The 60 Best Gifts for Men
Men can be frustratingly tough to buy for. There’s only so much you can do with "I don’t mind”, especially when they do, in fact, mind quite a lot.
That’s why we’ve pulled together this list of the best gifts for men in 2024. It's packed with all the stuff he never knew he wanted, from affordable watches to eye-catching homeware to wardrobe essentials.
Esquire Magazine Subscription
The one gift he definitely, definitely wants above all else? A subscription to Esquire, of course. You can get 47% off right this very second – which means a year’s worth of issues arrives at your door for just £19.99.
£19.99 at hearstmagazines.co.uk
Great Characters Homage to The Great Gatsby Special Edition Fountain Pen
The latest entry into Montblanc’s ‘Great Characters’ collection pulls on the decadent art deco stylings of The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Roaring Twenties masterpiece, to create something truly special. This fountain pen – with its handcrafted solid 14 carat gold, rhodium-coated nib – is a highlight, but we’re big fans of the stainless steel pocket chain and money clip, too. Check out the full collection here.
The Lowry Great Coat
Private White V.C, the historic British brand perhaps best known for its hardy and timeless coats, has worked out of the same red brick factory in Manchester for almost 100 years. Cottenham House is the last working factory in an area that was once dubbed ‘cottonopolis’, thanks to its crucial role in the country’s industrialised garment trade, and it also has ties with the legendary Mancunian artist L.S. Lowry, who produced one of his most famous paintings – A Street Scene, St Simon’s Church – from its steps. To pay tribute to his ties to the city and brand, Private White V.C has launched a collection inspired by the people in the aforementioned painting, as well as the artist’s colour palette. We’re big fans of this military-inspired piece, ditto the top coat
£1036.00 at privatewhitevc.com
Oyster Perpetual Submariner: The Watch That Unlocked The Deep
Rolex has authorised its first book. Oyster Perpetual Submariner: The Watch That Unlocked The Deep is a 252-page dive into the iconic watch company’s most recognisable model, the Submariner. The author, esteemed luxury journalist and watch authority Nicholas Foulkes, was given unprecedented access to the Rolex archives for a “wide-ranging account of the Submariner”, the first divers’ watch guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100m (330 feet). The book, published in partnership with Wallpaper magazine, includes new photography, as well as contributions from Rolex ambassadors (“testimonies”), such as marine biologist Sylvia Earle, photographer David Doubilet and aquanaut Dr Joe MacInnis. A Christmas gift for the watch snob in your life, or an early present for yourself. Either way, expect no shortage of; top trivia. Even before publication, commentators were debating the merits or otherwise of the cover model. Why a modern, no-date ref. 124060 rather than a classic 1960s ref. 1680 option, with a date…?
The Weekender
If your giftee is an urbanite aesthete with a penchant for last-minute get-aways, the Weekender from the brand Formerly Known as Haeckels – the Margate-based enterprise dropped its name upon being informed about zoologist Ernst Haeckel’s racist ideologies – will be right up their street. There’s a hand wash, body wash, body moisturiser and soap bar, packed with a mixture of sea-grown ingredients that are mostly sourced within the brand’s seaside home. Plus, the pack’s packaging is completely compostable – good for the body and the planet.
Gadget Pant
Everybody is looking for a pair of straight-legged trousers that combines the hardiness of jeans with the comfort of chinos. We’ve been on this journey together for a long, long time. But it turns out the answer was staring us in the face all along, in the form of Gramicci’s old school climbing pants. The new A/W line-up features a lot of different silhouettes and fabrics, but our favourites are the classic Gadget shape: loose-fitting, but not in a billowy, Fashion Week victim kind of way, with plenty of cavernous pockets for all of your stuff.
Pierre Marcolini Snow Gentleman
Well of course, being a refined type, you wouldn’t want a plain old chocolate snowman. So dull! Step forward esteemed Belgian chocolatier Pierre Marcolini, with its exquisite (not to say delicious) snow gentleman, a dapper chap fashioned from dark chocolate and stationed above two drawers of classic chocolates or truffles. Unlike Raymond Briggs’ fellow, this one won’t end up a sad puddle on your doorstep on Christmas morning, although whether he survives the day is another matter…
Smythson leather card holder
There aren't many things which say 'I appreciate you very much' like something from Smythson of Bond Street. Their lovely Panama cross-grain leather card holder has six pockets and a middle bit for extra odds and ends.
