of slow living. Indulge him with Essential Bath Essence RRP £51.00 for ultimate relaxation. This multi-sensorial elixir of intensely relaxing & soothing oils gently coaxes mind & body into harmonious balance. Suitable for all ages and all skin types this sleekly designed black bottle is fragrant with essential oils of rose, juniper and cypress. Pour one capful into the bath under running water or apply directly to the skin before showering. It is a luxury gift that smells divine.
Any other ideas for the man in your life? My brother once asked for a tin of hot dog sausages, have you ever had any strange requests?