LIFE Hollywood coffee table book
Let’s be honest, Hollywood felt a lot more glamorous when we weren’t forcing A-listers to gorge on chicken wings all day. And it has rarely looked more glamorous than in the pages of LIFE, the legendary (and recently revived) American photojournalism magazine that, during the course of its bestselling heyday, tracked the evolution of the industry via beautiful, access-all-areas shots of film sets and stars. A new two-volume coffee table book from Taschen pulls together over 600 of the fabled weekly’s greatest photos, from covers to candid snaps, taken during the Hollywood Golden Age through the mid-century and up to the magazine’s dissolution in the 1970s.
Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec
Although it comes from the Argentina’s sunny climes (admittedly a non-negotiable for grape-growing), Trivento’s Golden Reserve makes for an irrepressibly complex and deliciously wintery offering. Making full use of the rich terroir of Malbec’s heartland, Luján de Cuyo, the wine is aged for 12 months in oak barrels, bringing out the smooth tannins and sumptuous fruit notes. A treat for all seasons, but especially this one.
Wool Crew Neck Sweater
Buying a nice jumper for a friend is like giving them a big, warm hug without having to answer any of the questions that might follow (“What are you doing?”, Can you get off me please?” etc.). Toast can always be trusted with knitwear, and there are plenty of great options in the new A/W collection – like this Arthur the Aardvark-approved yellow number.
Set of two Hay candleholders
There comes a time in every friendship when you move away from giving each other gifts for consumption right now – pints, chocs, one-time gag presents which quickly get hoyed out – and start thinking that maybe you should be trying to beautify each other's lives more permanently. Get these and next time you're round theirs, they'll crack them out and you'll instantly feel like you're in a very exclusive small plates place. Except you'll probably have crisps and cans. Nice.
Kleman Padror Shoe
You aren’t short of options if you’re after a pair of low-profile, moc-toe shaped derbies. The version from Paraboot has become ubiquitous far beyond the Paris boutique it calls home, leading many high fashion brands to get in on the action. But if it’s a super affordable (but nonetheless top quality) pair you’re after, then let us introduce you to Paris-based brand Kleman – specifically the ‘Padror’ style. First crafted in the nineties from cowhide leather, the super-comfortable classic is currently available in eight colours.
Hidden Beers of Belgium
Everybody knows that Belgium is a beer lover’s paradise – an endless sea of crisp lager and kooky glassware. But with all that choice, many great breweries aren’t receiving the credit they deserve. That’s why writer Breandán Kearney and photographer Ashley Joanna decided to profile 24 brilliant, under-the-radar Belgian beers for a new book, which delves into the story behind each one.
Meisterstück Platinum-Coated Fountain Pen
We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: Montblanc’s Meisterstück fountain pen is a masterpiece. Not that we’re the first to arrive at that conclusion – “Meisterstück” literally means “masterpiece” in German, so there was clearly some confidence in the product when it launched 100 years ago – but it remains the ultimate stationery status symbol. A timeless gift will last for a very long time.
BOSS Bossmatic
The esteemed fashion brand’s Bossmatic line combines the best aspects of mechanical watchmaking with quartz technology. Each watch in the line automatically winds and has a power reserve of six months. We love the red dial on this 42mm showstopper.
BOSS Skytraveller
Or you could opt for the Skytraveller instead. The phrase “you get a lot of watch for your money” is apt for the 44mm stainless steel and yellow gold tone timepiece. Packing a chronograph, date function and 50m of water resistance, it skimps on neither bold design nor precision. A snip at less than £300, too.
Panama Notebook
Sure, you can dash down important notes and momentous thoughts on your phone. But when your biographers come to piece together the intricate workings of that magnificent brain of yours, they'll be delighted to find you left behind your scribblings and works in progress in your many notebooks. And your pals are, if anything, even more luminous than you, so a really beautiful, gilt-edged, pocket-sized, leather-bound notebook from luxe stationers Smythson is the least they deserve.
dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve
What’s the next best thing to a warm embrace? A Dryrobe, because it’s the sartorial equivalent. This wind-and-water-proof outerwear is what every surfer and sea swimmer wants to be greeted with after a quick dip, as its technical design is poised for any outdoor activity.
Hollyhocks Cotton Lisle Men's Socks
19 Crimes Spiced Rum
You know 19 Crimes wine. You’ve tasted 19 Crimes wine. This, after all, is not your first rodeo. But have you tasted 19 Crimes's new spiced rum? It’s called The Vanished, it carries hints of caramel & oak vanilla, and you’ll be seeing a lot more of it on supermarket shelves and drinks cabinets in the near future.
Definition by Majestic Chablis 2022
The family behind this crisp and citrusy Chablis, exclusive to Majestic, grew the Chardonnay grapes in their 48-hectare estate on the banks of the Serein River in Burgundy. The results are delicious, and perfect as a zingy January tipple alongside some grilled fish – the only thing you’ll be eating in January, after you tally up just how many mince pie’s you hoovered up over the Christmas period.
Lyrarakis Assyrtiko-Vidiano Orange Wine
Or! If you're after something for the day itself – perhaps something that goes well with a big roast chicken – then opt for this zingy orange wine from the Lyrarakis family of Crete, who have been producing wine since 1966.
Mario vs Donkey Kong
A rivalry as enduring as the Gallagher brothers’, this is a remake of ye olde Game Boy Advance puzzle platform game, given a total overhaul. Solve puzzles to liberate stolen Mini-Mario toys from the antagonistic gorilla by working together with Toad in two-player mode. There’s 130 levels of increasing tricksiness. Suitable for players aged three and over, making this ideal for school holidays/ entertaining nephews and nieces on the weekend. £31.99; amazon.co.uk
A membership to Elmtree by Spacemade
Spacemade aim to elevate the notion of what a co-working space can be. They have locations in London's Wandsworth and Archway, with a flagship in Marylebone, called Elmtree. The townhouse-style office has been designed to revive the traditional co-working offering by creating a hub of opportunity for its network Private office space at Elmtree starts from £800 per desk, per month and co-working spaces start from £129 per month. elmtree.co.uk
Navy Seventy8 Trainers
Fall Line L Snow Goggles
There's been early snow this year, so we're keeping everything crossed for good piste conditions into the next one too. And of course you'll want to be properly (and stylishly) equipped, so Oakley's newest Fall Line L rimless snow goggles will do nicely. Their generous sizing also means they fit over most helmets and accommodate prescription eyewear, while giving you a perfect view of whatever you'll be hurtling towards...
Theragun mini
Giving your friend a massage: awkward, threatens to spill over into a doomed love affair that leaves you both heartbroken and adrift. Giving your friend a massage gun: nice.
Smeg Manual Espresso Coffee Machine
Smeg’s Manual Espresso Coffee Machine is as high-spec as you'd expect from the kings of design-led kitchen equipment. It offers the ability to grind coffee beans, create two espressos at once, froth milk to perfection and create a full coffee menu, turning any kitchen into your own personal coffee shop. The curvaceous, retro finish remains true to Smeg’s unique Italian heritage, while the features place it firmly in the 21st Century. You'll never set foot in Pret again.
Katto Chopping Board
A nice chopping board is the kind of thing that people rarely buy for themselves. They’ll spend heaps on Japanese chef’s knives and kitsch tableware, but they draw the line at prepping food on anything but a discoloured plank of scratched-up plastic. That changes now, with British kitchen brand Katto’s beautifully crafted two-sided chopping board, made with American black walnut and packaged with the matching stand it deserves. You can even get something engraved on it.
Monc Sunglasses
Around eight years ago, London-based eyewear brand Monc embarked on a mission to create very nice glasses in an ethical and sustainable manner. That means a small team of experience craftspeople, producing limited batches of product with a zero waste goal. We’re big fans of the mid-century-inspired Leith frame, made of hardy bio-acetate (itself made from cotton and wood pulp-based fibres). You can check them out yourself at the brand's pop-up in Piccadilly Arcade, London, which runs until mid-January,
Ray-Ban | Meta Wayfarer
Or, alternatively, you could treat your eyeballs to Meta and Ray-Ban’s high-tech Wayfarers, fitted with an ultra-wide 12 MP camera (with photography, video and livestreaming capabilities) and open-ear speakers, which allow you to listen to playlists and take calls. Friends: we are living in the future.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal® Ceramide Eye Cream
No, they won’t be offended. And even if they initially are, they’ll soon be overwhelmed with gratitude that you introduced this retinal-based eye cream to their rotation. An active form of vitamin A, this potion accelerates the rate of cell turnover, meaning less wrinkles.
Small Transparent Speaker
We’ve been mining Y2K for a while now, and it’s safe to say people are finally starting to appreciate the short-lived but influential days of translucent and transparent casings. This minimalist machine packs great sound into a tempered glass casing.
Simba Hybrid® Pillow, with Temperature regulating Stratos technology & Customisable height (45 x 70cm)
PerfectDraft Pro
There comes a point in every man's life when a black bin full of lukewarm water and Carling just won’t cut it anymore. Your New Year’s Eve party calls for a proper set-up; a well-stocked bar trolley and a state-of-the-art beer dispenser. The PerfectDraft Pro features variable temperature control, can be tinkered with via a dedicated app, and works with kegs from a huge array of top tier breweries.
2013 Blanc de Blancs Brut
The first ever Blanc de Blancs Brut (a sparkling wine made exclusively from white grapes) from Digby Fine English, released to celebrate the celebrated blending house’s 10th birthday and made of the finest 5% from the brand’s 2013 harvest.
£65.00 at digby-fine-english.com
BYREDO Bal d'afrique eau de parfum
Byredo Bal D’Afrique – a warm, tangy scent inspired by the brand founder’s time spent in Africa, and how the continent continually inspires the arts – is sophistication, bottled, making it the ideal gift for just about anyone.
Fair Art Fair subscription
What do you buy an artist? Certainly not art – too much pressure. Materials perhaps, but how are you supposed to know what they already have? No, we’ve got a much better option: a subscription to the very swish Fair Art Fair app, which (for a fee of £180 a year) allows painters and the like to display their work to global art fans – who can download the app for free and browse – and potentially sell their pieces direct.
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Cent Ldn Soho perfumed candle
For your friend who lives and breathes London, bring the sweet aromas of Soho to their home. That's warm cashmere, blackcurrant leaf, petitgrain, pink pepper and strawberry, apparently – NOT overpriced cocktails and petrol-fumes.
East Winds: Recipes, History and Tales from the Hidden Caribbean
A few years ago, award-winning writer and documentarian Riaz Phillips released the brilliant West Winds, a cookbook that celebrated the flavours, history and culture of Caribbean food, with a focus on authentic Jamaican cuisine. Now, for the follow-up – East Winds: Recipes, History and Tales from the Hidden Caribbean – he’s taking readers through regions including Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad, in search of delicious food and even better stories, in a bid to find out more about the different cultures and traditions that exist within his own family tree.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX True Wireless Headphones
True wireless earphones should be simple in both form and function. Too often this isn’t the case, but Bang & Olufsen have knocked it out of the park with the Beoplay EX. Initial set-up is seamless, and the sound is as pleasing as we’ve come to expect from the Danish luxury brand. They’re water-proof too, and the dedicated app allows for plenty of adjustment.
Maison Plan subscription
We waste hundreds of pounds a year on subscriptions we never use – from TV platforms left unwatched, to gyms we can't be bothered to cancel, to bike clubs we never use. Maison Plan promises to be one subscription you won't be able to stop using. It's a new way to tackle all the repairs and maintenance around the house you can't be bothered with. More than 500 jobs are covered, from fixing leaking taps to pest infestations to wonky floorboards. It's literally the gift that keeps on giving.
From £28 a month, maisonplan.com
Loewe radio.frequency DAB
Loewe's new radio.frequency DAB+ portable radio harnesses a century of audio excellence in both its elegant design and premium performance. It features fine oak wood inlays and acoustic fabric specially developed in-house by Loewe. The first-class aesthetics are matched by the acoustics with FM, DAB+, EWF and Bluetooth 5.0 included. Plus up to 14 hours portable playtime any time, anywhere.
£199; int.loewe.tv
Cultiver linen sheet
We don’t invest enough in our sleep. People are getting less shut eye than ever before, and at least some of that can be blamed on the often uncomfortable budget bedding that we all too often settle for. But trust us when we say that linen sheets are an upgrade that you deserve, and that Cultiver’s are up there with the very best of them. Woven from European flax, we’re big fans of the earthy colour range on offer too.
£255, cultivergoods.co.uk
Le Chameau Vierzonord Neoprene Lined Wellington Boots
Turning up to a music festival without a good pair of wellies is a mug’s game. Enlist storied French brand Le Chameau, a master bootmaker that first started crafting high-quality wellies in 1927, and you won’t be disappointed. They match classic style with comfort and durability.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 Instant Camera
Modern instant cameras are great – especially for parties and weddings – but we’re generally not too keen on their design. Most are too colourful and bulky. But we’re big fans of Fujifilm’s new Instax Mini 40, which takes cues from the past with its classic black silhouette. It’s very affordable, too. Remember to get some film alongside it.
£84.99, johnlewis.com
Insiders Pyjamas
Indoor clothing brand Insiders was born during lockdown, when all notions of “home clothes” and “work clothes” went out the door (and we dreamed of doing the same). If you’re going to wear your pyjamas on a Zoom call, just make sure they’re as stylish – and sustainable – as these.
From £55, insidersclothing.com
Lumie Sunrise Alarm
Gradually, the Lumie will wake you from your slumber by mimicking the effect of sunrise (or, if you pick the blue option, an alien invasion? Whatever gets you out of bed). It plays swelling sounds too, from bucolic bleats to cat purrs.
£32.99, urbanoutfitters.com
Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell Camera
Video doorbells are a reassuring addition to your home, but hooking traditional models up to the electrics can be a hassle. That’s why we suggest going wire-free with this Arlo model, which just involves a few screws and a battery pack.
£136.81, amazon.co.uk
Ember Mug²
You make a cup of tea, but then a ding emerges from your phone. It’s an email, labelled ‘URGENT’, from the worst person at your company. So you get tangled in that for a while, going back and forth on some life-draining minutia, as your nourishing brew becomes ever more tepid in the background. Well, not anymore! Because the Ember Mug², now in copper, allows you to set your preferred temperature and keep drinks warm for up to 1.5 hours, or the whole day if you use the charger coaster. As for the work stuff: yeah that’s not changing any time soon.
£149.95, uk.ember.com
Arket Winter Raglan Coat
Simple, warm (thanks to its double-face wool blend fabric) and, above all, lovely to look at. A worthy investment and a proper essential, from a brand that specialises in them.
£249, arket.com
Barbour Reproofing kit
If his Barbour wax jacket needs a bit of sprucing up, why not opt for this mini reproofing kit. It includes an 80g tin, a reproofing card and a sponge applicator.
£28, Barbour
Tile
One benefit that has come from rarely leaving home: not having to uproot furniture in a desperate scramble to find your keys. The Tile keyring solves that problem, emitting a high-pitched alarm when activated on your phone. Very handy.
£27.48, amazon.co.uk
Ooni Pizza Cooker
Offer something a little different this BBQ season with a wood pellet oven, which cooks stonebaked ‘za in as little as 60 seconds. Better than what mamma used to make.
£209, uk.ooni.com
Away Carry-On Suitcase
One of our favourite suitcase brands – reliably sturdy and easy to roll around, this carry-on model boasts a slick polycarbonate shell and 360° spinner wheels, alongside all the compartments you could possibly need for a short break.
£165, awaytravel.com
De'Longhi Espresso Machine
Grinding your own beans, tamping it down into a disc and filtering coffee through a proper espresso machine is a very pleasant morning ritual that we thoroughly recommend. This De’Longhi machine is reasonable priced for its quality, and can also froth milk.
£149, amazon.co.uk
Oris Big Crown Pointer Date
We like this 80th-anniversary edition of Oris’s Big Crown Pointer Date pilot watch very, very much, and he will too. Swiss-made and understated in its design, it’s the perfect summer timepiece.
£2,050, jurawatches.co.uk
Top Cuvée Natural Wine Subscription
North London neighbourhood wine bar Top Cuvée has been making waves for a while, and this is (currently) the best way to find out why. Three or six unique natural wines, chosen by experts and delivered each month.
From £30 a month, shopcuvee.com
Sunspel T-Shirt
A perfectly crafted white T-shirt is an essential that every man needs in their wardrobe, and when it comes to wardrobe essentials, historic British brand Sunspel are the masters. Their basics just hang better on the body, and stand the test of time in all respects.
£90, sunspel.com
Dodow Sleep Aid Device
If he’s not so keen on CBD, you could go the all-natural route. Dodow projects a light onto the ceiling at a metronomic pace, which you’re supposed to follow with your breathing pattern. A meditative end to the day that could calm anxiety and add hours to your sleep.
£49.90, amazon.co.uk
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